Ogabassey blog

Tag: iPhone

  • Chip Unlocked: What They Won’t Tell You

    The Dilemma

    When shopping for a new iPhone, you may notice different tags on the advertisements, such as “Factory Unlocked,” “Worldwide Unlocked,” or “Chip Unlocked.” However, the price difference between a Chip Unlocked iPhone and a Factory Unlocked one can be as much as ₦‎250,000 ?. This begs the question. Is it worth buying a Chip Unlocked iPhone to save money? In this blog post, we will explain what Chip Unlocked means, how it works, and whether it’s a good option for you.

    What is a Chip Unlocked iPhone?

    A Chip Unlocked iPhone is an iPhone that is locked to a particular network provider. When purchasing a smartphone, network providers will sometimes sell devices locked to their network as part of a contractual agreement. Only a sim card from that network will work on the phone, which can be frustrating if you want to use it with another network or abroad.

    Network providers may allow customers to pay a fee to fully unlock the device, while others will never allow it to be unlocked.

    How to Know if your iPhone is Chip Unlocked

    There are 3 ways to know if your iPhone is Chip Unlocked

    1. Activate the device with a SIM inside the iPhone: If a SIM is inside the phone the error message below will pop up. Note that removing the SIM would allow the iPhone to be activated.
    2. Navigate to Settings >> General >> About >> Network Provider Lock. If the device is already activated you would need to navigate to settings. You will see one of these messages below
    3. Use an IMEI Checker. This is used when the device is New and you are unable to activate the device
    Chip Unlocked Error Message
    1. Error Message
    Chip Unlocked identification in settings
    2. Network Message
    Chip Unlocked identification in settings
    2. Network Message

    How to Unlock Your iPhone with a Chip

    The chip officially called an R-Sim is like a sticker with a microchip that is attached to the SIM that removes the network restriction temporarily from the iPhone. This chip tricks the iPhone into thinking it’s natively working with the SIM card, temporarily unlocking the device to use any SIM outside the network provider. Different brands and types of chips include GPP, GEVEY, HEISIM, HEICARD, SUPREME SIM, and SMART SIM.

    Advantages of Chip Unlocked iPhones

    There are several advantages to purchasing a chip-unlocked iPhone:

    1. It is cheaper than an officially unlocked phone, with potential savings of up to ₦250,000.
    2. It is the cheapest unlock method, costing only ₦10,000 or less.
    3. It is a safe unlocking method that does not void the phone’s warranty.
    4. It is an easy installation process that involves placing the chip on your sim card and entering an ICCID unlock code or using Auto TMSI mode.
    5. It is compatible with all iOS versions and does not interfere with OTA Software updates.

    1. It is Cheaper to Buy

    Honestly, a chip-unlocked iPhone will save you a lot of money. For instance, you can save up to  ₦50,000 on the iPhone XR and up to a frankly ridiculous ₦250,000 on the iPhone 13 Pro Max… So, like a Nigerian philosopher, we ask, rhetorically, “Who no like better thing?” A chip-unlocked iPhone is one of the best options if you are on a budget. 

    iPhoneFactory Unlocked PriceChip Unlocked PriceCost Savings
    iPhone XR 64gb (Premium Used)₦250,000 ($257)₦140,000 ($186)₦30,000 ($40)
    iPhone 13 128gb (Premium Used)₦475,000 ($633)₦350,000 ($467)₦125,000 ($167)
    iPhone 13 Pro Max 128gb (New)₦850,000 ($850)₦500,000 ($667)₦250,000 ($333)
    © Ogabassey 2024

    2. It’s the Cheapest Unlock Method 

    Performing a factory Unlock is very expensive. The chip that unlocks your phone costs ₦10,000 ($22) or less… In these Buhari Times, we can’t say it isn’t appealing! 

    3. It’s Safe

    Some unlocking techniques can void your phone’s warranty, but using the chip to unlock your phone isn’t one of those. It is safe and doesn’t trip any OEM-installed failsafe. 

    4. It’s Easy to Install

    Arguably the easiest way to unlock a device, chip unlocking is as simple as placing the sticker (the chip) on your SIM card and using Auto TMSI mode, and you’re good to go. 

    5. Updates

    Chip unlocking is compatible with all iOS versions, and you don’t have to worry about OTA updates; you are covered. 

    Disadvantages of Chip Unlocked iPhones

    Although a Chip Unlocked iPhone has its benefits, there are also some cons to consider:

    1. Chips Work Exclusively with iPhones

    Sorry Android boys, unlocking your devices is a different proposition, or you can use wifi exclusively. Chips aren’t designed for you. 

    2. Chips Can Be Unstable 

    Depending on the brand of chip purchased, You may experience a loss of network; this is rare but can be easily rectified by going to the sim applications option on the iPhone and clicking reactivate. This is why you might see vendors advertise “Stable Chips” because there are unstable ones.

    Where can you get a Chip unlocked iPhone?

    You can place an order for it on our website . The chip is sold separately and currently sells for an average of ₦5000 to ₦10,000 Maximum. So don’t get scammed. We wrote this article because we care about you and do not want you getting scammed.

    Can eSim Work on a Chip Unlocked iPhone?

    An eSIM will not work on a chip-unlocked iPhone because it is locked to a specific network. Only an eSIM from that network provider will work on the iPhone.

    In Conclusion

    Unlocking your iPhone can be an excellent investment. It’s cheaper. However, ensure you get your chip from a trusted source like us and do your research before making any purchases. If you found this helpful, please share it with your friends. Remember you can pay Small Small for gadgets with Ogabassey. Catch you in the next one ✌️

  • HOW FAST CAN YOUR PHONE CHARGE: A-Z OF THE CHARGING TECHNOLOGIES OF YOUR FAVOURITE SMARTPHONES BRANDS

    One thing you will do for the rest of your phone’s lifespan is to charge it. And while processors, cameras, screen size, updates availability, and after-sales services are important considerations when buying a phone, the charging capability of the phone is also very important. In the last decade, the smartphone industry has experienced remarkable technology advancements as far as charging is concerned that we now have a phone that can charge from 0-100 in less than 20 minutes. That is truly astonishing! There are different charging standards in the smartphone world, and the most popular is arguably the USB Power Delivery (also known as USB-PD); USB-PD relies on the capability of USB 3.1. in fact, many OEMs use USB-PD to execute their proprietary charging standards. Qualcomm’s Quick Charge (the charging standard for all phones that have Qualcomm’s Snapdragon Socs), Samsung’s proprietary Fast Charging and  Adaptive Fast Charging (for Samsung phones), and Xaiomi’s Hypercharge are some of the more popular  charging standards in the Android world

    However, what constitutes fast charging differs from one phone to another. The iPhone’s approach to fast charging differs from Samsung’s, Xiaomi’s, or Huawei’s. Here is each major phone maker’s approach to fast charging:

    Apple (iPhone)

    Errrrm… Apple fans, look away! Among the major smartphone OEMs, Apple’s fast charging is one of the least impressive. But like we said here, Apple doesn’t jump on technology trends until they are ready. It took the arrival of the iPhone 8 before Apple implemented any form of fast charging. Even for their recent phones, the numbers are relatively not impressive, but it’s apple; incremental but optimised upgrading is their bread and butter, so when Apple eventually joins the race, rest assured we will have something worthwhile… Here is a list of iPhones and their charging speed:

    • iPhone 8 12W
    • iPhone 8 Plus 18W
    • iPhone X, iPhone XR, iPhone XS, iPhone XS Max 18W
    • iPhone 11, iPhone 11 Pro, iPhone 11 Pro Max 22W
    • iPhone SE 2020 12W
    • iPhone SE 2 18W
    • iPhone 12, iPhone 12 mini, iPhone 12 Pro, iPhone 12 Pro Max 20W
    • iPhone 13, iPhone 13 Pro, iPhone 13 Pro Max, iPhone 13 mini 20W
    • iPhone 14 Pro Max 27W

    For proper context, Xiaomi’s Redmi Note 8, released in August 2019, does 18W, while the Redmi Note 12 Discovery Edition uses Xiaomi’s proprietary Hypercharge fast charging technology to deliver 210W meaning the 4300mAh will be completely charged in under 10 minutes… That is insane! Come on, Apple, Keep up.

    Samsung

    In many circles, Samsung is considered the king of the Android smartphone market. It isn’t easy to disagree. Samsung has consistently set the tone for all Android OEMs, and they are universally regarded as the Android OS’s answer to Apple’s iPhones. But surprisingly, Samsung has refused to be caught in the fast-charging race. Since the Samsung S10 5G in 2019, for its flagship phones, Samsung has used either 25W charging or 45W charging. The S10 was 25W; the Note 10 plus had 45W. Since then, only the Note 20 Ultra, Samsung S21 Ultra, and the S22 Ultra support 45W. Every other flagship and upper midranger has support for only 25W.

    Others

    Xiaomi, Oppo, One Plus, Huawei are some of the biggest proponents of higher fast charging. In fact, if fast charging means a lot to you, these brands are some of the first places to begin your search. Xiaomi and Oppo have phones that support 200W. Remember that their charging technology is proprietary, and some of your regular chargers will not deliver the high charging speed of their follow-come chargers.

    What does this mean for you?

    We have mentioned here that your battery is an important component of your phone, and charging it without care can mess up your experience with your phone. If you use any OEM-certified chargers, especially those available here, it is very unlikely that your phone will be adversely affected. However, that a charger charges your friend’s phone for a ridiculously short period does not mean you will enjoy the same speed. Fast charging technologies are not the same for all phones. Temper your expectations with reality and knowledge…

    Welcome to the 1%…

  • 4 Common Smartphone Myths You Should Not Believe

    Mobile phones have more outrageous myths than India 99 vs Nigeria 1. Like that legendary football match that never happened, many of the myths here have no basis, and we are in utter disbelief at how long these have been perpetuated. But not to worry, we are here on a myth-busting mission:

    More Megapixels mean a better Camera.

    98.2% of phone users are guilty of this. Until recently, many of us have held the opinion that a higher megapixel count will automatically translate into a better photo. This is one of the few myths that have endured for far too long. On paper, a 200MP camera should be better than a 48MP one. Still, as the comparison between the Samsung S22 Ultra and the iPhone 14 Pro Max shows, more numbers don’t necessarily translate into better images. Phone camera technology has gone beyond the number game. From the iPhone 6 in 2014 down to the iPhone 13 Pro Max, Apple has stuck with 12MP shooters for their smartphones, yet year-on-year, iPhones were among the best camera phones in the world. The quality of photos is not determined by the number of megapixels but rather by the quality of the lens, the sensor size, the ISO capabilities, and the image processing Unit of the SOC. As Google Pixels have shown us, computational photography (a.k.a AI processing) has much to say. So, despite what the marketing material might say, a 500MP Tecno is not outperforming a 12MP iPhone in 2022

    Charging Your Phone Overnight is Bad for Your Phone.

    Careful here… There are a lot of caveats here. Charging your phone under unfavourable conditions (like charging your phone and putting it on your bed overnight) is dangerous and even hazardous; you can read more about that here. But if you charge your phone correctly, charging it overnight is not bad at all. Except your phone is defective, you cannot overcharge your phone. Modern smartphones come with chips that handle power. Once your smartphone reaches 100%, it will stop charging.

    The Only Charger You Should Use is the One That Comes With Your Phone.

    This is laughable now! Since its launch of the iPhone 12 series, Apple has stopped bundling chargers with their phones, its closest rival, Samsung followed suit in 2021; since its launch of the Samsung Galaxy S21 series, Samsung has stopped putting chargers in its FLAGSHIP phones. So, if you have to charge only with the chargers that came with your phone, what will iPhone 12, S21, and S22 users do? The truth is each phone has a charging specification, the charging technology it supports. For instance, the iPhone X and later will work perfectly with any USB-PD compatible charger. Samsung flagship phones are compatible with chargers that support USB-PD 3.0 or its proprietary technology, Quick Charge 2.0. If you don’t have a follow-come charger for your device, a high-quality third-party charger or wireless charger will do just fine and here is a good place to begin your search.

    More Battery Capacity Means More Battery Life

    Leeeemaoooooo! Now having a 5000MAH+ battery is good. Theoretically, more mAh means more juice for your phone, but having more juice to access is not as important as having a well-optimised device that ensures that juice doesn’t get quickly depleted. The iPhone 13 Pro Max from last year has 4,352mAh, while its 2021 counterpart, the Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra, is fitted with a 5000mAh battery. Guess who has a better battery, ladies and gentlemen? The iPhone. An optimised device that balances performance with high power efficiency will always do better than a poorly optimised device with a high-capacity battery. The S21 Ultra is no slouch, but the iPhone is slightly better tuned.

    4K Will Look Better on a Phone Screen

    No, it won’t. We haven’t seen a jump from 1440p to 4k from the majority of phone manufacturers because our eyes are incapable of benefitting from the resolution bump, especially on a screen that small. 4k might look good on your TV, but on a mobile phone, you will have difficulty discerning the difference between a 2K screen and a 4K screen. Sony has tried unsuccessfully. Their phones equipped with 4K screens aren’t doing well…

    Tell us in the comment section which myth you find the most interesting and which myth do you think we missed out.

  • BEFORE BLACK FRIDAY TURNS DARK; 4 THINGS TO LOOK OUT FOR WHEN BUYING YOUR NEW PHONE

    ***Clears throat**** it is that time of the month again when you get to buy many devices at a fraction of what they cost; Ladies and gentlemen, it’s November, and Black Friday is upon us! But before you get your crisp notes out of your wallet, pay attention lest we refer you to Proverb 21:20. Let’s start with the basics. Mobile phones are divided into three major categories: flagship, mid-range, and entry-level. Flagships are the biggest and greatest from the manufacturer, the Samsung S22 Ultras of this world, iPhone 14 Pro Max, and Xiaomi 12s Pro, among others. The mid-range, like the name suggests, sits in the middle; it has the premium features that are found in flagship devices but will also skimp on some features, the upper echelon of the Samsung A-series are the kings here (the A7x, A5X), the Redmi Note series are equally well-represented here, etc. The entry-level phone, as the name sound, is at the base of the smartphone pyramid. They are only optimal at calling, sending texts, and for light multimedia use. This distinction should not be taken as rigid. Some phones defy this logic, and the iPhone 14 is probably the best example. How can a 600k+ phone not be a flagship? Ha! The kneeling down of a mother! But the base iPhone 14 lacks the oomph, bells, and whistles of the iPhone 14 Pro and Pro Max or even Samsung 22 Ultra. The Black Friday fever will be at its fervent point in the coming days. Before you checkout, pay attention to the following points:

    • Futureproof

    This is probably one of the few areas that you hardly pay attention to, and to be honest, as phone prices continue to get higher than Snoop Dogg on blunt, spending your money prudently is very important. Come closer and let us give you the deets; Black Friday is one of the few opportunities that some vendors have to sell phones that have been in their warehouse since the noughties! Don’t buy a phone that will become obsolete after a few months. Shine your eye!

    • AFTER-SALES SUPPORT

    Available statistics suggest that Nigerians purchase used phones more than they purchase used devices. Money no too dey like that! The Severe Absence of Purchasing Ability, SAPA is not enough reason to be left in the lurch because you bought a used phone. Whether it is a brand-new phone or a premium used device, Oga Bassey has never disappointed when it comes to unrivalled after-sales services. Our insurance policy also means that… wait for it… we cover screen damages free of charge for duly insured phones… Samsung users, you have nothing to fear again- flaunt your Galaxies!

    • Vendor Credibility

    The conditions in Panti and Kirikiri are not for the faint-hearted; if you aren’t aware, the Nigerian Police is not your friend. To avoid police wahala, please buy from only credible vendors. Many vendors will rise in November, riding on the crest of Black Friday, verily verily we said unto you, shine your eyes o! Don’t buy your device from shady vendors. If you want to take good advantage of the Black Friday promo from Oga Bassey, click here.

    • THE CLONE WARS

    See ehn, nothing is as heart-breaking as buying an iPhone running Android (Ha! The kneeling down of a mother). There is a plethora of “Dubai-made” Airpods in the market. Shine your eyes lest you fall victim.

    Get mouth-watering discounts and price slashes on your favourite gadgets and still pay for them in instalments on the 25th of November during Oga Bassey Black Friday Promo… Now is the time to cop that iPhone, Samsung, and MacBook you have been eyeing as Santa is about to arrive earlier than usual, don’t sleep on this.

  • 4 REASONS TO BUY THE ESIM IPHONES. NO. 3 WILL SAVE YOU 100K

    No OEM has disrupted the industry as much as Apple in the phone manufacturing world. With the launch of the original iPhone in 2007, Apple changed how the world sees a smartphone; they upped the ante and changed the landscape of the smartphone industry forever. Steve Jobs and his team applied pressure, and the rest of the industry sat up and got serious. After popularising the removal of the 3.5m jack, the notch and the dynamic island, the next feature on the list is the iPhone running as an Esim exclusive mobile brand.  

    Since the iPhone XR and XS series, Apple devices have supported the Esim alongside a regular sim card. But with the release of the iPhone 14 series, Apple released a version that uses the Esim exclusively in the US. Knowing Apple, it is only a matter of time before the iPhone becomes esim only in most places in the world. So, what is an Esim? Esim means embedded sim (no Sodiki, it’s not electronic sim). It is a technology that involves your mobile carrier (MTN, Airtel, Vodafone, Celtel, abbl) embedding a profile on the esim chip on your phone; meaning you will be able to put a sim on your phone by just scanning a barcode, sounds sweet right? Here is a bonus point, if you have an iPhone, anyone from the XR up to the 13 Pro Max, or an S20 or a newer Samsung phone, you can use an Esim; technically, your phone is a dual sim phone even if it’s not a DUOS. I know you are asking, “if my phone supports two sim cards already, can I still use an Esim”? Yes and No. Yes, you can have up to 5 Esims embedded in your phone, but no, only two sim cards can work on your phone at any point in time (It’s a smartphone, not one of those Chinese phones from that year). So, why should you go for the Esim-only iPhone 14:

    • YOU CAN SWITCH NETWORKS EASILY

    Make we burst your head. You can have 5 networks on one esim module in… yes, that’s right. You can have all the major networks on Naija on your phone. But you can’t use all 5 simultaneously; however, you can switch network providers at will. For example, if GLO dey misbehave, you can easily switch to a different network without the hassle of removing one physical sim for another. Bye-Bye sim ejector tool.

    • YOU DON’T HAVE TO ROAM WHEN YOU TRAVEL TO THE ABROAD

    With the Esim-only version of the iPhone 14, you don’t have to pay exorbitant roaming fees to your network provider when you visit other countries. Once you land in your new city, get your iPhone on your preferred network in the city. Once you are back home, disable the foreign network and hop back on your home network,

    • IT’S CHEAPER

    Errrm… Na expo o, but the Esim-only iPhone is cheaper than the regular iPhone. You are getting the same phone with the same features for significantly less. And the best part is that you can even get it cheaper here.

    • IT IS MORE SECURE

    With a physical sim, your banked accounts linked to the sim are not safe. Your sim card can be removed and inserted into another phone while your account is wiped clean. But with the Esim-only iPhone, you provide an extra layer of protection for your money.

    Does the Esim-Only iPhone appeal to you? Do you have further questions, please, tell us in the comment section.

    For all the best deals on your iPhones, Samsung phones, Samsung Smart TVs, earbuds, iPads and other tablets, click here

  • 5 Things To Do if Your iPhone Battery Health Falls Below 85%.

    In 2018, Apple released iOS 11.3. This version of the OS introduced arguably one of the most impressive features on the iPhone, Battery Health. All rechargeable batteries are consumables; they have a limited lifespan, and sooner or later, your battery will not be able to hold a charge anymore. On the iPhone, your Battery Health is an indicator to inform you about your battery’s capacity, peak performance, and whether your battery needs to be serviced.

     Many factors contribute to a drop in battery performance and life span, you can read about them here.

    Tech-savvy iPhone users buying a used phone always look out for Battery Health (before they are forced to sope otilo). Your iPhone is at its optimal best when the Battery Health reads between 100% and 85%. If it falls below 85%, Gbese is around the corner, and you might soon experience occasional unexpected device shutdowns. You may also have bought your iPhone from a shady vendor without doing your due diligence,  you might be guilty of some of the crimes against the battery here, and your battery is now less than 85%. Well, life happens. What can you do? Well, Ogabassey dey for you:

    Enable Low Power Mode

    iPhones are incredibly powerful phones. The  Bionic Processors that power the iPhones are class leaders, and even the iPhone 8 from 2017 can still hold its own in 2022. Toggling the low power mode on your iPhone will improve your phone’s efficiency. The drop-off in performance is minimal, and most users will have a seamless experience on the iPhone even with Low Power Mode enabled.

    Enable Optimised Charging

    Lithium-ion batteries will inevitably deteriorate. How quickly that happens depends largely on your usage and, in many cases, your charging pattern. The Apple Optimised Charging feature protects your phone from overcharging and other unfriendly charging practices. To turn on the feature, go to Settings > Battery > Battery Health > Optimized Battery Charging

    Turn off Bluetooth and Wifi when not in Use

    Sounds simplistic, right? Right? Right? (emphasis ours) But we both know you hardly turn off your Bluetooth after putting away your AirPods. Wifi and Bluetooth radios consume battery (maybe not as much as back in the day); they are some of the reasons your battery hardly lasts the whole day. You will help your battery by disabling your wifi and Bluetooth radios when you are not using them.

    Update your Device

    Most iPhones enjoy 5-6 years of software updates. No other phone maker comes close to Apple as far as software updates are concerned. With each update, Apple fixes bugs and niggling issues, especially those that affect efficiency (battery life), security, and performance. Updating your phone regularly can help your battery life.

    Swap your Device at Ogabassey.com

    Oga Bassey dey for you; Under our trade-in service, with shikini money,  you can swap your old device for a new device from us (terms and conditions apply). Click Here to learn more.

    What’s the lowest Battery Health percentage you have ever seen on an iPhone? Tell us in the comment section.

  • 5G in Nigeria: All You Need to Know and More

     ****Drum Rolls**** It’s here, it’s live… 5G has finally arrived! After months of teasing and countdown, MTN, the biggest mobile network provider in Nigeria, has finally deployed 5G! We know they are piloting the service in seven cities: Lagos, Port Harcourt, Ibadan, Abuja, Maiduguri, Kano, and Owerri. We have also been informed that the services have been deployed in 81 areas in Lagos (Ikorodu, Ikotun, Egbeda, and the rest of the trenches communities would have to wait their turn).

     Theoretically, 5G is around 20 times faster than 4G, but as with all things technology and beyond, theory and reality are often mutually exclusive-Life no balance! We tested MTN 5G in Unilag; the video is Here, and while the maths wasn’t mathing, we have some answers to your questions:

    Speed

    On paper, 5G is supposed to be 20 times faster than 4G (1Gbps vs. 20Gbps), but the infrastructure is where the comma dey. 5G operates via either the Mmwave or the Sub-6GHz frequencies. Sub-6GHz utilises mid and low frequencies (under 6GHz); meanwhile, mmwave uses higher frequency radio bands ranging from 24GHz to 40GHz. When you hear foreigners rave about 5G speed, they are more often than not talking about Mmwave. Deploying Mmwave is relatively more expensive, so most network providers (even in developed countries) deploy Sub-6Ghz frequencies. Per our 5G tests in UNILAG, we suspect MTN is broadcasting 5G using the Sub-6GHz.  When you get your 5G-enabled mobile phone, temper your expectations.

    TLDR? Mmwave offers better speed, but the range is limited. Sub-6Ghz offers 4G-like speed; however, the range is wider, so network providers (especially the early adopters) are more likely to deploy Sub-6Ghz to save costs.

     You will not likely be able to download 10Gb in 10 seconds any time soon. The tech will take time to mature or not

    Compatibility

    All animals are equal, but some are more equal than others. Your iPhone 11 Pro Max is a great phone, but I have bad news, it doesn’t support 5G. Only iPhone 12 and newer iPhones can use 5G. Similarly,  All Samsung phones before Samsung Galaxy S10 5G are not compatible with 5G. To join the 1% of the 1%, you have to upgrade. Luckily, Ogabassey dey for you. You can get a 5G-enabled phone at an affordable price and even pay in instalments by clicking HERE.

    Availability

    MTN has deployed 5G in many areas in Lagos, but some users with 5G-enabled phones (Some iPhones and Samsung users) are not receiving 5G signals yet. If you are one of them, No too worry yourself; MTN claim they are working on it, e go soon reach you. Other network providers will jump on the 5G train in the coming months. So, e go soon soft!

    Have you started receiving MTN 5G signals on your phone? Which 5G-enabled phone would you like to get from Ogabassey? Tell us in the comment section.