Second Hand Mobile in Nepal [Buy Guide]

We have an extensive list of the best phones you can get on every price bracket starting from NPR 10,000, all the way to the best phones money can buy. However, we can't deny that second-hand phones are a pretty solid deal, maybe even better than a new one! So, it is not at all unreasonable to consider getting a used phone for yourself. This is why we put this guide together so that you can know everything about buying a second-hand mobile phone in Nepal.

Buying Second-hand Mobile in Nepal [Full Guide]

The concept of “second-hand” is second-hand for us Nepalis. (Get it? Cause the concept is not something new. LOL!) The buying and selling of used products is quite common in our country, whether it be electronics or vehicles. In recent times, even the trend of thrifting clothes is on a steady rise. All this is to say, the second-hand market is very lively in Nepal. Given that, in no way would the used smartphones not be a popular category. In fact, it might very well be the most lively second-hand market in our country. That being said...

Why buy second-hand?

There are several reasons as to why you would buy a second-hand mobile in Nepal. The following are some of them:

1. More affordable

A second-hand phone often costs 30–50% less than a brand-new one.

2. Better deals

Used phones give room for negotiation. Sellers often accept lower offers, especially if the phone has been on the market for a while.

3. Bragging rights

Smartphones are looked at as a status symbol in our society. And for that very reason, a lot of people seek a flagship phone even though they do not need all that hardware and power as their daily driver. 

Now I am not in a position to tell you that, hitting above your financial standing for the status isn't reasonable. However, what I can tell you is, that if you are just seeking to show off your phone, then getting a used unit is much kinder to your pocket. You need not say it's second-hand, just say it's a gift from your cousin in Australia or something. 

4. Better for the environment

I may sound like an activist, but e-waste is a real problem the world is facing right now. Tech companies are continuing with all that “being environmentally friendly” shenanigans andcutting down on the charger and earphones you used to get in the box with your new smartphone. Butone of the most effective ways to be considerate of the environment is to reduce consumption and waste. And getting a second-hand mobile instead of a new one does exactly that—reduces consumption and waste!

Refurbished vs Used Phones

Many buyers confuse refurbished with used phones, but there’s a clear difference:

• Used Phones: These are sold by individual owners. The phone may show wear and tear, and its condition depends on the previous user. DIY buyers must inspect these carefully to avoid hidden issues.
• Refurbished Phones: These are professionally restored by certified sellers or retailers. They undergo inspection, repairs (if needed), and testing before resale. Refurbished phones often come with a warranty, and their condition is close to “like new.”

How to get a second-hand mobile in Nepal?

Well, I have laid out the benefits of getting second-hand smartphones, now let's take a look at how to actually get one. It is not hard at all, all thanks to the internet. You can tune into different platforms and find yourself a deal. And that is what you need to decide — the platform. You can go one of two ways — Certified or DIY!

1. Certified

There are companies like SabKo Phoneand NayaPurano in Nepal, whose primary business is buying and selling second-hand mobiles. The former even operates under the “Like New” section in the largest e-commerce platform of Nepal i.e. Daraz.

The operating model of these companies is: they buy an old phone, inspect it, run all the tests, make repairs (if needed), and sell it to someone else. If you buy a second-hand phone from them, you can be confident there are no issues. It's almost — like new. They will even include a warranty for a set period as a courtesy. All this security translates into higher pricing for the phone. But, hey, whatever helps you sleep at night, right? Let's review the benefits and drawbacks of buying a second-hand phone through a certified platform.

Platform	Features
Daraz Like New	Inspected, refurbished phones
SabKo Phone	Doorstep delivery, quality check
NayaPurano	Certified pre-owned smartphones

Pros

• Any issues that might have existed in the phone have been checked on by professionals
• Quality Assurance
• Available with a warranty (Optional)
• Doorstep delivery service

Cons

• A bit pricier

2. Phone Exchange Programs

In 2026, several Nepali retailers will offer trade-in or exchange programs. This allows you to:

• Sell your old phone directly to the store.
• Use its value toward upgrading to a newer phone.
• Avoid the hassle of selling it yourself.

Benefits:

• Instant credit for upgrading.
• Ensures the phone goes through proper inspection and resale.
• Often bundled with refurbished phone discounts.

3. DIY

If you decide to go this route, then there are no middlemen or professionals involved. It's directly between you (the buyer) and the seller. Now, I named this section DIY because everything and every step in here, you quite literally have to do it yourself. Find a deal, arrange a meeting with the seller, inspect the product, get a second opinion maybe, and finally strike a deal. You also need to be cautious along those steps because it's a whole other world, this one. Let's go step-by-step:

1. Finding a deal

You can find second-hand mobiles in Nepal through online mediums like Hamrobazar and Facebook Marketplace, or you can go to physical phone repair shops directly as well. The latter one is a bit of a hassle, and also, they most likely have listed the smartphone on the aforementioned platform anyway. Just look for it online — it's much easier with a large number of choices.

2. Arranging a meeting

Now this is the first hurdle you run into when doing things yourself. Firstly, you might not even get a response from the seller of the listed item, or it's already sold out, or best of all — it's a fake listing. Yes, that happens! If the seller does respond to you, now you will have to meet the person. Here are some cautionary steps to take:

• Take a friend — preferably someone with good knowledge of smartphones- with you
• Arrange the meeting somewhere safe and with a decent flow of people. This is because there are chances that the listing was bait put up by a thug whose plan was to get loot you all along.

Better safe than sorry, folks.

3. Inspection

Yay! That second-hand mobile phone listing was genuine; the seller does have the product. Is it legit, though? Is it their phone and not a stolen one? Does everything work fine? Has it been repaired at some point? There is a lot to consider here, so let's go through what you gotta do:

Ensure Legitimacy

Ask the seller if they have proof of purchase. If they don't, the deal has turned a lot sour suddenly. However, it's possible that they lost the bill, which happens quite often. But you need to make sure that it's not a stolen product; you wouldn't want any issues with the police later on. Which is why...

1. Don't hesitate to interrogate them about the phone. If it's their phone and they truly want to sell it then they will put up with it. The customer is the king, alright?
   • Ask them when, where, and how they got the phone.
   • If it was a gift, who gifted it to them?
   • How long have they been using the phone?
   • After selling that phone, which phone will they be using?
   • Might as well ask about their profession and family background to get an idea of how plausible their answers are.
2. Another simple thing you can ask them to do is unlock the phone with the password as well as biometrics. If it is a stolen phone, they might fumble in here. After they unlock their phone, scroll around. You can also ask them to open the gallery and show you their photos there. If they falter or protest, you can just stress that you NEED TO BE SURE that the phone isn't stolen.

Is the phone alright?

Now that you have ensured that the phone is not stolen or is legal, at least. You now have to see the phone itself. Check the cosmetics of the phone, every nook and cranny.

• See if the display has any lines, dead pixels or patches
• Are there any dents and scratches anywhere on the phone?
• Especially check the edges of the display and back panel. Look for any gaps or glue there; if there is, the phone has already been popped open and repaired. [A repaired phone isn't a bad deal by any means. The seller at least has to be truthful about what they repaired and the quality of the repair.]
• Check the cameras. Are all of them working? Are there any scratches or cracks on the camera's lenses?
• Inspect the charging of the phone. Does it charge? Is there any damage to the port? (Carry a power bank and a cord beforehand)
• Ask to trail for the phone for a certain time. This is to ensure that there aren't any issues you did not catch right away. You can even have a professional look at the phone or get a second opinion from your close ones during this period.

4. Closing the deal

All the inspections have been done. The phone looks alright, the seller seems alright. Now it's time to finally close this second-hand mobile deal. So, what to do?

• Avoid cash payments—transfer funds online to their bank account. Or choose to deposit. This is to provide proof of payment and avoid any legal issues.
• If you have decided to trial the phone, know this: the seller won't agree to give it awayfor free and needs reassurance. Don't transfer money immediately. Use the Escrow service available on both eSewa and Khalti; funds are released only after the sender confirms. Additionally, the receiver can raise a dispute regarding the transaction if the seller delaysconfirmation. The digital wallet will act as a mediator in case of dispute.
• If you suspect that the deal seems sketchy or risky, avoid it; otherwise, document the deal details, including seller info and signatures, to secure the transaction.
• Take a photo and record the seller's details, even if the deal seems acceptable. Having evidence is crucial.

That is about it regarding getting a second-hand mobile phone by yourself. Too much going on, I know. Anyhoo, let's compare the pros and cons of going this route:

Pros

• More control over the deal
• Better pricing with room for negotiation

Cons

• Chances of scam/being a stolen product/bait for something shadier
• Need to be knowledgeable
• More work
• Lack of assurance/security

Buying Second-hand Mobile in Nepal: Conclusion

With smartphones becoming essential, buying a second-hand mobile in Nepal is no longer just a budget choice — it’s smart, eco-friendly, and practical. Whether you go through a certified platform for peace of mind or DIY for a bargain, following the inspection checklist ensures you get a phone that works like new. Happy shopping, and may your next phone bring you all the features without all the price!

• You may also like:
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  • Second Hand iPhone in Nepal – Read this before buying
  • Best Mobile Phone in Nepal 2024 | Top Picks & Buying Guide

Frequently Asked Questions