Buying a phone in Lebanon: what to check before you pay

Phones sold here come through several import routes, and two units of the same model can differ in ways that matter later. Five things worth establishing before you pay.

Which regional variant it is

The same phone is produced in several variants, and they are not identical. Some differ in SIM arrangement, some in the bands they support, and a few in what is pre-installed. Ask which variant you are buying rather than assuming.

Physical SIM or eSIM

This is the one that causes real problems. US iPhones have no SIM tray at all — they are eSIM only. If your operator does not issue an eSIM, or you swap SIMs between phones often, that unit is the wrong one for you. Middle East and European variants keep the tray.

Who honours the warranty

A regional warranty is only worth what the local service centre will accept. Establish whether the warranty is handled by the seller or by the manufacturer's regional agent, and for how long.

What is in the box

Neither Apple nor Samsung has included a charger for several years. The box has a cable and nothing to plug it into. A phone that charges at 25W or more needs an adapter rated for it — an old 5W brick will charge it, slowly. See GaN chargers explained for what to look for.

The price, on the day

Prices here move with the exchange rate and with supply, which is why ours are confirmed at the point of order rather than fixed for a month. Ask what the price includes — ours include VAT.

Looking at iPhone or Galaxy? Once you have picked one, LYNQ will show you the accessories that actually fit it.