How to Buy an Original Infinix or TECNO Phone in Edo State

You have saved for months. Maybe it came from school fees change, a side hustle or a trader's profit. Now you want a new Infinix or TECNO, and the last thing you want is a phone that starts misbehaving after two weeks because it was never original in the first place.

Fake and refurbished phones sold as new are a real problem in Nigeria. They show up in open markets, on WhatsApp status and on random Instagram pages. The good news is that a few simple checks will catch most of them. You do not need to be a technician. You need your eyes, a few minutes and the patience to say no if something feels off.

For a deeper step by step, read our guide on how to check if a phone is original. This article focuses on Infinix and TECNO, and on what to watch for when you buy in Edo State.

Start with the box

A new Infinix or TECNO should come in a sealed box. The seal is there to show that nobody has opened it since it left the factory. Look at it closely before you pay.

• The plastic wrap or seal stickers should be intact, with no tears, bubbles or extra tape.
• The printing on the box should be sharp. Blurry logos or spelling errors are a warning.
• There should be a sticker on the box with the model name, storage, RAM and IMEI numbers.

If a seller opens the box for you before you have paid, that is fine, as long as you saw it sealed first. If the box is already open when you arrive and they call it new, ask questions. A phone that has been opened, used and repacked can look new at first glance.

One honest note: some legitimate sellers also stock used phones. That is not a crime, as long as they tell you clearly. Our Used Tecno CAMON 40 8GB RAM 128GB at ₦230,000 is listed as used, boxed and without a charger, so you know exactly what you are getting. The problem is when used is sold as new.

Match the IMEI three ways

The IMEI is the phone's unique ID. It is the single most useful check you can do, and it costs no data.

1. Dial *#06# on the phone. The IMEI numbers will pop up. Dual SIM phones show two.
2. Compare them with the IMEI sticker on the box.
3. Go to the phone's settings, under About phone, and check the IMEI there too.

All three should match. If even one digit is different, walk away. A mismatch usually means the phone is not the one that came in that box, or something has been tampered with.

Check the Carlcare warranty

Carlcare is the official after-sales service for TECNO, Infinix and itel. An original phone bought new should be recognised by Carlcare, which means you can get repairs under warranty if a genuine fault shows up.

Here is what I would do:

• Install the Carlcare app, or use the warranty check on Carlcare's official site.
• Enter the IMEI from *#06#.
• See what model it shows and whether a warranty is active.

If the model Carlcare shows is different from what the seller told you, stop there. If it says the warranty started long ago on a phone that is supposed to be brand new, that is another red flag. Note that warranty terms are set by Carlcare, not by the seller, so read what the app tells you and ask Carlcare directly if anything is unclear.

For a used phone, expect that the warranty may have run out or may not apply. Ask before you pay.

Test the phone before you leave

Do not rush this part, even if okada is waiting outside or NEPA has just taken light in the shop.

• Screen: open a plain white image and look for dead spots, lines or yellow patches.
• Cameras: take a photo with the front and back cameras. Zoom in. Fakes often have poor cameras that do not match the box.
• Storage and RAM: check in settings that they match the box. A phone sold as 128GB should not show 32GB.
• SIM and network: put your own SIM in, make a quick call and send a text.
• Charging: plug it in and confirm it starts charging. If a charger is included, use that one.
• Android version: look at the settings. The Infinix XOS or TECNO HiOS skin should look clean, with the brand's own apps, not strange copies.

If you are buying online, do these tests as soon as the phone reaches you, and keep the box and seals until you are sure.

Get a proper receipt

A receipt is your proof of purchase. It helps with Carlcare, with returns and if anything ever goes wrong. A scrap of paper with "phone, paid" written on it is not enough.

A good receipt should show:

• The seller's name and contact details
• The exact model, storage and RAM
• The IMEI number
• The amount you paid and the date
• Whether the phone is new or used

If you paid through a POS agent or bank transfer, keep that alert or slip too. Screenshot it and save it somewhere you will not lose it.

Where you buy matters

Busy phone markets, the Computer Village style places, can have good deals. They also have sellers who will swap a phone in front of your eyes if you look away. If you buy from a market stand, bring someone who knows phones, and do every check above.

Random social media sellers are harder. You cannot test the phone first, and if they disappear after you send money, there is little you can do. Pay on delivery or collect in person where you can.

At Vanfleek you can order online at vanfleek.com and either have it delivered or collect from Vanfleek Shop 51 in Auchi. Collection is typically ready about 2 hours after confirmation, and you can check the phone in front of us before you take it home. Our Edo State pickup and delivery guide explains how both options work.

Returns are within 7 days of delivery. If a phone is faulty, we pay for the return. If you just change your mind, the phone must still be sealed and you pay shipping. Full details are on our returns page.

A few TECNO options we stock

Here are some phones from our list, so you know what originals look like on the shelf:

We also have another Tecno Pop 20 6.6" listing at ₦165,000. Check the product page carefully, because the title and the specs in the link do not fully agree, so confirm storage and RAM with us on WhatsApp at 08166749367 before you order. You can browse everything else in our phones category.

Red flags that mean walk away

• The price is far below what everyone else is charging for the same model.
• The seller will not let you dial *#06# or check settings.
• The IMEI on the box and phone do not match.
• Carlcare shows a different model or an old activation date on a "new" phone.
• No receipt, or a receipt without the IMEI.
• The seller pushes you to pay quickly before you test anything.

Any one of these is enough reason to keep your money in your pocket. There will always be another phone, but getting your money back from a bad seller is hard work.

Prices were checked in November 2026 and can change. The product page always shows today's price.