Walk through Computer Village and you'll hear the same words at every stand: brand new, UK Used, London Used, tokunbo, refurbished. They sound precise. They aren't. Two sellers can use the same word for two very different phones.
This guide explains what each word means in the Nigerian market, what it doesn't guarantee, and the questions that tell you what you're actually buying.
The Glossary at a Glance
| Term | What it means | What it doesn't tell you |
|---|---|---|
| Brand New / Sealed | Never used, factory sealed in the original box | Which country's model it is |
| Open Box | New or nearly new, but the box has been opened (a return or a display unit) | How long it was used, if at all |
| UK Used / London Used | Previously owned abroad, often in the UK, then imported to Nigeria | Its condition, battery health or whether it was repaired |
| US Used | Previously owned in the United States, then imported | Whether it takes a physical SIM or is network-locked |
| Tokunbo | Any foreign-used item imported into Nigeria | Anything about condition |
| Refurbished | Used, then repaired or restored, sometimes with replaced parts | Who did the repair and with which parts |
| Nigerian Used | Previously owned in Nigeria and resold | How it was used or how many hands it passed through |
Questions about this, or want to book? We reply on WhatsApp.
Chat on WhatsAppBrand New
Brand new should mean one thing: factory sealed, in the original box, never activated. If the seal is broken, it's open box, whatever the seller calls it.
A brand new phone can still be a model made for another country. That matters for SIM support (see US Used below), so ask which region it was made for.
Open Box
A new device whose box has been opened: a shop return, a display unit or a phone someone unboxed and changed their mind about. It is often unused or barely used, but it isn't sealed, so treat it like a used phone and check it the same way.
UK Used (and "London Used")
UK Used is the most common term in Nigerian phone and laptop sales. It means the device was owned and used abroad, usually in the UK, then imported and resold here. "London Used" means the same thing.
The appeal is real. A UK Used flagship costs a fraction of a new one and was typically used for a year or two. At Ziggatech a UK Used iPhone 13 128GB is ₦426,800, an iPhone 12 64GB is ₦288,800 and a Galaxy S22 128GB is ₦360,800.
What UK Used doesn't tell you is the condition. The phrase describes where the phone came from, not what state it's in. A UK Used phone can be flawless, or it can have a replaced screen, a weak battery or a blacklisted IMEI. That's why a grade matters more than the label.
For iPhones specifically, see UK Used vs new iPhone: which should you buy? and the full UK Used iPhone price list.
US Used
A phone first sold in the United States. Two things to check before paying:
- SIM tray. iPhone 14 and later models sold in the US have no physical SIM tray and use eSIM only (Apple: using eSIM on iPhone). Make sure your Nigerian network can set up an eSIM before you buy one.
- Network lock. Many US phones are sold through carriers and may be locked to one network. A locked phone won't accept a Nigerian SIM.
Tokunbo
Tokunbo is the Yoruba word Nigerians use for anything foreign-used and imported: cars, fridges, phones, laptops. UK Used and US Used are both tokunbo. The word tells you where the item came from and nothing about its condition.
Refurbished
Refurbished means a used device was repaired or restored before resale. Done properly, by the manufacturer or a certified repairer, that can mean a new battery and genuine parts. Done badly, it can mean a cheap replacement screen and a cleaned-up body.
The word alone doesn't tell you which. Ask what was replaced, who replaced it, and whether the parts are original.
Nigerian Used
A phone used in Nigeria and sold on, often called "Naija used". It may be perfectly fine, but it has lived through local heat, dust and power surges, and it may have passed through several owners and repair shops. Prices are usually lower for that reason.
What the Numbers Mean
Every word on this page describes a phone's history. None of them describes its condition. That's the gap sellers use, and it's the gap a proper grading system closes.
The label says where a phone has been. Only a grade says what state it's in.
How Ziggatech Grades Pre-Owned Devices
We sell brand new (factory sealed, in the original box) and pre-owned. Pre-owned devices are fully inspected and tested before listing, and we only sell the top two grades:
- Premium: like new. Flawless screen, body like new.
- Excellent: no scratches visible at arm's length, minimal signs of handling.
If a device isn't Excellent or better, we don't list it. Grades describe cosmetics only: both work perfectly, and battery health is checked before listing. Every device, new or pre-owned, is Zigga Certified. Read the full Zigga's Promise.
Five Questions to Ask Before You Pay
- What is the battery health? On an iPhone, check Settings → Battery → Battery Health.
- Has the screen or any part been replaced? On recent iPhones, Settings → General → About shows a Parts and Service History section if a part has been changed.
- Is the IMEI clean? Dial *#06# and check the number isn't blacklisted as lost or stolen. Our guide on how to verify your iPhone in 60 seconds walks you through it.
- Is it signed out of iCloud or Google? A phone still linked to the old owner's account can lock you out.
- What happens if it fails next month? Ask for the warranty in writing and where it's honoured.
The same questions apply to laptops. See our UK Used laptop price guide and which UK Used Samsungs are still worth buying.
Prices are live store prices at the time of writing.
Buying from Ziggatech
- 12-month written warranty on every device, new or pre-owned, honoured in person at our Ikeja store.
- 7 days to exchange for another model or take full store credit.
- Arrived damaged or wrong? Tell us within 48 hours and we collect it at our cost.
- Every phone IMEI-checked against the global blacklist.
- Trade in your current phone and pay only the difference.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does UK Used mean in Nigeria?
UK Used means a phone or laptop that was owned and used abroad, usually in the UK, then imported and resold in Nigeria. It describes where the device came from, not its condition, so always ask for the grade, battery health and warranty.
What is the difference between UK Used and refurbished?
UK Used describes where a device was previously owned. Refurbished means a used device was repaired or restored before resale, sometimes with replaced parts. A UK Used phone may or may not have been refurbished, so ask what, if anything, was replaced.
What does tokunbo mean?
Tokunbo is the Yoruba word Nigerians use for foreign-used imported goods, from cars to phones. UK Used and US Used phones are both tokunbo. The word says nothing about condition.
Is UK Used better than Nigerian Used?
Not automatically. UK Used phones are often in better condition because they were used for a shorter time in a milder climate, but the label guarantees nothing. A graded, tested phone with a written warranty is better than either label on its own.
Can I use a US Used iPhone in Nigeria?
Often, but check two things. iPhone 14 and later US models are eSIM only, with no SIM tray, and many US phones are locked to one carrier. Confirm the phone is unlocked and that your network supports eSIM before you buy.
