Should you buy a used top-tier phone or a new midrange phone in Kenya? At Mascom International in Nairobi, KSh 50,000 in November 2026 buys either a used Samsung Galaxy S24 or a brand-new Samsung Galaxy A57 5G. Choose used for a faster chip, better cameras and a higher-grade body. Choose new for a sealed box, a longer warranty and updates into the 2030s.
Key facts
- KSh 41,000 buys a used Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G or a new Samsung Galaxy A37 5G at Mascom International (November 2026).
- Used phones at Mascom carry a 6-month Mascom warranty; the new Samsung Galaxy A57 5G and Samsung Galaxy A37 5G carry a 24-month Samsung East Africa warranty.
- Samsung ended all software updates for the Galaxy S21 series in February 2026.
- The Samsung Galaxy A57 5G and Samsung Galaxy A37 5G are promised six major Android upgrades.
Used vs new phone in Kenya: side by side at KSh 50,000
The clearest test is two phones at the same price on the same shelf. Here is the used Samsung Galaxy S24 against the new Samsung Galaxy A57 5G, both KSh 50,000 at Mascom International in November 2026.
| What you get | Samsung Galaxy S24 (used) | Samsung Galaxy A57 5G (new) |
|---|---|---|
| Price, November 2026 | KSh 50,000 | KSh 50,000 |
| Condition | Tested and factory reset | Brand new and sealed |
| Warranty | 6 months, Mascom International | 24 months, Samsung East Africa |
| Chip | Exynos 2400 or Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 | Exynos 1680 |
| Screen | 6.2-inch 120Hz AMOLED | 6.7-inch 120Hz Super AMOLED+ |
| Battery | 4,000mAh, health varies by unit | 5,000mAh new cell, 45W charging |
| Memory | 8GB RAM, 128GB storage | 8GB RAM, 128GB storage |
| Software promise | Seven Android upgrades from its 2024 launch | Six Android upgrades from its 2026 launch |
Prices change with stock, so each product page shows today's price.
Which used and new phones cost the same at Mascom?
The same budget lands on very different phones depending on condition. These pairs sat side by side in our catalogue in November 2026.
| Budget | Used top-tier | New midrange |
|---|---|---|
| KSh 41,000 | Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G, 12GB and 128GB | Samsung Galaxy A37 5G, 6GB and 128GB |
| KSh 45,000 to 48,000 | iPhone 12 Pro, 512GB, KSh 48,000 | Redmi Note 17 Pro 5G, 256GB, KSh 45,000 |
| KSh 50,000 to 52,000 | Samsung Galaxy S24 at KSh 50,000, or Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra at KSh 52,000 | Samsung Galaxy A57 5G, 8GB and 128GB, KSh 50,000 |
Where does a used top-tier phone win?
A used top-tier phone wins on camera reach and speed. The Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra at KSh 52,000 has a 10x periscope lens and a built-in S Pen. Neither the Samsung Galaxy A57 5G nor the Samsung Galaxy A37 5G offers either one.
The Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G costs KSh 41,000 and still brings 12GB of RAM, a QHD screen and 3x plus 10x optical zoom. That reach matters at a graduation in Eldoret or a match at Kasarani, where you cannot walk closer.
The iPhone 12 Pro gives 512GB for KSh 48,000, room for years of photos without a cloud bill. It also runs on the A14 Bionic chip with 6GB of RAM, and Apple still releases security updates for it.
Where does a new midrange phone win?
A new midrange phone wins on warranty, battery and peace of mind. The Samsung Galaxy A37 5G costs the same KSh 41,000 as the used Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G. It comes sealed, with a 24-month Samsung East Africa warranty instead of six months.
Battery is the second gap. A new 5,000mAh cell with 45W charging starts at full health. The Redmi Note 17 Pro 5G goes further with an 8,340mAh cell and 67W charging for KSh 45,000. That covers a long workday on Safaricom 4G with charge to spare, and Xiaomi still puts a charger in the box.
The Redmi Note 17 Pro 5G is also IP69K sealed, useful for boda boda riders and market traders working in rain and dust.
How long will each phone get software updates?
Updates depend on launch date, not the day you buy. BGR reports that Samsung dropped the Galaxy S21 series from its update list in February 2026, so the Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G gets no more security patches.
Droid-Life reports the Galaxy S22 series moved to quarterly patches in February 2026, its final year of updates. PhoneArena notes the Galaxy S24 series carries seven years of upgrades and patches, so the Samsung Galaxy S24 has years left.
SamMobile confirms the Samsung Galaxy A57 5G and Samsung Galaxy A37 5G will get six major Android upgrades, up to Android 22. For M-Pesa and banking apps, current patches matter more than any camera spec.
What about battery health on a used phone?
Battery health is the biggest unknown on any used phone. Each unit differs, so we share the battery reading and real photos on WhatsApp before you pay. Our used Samsung phones ship without a charger, so budget for a 25W adapter.
Who should buy which, and when neither is right?
Buy used top-tier if you shoot zoom photos, take notes with a stylus or edit video. A Westlands consultant or Upper Hill lawyer gets more phone per shilling this way.
Buy new midrange if the phone must last four years or more, carries your M-Pesa savings, or goes to a student or parent. Neither fits if you need under KSh 30,000; look at the Samsung Galaxy A17 range instead.
Common questions
Does a used phone from Mascom International come with a warranty?
Yes. Every used phone at Mascom International, including the Samsung Galaxy S24 and the iPhone 12 Pro, carries a 6-month Mascom warranty written on the receipt. Each unit is tested and factory reset before sale. New Samsung Galaxy A-series phones carry a longer 24-month Samsung East Africa warranty, which is the main trade-off when you choose used over new at the same price.
Will a used Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G still get updates in Kenya?
No. Samsung removed the Galaxy S21 series from its update list in February 2026, so the Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G no longer receives security patches. It still works well for calls, camera and WhatsApp. If you run banking or M-Pesa apps daily, the Samsung Galaxy A37 5G at the same KSh 41,000 is the safer choice for the next six years.
Can I check battery health before buying a used phone in Nairobi?
Yes. At Mascom International, you can handle any used phone at our Kimathi Street shop before paying. If you are outside Nairobi, message +254 708 852 521 on WhatsApp and we will send the battery reading and real photos of the exact unit. Battery health and small cosmetic marks differ from one used phone to the next.
Why are more Kenyans buying used top-tier phones?
At Mascom International, we're seeing a sharp rise in buyers choosing used top-tier phones over new midrange ones in 2026. The price list explains much of it: the same money buys a faster chip, more storage or a zoom lens. Many Nairobi buyers call these ex-UK phones. Buyers who check updates, battery and warranty first tend to stay happiest with the choice.
Where can I buy a used or new phone in Nairobi and pay on delivery?
Mascom International sells both used and new phones from Old Mutual Building, First Floor Room 4, Kimathi Street, Nairobi CBD. You can pay on arrival in all 47 counties. Nairobi and its environs get same-day delivery. Other major towns, such as Kisumu, Nakuru and Mombasa, get delivery within 1 business day. You see and check the phone before you pay.
Where to buy used and new phones in Nairobi
Mascom International stocks used top-tier phones and sealed new midrange phones side by side, so you can compare them in one visit. Find us at Old Mutual Building, First Floor Room 4, Kimathi Street, Nairobi CBD, open Monday-Saturday 9:00 AM-7:00 PM. Phone/WhatsApp: +254 708 852 521. Email: info@mascomintl.com. Browse online at www.mascomintl.com.
We deliver countrywide with pay-on-arrival to all 47 counties. Nairobi and its environs receive same-day delivery, and all other major cities and towns receive delivery within 1 business day. Mandera, Wajir, Marsabit, Lamu, Tana River, and Turkana receive delivery within 2-3 business days.
