Christmas is a season of giving—a time to show appreciation, love, and connection with the people who matter most. But what if, this year, your gifts could do more than just delight your loved ones? What if they could also contribute to a better, more sustainable world?
At Cyculus, we believe that every choice we make has the power to create change. And this holiday season, one of the most impactful choices you can make is to support the circular economy by gifting refurbished smartphones. It’s not just a gift for someone special—it’s a gift for the planet.
For decades, we’ve been told that new is always better. But in today’s world, where sustainability and responsibility are more important than ever, it’s time to rethink that narrative. Refurbished smartphones offer the perfect alternative—combining the latest technology with environmental consciousness.
These devices, expertly graded and restored, provide all the functionality and style of a new phone at a fraction of the cost. And with rigorous testing and quality assurance, refurbished devices are virtually indistinguishable from their brand-new counterparts. It’s the smart choice for businesses upgrading their fleet and for individuals shopping for their loved ones.
Every refurbished smartphone is a victory for the circular economy. It’s a device saved from obsolescence and landfill, reintroduced into the market to live another life. By choosing refurbished, you’re actively reducing the demand for new production—lowering the environmental footprint of mining, manufacturing, and shipping.
It’s not just about saving resources; it’s about creating a loop where products are reused, repurposed, and recycled. When you gift a refurbished smartphone, you’re part of that loop, helping to build a more sustainable future.
If you’re a business owner, the holidays are also an ideal time to consider refurbished devices for your team. Whether you’re expanding your workforce, replacing older models, or rewarding your employees, refurbished smartphones provide a cost-effective, sustainable solution.
By integrating refurbished devices into your operations, you’re not just saving money—you’re aligning your business with the values of sustainability and innovation. It’s a message that resonates with customers, employees, and partners alike.
This Christmas, a refurbished smartphone isn’t just a gift; it’s a statement. It’s a decision to support the environment, to value quality over novelty, and to embrace the principles of the circular economy. It’s a choice that says, “I care about the planet, and I care about you.”
Whether it’s for a loved one or your business, gifting a refurbished device is about more than just saving money. It’s about redefining what it means to give.
At Cyculus, we’re proud to be part of a movement that’s changing how we think about technology and sustainability. We’re committed to ensuring that every device processed through our system meets the highest standards of quality, security, and environmental responsibility.
So, this Christmas, let’s celebrate the season of giving by making choices that matter. Let’s give gifts that bring joy today and build a better tomorrow. Choose refurbished, support the circular economy, and make a difference—one smartphone at a time.
Happy holidays from all of us at Cyculus. Let’s make this Christmas the start of something extraordinary.
Innovation is about rethinking the process, questioning what’s possible, and finding a balance between the art of human insight and the precision of technology. In the world of mobile device grading, this balance has never been more crucial. Apkudo is tackling this head-on in the first episode of their new video podcast series, “Tech vs Touch: The Evolution of Cosmetic Grading”, now featured on the Cyculus website.
In this groundbreaking episode, Allyson Mitchell, VP of Sustainability at Apkudo, joins Asa Gismervik, Director of Quality Assurance, to dive deep into the complexities of cosmetic grading in the secondary market. It’s a conversation that explores the delicate dance between human judgment and robotic precision, and it’s setting the stage for a new era in device processing.
The challenge is simple yet profound: humans don’t always agree on what they see. In the context of cosmetic grading, this subjectivity introduces inconsistency—a problem Apkudo aims to solve. But it’s not just about replacing human touch with machine precision; it’s about harmonising the two.
Allyson and Asa kick off the episode by discussing the dual aspects of device grading: functional and cosmetic states. Asa highlights the impact that accurate grading has on resale value and customer satisfaction, pointing out the risks of both overgrading and undergrading. It’s a problem that needs a solution beyond mere automation, and Apkudo is pioneering a new alignment process that aims to bridge this gap.
A key theme in this episode is the importance of blind assessments. Humans are inherently subjective, and so are the algorithms we create if left unchecked. Asa shares his insights into why blind assessments are critical—they ensure that the machine’s evaluation isn’t influenced by preconceived human biases.
This human-machine collaboration is about more than just plugging in an algorithm. It’s about refining it, testing it against large sample runs, and making sure it doesn’t fall into the trap of overfitting to specific datasets. Asa delves into the challenges of teaching machines to interpret cosmetic conditions as humans do, all while maintaining consistency across varied supply chain scenarios.
The heart of this episode lies in the complementary nature of human judgment and machine accuracy. Machines offer precision, the kind that can detect minute imperfections consistently. But it’s the human element that provides context and intent—things that a machine cannot inherently discern. Asa outlines the tools and guidelines used by human graders, comparing them to the precision capabilities of automated systems. It’s a fascinating look at how the two approaches can work together, rather than in opposition.
One of the most significant risks in developing AI grading systems is the potential for overfitting algorithms to specific datasets. Asa emphasises the need for large sample runs to refine these algorithms, allowing them to adapt and perform well across a broader range of devices. It’s a process of continual improvement, much like any great innovation—always learning, always refining.
As the conversation progresses, Asa discusses the vision for a standardised approach to cosmetic grading, one that harmonises the efforts of humans, machines, and supply chain partners. It’s about creating a common language for grading, reducing inconsistencies, and ultimately, building trust across the entire secondary market.
This isn’t just about grading devices; it’s about redefining the process from the ground up. By leveraging human intent to teach robotic systems, Apkudo is setting a new standard—one that aims for greater alignment and efficiency. The goal is clear: a more consistent, reliable market for connected devices, where every player in the supply chain benefits.
Asa closes the episode with a look ahead at the future of human-machine collaboration in device grading. He’s excited about moving beyond traditional customer relationships, focusing instead on true partnerships. It’s about working collaboratively to refine grading standards, not just for Apkudo but for the entire industry. This vision of alignment, where humans and machines work seamlessly together, points towards a future of greater efficiency, accuracy, and transparency.
The insights shared in this episode are just the beginning of a deeper exploration into the challenges and innovations shaping the secondary mobile market. Apkudo’s commitment to balancing technology with human expertise is paving the way for a more standardised, reliable approach to cosmetic grading—one that Cyculus is proud to feature on our platform.
We invite you to watch the full episode, “Tech vs Touch: The Evolution of Cosmetic Grading,”. It’s an eye-opening look at the future of device processing and the role of human-machine collaboration in setting new industry standards.
Stay tuned for more episodes in this exciting new series, and follow us on LinkedIn, Twitter, and Facebook to stay updated on the latest innovations from Cyculus and Apkudo.
We’re excited to launch our new Cyculus website, designed to offer a seamless experience for clients, partners, and visitors. The site reflects our vision of revolutionising the secondary mobile market with innovative solutions powered by AI, robotics, and secure processing.
The launch is just the beginning. We’ll be updating the site regularly with fresh content, including blog posts, case studies, and client success stories.
We invite you to explore the new Cyculus website and discover how we’re setting new standards in secure, efficient, and sustainable device processing. To stay up-to-date with our latest news and updates, be sure to follow us on LinkedIn, Twitter, and Facebook.
As part of our commitment to providing secure and transparent mobile device processing, Cyculus is proud to announce a new partnership with the GSMA. This agreement allows us to integrate the GSMA Device Check service into our offerings, an innovative step forward as we work to ensure that every device processed through Cyculus meets the highest standards for security, authenticity, and reliability.
The GSMA Device Check Service offers access to a global database of flagged device IMEIs. This database is maintained by over 130 mobile operators and other trusted organisations worldwide. Through this service, Cyculus can now offer our customers an optional check that identifies flagged devices, including those reported as lost, stolen, fraudulent or subject to an ownership or financial claim. Our customers can feel confident knowing that flagged or illegitimate devices are filtered out of their processing streams, helping prevent the circulation of these handsets across borders.
This integration marks an important step in Cyculus’ journey to provide a secure, reliable, and transparent device processing solution. The benefits to our customers are threefold:
As Cyculus embarks on this journey in mobile device processing, we see this partnership as a crucial step forward. Fergal Donovan, CEO of Cyculus, shares his thoughts on what this agreement means for the company and its customers:
“This partnership with GSMA is a tremendous step for Cyculus as we begin our journey. With the GSMA Device Check Service, we’re able to offer our customers a new level of security and integrity in device processing. They can be assured that the devices they handle are authentic, free from ownership claims, and accurately valued. This partnership is a strong alignment with our vision of secure, responsible, and transparent mobile processing from the very start.”
At Cyculus, we believe that security, trust, and authenticity are key pillars for sustainable growth in the mobile device industry. With this partnership, we’re not only enhancing our service but also empowering our customers with the assurance and transparency they deserve.
On November 19th, the Cyculus team will be in Berlin for RETECH DAYS, an event that’s not just about discussing the electronics industry, but about reshaping it. It’s about rethinking our impact on the environment and redefining what’s possible in an industry that affects us all.
Where better to have these crucial conversations than in the heart of Berlin, at Tagungswerk, Lindenstraße 85? We’re gathering with visionaries, innovators, and changemakers to explore new ideas, share our journey, and drive forward-thinking solutions that reduce environmental impact.
This isn’t just another event. It’s an opportunity to connect, to innovate, and to shape the future of the electronics industry together. And we at Cyculus are excited to be part of it.
For more information on what promises to be a game-changing day, visit RETECH DAYS.
We’d love to meet up, share ideas, and discuss how our cutting-edge robotics and processing solutions can revolutionise device grading, extend the life of electronics, and minimise e-waste. Let’s work together to build a more sustainable and technologically advanced future. See you in Berlin!