ControlZ: Reversing Environmental Impact with Good-as-New Renewed Smartphones

Addressing Smartphone Sustainability: ControlZ's Quest to Renew Old Phones

In a world marked by constant smartphone upgrades and the resulting surge in e-waste and carbon emissions, ControlZ is on a mission to provide a more eco-conscious solution. Founded by 21-year-old Yug Bhatia in June 2020, ControlZ specializes in the comprehensive refurbishment of old smartphones, restoring them to a like-new state through an advanced industrial process.

Unlike typical used smartphones that receive minimal refurbishment before resale, ControlZ takes a holistic approach, focusing on both functionality and aesthetics. When a used smartphone arrives at ControlZ's Renew Hub in Gurugram, it undergoes a thorough initial quality assessment using advanced automation technology. A team of skilled engineers then addresses any issues and works to revive the device's performance and appearance. This process includes the replacement of the battery and the inspection and restoration of components like the camera, display, sound system, and printed circuit board assembly.

Every device undergoes meticulous disassembly, defect diagnosis, and extensive renewal, with up to 80% of the original components retained. Bhatia emphasizes that the primary goal is not to replace parts but to renew the entire device, ensuring it meets high standards of both form and function.

ControlZ's ultimate aim is to prolong smartphone lifespans and reduce the carbon footprint associated with manufacturing new devices. While refurbishing does have some carbon footprint, studies indicate that it emits 80% less carbon and uses 85% less energy compared to producing new smartphones. By opting for refurbishment, consumers contribute to reducing electronic waste and minimizing environmental impact.

While ControlZ's quality assurance process is currently semi-automated, the team is actively working toward full automation to enhance efficiency and accuracy. The company has also introduced a circular component channel, featuring an in-house store for renewed components. When a device arrives for renewal and engineers identify a faulty component, they can retrieve a functioning one from the store to expedite the process, reducing renewal times.

Renew Hub, ControlZ's workspace, is designed with sustainability in mind, incorporating features like solar power, rainwater harvesting, and biodiversity preservation, while utilizing bamboo as the primary building material.

To date, ControlZ has successfully refurbished and sold 60,000 units, primarily from Apple and OnePlus. The cost of these renewed devices ranges from Rs 9,799 to Rs 39,999 for iPhones and Rs 6,499 to Rs 46,999 for OnePlus devices, offering a 60% reduction compared to the price of new devices.

Yug Bhatia envisions ControlZ achieving revenues of Rs 50 crore in FY24, with aspirations to hit the significant milestone of Rs 100 crore in FY25. The used smartphone market is projected to reach a value of $10 billion by FY26, according to a RedSeer report. While ControlZ has thus far relied on internal resources and revenue for its operations and growth, the startup plans to secure $2 million in debt funding this year to support its expansion. ControlZ's future includes establishing an in-house research department and increasing its renewal capacity from 20,000 devices annually to 6 lakh devices.