Young people prefer to use second-hand mobile phones since they hardly use many of the technologies in expensive new phones.

According to statistics from some online shopping websites, searches for used phones have increased by 40 per cent since the end of 2019.

Tran Trung Hieu, a student at Binh Duong University, says he can buy an iPhone 7 Plus, which was launched four years ago, for just VND4-5 million (US$172-215) but it fully meets what he needs – selfies, photographs, videos and for studying purpose.

“I have to pay VND15-20 million ($645-860) for the latest phone with high-end technologies some of which I never use," he said.

“It's affordable for me to change my mobile phone anytime I like.”

He added that there is a growing trend among students to use cheap phones.

Le Thai Sung, a worker in HCM City, said rather than use fancy new mobile phones that are all similar to each other, many of his friends try to find second-hand ones with unique shapes and functions.

The most popular such phones include Samsung Note 6, 7 and 8, Xiaomi, Vsmart, and Iphone 4, which is considered the most beautiful looking of all IPhones, he said.

Tran Minh Thai, who owns a second-hand mobile phones store in HCM City’s District 10, said young people prefer to buy an iPhone 4S for less than VND3 million ($130) than a new one for more than VND15 million ($645). — VNS