There is no better place in Hyderabad than Jagdish Market on Chirag Ali Lane in Abids to pick up a mobile phone. The market is packed with shops selling cell phones and everything related. What started as a hub for watches and electronics is now Asia’s largest mobile phone market.

Phones galore…

Where else in the world will you find spectacle frame and lens stores that have a separate cell phone counter? Every store here sells some sort of mobile product or offers some mobile-related service, regardless of their current business. That’s Jagdish Market for you. Also known as Abids Shopping Center, you will find original and fake products here. The place is full of second-hand cell phones, “box piece” (new) and Chinese phones too.

Accessories and Repairs…

You can pick up accessories like scratch-proof displays, tags, and stylish bags at nominal prices here. The place also has many “unlock” centers for phones purchased outside of India and are therefore “locked” to a certain service provider or SIM card. There are some mobile phone service centers where one can get their phones repaired. There is no set fee for mobile phone service, as it depends on the model of the phone and the type of problem. It can be anything from a simple component issue to software issues.

Sale of Seconds…

You can also sell your old mobile phones here. Most of the merchants buy them based on the condition of the phone. There is a market here for used phones and it is quite large. Used phones are checked for faults and serviced before being sold again. Prices depend on the brand and condition of the phone.

Our advice…

• Visit the market anytime between 10 am and 9 pm Monday through Saturday. The market is closed on Sundays and holidays.
• Parking is a huge hassle, especially for cars. So better go by autorickshaw. Otherwise you will have to park near Little Flower School and walk down. Be careful with one way signs as they change frequently.
• Look for “box parts” (new phones) and break the seal in front of you just to be sure of quality. Ask for a warranty seal and repair details.
• For repairs, look for authorized service centers (Sony and Nokia have authorized service centers there). Other places are cheaper, but are best avoided unless known. Phone cloning, faulty parts, and overcharges are rife here, so discretion is advised.
• Ask in different stores for the best price (it helps) and haggling is recommended. Vakil’s offers good deals and Shubham does too.
• Stick with well-known brands like Sony, Samsung, Nokia, Sagem, Siemens, and Motorola. Chinese phones are feature-rich and cheap, but they come with a very limited warranty and may not last more than a year.
• This is one of the best places to load your mobile with the latest songs, video clips and useful software. Try to include this in the purchase price.
• Be careful with your current phone, as this is also one of the largest markets for used and stolen phones. Don’t be disappointed with the low prices you get for your phone in exchange. Trends change too fast to get more than half the value.