Welcome to your detailed, current guide exploring the iPhone 5s price in Nigeria as of October 2025. It’s hard to believe, but we’re looking back 12 full years to September 2013, when Apple introduced the iPhone 5s. This device was a significant milestone: it debuted the Touch ID fingerprint sensor integrated into the Home button, introduced the first 64-bit mobile processor (the Apple A7 chip) paving the way for future software advancements, and included the M7 motion co-processor. While retaining the 4-inch display and aluminum design of the iPhone 5, the 5s offered improved camera features (like True Tone flash and slo-mo video) and came in new colors, including the iconic Gold.
Twelve years later, in late 2025, the iPhone 5s is firmly entrenched in the category of technological fossils. Its extremely limited presence in the absolute lowest rungs of Nigeria’s vast second-hand phone market – perhaps found in the back bins of Computer Village repair shops in Lagos or listed for a pittance on Jiji – is driven purely by its incredibly low price and the lingering (though severely faded) appeal of the Apple brand. For a tiny niche of buyers looking for the absolute cheapest possible iPhone, maybe just for basic calls/SMS (with significant caveats), offline music, or as a disposable temporary device, the 5s might barely register as a possibility. Its key (historical) advantage over the iPhone 5/5c is its 64-bit chip and slightly less ancient iOS 12 software limit.
However, anyone even considering an iPhone 5s today must accept they are dealing with heavily used, likely damaged, and profoundly functionally compromised devices. Brand New models are relics, completely unavailable through legitimate channels for over a decade. Listings claiming “new” are fraudulent, likely pointing to poorly refurbished units or outright fakes. The market consists solely of:
This article provides an exhaustive analysis of the current, minimal iPhone 5s price in Nigeria across these used categories. We will meticulously detail its profoundly obsolete specifications, discuss its very limited relevant features (like Touch ID), starkly contrast the few remaining pros against the overwhelming cons (especially its ancient iOS 12 software limit and associated security/compatibility issues), and offer critical warnings and advice on navigating the perilous market for such an old device, focusing intensely on avoiding scams and non-functional units in 2025.
As of October 2025, the iPhone 5s represents one of the absolute cheapest entry points into the (very old) Apple ecosystem in Nigeria, often priced similarly to or just slightly above the iPhone 5c due to its metal build and Touch ID. Its value is minimal, reflecting its extreme age and functional limitations. Brand new units are impossible to find legitimately. The market is exclusively comprised of very old, heavily worn UK Used and Nigerian Used units. Expect significant cosmetic wear, critically degraded batteries, and software limitations that prevent modern usage.
Here’s a comparison table showing the typical, very low price ranges for a used iPhone 5s in Nigeria:
| Phone Model & Storage | Condition | Price Range (NGN) | Popular Retailers / Markets |
|---|---|---|---|
| iPhone 5s (16GB) | UK Used | ₦15,000 – ₦30,000 | Jiji, Konga (rare), Computer Village (back stalls), Small Repair Shops |
| iPhone 5s (32GB) | UK Used | ₦18,000 – ₦35,000 | Jiji, Konga (rare), Computer Village (back stalls), Small Repair Shops |
| iPhone 5s (64GB) | UK Used | ₦20,000 – ₦40,000 | Jiji, Konga (rare), Computer Village (back stalls), Small Repair Shops |
| iPhone 5s (16GB) | Nigerian Used | ₦10,000 – ₦22,000 | Jiji, Facebook Marketplace, Personal Sellers |
| iPhone 5s (32GB) | Nigerian Used | ₦13,000 – ₦28,000 | Jiji, Facebook Marketplace, Personal Sellers |
| iPhone 5s (64GB) | Nigerian Used | ₦15,000 – ₦33,000 | Jiji, Facebook Marketplace, Personal Sellers |
| iPhone 5s (Any) | Brand New | Non-Existent / Fake | ~₦35,000 – ₦70,000+ (AVOID COMPLETELY) |
Disclaimer: These prices are rough estimates for October 2025, representing the extreme low end of the market. Actual costs depend heavily on functionality (if any), cosmetic condition (expect very poor C/D grade), battery status (almost certainly needs replacement), seller honesty, location, and negotiation. Many units are sold “as-is” with no guarantees.
It must be unequivocally stated: Genuine, factory-sealed, Brand New iPhone 5s units do not exist for sale in 2025. Apple discontinued production roughly eight or nine years ago. Any seller advertising a “Brand New” iPhone 5s is misleading customers and likely offering:
Such misrepresented items might be listed anywhere from ₦35,000 to ₦70,000 or even higher. This price range represents terrible value. For the same or slightly more money, you could easily acquire a significantly newer used iPhone (like a 6s, 7, SE 1st Gen, possibly even an 8) offering far better performance, camera capabilities, and crucially, support for less ancient and more secure iOS versions. Purchasing a “new” iPhone 5s is a financially unsound decision and is strongly discouraged.
This category comprises imported second-hand devices, likely brought into Nigeria years ago. For a 12-year-old phone, the “UK Used” label provides little assurance of quality; expect significant wear and tear.
These are devices previously owned and used within Nigeria, likely having undergone numerous repairs and passed through many hands. They represent the absolute bottom price tier but come with the highest risk of undisclosed faults, poor repair quality, and significant cosmetic damage.
Mainstream and reputable electronics retailers do not deal with devices as old as the iPhone 5s.
Launched in 2013, the iPhone 5s hardware, while innovative for its time (64-bit chip, Touch ID), is severely outdated and incapable of providing a modern smartphone experience in 2025.
| Feature | Specification | Notes (Relevance in 2025) |
|---|---|---|
| Display | 4.0-inch IPS LCD | Very Small, same panel as iPhone 5, large bezels |
| 1136 x 640 pixels (~326 ppi) | Low resolution | |
| Design | Aluminum Unibody with Chamfered Edges | Premium feel (for its time), No Wireless Charging |
| Home button with Touch ID (1st Gen) | Introduced fingerprint security, slower than later gens | |
| No Water Resistance | Highly susceptible to liquid damage | |
| Headphone Jack Present | Convenient for wired audio | |
| Processor | Apple A7 (28 nm) | Extremely Slow: First 64-bit mobile chip, but very dated |
| CPU | Dual-core 1.3 GHz Cyclone (ARM v8-based) | Severely underpowered 64-bit CPU |
| GPU | PowerVR G6430 (quad-core graphics) | Very weak graphics performance |
| Co-Processor | Apple M7 Motion Co-processor | Handled sensor data efficiently (for its time) |
| RAM | 1GB RAM | Cripplingly Insufficient: Barely runs iOS 12, zero multitasking |
| Storage | 16GB, 32GB, 64GB | All capacities inadequate, 16GB is unusable |
| Rear Camera | Single 8MP Wide Camera: | Basic, slightly improved sensor vs iPhone 5 |
| 8MP, f/2.2, Digital Image Stabilization (DIS) | Larger pixels than i5, True Tone Flash, Poor low-light | |
| Video Recording | 1080p at 30fps, 720p at 120fps (Slo-mo) | Basic HD, Introduced slow-motion feature |
| Front Camera | 1.2MP, f/2.4 | Extremely poor quality |
| Battery | ~1560 mAh (Li-Po) | Microscopic Capacity: Slightly larger than i5, still terrible |
| Charging | Lightning Port | Outdated, charges extremely slowly |
| No Wireless Charging | Lacks this feature | |
| Standard 5W charging (Very Slow) | No fast charging | |
| Biometrics | Touch ID (1st Gen Fingerprint sensor) | Introduced fingerprint unlock/authentication |
| Operating System | Launched with iOS 7 | Maximum Supported OS: iOS 12.5.7 |
| Does NOT support iOS 13 through 19 (2025) | CRITICALLY OBSOLETE & INSECURE SOFTWARE: Major issues ahead | |
| Connectivity | 4G LTE (Improved band support vs iPhone 5) | Basic 4G, potential incompatibility |
| Wi-Fi 802.11n (Wi-Fi 4) | Very old Wi-Fi | |
| Bluetooth 4.0 | Old Bluetooth | |
| No NFC | Lacks NFC chip entirely | |
| SIM Card | Nano-SIM | Uses the standard Nano-SIM size |
| Dimensions | 123.8 x 58.6 x 7.6 mm | Very small and thin |
| Weight | 112g | Extremely lightweight |
| Colors | Space Gray, Silver, Gold | Introduced the Gold color option |
The iPhone 5s retains the 4.0-inch IPS LCD screen of the iPhone 5. It feels incredibly small by 2025 standards, offers low resolution, and has outdated brightness and color reproduction. The iconic aluminum unibody design with chamfered edges still looks classic to some, but the large bezels are prominent. Key design features include the first-generation Touch ID sensor embedded in the Home button (replacing the plain button of the 5/5c), the Lightning port, the headphone jack, and the lack of water resistance. Its compact size and light weight remain notable.
The Apple A7 chip was revolutionary in 2013 as the first 64-bit mobile processor, paired with the M7 motion co-processor. However, alongside only 1GB of RAM, its performance in 2025 is extremely poor. While technically capable of running 64-bit applications (unlike the 5/5c), the chip is ancient and struggles immensely even with the outdated iOS 12. Navigating the OS is sluggish, modern websites are often unusable, and app compatibility is severely limited. Any task beyond the absolute minimum (calls, SMS, maybe basic offline music) will be frustratingly slow.
1GB of RAM is critically insufficient for running even the older iOS 12 smoothly, let alone any modern applications. Multitasking is non-existent, and apps frequently crash or fail to load. Storage options (16GB, 32GB, 64GB) are all far too small for practical use today. The 16GB model is unusable, barely holding the OS and a few essential (old) apps. 32GB and 64GB offer minimal breathing room but are still grossly inadequate.
The iPhone 5s offered modest camera improvements over the iPhone 5.
The ~1560 mAh battery is tiny. After 12 years, any original battery will be completely useless, unable to hold a charge. Even with a replacement (if a reliable one can be sourced and fitted economically), the small capacity combined with the A7 chip results in very poor battery life. Expect only a few hours of light use. It uses the Lightning port and supports only extremely slow 5W charging (no fast or wireless charging).
This is the most significant limitation making the iPhone 5s unsuitable for modern use. It launched with iOS 7, and its final supported operating system is iOS 12.5.7, which received its last security patch likely in early 2023. It cannot run iOS 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, or the current iOS 19. This extreme software obsolescence means:
Supports 4G LTE (with decent band coverage for its era, but potential gaps with modern networks), old Wi-Fi 4 (802.11n), and Bluetooth 4.0. It lacks NFC entirely. Its landmark feature was the first-generation Touch ID fingerprint sensor, providing basic biometric security for unlocking and App Store purchases (though slower and less reliable than later generations). It uses a Nano-SIM.
The aluminum unibody offers a premium feel and reasonable durability against drops compared to glass phones, though the chamfered edges are prone to scuffs. It has no water resistance.
Available in Space Gray, Silver, and the newly introduced Gold.
In 2025, its notable “features” are primarily its historical innovations and physical attributes.
One of the cheapest iPhones available, sitting just above the 5/5c.
Introduced fingerprint security to the iPhone line.
Historically significant as the first 64-bit mobile chip, enabling support for iOS 11/12 (unlike 5/5c).
Very small 4-inch form factor.
Includes the 3.5mm audio port.
Minor camera improvements introduced with this model.
The cons overwhelmingly dominate, making it a poor choice for virtually everyone.
Finding an iPhone 5s is difficult, and ensuring it’s functional and unlocked requires extreme diligence. “Safely” is relative; “affordably” means paying very little.
Scams with phones this old often involve selling locked (iCloud), non-functional, or misrepresented devices.
*#06# for IMEI, Settings > General > About for Serial) and check them online (imei.info, checkcoverage.apple.com) for authenticity, lock status, and model confirmation.Settings > General > Transfer or Reset iPhone > Erase All Content and Settings) during the transaction to prove it is not Activation Locked to a previous owner’s Apple ID. A locked iPhone 5s is useless.Testing a 12-year-old phone requires focusing on basic functionality and lock status.
Settings > Battery > Battery Health. Note “Maximum Capacity”. Be extremely skeptical of high percentages (>85%) – likely a poor replacement. Assume replacement (₦10k-₦25k+) is needed regardless of reading. Check for “Service” messages.Settings > General > About). Check Model, Serial Number, and storage capacity.As of October 2025, a used iPhone 5s typically costs between ₦10,000 and ₦40,000, heavily dependent on its functional status, cosmetic condition, and battery health (which is usually terrible). Many are sold “as-is” for parts at the lower end.
NO, it is not a good purchase for virtually anyone. While marginally better than the 5/5c due to iOS 12 support (allowing some 64-bit apps), it remains critically obsolete and insecure. Performance is extremely slow, app compatibility is severely limited and decreasing, battery life is abysmal without replacement, cameras are poor, and it lacks modern features.
For a 12-year-old device, this distinction is largely meaningless in terms of expected quality. Both will be very old and likely in poor, unreliable condition. Focus on the specific unit’s functionality and lock status, not its origin label. Nigerian Used might be slightly cheaper but potentially more heavily repaired.
NO. Absolutely not. Software support ended definitively with iOS 12.5.7 (last patched likely in early 2023). It cannot run iOS 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, or the current iOS 19. It is critically outdated and lacks years of essential security updates, making it unsafe for any online activity.
In the technological context of October 2025, the iPhone 5s is an ancient device far beyond its useful lifespan. While its rock-bottom price in Nigeria’s used market might seem tempting for the absolute most budget-constrained buyer wanting an Apple logo, the reality is that it fails to function as a modern smartphone in almost every meaningful way.
The iPhone 5s should only be considered under extremely narrow, niche circumstances:
You should definitively AVOID the iPhone 5s if:
Final Verdict: Do not buy the iPhone 5s in Nigeria in 2025 for any practical smartphone use. It is functionally obsolete, dangerously insecure due to its outdated iOS 12 software, and incapable of running the vast majority of apps required today. Its extremely slow performance, non-existent battery life (without replacement), and poor cameras make it frustrating to use even for basic tasks. The minimal cost does not justify acquiring a device that fails at its core purpose. Your money is far better spent on a basic new feature phone for reliable communication or saved towards any slightly newer used smartphone (even from 2016-2018) that still receives critical software and security updates. The iPhone 5s is essentially e-waste.