A phone buying checklist for Nigeria and Kenya: what to check before you pay

The same phone can be listed at very different prices, in different versions, by different sellers. A few minutes of checking before you pay avoids most of the problems. Work through this list in order.

1. Check the price and the date

Prices move quickly. Look at when a price was last checked, not just the number. On Phone Price Index every price shows the date it was verified, and prices older than 30 days are hidden. Browse the current lists for Nigeria and Kenya, and read how we collect prices.

2. Confirm the exact version

One model is often sold in several versions: 4 GB or 8 GB of RAM, 128 GB or 256 GB of storage, 4G or 5G. The price you saw may be for a different version. Match the RAM, storage and network type in the listing against the spec sheet. Our compare tool puts up to four phones side by side so the differences are easy to see.

3. Read the spec sheet properly

Marketing pages highlight big numbers. Technologistan, our sister site, explains how to read the sheet and what to ignore:

• How to read a phone spec sheet
• Spec sheet red flags and marketing claims
• How much RAM and storage you need
• What virtual RAM is, and why it is not real RAM

4. Check that the phone is genuine

Look at the box, the IMEI printed on the box and on the phone, and the seal. Technologistan covers the steps in how to check if a mobile phone is original and how to check your phone’s IMEI number.

5. If it is used or refurbished, check the condition

Ask for the battery health, check the screen for marks and dead pixels, and test the cameras, speakers and charging port. See refurbished phones: what it means and how to buy safely and how to check phone battery health.

6. Get the warranty in writing

Ask who honours the warranty: the maker, the importer or the shop. Get it on the receipt, with the model and IMEI written down.

7. Work out the real cost

The price on the box is not the whole cost. A case, a screen protector, a charger and a larger storage option can add up. Decide a ceiling first, then compare. Outlay’s guide to cost per use is a useful way to compare a cheaper phone with a dearer one over the years you will keep it.

8. Set up the phone safely

When you have it, follow the new phone setup checklist.

Prices on this site come from a list of the phones we track, not every phone sold. Always confirm the price, version and warranty with the seller before you pay.