A new and better way to own a premium smartphone

One out of every two Kenyans, one owns a smartphone. [iStocphoto]

Theres no denying that technology has changed the way we live. These days, it's as easy as a finger tap to summon your favorite food from a screen or to pull up the latest 4K HD triple-lens camera with a single swipe. But while more and more Kenyans are experiencing the joy of exciting new tech, its impact on our budget and also the planet is a lot more long-lasting. Many of us are on the lookout for affordable and sustainable options to own a premium phone that does not sacrifice quality. One Kenyan company - MoPhones - has made it its mission to provide that option by offering Renewed phones that promise an experience that rivals the purchase of a new device. Now you can get the quality and guarantees of a new phone without breaking the bank. Now the future is Renewed in Kenya too

Across the globe, the Right to Repair movement has resulted in an industry of high quality refurbishment centers that use sophisticated technology to bring the quality of used devices up to where it was when they were new. Some even manage to get to better-than-new quality levels ;)

Smartphone manufacturers such as Apple are in a race to allow their devices to enjoy longer life spans: the most recent iPhone 16 features a new battery aimed at easier servicing and replacement and introduced features that allow second or third owners of a device to see if various parts of the device are still of top quality. They are clear: our future is about circularity.

Quality and trust

While various companies have sprung up in Kenya offering used and refurbished smartphones, Kenyans are generally hesitant because its hard to trust the quality of the devices. And rightfully so. There is usually a lack of transparency on the quality and history of a second-hand device, and a prospective buyer generally has very limited warranties. Pricing of second-hand devices varies a lot, but its still a big enough purchase that you dont want to take a risk.

It was like this in Europe and the US until just a few years ago. But the recent rise of premium Renewed companies like BackMarket and Swappie have turned this around completely, giving consumers full peace of mind by guaranteeing the highest quality devices and offering a proper warranty. Europeans now buy refurbished devices with the same confidence as they buy new ones. In a matter of years, purchase of quality refurbished devices in some European countries has grown from virtually nowhere to now rival that of new device sales. In the US, it has become standard practice to trade-in used devices. India is following a similar trend with adoption of refurbished devices skyrocketing over the past years.

Now MoPhones is bringing premium Renewed to Kenya. By working only with the highest quality global partners and by offering a standard 12-month warranty on every device, MoPhones is bringing the trust and transparency consumers need to get the phones they want at prices they can afford. Every device sold is meticulously inspected and certified before it is handed over to a consumer.

Our renewed smartphones undergo extensive quality checks to uphold the highest standards, explains Nate Heller - the companys co-founder. With our warranty and customer support, we ensure buyers feel confident in their purchase, knowing they are acquiring a reliable device from a reputable brand. We refer to our devices as renewed - because the customer experience is as good or even better than when buying a new device.Sustainable

It probably does not come as a surprise that our planets resources are dwindling at an alarming rate. But what you might not know is that the production of our favorite pocket device is a large part of the problem. Producing a single smartphone uses 588 lbs of raw materials. Refurbished tech devices have significantly less of an impact on the planet than buying brand new. Even when things like screens and batteries need to be replaced, a refurbished smartphone uses 91% less raw materials, 86% less water, generates 89% less e-waste, and puts 92% less greenhouse gases into our atmosphere.

Making premium technology accessibleFlexible payment options

To further enhance accessibility, MoPhones also provides flexible financing options, allowing customers to pay for their devices in installments. MoPhones is the only company in Kenya offering this for Renewed devices - that is how much they trust their product.

This initiative has been particularly popular among young professionals and students, enabling them to upgrade their devices without facing upfront financial pressure.

Affordability and flexibility are central to our mission, says Nate. We believe everyone deserves access to the latest technology, and our financing options are tailored to meet diverse budget needs.About MoPhones

MoPhones is rapidly expanding its presence in Kenya. While it is an international platform, the company is proudly Kenyan. It operates from its offices in Nairobi with a mostly female team. That team is working on various product extensions. For example, MoPhones has recently started to offer its warranty and financing solution to local merchants with products that have passed its rigorous device quality testing standards.

Our vision is to make Renewed the logical choice for Kenyans, concludes Nate Heller. We cannot do that on our own as it requires a healthy ecosystem of partners. We are therefore excited to have started working with various merchant partners in order to help them be successful and jointly bring quality and transparency to the space.

Look out for MoPhones October Deals here and enjoy free delivery!

For media inquiries, interviews, or additional information about MoPhones and its renewed smartphone offerings, please reach out to Cynthia