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| A mobile phone |
I didn't know buying mobile phones online in Nigeria can be a tiring task until recently when I tried to buy a phone for my wife.
Oh boy, the choice out there is huge. With new phones coming out everyday and online stores trying to outdo each other, it can turn to a not-so-good experience if you’re not careful.
I wanted her to have an android phone since her old phone was a blackberry but my wife insisted on one of the latest blackberry phones in town.
I finally got her something she loved but only after considerable heartache. The ordeal opened my eyes to a lot of things, some of which I will like to share here.
=> Click here to see the Best Mobile Phone Deals in 2016
Initially, a mobile phone is more like a typical wireless land phone, but thanks to technology, it is now a modern and multi-functional device.
Today, mobile phones are must-have personal gadgets. Apart from using it to communicate and surf the internet, one can also use this tool for storing data, accessing e-mails, clicking photographs and listening to songs.
Every single mobile phone manufacturer comes out using its own unique selection of features.
Mobile phones are available in various sizes, patterns, specifications and colors. It can be categorized broadly into three segments like basic phones, Smart phones and PDA Phones.
Buying Mobile Phones Online
First, you need to decide the kind of phone you want or need. Are you buying for someone or are you going to be using it? Do you already have a smartphone and you are looking for a basic phone to make calls with? Or you don’t have a working phone right now and you need one that will meet all your phone need?
If you are buying for someone make sure you know the exact kind of phone the person needs. If you are buying for Mama in the village you don't need to buy a top of the range smartphone since I can assure you she will not use a percentage of the functions of the phone. She only needs something to call and receive, and a phone that will last her for like 3-4 days whenever she charges it.
But if you are buying for your daughter in the university, you will need a phone she can use to access her school portal, research her assignments and project, access social media and play games during her free time. In short, she will need a smartphone.
And when you have babies at home you’ll need something rugged, something that can withstand frequent drops. Each time any of my 2 boys handle my phone my heart misses a beat.
Shop Around
After deciding the kind of phone you want you need to shop around to get the best price. It always amazes me the amount of money you can save just by shopping in different outlets before making a purchase. I learned this from my wife, you know women are very good at this.
For instance, whenever I shop on Amazon, it is not uncommon to see a product having 2 different prices. The reason for this is that majority of the popular e-commerce websites have different sellers. This is why you see a phone selling for #20,000 on Konga and when you scroll down the page you will see the same type of phone selling for #19,500.
If you are somebody who don't shop around before making a purchase, you will be loosing money. Yes, #500 is not much but it can surely add up.
Top Brands to Buy
Nokia
Nokia provides trendy and tasteful phone designs and superior solutions. They give an impressive multimedia experience and are a well-known name in the mobile phones market. A Nokia phone caters to your personal and entertainment needs using the brand's outstanding features list.
=> Click here to see the Best Nokia Phones in 2016
Network providers and e-commerce stores are bringing the most beautiful bargains on the Nokia handsets. These deals allow you to enjoy the advanced features of these groundbreaking mobile phones. The lucrative offers make these deals a hot favorite of mobile phone users. So, don't wait anymore. Show off your Nokia mobile phone and stay in touch with your friends and relations.
Nokia is a firm favorite of the older generation Nigerians. They will never forget a brand that has served them well through the years.
Samsung
Tecno
A friend once told me that Tecno phones are primarily designed for Nigerians. At a time when the majority of Nigerians only see the top-of-the-range phones on the pages of magazines or in TV advertisements, Tecno made it possible for us to enjoy the features of these expensive phones on our low-cost mobile phones. If only for these, many Nigerians are forever grateful to this phone manufacturer from China.
Tecno produces some of the sleekest phones you will see in the hands of Nigerians nowadays. They also have some of the best-selling smartphones in the Nigerian mobile phone market. I don't think a day pass that I don't come across a Tecno phone or tablet. There is an unconfirmed report that the phone company is also the manufacturer of Itel range of phones.
Lenovo
I started hearing about the Lenovo brand a couple of years back. They entered the smartphone market in the year 2012 and are already a major producer of smartphones. This is another brand that is making waves among Nigerians with their huge selection of computers, tablets and mobile phone products. Like Tecno, they have categories of price depending on your ability. You will definitely find a cheap Lenovo phone that will work for most of your smartphone needs.
Itel
It would be a disservice to this great phone company if I failed to give them a mention here. Itel phones are like Tecno phones in every way. There is even an unconfirmed report that the two phones are produced by the same company.
Infinix
This range of phones, together with Gionee, are what I call the newcomers in the Nigerian phone market. Infinix was officially launched in Nigeria a few years back. Being new, however, doesn’t make them inferior to the other brands earlier mentioned. If you look around you very well you will see more Nigerians buying these brands.
Websites to buy Mobile Phones online
A couple of years back I do most of my online shopping at Amazon US not just because of the wide range of products available there but because I have friends living in the US who I ship to. My friends will then ship the goods to me in Nigeria. I do this to enjoy Amazon Free Shipping.
Of late, Nigerian e-commerce stores are coming up strong. Now you don’t need to shop on foreign stores to get a good bargain. You can get a good mobile phone on any of the following websites in Nigeria:
Jumia
One of the pioneer of online shopping services. They now have established presence in half a dozen countries in Africa. In the area of availability of products Jumia cannot compete with Amazon but they are a formidable competitor in the online mobile phone shopping in Nigeria. They always have mouth-watering promo for Nigerians from time to time. some of their more recent deals are …
Konga
Another of the online shopping pioneers in Nigeria. Due to the wonderful reviews this website has been getting I’m seriously deliberating on reducing my shopping on Amazon. They always come up with an array of awesome deals and promos periodically. Their mobile week is something Nigerians look forward to.
Yudala
Though I’ve not used Yudala myself, A friend who regularly shops there paid glowing tributes to the website for their top of the pack services. I will be trying out the site for my next mobile phone shopping for sure.
OLX
This is a tad different from the above-mentioned brands as they are more like a middleman service for those selling their stuff (mostly used) and those who wants to buy them.
Others
Other websites that are getting rave reviews and are worthy of mention though I have not tried personally are:
Buyers Beware
Shopping online always come with its attendant risk. Many websites are set up to defraud people. Whenever you want to shop online, I always advise, do your diligent research. Don't just buy from any website, buy only from reputable stores.
Even when you're buying from popular stores always make use of the Cash on Delivery system that can be found on many of the websites mentioned here. This will lessen the risk of you being shipped a wrong or inferior product since you will only pay at the point of delivery.