Official vs Unofficial Phones in Bangladesh: Which Should You Buy?
By MobileBazar Team ·
On almost every phone page on MobileBazar you will see two prices: an official price and an unofficial price. The unofficial price is often lower, sometimes by a lot. So why would anyone pay more?
What “official” means
An official phone is imported and sold by the brand’s authorised distributor in Bangladesh. It is approved by BTRC, sold through brand stores and authorised retailers, and comes with:
- Brand warranty, usually one year, honoured at official service centres across the country.
- Genuine parts and accessories in the box, including the charger where the brand includes one.
- Proper IMEI registration, so the phone works on local networks without trouble.
- Software made for this region, including local network bands and updates.
What “unofficial” means
Unofficial phones are brought in by independent importers, often from China, India, Dubai or Singapore, and sold by local shops. They are usually cheaper because they skip the official distribution chain. They also let you buy models or variants that were never launched in Bangladesh.
The trade-offs:
- Shop warranty only. The brand’s service centres may refuse to repair it, or charge for every repair.
- Region differences. Some models have Chinese software without Google services, different network bands, or a different charger plug.
- Registration risk. Bangladesh has enforced IMEI registration rules in the past. A phone that isn’t properly registered could stop working on local networks. Before you buy, dial
*#06#to see the IMEI and check it with BTRC’s official IMEI verification service. - Higher risk of refurbished or fake units. Buy from a shop you trust and check the box, IMEI and seals.
Which one should you buy?
Buy official if you want peace of mind, plan to keep the phone for several years, or are buying for a family member who won’t want to deal with repairs.
Unofficial can make sense if the saving is large, the model isn’t available officially, and you are comfortable checking the phone yourself before you buy.
Either way, compare both prices on the phone’s MobileBazar page. Every RAM and storage variant is listed with its official and unofficial price.