There’s no denying that technology has changed the way we live.

These days, it's as easy as a finger tap to summon your favourite food from a screenor to pull up the latest 4K HD triple-lens camera with a single swipe.

But while more and more Kenyans are experiencing the joy of exciting new tech, its impact on our budget and also the planet is a lot more long-lasting.

Many of us are on the lookout for affordable and sustainable options to own a premium phone that does not sacrifice quality.

One Kenyan company - MoPhones - has made it its mission to provide that option by offering renewed phones.

Across the globe, the Right to Repair movement has resulted in an industry of high-quality refurbishment centres that use sophisticated technology to bring the quality of used devices up to where it was when they were new. Some even manage to get to better-than-new quality levels.

Smartphone manufacturers such as Apple are in a race to allow their devices to enjoy longer life spans: the most recent iPhone 16 features a new battery aimed at easier servicing and replacement and introduced features that allow second or third owners of a device to see if various parts of the device are still of top quality.

They are clear: our future is about circularity.

While various companies have sprung up in Kenya offering used and refurbished smartphones, Kenyans are generally hesitant because it’s hard to trust the quality of the devices. And rightfully so.

There is usually a lack of transparency on the quality and history of a “second-hand device”,and a prospective buyer generally has very limited warranties. Pricing of second-hand devices varies a lot, but it’s still a big enough purchase that you don’t want to take a risk.

It was like this in Europe and the US until just a few years ago.

But the recent rise of premium Renewed companies like BackMarket and Swappie have turned this around completely, giving consumers full peace of mind by guaranteeing the highest quality devices and offering a proper warranty.

Europeans now buy refurbished devices with the same confidence as they buy new ones. In a matter of years, the purchase of quality refurbished devices in some European countries has grown from virtually nowhere to now rival that of new device sales.

In the US, it has become standard practice to trade in used devices. India is following a similar trend with the adoption of refurbished devices skyrocketing over the past years.

By working only with the highest quality global partners and by offering a standard 12-month warranty on every device, MoPhones, is bringing the trust and transparency consumers need to get the phones they want at a price they can afford.

Every device sold is meticulously inspected and certified before it is handed over to a consumer.

“Our renewed smartphones undergo extensive quality checks to uphold the highest standards,” explains Nate Heller - the company’s co-founder. 

“With our warranty and customer support, we ensure buyers feel confident in their purchase, knowing they are acquiring a reliable device from a reputable brand. We refer to our devices as ‘renewed’ - because the customer experience is as good or even better than when buying a new device.”

It probably does not come as a surprise that our planet’s resources are dwindling at an alarming rate.

But what you might not know is that the production of our favourite pocket device is a large part of the problem. Producing a single smartphone uses 588 lbs of raw material.

Refurbished tech devices have significantly less of an impact on the planet than buying brand new. Even when things like screens and batteries need to be replaced, a refurbished smartphone uses 91% less raw materials, 86% less water, generates 89% less e-waste, and puts 92% less greenhouse gasses into our atmosphere.

To enhance accessibility MoPhones provide flexible financing opitions.

This initiative has been particularly popular among young professionals and students, enabling them to upgrade their devices without facing upfront financial pressure.

“Affordability and flexibility are central to our mission,” says Nate. “We believe everyone deserves access to the latest technology, and our financing options are tailored to meet diverse budget needs.”

MoPhones is rapidly expanding its presence in Kenya. While it is an international platform, the company is Kenyan. 

Recently, the company has started to offer its warranty and financing solution to local merchants with products that have passed its rigorous device quality testing standards.

“Our vision is to make Renewed the logical choice for Kenyans.,” concludes Nate Heller.

“We cannot do that on our own as it requires a healthy ecosystem  of partners. We are therefore excited to have started working with various merchant partners in order to help them be successful and jointly bring quality and transparency to the space.”