What happens to unsold flagship phones?

[shouldbworking]

I need a boatload of android devices to basically use as small tablets.

Key requirements -
Work reliably
Bluetooth Low Energy
Android 4.3 or better
Fit in a pocket

Nice to have -
Waterproof
Shockproof

Doesn't need to -
be used as a phone

Something like an Xperia Z3 and older flagship phones seem bang on but hard to get in large quantities (50+).

Any thoughts?

[b0rk]

Well you haven't stated a budget and if the handsets need be to new?

The obvious place for "cheap" smartphones is Alibaba / DHGate check for new and global firmware / rom.

How about..

https://www.aliexpress.com/item/Original-Huawei-Ho...

https://www.aliexpress.com/item/Russian-Multi-Lang...

[Dave.]

Smartfonestore has/had 50odd new nexus 5x in stock at the beginning the week... They have a bulk buy side to their business, I'm sure you'll find it with a bit of googling....

2nd time I've mentioned then this week, no affiliation, just a happy customer...

[shouldbworking]

Dave. said:

Smartfonestore has/had 50odd new nexus 5x in stock at the beginning the week... They have a bulk buy side to their business, I'm sure you'll find it with a bit of googling....

2nd time I've mentioned then this week, no affiliation, just a happy customer...

I did find that, almost as quickly as I found the 100 negative reviews of the 5x citing bootloop problems, but that's the kind of thing I need.

Budget I'm looking at around 100 each device, a bit more is ok

And yes, new devices