Refurbished phones in Kenya is a used device that has been professionally tested, repaired where necessary, wiped and resold with a warranty. In Kenya, refurbished phones cost roughly 40-60% less than new: a refurbished iPhone 11 starts at Ksh 25,000 against about Ksh 75,000 new at launch, and a refurbished Samsung Galaxy S21 starts at Ksh 24,000.

The difference between refurbished and the “ex-UK” or second-hand phones sold in most Kenyan markets is not the phone. It is what was checked before it was sold, and what happens if it fails. Everything below explains that difference in detail, with the prices, the grading, the warranty terms and the honest disadvantages.

84 devices in stock· Prices in Kenya Shillings, VAT included· Free delivery countrywide

Same-day delivery in Nairobi on orders placed before 3:00 pm.

What this page covers

What “refurbished” actually means

The word is used loosely in Kenya and it hides real differences. A phone can be called refurbished after a wipe and a polish, or after a 32-point diagnostic and a new battery. Both use the same word. Only one is worth paying for.

Condition	What it means	Tested?	Warranty
Brand new, sealed	Never opened, full manufacturer warranty, retail price	By the manufacturer	12 months, manufacturer
Open box	Opened but unused: returned, display unit, or cancelled order	Usually	Varies by seller
Certified refurbished	Used, then professionally diagnosed, repaired if needed, wiped and recertified	Yes, to a published standard	6-12 months, seller
Ex-UK / ex-USA import	A used phone imported from abroad. Says where it came from, not what was done to it	Sometimes, rarely published	0-3 months
Second-hand	Sold as-is by the previous owner or a dealer. No process	No	None

: The five conditions a phone is sold in

The critical distinction: “ex-UK” describes where a phone came from. “Refurbished” describes what was done to it. A phone can be both, one, or neither. An ex-UK phone that nobody tested is a second-hand phone that travelled.

Refurbished vs ex-UK vs second-hand vs new

The same iPhone 11 64GB, bought four different ways in Kenya. This is the comparison most buyers are actually making.

	Second-hand	Ex-UK import	Certified refurbished	New
Typical price	Ksh 20,000-24,000	Ksh 25,000-28,000	Ksh 25,000	No longer sold new
Functional testing	None	Sometimes	32 points	Factory
Battery health checked	No	Rarely	85% minimum, replaced below	100%
IMEI blacklist check	No	Sometimes	Yes, supplied in writing	N/A
iCloud lock cleared	No	Sometimes	Yes	N/A
Water damage checked	No	No	Yes: indicators inspected	N/A
Warranty	None	0-3 months	6 months	12 months
Returns	None	Rare	7 days, no questions	Per retailer
Recourse if it fails	None	Varies	Registered business	Manufacturer
Data wiped properly	Unknown	Unknown	Factory reset, fresh OS	N/A

: Same phone, four routes: iPhone 11 64GB

A second-hand iPhone 11 might save you Ksh 4,000. What you give up is every check in the column above, plus anyone to call when it stops working. On a Ksh 25,000 purchase that is a 16% discount for 100% of the risk.

Why refurbished phones cost so much less

Not because something is wrong with them. Because phones lose value on a steep, predictable curve that has almost nothing to do with how well they work.

Age	% of launch price	What has actually changed
Brand new	100%	Nothing
6 months	~80%	The box is open
1 year	~65%	A newer model exists
2 years	~45%	Battery slightly down. Still fully supported
3-4 years	~30%	Still receives updates. Camera and speed still good. The value sweet spot
5-6 years	~20%	Battery usually needs replacing. Updates narrowing
7+ years	~10%	Security updates ending. Some apps dropping support

: How a flagship phone loses value: indicative, Kenyan market

Depreciation, not defect

A three-year-old flagship outperforms a brand-new budget phone at the same price on almost every measure: chip, camera, screen, build.

Returns and upgrades

Much refurbished stock is barely used: 14-day returns, contract upgrades, insurance replacements. It was never broken.

No marketing cost

A new phone’s price carries advertising, retail margin and distribution. A refurbished one carries testing and warranty. Testing is cheaper.

Grading: what A, B and C actually mean

Grading describes cosmetic condition only. Every grade we sell is functionally identical: same tests, same battery standard, same warranty. You are choosing how it looks, not how it works.

Grade	Appearance	Screen	Typical saving	Best for
Grade A	Excellent. Looks close to new, no marks at normal viewing distance	Flawless	Baseline	Most buyers, gifts
Grade B	Good. Light scratches on frame or back, visible up close	No visible marks when on	−10 to −15%	Anyone using a case
Grade C	Fair. Clear scratches, possible small dents on frame	Minor marks possible	−20 to −30%	Tightest budgets, work phones

: Cosmetic grading and what it saves you

A Grade C phone with a case on it is indistinguishable from a Grade A phone with a case on it, and it costs up to 30% less. If you were going to use a case anyway, and most people do, the grade you pay extra for is hidden from view the moment you leave the shop.

Everything we sell, by brand

84 devices across five brands, plus tablets, laptops, watches and accessories. This is the whole catalogue.

Category	Devices	Range	Prices from
iPhones	29	iPhone 7 through iPhone 17 Pro Max, plus SE 2020, SE 2022 and 16e	Ksh 8,000	Browse
Samsung Galaxy	26	S20 to S25 lines, Note 10, Z Fold 4/5/6, Z Flip 4/6, A54, A56	Ksh 16,000	Browse
Google Pixel	11	Pixel 6 through Pixel 10 Pro, including 7a, 8a, 9a	Ksh 18,000	Browse
iPads	4	iPad 6th, 7th, 9th generation and iPad Air 4th generation	Ksh 15,000	Browse
Sony Xperia	3	Xperia 10 II, Xperia 10 V, Xperia 5 IV	Ksh 12,000	Browse
MacBooks	2	MacBook Air M1 2020, MacBook Pro 15-inch 2017	Ksh 45,000	Browse
OnePlus	2	OnePlus 9, OnePlus 10 Pro	Ksh 20,000	Browse
Watches & accessories	5	Apple Watch Series 8, Watch Ultra, Apple Pencil 2, Galaxy Buds 3, cases	Ksh 1,500	Browse

: Catalogue at a glance, September 2026

What we don’t sell. We do not stock Tecno, Infinix, itel, Oppo or Xiaomi. Those brands are a large share of the Kenyan market and there are good refurbished sellers for them. We are not one. We concentrate on Apple, Samsung and Google because that is where our technicians, spare parts and warranty capacity are. If you want a refurbished Tecno, buy it from someone who specialises in it.

Refurbished iPhone prices in Kenya

All prices are Grade A, base storage, including 6-month warranty and free delivery. Larger storage adds roughly Ksh 3,500-8,000 depending on model.

Model	Released	From	Still updated?	Best for
Entry: under Ksh 25,000
iPhone 7	2016	Ksh 8,000	Ended	Backup phone, first smartphone
iPhone SE (2020)	2020	Ksh 14,000	Yes	Small hands, tight budget
iPhone X	2017	Ksh 18,000	Ending	First OLED iPhone, cheap
iPhone XS Max	2018	Ksh 22,000	Ending	Big screen, low price
iPhone SE (2022)	2022	Ksh 22,000	Yes	5G on a budget
The sweet spot: Ksh 25,000 to 50,000
iPhone 11	2019	Ksh 25,000	Yes	Best value in the range
iPhone 12 mini	2020	Ksh 28,000	Yes	The smallest modern iPhone
iPhone 12	2020	Ksh 33,000	Yes	First 5G iPhone, OLED
iPhone 11 Pro	2019	Ksh 35,000	Yes	Telephoto camera, compact
iPhone 13 mini	2021	Ksh 36,000	Yes	Small with modern battery life
iPhone 12 Pro	2020	Ksh 42,000	Yes	Photography on a budget
iPhone 13	2021	Ksh 43,000	Yes	Excellent battery, great all-rounder
iPhone 12 Pro Max	2020	Ksh 48,000	Yes	Big screen, long battery
Premium: Ksh 50,000 and above
iPhone 13 Pro	2021	Ksh 55,000	Yes	First 120Hz iPhone
iPhone 14	2022	Ksh 55,000	Yes	Crash detection, good camera
iPhone 13 Pro Max	2021	Ksh 62,000	Yes	Battery champion of its era
iPhone 16e	2025	Ksh 62,000	Yes	Cheapest current-generation iPhone
iPhone 15	2023	Ksh 68,000	Yes	First USB-C iPhone
iPhone 14 Pro	2022	Ksh 70,000	Yes	Dynamic Island, 48MP camera
iPhone 15 Plus	2023	Ksh 75,000	Yes	Big screen, USB-C
iPhone 14 Pro Max	2022	Ksh 78,000	Yes	Pro camera, big battery
iPhone 15 Pro	2023	Ksh 88,000	Yes	Titanium, Action button
iPhone 16	2024	Ksh 85,000	Yes	Apple Intelligence capable
iPhone 15 Pro Max	2023	Ksh 98,000	Yes	5× telephoto
iPhone 16 Pro	2024	Ksh 108,000	Yes	Near-current flagship
iPhone 17	2025	Ksh 115,000	Yes	Current generation
iPhone 16 Pro Max	2024	Ksh 120,000	Yes	Biggest camera system of 2024
iPhone 17 Pro	2025	Ksh 140,000	Yes	Latest Pro, refurbished discount
iPhone 17 Pro Max	2025	Ksh 155,000	Yes	The most phone available

: Refurbished iPhone price list for Kenya, September 2026

Browse all 29 iPhones iPhone 11 series in detail

Refurbished Samsung Galaxy prices in Kenya

Samsung is the largest smartphone brand in Kenya at just over 26% of the market, and it depreciates faster than Apple, which makes refurbished Galaxy flagships some of the best value on this page.

Model	Released	From	Notes
S Series: the flagships
Galaxy S20 FE	2020	Ksh 16,000	The cheapest way into a Samsung flagship experience
Galaxy S20	2020	Ksh 18,000	120Hz screen, still fast
Galaxy S21 FE	2021	Ksh 20,000	Flagship chip, lower price
Galaxy S21	2021	Ksh 24,000	Best Samsung value under Ksh 25,000
Galaxy S21 Plus	2021	Ksh 28,000	Bigger screen and battery
Galaxy S22	2022	Ksh 30,000	Compact flagship
Galaxy S21 Ultra	2021	Ksh 34,000	S Pen support, 108MP camera
Galaxy S22 Plus	2022	Ksh 36,000
Galaxy S23	2023	Ksh 42,000	Excellent efficiency
Galaxy S22 Ultra	2022	Ksh 45,000	Built-in S Pen
Galaxy S24	2024	Ksh 55,000	Galaxy AI features
Galaxy S23 Ultra	2023	Ksh 62,000	200MP camera, S Pen
Galaxy S25	2025	Ksh 70,000	Current generation
Galaxy S24 Ultra	2024	Ksh 82,000	Titanium, best Android camera of its year
Galaxy S25 Ultra	2025	Ksh 105,000	Current flagship
Foldables
Galaxy Z Flip 4	2022	Ksh 32,000	The cheapest way into a folding phone
Galaxy Z Fold 4	2022	Ksh 48,000	Tablet-sized inner screen
Galaxy Z Flip 6	2024	Ksh 65,000	Much improved crease and battery
Galaxy Z Fold 5	2023	Ksh 68,000	Gapless hinge
Galaxy Z Fold 6	2024	Ksh 92,000	Thinnest Fold to date
Note series & A series
Galaxy Note 10	2019	Ksh 18,000	S Pen, compact
Galaxy A54 5G	2023	Ksh 22,000	Mid-range, long software support
Galaxy Note 10 Plus	2019	Ksh 24,000	Big screen, S Pen
Galaxy A56 5G	2025	Ksh 30,000	Newest mid-range in stock

: Refurbished Samsung Galaxy price list for Kenya, September 2026

Browse all Samsung Galaxy

Pixel, OnePlus, Sony, iPad and MacBook prices

Model	Released	From	Notes
Pixel 6	2021	Ksh 18,000	First Tensor chip
Pixel 7a	2023	Ksh 22,000	Best camera per shilling on this page
Pixel 8a	2024	Ksh 30,000	7 years of updates from launch
Pixel 7 Pro	2022	Ksh 32,000	Telephoto, big screen
Pixel 8	2023	Ksh 35,000	Best small Android camera
Pixel 9a	2025	Ksh 45,000	Newest a-series
Pixel 8 Pro	2023	Ksh 48,000	Temperature sensor, pro controls
Pixel 9	2024	Ksh 55,000	Gemini features
Pixel 10	2025	Ksh 72,000	Current generation
Pixel 9 Pro XL	2024	Ksh 78,000	Largest Pixel screen
Pixel 10 Pro	2025	Ksh 95,000	Current flagship

: Google Pixel: refurbished prices in Kenya

Device	From
iPad 6th generation	Ksh 15,000
iPad 7th generation	Ksh 18,000
iPad 9th generation	Ksh 26,000
iPad Air 4th generation	Ksh 32,000
MacBook Pro 15″ 2017	Ksh 45,000
MacBook Air M1 2020	Ksh 62,000

: iPads & MacBooks

Device	From
Sony Xperia 10 II	Ksh 12,000
Sony Xperia 10 V	Ksh 24,000
Sony Xperia 5 IV	Ksh 38,000
OnePlus 9	Ksh 20,000
OnePlus 10 Pro	Ksh 32,000
Galaxy Buds 3	Ksh 9,000
Apple Pencil 2nd gen	Ksh 9,000
Apple Watch Series 8 45mm	Ksh 24,000
Apple Watch Ultra	Ksh 55,000

: Sony, OnePlus, watches & accessories

Battery health: the number that should set the price

Kenyan buyers increasingly ask sellers what battery health percentage they are getting, and they are right to. It is the single most important number on a used phone, and the one most sellers will not volunteer.

Battery health is the capacity remaining against the battery’s original capacity when new. On an iPhone you can check it yourself in Settings → Battery → Battery Health & Charging. On most Samsung phones it is in Settings → Battery and device care → Diagnostics, or dial *#0228#.

Health	What you’ll experience	Fair price effect	Our policy
95-100%	Essentially as-new battery life	Full price	Sold as-is
85-94%	Good all-day use. Apple considers a battery healthy above 80%	Full price	Our minimum
80-84%	Noticeably shorter days, top-up charge likely	Should be Ksh 2,000-3,000 cheaper	Replaced before sale
75-79%	Will need replacing within a year	Should be Ksh 3,000-4,500 cheaper	Replaced before sale
Below 75%	Needs replacing now. Phone may throttle	Deduct the full replacement cost	Replaced before sale

: What each battery health band means, and what it should cost

Our standard: nothing leaves with a battery below 85%. If a device comes in below that, the battery is replaced before it is listed. The cost is in our price, not a surprise in yours. When you compare a cheaper phone elsewhere, ask for the battery health figure. If the seller will not give you a number, that is the answer.

Device	Replacement cost	Effect on a “cheap” phone
iPhone 11 / 12 / 13	Ksh 3,000-4,500	A Ksh 21,000 phone at 74% health is really a Ksh 25,000 phone
iPhone 14 / 15	Ksh 4,500-6,500
Samsung Galaxy S series	Ksh 3,500-5,500
Google Pixel	Ksh 3,500-5,000

: Battery replacement cost in Kenya: typical Nairobi market

The 32-point inspection, in full

“Certified” means nothing unless the certification is published. Here is the entire list, so you can hold us to it, and so you have something to ask any other seller for.

Identity & legal: 5 checks

IMEI checked against blacklist databases · iCloud or Google activation lock cleared · serial verified against the manufacturer’s records · genuine or approved replacement parts confirmed · region and carrier lock status established.

Power: 5 checks

Battery health measured and recorded · full charge cycle observed · wired charging · wireless charging where fitted · charging port inspected and tested under load.

Display & body: 6 checks

Dead and stuck pixels · burn-in on OLED panels · touch response across the full panel · True Tone or adaptive colour · frame checked for bends · liquid contact indicators. Any triggered indicator and the device is rejected outright.

Cameras & sensors: 7 checks

Each rear lens at every zoom level · front camera · flash · Night Mode · Face ID or fingerprint · proximity and ambient light sensors · accelerometer, gyroscope and compass.

Audio & connectivity: 7 checks

Earpiece · loudspeaker · all microphones · Wi-Fi · Bluetooth · GPS · 4G and 5G tested on Kenyan networks, plus SIM tray and eSIM where fitted.

Finishing: 2 checks

Wiped to factory settings with a fresh operating system installed · cleaned, graded, and photographed as the actual unit you will receive.

Note on the number: several Kenyan refurbishers advertise a “32-point check”, and the phrase has become a category standard rather than a differentiator. What matters is whether the seller will show you the list. Ours is above.

Warranty and returns, compared honestly

Warranty headlines are easy to misread. A “12-month warranty” can mean twelve months of full cover, or six months of full cover followed by six months of labour only. Read the tiers, not the headline.

	Shwari Phones	Badili Kenya	Typical CBD shop	Jiji / classifieds
Headline warranty	6 months	12 months	0-3 months	None
Full parts & labour	6 months	6 months	Varies	–
Labour only	–	Months 7-12	–	–
Replacement window	7 days, any reason	7 days, technical defects	Rarely	None
Accidental damage	Not covered	Not covered	Not covered	–
Published inspection list	Yes: see above	Not published in warranty terms	No	No
Battery health floor	85%, published	Not published	No	No

: What the main Kenyan refurbishers actually offer

Where we are genuinely better, and where we are not. Badili’s headline warranty is twice ours, and if length is what matters most to you, that is a real advantage – we would rather you knew. What we offer instead is a published inspection list, a published battery health floor, and a 7-day return for any reason rather than for technical defects only. On full parts-and-labour cover the two are identical at six months.

The 7-day, no-questions guarantee

Use it for a week. If the battery disappoints you, if the camera is not what you expected, if you simply do not like it: send it back and we refund you in full, including delivery. You do not have to explain why.

The phone needs to come back in the condition it left in. Cracked screens and liquid damage are not covered by the return window.

: Every route to a refurbished phone in Kenya, compared

When not to buy from us. If you want a refurbished Tecno, Infinix or Oppo, we do not stock them. If your budget is under Ksh 8,000, the honest answer is a classifieds listing you test yourself. And if you need a manufacturer warranty for a corporate policy, buy new or authorised-refurbished. We would rather tell you that than sell you the wrong thing.

How long does a refurbished phone last?

The most common question people ask before buying one, and the answer is more reassuring than most expect. A refurbished phone is not on a shorter clock than a new one of the same model. It is simply further along the same clock.

Limit	Typical timeline	Fixable?	Cost to fix
Battery capacity	2-3 years per battery	Yes	Ksh 3,000-6,500
Screen damage	Whenever you drop it	Yes	Ksh 6,000-18,000
Storage full	Depends on use	No, buy enough up front	–
Software updates end	iPhone ~6-8 yrs · Samsung S ~4-7 yrs · Pixel ~5-7 yrs	No	–
Apps drop support	1-2 years after updates end	No	–

: What limits a phone’s usable life, and what you can do about each

The practical answer: a refurbished phone bought 3-4 years after its release typically has 2 to 4 more years of comfortable use, with one battery replacement somewhere in the middle. Software support, not hardware, is what eventually ends it, which is why the release year column in our price tables matters more than the condition grade.

How to check a phone is genuine before you pay

Do this with any seller, including us. It takes four minutes and it is the difference between owning a phone and holding one until someone reports it stolen.

#	Check	How	Fail means
1	IMEI matches	Dial *#06#. Compare against the number on the box, the SIM tray and in Settings → General → About	Mismatched numbers mean parts or housing have been swapped
2	Not blacklisted	Run the IMEI through a blacklist checker before paying	A blacklisted phone can be barred from networks at any time
3	Activation lock cleared	Factory reset it in front of the seller and set it up yourself	If it asks for someone else’s Apple or Google account, walk away
4	Serial is real	Check the serial on the manufacturer’s coverage page	“Invalid serial” means it is not the phone it claims to be
5	Battery health stated	Settings → Battery → Battery Health, or *#0228# on Samsung	A seller who will not show you the number is hiding it

: The five checks to run before money changes hands

The three warning signs of a fake iPhone in Kenya: the Settings menu looks subtly wrong or has unfamiliar entries; the serial returns “invalid” on Apple’s coverage page; and the price is dramatically below every other listing for that model. A genuine iPhone 11 at Ksh 12,000 does not exist. That price is the tell.

Full guide: checking a phone is original

What to buy at each budget

The single most useful table on this page if you know what you can spend but not what it buys.

Budget	Our pick	Runner-up	Why
Under Ksh 15,000	iPhone SE 2020 · Ksh 14,000	Sony Xperia 10 II · Ksh 12,000	The SE has a flagship chip in a small body and still gets updates
Ksh 15,000-20,000	Galaxy S20 FE · Ksh 16,000	Pixel 6 · Ksh 18,000	120Hz flagship screen and a strong camera for mid-range money
Ksh 20,000-25,000	Pixel 7a · Ksh 22,000	Galaxy S21 · Ksh 24,000	The 7a’s camera beats phones costing three times as much
Ksh 25,000-35,000	iPhone 11 · Ksh 25,000	iPhone 12 · Ksh 33,000	The best value band in the whole catalogue
Ksh 35,000-50,000	iPhone 13 · Ksh 43,000	Galaxy S23 · Ksh 42,000	Superb battery life and a camera that still competes today
Ksh 50,000-70,000	iPhone 14 Pro · Ksh 70,000	Galaxy S23 Ultra · Ksh 62,000	48MP and 200MP cameras respectively, at half their launch price
Ksh 70,000+	iPhone 15 Pro Max · Ksh 98,000	Galaxy S24 Ultra · Ksh 82,000	Near-current flagships with years of support ahead

: Best refurbished phone at each Kenyan budget

What to buy for how you actually use it

If you are…	Buy	From	Because
A student	iPhone 11 or Galaxy S21	Ksh 24,000	Durable, repairable locally, holds resale value when you upgrade
Running a business from your phone	iPhone 13	Ksh 43,000	Battery lasts a full working day of calls, M-Pesa and email
Serious about photography	Pixel 8 Pro or iPhone 14 Pro	Ksh 48,000	Best computational photography available at refurbished prices
A heavy gamer	Galaxy S23 Ultra	Ksh 62,000	Large 120Hz screen and sustained performance under load
Buying for a parent	iPhone SE 2022 or iPhone 11	Ksh 22,000	Simple, well supported, easy to get help with anywhere in Kenya
Buying a first phone for a child	iPhone 7 or Xperia 10 II	Ksh 8,000	Low value to lose, full parental controls
Needing a work backup	Galaxy A54 5G	Ksh 22,000	5G, long software support, low enough cost to keep in a drawer

: Matching the phone to the person

Trade in the phone you already have

Most people buying a refurbished phone have an old one in a drawer. Send it to us and its value comes straight off the price on the day.

Your phone	We pay up to	iPhone 11 then costs	iPhone 13 then costs
iPhone 8 / 8 Plus	Ksh 7,000	Ksh 18,000	Ksh 36,000
Google Pixel 6	Ksh 10,000	Ksh 15,000	Ksh 33,000
Samsung Galaxy S20	Ksh 11,000	Ksh 14,000	Ksh 32,000
iPhone X / XR	Ksh 12,000	Ksh 13,000	Ksh 31,000
iPhone XS Max	Ksh 15,000	Ksh 10,000	Ksh 28,000
Samsung Galaxy S21	Ksh 15,000	Ksh 10,000	Ksh 28,000
iPhone 11	Ksh 16,000	–	Ksh 27,000
iPhone 12	Ksh 22,000	–	Ksh 21,000

: Indicative trade-in values: confirmed after inspection

Values depend on model, storage, battery health and cosmetic condition. We give you a firm figure before you commit, and you are free to decline it and keep your phone.

Get your trade-in value

Paying in instalments

Lipa mdogo mdogo, pole pole, in bits: whatever you call it, paying over time is how a large share of Kenyan phone purchases actually happen. Here is exactly what each route costs in total.

Method	Upfront	Then	Total paid	Extra cost
Pay in full	Ksh 25,000	–	Ksh 25,000	Ksh 0
Trade in an iPhone XR, pay the rest	Ksh 13,000	–	Ksh 13,000 + phone	Ksh 0
Deposit + 3 monthly	Ksh 10,000	3 × Ksh 5,300	Ksh 25,900	Ksh 900
Deposit + 6 monthly	Ksh 8,000	6 × Ksh 3,100	Ksh 26,600	Ksh 1,600

: Ways to pay for an iPhone 11 at Ksh 25,000

Every figure above is the total you will pay. Nothing is added at the end. Instalment plans are subject to a simple affordability check.

Delivery across Kenya

Free everywhere in Kenya. You can also collect from our CBD office.

Where	Time	Cost	Notes
Nairobi CBD & environs	Same day	Free	Order before 3:00 pm
Greater Nairobi	Same or next day	Free	Westlands, Kilimani, Karen, Ruaka, Thika Road, Rongai
Mombasa, Kisumu, Nakuru	1-2 working days	Free	Courier to your address or a pickup point
Eldoret, Nyeri, Meru, Kakamega	1-2 working days	Free	Courier to a pickup point
Everywhere else in Kenya	2-3 working days	Free	Nationwide courier network
Collect in person	Immediately	Free	4th Floor Suite, Kimathi House, 409 Kimathi Street, Nairobi CBD

: Delivery times and coverage

The Kenyan phone market, in numbers

Useful context for why refurbished has grown the way it has here.

Brand	Share	Do we stock it refurbished?
Samsung	26.09%	Yes, 26 models
Tecno	13.14%	No
OPPO	8.63%	No
Apple	7.26%	Yes, 29 iPhones
Infinix	6.56%	No

: Smartphone market share in Kenya (StatCounter, June 2026)

63.7%

of all mobile phones connected to Kenyan networks are smartphones, per the Communications Authority of Kenya, Q3 of the 2025/26 financial year.

Ksh 50,000-60,000

is the typical price of a new premium smartphone in Kenya. Refurbished puts the same tier of device within reach at Ksh 25,000-45,000.

7.26%

Apple’s share of the Kenyan market. iPhones are aspirational here rather than default, which is exactly why the refurbished route matters so much.

The environmental case

Around 80% of a smartphone’s lifetime carbon footprint comes from manufacturing it, not from using it. Extending a phone’s life is the single most effective thing an individual can do about it.

Measure	Estimated saving	Source range
Carbon dioxide	50-77 kg CO₂e	Published refurbishment industry estimates vary by model and methodology
Raw materials	Roughly 75 kg of mined ore not extracted	Based on typical smartphone material intensity
Electronic waste	One device diverted from waste	Kenya generates tens of thousands of tonnes of e-waste annually

: Estimated impact of buying one refurbished phone instead of new

Estimates differ substantially between studies, and the benefit depends on how long the refurbished device is then used. We have given a range rather than a single figure because a single figure would be misleading.

The honest disadvantages

Every page selling refurbished phones lists the benefits. Here are the real drawbacks, because you will find them out anyway and it is better you hear them now.

Drawback	How much it matters	What helps
Shorter warranty than new	Real	6 months against 12 from a manufacturer. Check the tiers when comparing sellers
Cosmetic marks	Depends on grade	Grade A is near-flawless. A case hides the rest
Shorter remaining update window	Real and important	Check the release year. A 2023 phone has years more support than a 2019 one
Battery already partly used	Manageable	Our 85% floor, and a replacement costs Ksh 3,000-6,500 when the time comes
No original box or accessories	Minor	We supply a charging cable, case and screen protector
Model availability varies	Real	Refurbished stock depends on what comes in. Exact colours and storage are not always available
Quality varies hugely by seller	The biggest risk of all	This is why the inspection list, the battery floor and the warranty tiers matter more than the price

: What you give up by buying refurbished

30 questions about refurbished phones, answered

What is a refurbished phone?

A refurbished phone is a previously owned device that has been professionally inspected, repaired where necessary, wiped of all previous data and resold with a warranty. It is not the same as second-hand: the defining feature is the testing and the warranty, not the fact that someone owned it before.

Is it safe to buy a refurbished phone?

Yes, when you buy from a seller who publishes what they check and gives you a warranty. The risk in refurbished phones is not the phones. It is sellers who use the word without doing the work. Ask for the inspection list, the battery health figure and the warranty terms in writing. Any seller who will not provide all three is selling second-hand and calling it refurbished.

Why are refurbished phones so cheap?

Because phones depreciate steeply and predictably for reasons unrelated to how well they work. A three-year-old flagship typically sells for about 30% of its launch price while still doing almost everything it did on day one. You are paying for the depreciation curve, not for a defect.

Is a refurbished phone original or fake?

A properly refurbished phone is an original manufacturer device. The same phone that was sold new, tested and resold. It is not a copy or a clone. You can verify this yourself: check the IMEI with *#06# and the serial number against the manufacturer’s coverage page. If either fails, it is not genuine.

What’s the difference between refurbished and ex-UK?

“Ex-UK” describes where a phone came from. It was used in the United Kingdom and imported. “Refurbished” describes what was done to it: tested, repaired, recertified. A phone can be ex-UK and refurbished, ex-UK and untested, or refurbished from local stock. The origin tells you nothing about the condition.

Which is better, refurbished or second-hand?

Refurbished, unless your budget is genuinely fixed below what refurbished costs. Second-hand saves roughly 15-20% and removes every check: no battery test, no IMEI verification, no iCloud check, no warranty and nobody to call. On a Ksh 25,000 phone that is about Ksh 4,000 of saving against all of the risk.

How long do refurbished phones last?

A refurbished phone bought 3-4 years after its release typically gives 2 to 4 more years of comfortable use, usually with one battery replacement along the way. What ends a phone’s life is software support, not hardware, so the release year matters more than the condition grade.

Do refurbished phones come with a warranty?

Ours come with 6 months covering hardware failure, plus 7 days to return the phone for any reason at all. Warranty lengths across the Kenyan market range from nothing at all on classifieds to 12 months from the larger refurbishers, but read the tiers, because some 12-month warranties cover parts and labour for only the first six months.

Do refurbished phones have new batteries?

Not always, and any seller claiming every phone gets a new battery should be questioned. Our standard is that no phone leaves with battery health below 85%. If a device comes in below that, the battery is replaced before it is listed. Above 85% the original battery is kept, tested and the figure disclosed.

How much does a refurbished iPhone cost in Kenya?

From Ksh 8,000 for an iPhone 7 to Ksh 155,000 for an iPhone 17 Pro Max. The most popular band is Ksh 25,000-45,000, which covers the iPhone 11 through the iPhone 13. The models with the best balance of price, remaining software support and camera quality.

Where is the best place to buy a refurbished phone in Kenya?

It depends on what you value. Specialist refurbishers give you testing and warranty. Marketplaces like Jumia and Kilimall give you buyer protection but the individual seller sets the warranty. CBD shops let you hold the phone first. Classifieds are cheapest and carry every risk. We have compared all five routes honestly in the table above.

Is it better to buy new or refurbished?

Buy new if you need the newest features, a full manufacturer warranty, or a specific configuration. Buy refurbished if you want the most capable phone your money can reach. At Ksh 45,000 refurbished buys a former flagship with a professional camera system; new buys a mid-range phone. Both are reasonable, they are just different trades.

What are the disadvantages of a refurbished phone?

A shorter warranty than new, possible cosmetic marks depending on grade, a shorter remaining software-update window, a battery that has already been used, and no original box. The biggest risk is not the category but the seller: quality varies enormously between refurbishers.

How do I know if a phone is blacklisted or stolen?

Dial *#06# to get the IMEI, then run it through a blacklist checker before paying. We check every IMEI before listing and give you that check in writing with the phone. Do this with any seller. A blacklisted phone can be barred from networks at any point, and you would have no recourse.

Can I trust a refurbished phone with my banking and M-Pesa?

Yes, provided it has been properly wiped and reset. Every phone we sell is restored to factory settings with a fresh operating system installed, so there is no previous owner’s data or software on it. When it arrives, set it up as a new device rather than restoring someone else’s backup.

What is battery health and what number should I accept?

Battery health is the capacity remaining compared with when the battery was new. Apple treats above 80% as healthy. We do not sell below 85%. Below 80% you should expect to replace the battery soon and the price should reflect that: around Ksh 3,000-6,500 depending on model.

Do you sell refurbished Tecno or Infinix phones?

No. We stock Apple, Samsung, Google Pixel, OnePlus and Sony only. Tecno and Infinix are a significant share of the Kenyan market and there are sellers who specialise in refurbishing them properly. We are not one, and we would rather say so than sell you something we cannot support.

Which refurbished phone has the best camera for the money?

The Google Pixel 7a at Ksh 22,000 is the clearest answer. Google’s computational photography means it produces photos comparable with phones costing three times as much. Above that budget, the Pixel 8 Pro and iPhone 14 Pro are the best cameras available at refurbished prices.

Can I pay in instalments?

Yes. You can pay a deposit and spread the balance over 3 or 6 months, and the tables above show the exact total for each option so there are no surprises. You can also trade in your current phone to cut the amount owed, or combine both.

Do you deliver outside Nairobi?

Yes, anywhere in Kenya, and delivery is free. Nairobi orders placed before 3:00 pm go out the same day. Mombasa, Kisumu, Nakuru and Eldoret take 1-2 working days, and everywhere else 2-3.

What happens if the phone stops working?

Within 7 days, return it for a full refund for any reason at all, including delivery costs. Within 6 months, hardware failures are covered by warranty and we repair or replace it. Accidental damage, cracked screens, liquid damage, is not covered, which is true of every warranty in this market.

Is a refurbished phone the same as a replacement phone?

No. A replacement device is one a manufacturer or insurer sends when your phone fails under warranty, and it may itself be refurbished. A refurbished phone is one sold openly on the second-hand market after professional testing. Both are legitimate; only one is something you choose to buy.

How can I tell if my current iPhone is refurbished?

Check the model number in Settings → General → About. A number beginning with M indicates a device originally sold at retail, F indicates a manufacturer-refurbished unit, N a replacement device and P a personalised one. Third-party refurbishment does not change this code, so it tells you about the phone’s origin rather than whether a shop has serviced it.

What should I check before buying any used phone?

Five things: the IMEI matches everywhere it appears, the IMEI is not blacklisted, the activation lock is cleared, the serial verifies with the manufacturer, and the battery health is stated. The full walkthrough is in the verification section above. It takes about four minutes.

Are refurbished phones waterproof?

They retain their original water-resistance rating, but that rating was measured when the phone was new. Seals degrade with age and any repair that opens the device can compromise them further. Treat any refurbished phone as splash resistant rather than waterproof, regardless of its IP rating.

Why is one seller’s price so much lower than everyone else’s?

Usually one of four reasons: the battery health is low and undisclosed, the phone is second-hand rather than refurbished, there is no warranty, or the device is blacklisted or activation locked. Occasionally it is a genuine clearance. Ask for the battery figure and the IMEI check. That separates the four cases quickly.

Do refurbished phones support 5G and the latest software?

It depends entirely on the model, not on the fact that it is refurbished. iPhone 12 and newer support 5G; iPhone 11 and older do not. Software support depends on the release year. Our price tables show release year and update status for every model for exactly this reason.

Can I return a refurbished phone if I change my mind?

Yes. You have 7 days to return it for any reason and we refund you in full, including delivery. You do not have to give a reason. The phone needs to come back in the condition it left in: cracked screens and liquid damage are not covered by the return window.

Which is better for resale value, iPhone or Samsung?

iPhones hold value considerably better. A three-year-old iPhone typically retains around 40-45% of its launch price against roughly 30% for an equivalent Samsung. That makes Samsung the better buy if you are purchasing and Apple the better buy if you expect to resell or trade in later.

Do you buy phones as well as sell them?

Yes. We take trade-ins against a purchase, and the value comes off the price on the day. The trade-in table above gives indicative figures for common models, and we confirm a firm number after inspection. You are free to decline it.

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Shwari Phones: refurbished iPhones, Samsung, Google Pixel, iPads and MacBooks. 4th Floor Suite, Kimathi House, 409 Kimathi Street, Nairobi CBD.

Market share figures: StatCounter, June 2026, as reported by The Kenya Times. Smartphone connection share: Communications Authority of Kenya, Q3 FY2025/26. Competitor warranty terms: Badili Kenya published warranty policy, retrieved 13 September 2026. Carbon estimates: published refurbishment industry figures, which vary by methodology. Prices change frequently and were correct at the date shown.

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