How to read a phone price, and why we hide prices after 30 days
Every price on Phone Price Index shows a date, and prices older than 30 days disappear from our lists. Here is why, and how to read a price the right way.
A price is only true on the day it was checked
Phone prices in Nigeria and Kenya move often: with exchange rates, new launches, stock levels and shop promotions. A price that was right a month ago may be wrong today. That is why each price on a model page shows the date it was last checked.
Why we hide prices after 30 days
If we have not been able to re-check a price in 30 days, we stop showing it as current. A model with no fresh price is shown without one, rather than with an out-of-date number that could mislead you. It is better to show nothing than something that may no longer be true.
What “verified” means
- The price comes from an online shop listing for that phone.
- We check that the listing matches the phone and the version, for example the storage size, and against an overseas reference price, to avoid a different version being shown by mistake.
- We record the date and show it with the price.
Read the full method in how we collect prices.
How to read a price on the site
- Look at the date. The newer, the better.
- Check the version. Match the RAM and storage with the phone you want to buy.
- Treat the number as a guide. The shop’s current price is the one that counts.
- Compare more than one phone. Use the compare tool to see up to four side by side.
Why prices can differ between shops
Shops differ in warranty, stock and delivery, and some sell different versions of the same model. A cheaper price may come with a shorter warranty or no official support. See our buying checklist and the guide on official and shop warranties from our sister site Technologistan.
If you spot a wrong price
Tell us through the contact page with the phone, the market and the price you saw, and we will check it.
