EMI Service on Smartphones halted in Nepal

EMI facilities on smartphones have driven sales recently. But wait, I have some sad news for you. EMI on Major smartphone brands is now halted for the moment. This sudden disruption has left many consumers facing difficulties in purchasing devices on installment plans, particularly through popular financial partners. Let's learn more about the EMI halt in Nepal.

EMI Service Halt Overview:

Supposed Policy Change by Google

Behind this EMI halt, the root cause appears to be a policy change by Google. According to sources, Google has stopped allowing mobile companies to pre-install third-party applications on their devices. These apps, often essential to enable EMI services, are typically installed by financing partners to facilitate monthly installment payments. Without these apps, EMI functionality becomes unreliable or inaccessible on affected devices.

Unaffected brands

Interestingly, smartphones sold through Jagadamba Hire Purchase, including models from Nothing, CMF, Realme, ZTE, and Honor, have not been affected. At the same time, Samsung also continues to support EMI plans seamlessly via Hulas FinServ. The reason lies in Samsung Knox, a proprietary security framework that manages device-level monitoring. Knox appears capable of overseeing EMI apps and ensuring they function correctly, thereby keeping Samsung devices unaffected by the current disruption.

Affected Brands

For brands such as Vivo, Oppo, Infinix, and OnePlus that use Goodwill Finance for EMI, the restriction has posed a significant challenge; Xiaomi, which uses MAW and Batas Hire Purchase, also seems to be affected. Without a straightforward workaround, consumers may face delays or difficulties in accessing EMI facilities, which are a popular option in Nepal’s smartphone market. Financial partners are reportedly exploring alternative solutions, but no official fix has been announced yet.

This development highlights the growing impact of Google’s app policies on consumer financing options, and how security frameworks like Samsung Knox can play a critical role in maintaining service continuity. For now, buyers looking for EMI-enabled smartphones may need to consider devices from unaffected brands or distributors.

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EMI Service Halt in Nepal: Conclusion

The EMI service halt illustrates how mobile brands, finance partners, and Google’s policies interact. While Samsung and some brands remain unaffected, users of other popular brands may have to adapt until alternative solutions emerge. We hope the problem will be solved soon.