High Cost of Mid-Range Smartphones: A Case of Nigeria

I was surfing through the internet to check for smartphones that had good features and latest updates embedded in them. Thus, I required at least a 4gb rom and a 64gb ram, helio g85, with 80hz,super amoled screen, with 48mp back camera. It was during this search I knew that the naira was completely devalued as against the naira. Now, we can't buy a good quality phone with 100k and that over $200. For the low end, they don't seem compatible to use considering the kind of activities carried out by the user.

I mean these mid-range or entry level phones as it is called is not of expectations from these phone brands but they are just made to avail mobiles to the masses or those that can't afford well updated smartphone.

I don't blame them actually, the cost of a dollar ($1) to Nigerian naira is #420. You can imagine how expensive that would be. But this life would have been so sweet if $1 is actually equal to #1, that means these expensive phones would be #245😂😂😂😂. I wish though.

After vigorously searching and not wanting to exceed my budget, I decided to go with the Samsung a22s, although over 100k but still the best I can get. With such features as:

It is considered mid-range, as against smartphones like iPhone 11,12 and 13,samsung a73, s21e, s22 and so on.

Since I have a budget of what to get, I can finally save up for it. If only they could be way affordable. Well, knowing that it's our exchange rate that's causing the rise in price. Thus, inflation has eaten deep in to the economy. A Smartphone that should sell for N15,000 ($36)in a stable economy now sells for double of the price. Another reason for the high cost is for instance, Let's assume that the importer of a phone cost 15,000($36) sells it for N20,000($48) - Wholesaler buys from importer and sells For N23,000($50) - Retailer buys from wholesaler and sells for N27,000($65).You can see how the price has increased.

So for me buying a phone is actually more based on preference than pocket.🙏