Cell phone purchase in Paraguay: iPhone, Samsung and Xiaomi

You must be wondering: Why is Tarobá Hotel talking about purchasing a cell phone in Paraguay?

Here at Tarobá Hotel we have many guests who come especially for shopping tourism in Paraguay. 

This is common here on our border and we know that among the most sought after products are electronics and, specifically, smartphones. 

That's why we prepared this blogpost, with all the information for you to answer your questions before going in search of your cell phone in Paraguay. 

Check out what you'll see here:  

Answering general questions about purchasing a cell phone in Paraguay

Is cell phone in Paraguay cheaper?

In general, yes. 

Cell phones, as well as other electronic and imported products, tend to have lower prices in Paraguay due to the fact that they have less taxes than in Brazil. 

Another advantage is our border region that allows the opening of duty-free stores, which are tax-free for imported products. 

Are Paraguayan cell phones original?

This is a myth that we need to break. Many people only associate Paraguay with counterfeit products. 

However, in Ciudad del Este there are several accredited stores of big brands and that they sell with the product guarantee. 

It's no lie that there are counterfeits in the neighboring country, so to buy your smartphone safely, you just need to be careful. 

Search for accredited and trustworthy stores, and follow the tips we will give in the next topics.  

How do I buy a cell phone in Paraguay?

  • Do not accept help or tell the street “guides” what you want to buy;
  • Avoid small stores and street vendors; 
  • Choose accredited stores, especially Apple stores (just check the brand's website);
  • Research the stores and prices online beforehand, a good tool is the Shopping Paraguay
  • Ask if the store has a warranty and invoice;
  • Test products before leaving the store;
  • Check if the packaging is sealed;
  • Check all product specifications; 
  • Avoid showcase products; 
  • See the warranty period;
  • Be wary of products with very low prices;
  • Pay attention to the purchasing quota;
  • Prefer to pay in dollars and avoid credit cards (subject to exchange rates and IOF). 

What are refurbished products/cell phones? 

In Paraguay you may end up coming across products or cell phones that are refurbished and therefore have a price below average. 

But what is a refurbished product?

These are generally products that had a factory defect, were repaired by the manufacturer and sent back for sale. 

OK, and is that bad? 

The answer is it depends. It depends on your needs, which store you are viewing this product from, your financial availability and your preference. 

For example, in the case of an iPhone, it is possible to find it refurbished in authorized Apple stores, at a more economical price and with the brand's 1-year warranty.

Woman talking on her cell phone - cell phone in Paraguay
Woman talking on cell phone | Illustrative image – Envato Elements

Dollar situation for purchases in Paraguay

You may be thinking the following: “With the dollar soaring, is it really worth buying cell phones in Paraguay?”

Yes, it pays off!

Even with the current situation of the currency exchange rate, it is still worth changing due to the price difference between Paraguay and Brazil.

However, you must pay attention when making this exchange, as depending on the day it is worth going to an exchange office here in Foz do Iguaçu.

Currently (August 2022), the dollar is around R$5,50, with some daily drops or increases, but always hovering around this number.

Want to know more about which currency to use in Paraguay? Take a look in that matter.

>> Read also What can I buy in Paraguay?

What cell phone brands can I find in Paraguay? 

You can find major cell phone brands in Paraguay among others that are not so well known. 

There are some accredited stores for the sale of smartphones from Apple Lossless Audio CODEC (ALAC),, for example, with your acquaintances Iphones

Another quality brand that has been sought after are the Chinese models Xiaomi which fell to the taste of Brazilians, with its Redmi e Mi

In addition to them, you will find several Korean models Samsung, including their latest releases. 

Other well-selling brands are: Motorola, Blu, LG, and the new ones Huawei.

In this article, we will highlight the most sought after in the region, which are the first three mentioned.

Check it out!

Smartphone and accessories - cell phone in Paraguay
Smartphone e acessórios – celular no Paraguai | Imagem ilustrativa – Envato Elements

iPhone in Paraguay

Imagine having a top-of-the-line iPhone before everyone else!

One of the brands that has become the most trendy in recent years is, without a shadow of a doubt, Apple and its iPhones.

Literally becoming a trend, the world-renowned brand launches lines of cell phones and electronic devices that are increasingly modern and beautiful every year. 

With this, it attracts a legion of fans of the brand to go shopping in Paraguay to purchase first-hand (sometimes arriving before Brazil), the iPhones of the year.

Where to buy iPhone in Paraguay?

When it comes to Apple, accredited stores are the best options.

To find out which ones are accredited, just check the brand's website the points of sale in the country you wish to purchase. 

Find out more about how to buy an iPhone safely in Paraguay by reading this article by Combo Iguassu. 

Samsung in Paraguay

After Apple, Samsung is the second most recognized smartphone brand in the world, currently present in 74 countries.

In 2021, it was announced that Samsung ranked 1st in global cell phone shipments, becoming the leader in smartphones on the market. 

And as Samsung doesn't want to be left behind in smartphone sales, it invests heavily in innovation

It is no surprise that the Korean brand already has more than 1 million registered patents and seeks to reach the goal of 10 thousand patents per year. 

Every year it launches a more modern cell phone that meets more and more of the needs that users point out in relation to previous models.

Xiaomi in Paraguay

Xiaomi is the youngest cell phone manufacturer, but it has grown quickly in the market. 

The brand has become a favorite among Brazilians for its low-priced but innovative products. 

The brand's strategy is to maintain its profits with a 5% margin, betting on cutting edge technology and futuristic.

In 2021, along with Apple and Samsung, it was one of the best-selling cell phone brands in Brazil.  

Which explains why Xiaomi's have a sales force here in the Triple Frontier, mainly because they have great offers in Paraguay.

How much does a cell phone cost in Paraguay? 

To answer this question, we researched the average price in Paraguay of the most sought-after cell phones from the 3 brands highlighted here. 

If you are looking for another model that is not listed here, once again we recommend the Compras Paraguai website for you to do your research. 

IPhone 13 Stellar 6.1 inches

Estimated price in Brazil: 

Real: R$ 5.199,00 – R$ 8.599,00 (Taxes not included)

Estimated price in Paraguay:

Dollar: US$790,00 to US$900,00

Real: R$ 4.297,60 to R$ 4.896,00

iPhone 13 Pro Max 128GB

Estimated price in Brazil: 

Real: R$ 7.518,00 to R$ 10.499,00 (Taxes not included)

Estimated price in Paraguay: 

Dollar: US$ 1.136,90 to US$ 1.195,00

Real: R$ 6.184,74 to R$ 6.500,80

iPhone 12 Pro 256GB

Estimated price in Brazil: 

Real: R$ 5.974,98 to R$ 10.197,48 (Taxes not included)

Estimated price in Paraguay: 

Dollar: US$ 880,00 to US$ 1.115,00

Real: R$ 4.787,20 to R$ 6.065,60

iPhone 11 128GB 

Estimated price in Brazil: 

Real: R$ 3.699,00 to R$ 5.499,00 (Taxes not included)

Estimated price in Paraguay:

Dollar: US$ 565,00 to US$ 650,00

Real: R$ 3.073,60 to R$ 3.536,00

Xiaomi Redmi Note 10 Pro Max

Estimated price in Brazil:

Real: R$ 1.729,99 to R$ 2.898,96 (Taxes not included)

Estimated price in Paraguay:

Dollar: US$ 218,00 to US$ 280,00

Real: R$ 1.185,92 to R$ 1.523,20

Xiaomi MI 11 Lite

Estimated price in Brazil: 

Real: R$ 1.718,98 to R$ 3.590,00 (Taxes not included)

Estimated price in Paraguay:

Dollar: US$ 310,00 to US$ 329,00

Real: R$ 1.674,00 to R$ 1.776,60

Xiaomi Poco M3 Pro 5g

Estimated price in Brazil:

Real: R$ 1.259,00 to R$ 3.119,99 (Taxes not included)

Estimated price in Paraguay: 

Dollar: US$ 173,00 to US$ 182,00. 

Real: R$ 942,85 to R$ 991,90

Galaxy S21 256GB 5G

Estimated price in Brazil: 

Real: R$ 2.898,96 to R$ 5.600,50

Estimated price in Paraguay: 

Dollar: US$789,00

Real: R$ 4.300,05

Galaxy S20 128GB 5G

Estimated price in Brazil: 

Real: R$ 1.999,00 to R$ 3.999,00

Estimated price in Paraguay: 

Dollar: US$ 410,00 to US$ 550,00

Real: R$ 2.234,50 to R$ 2.997,50

Galaxy A32

Estimated price in Brazil:

Real: R$ 1.439,10 to R$ 2.253,70

Estimated price in Paraguay: 

Dollar: US$ 199,00 to US$ 230,00

Real: R$ 1.084,55 to R$ 1.253,50

Young people taking a selfie with cell phone
Young people taking a selfie with cell phone | Illustrative image – Envato Elements

Where to stay

Most tourists, when they want to do their shopping in Paraguay, stay in hotels in Foz do Iguaçu and are already taking the opportunity to visit the city.

With that in mind, we couldn't help but mention two hotels that offer the best accommodation in the city at the best price.

O Tarobá Hotel It has been in operation since 1978 and today, the 3-star hotel is among the top 10 hotels on TripAdvisor and won the Traveler's Choice 2022 award.

The hotel has accommodations for up to 4 people, all with air conditioning, free Wi-Fi, digital safe, work desk and cable TV. 

In addition to amenities such as swimming pool, breakfast, games room, gym, among other facilities

The second hotel we recommend is Tarobá Express, which opened in 2019 and has since offered the best service, with very high quality. 

Both Tarobá Hotel and Tarobá Express have locations in city ​​center, making them privileged and providing easy access to all the tourist attractions of Foz do Iguaçu.

Furthermore, both hotels have a tourism agency within their establishment, Combo Iguassu, which also provides high quality services in the region.

Cell phones in Paraguay || Conclusion

So, did you like the article? 

Now you know where to go, how much to spend and the most popular brands in Brazil to buy your cell phone in Paraguay, you can now prepare for your shopping tour.

Then just put on some good sneakers, wake up early and enjoy the best of the Triple Border commerce!

And when you come to Foz, remember to count on the services of the Tarobá Hotel, as well as the John Paul.

Oh, and stay tuned our blog and our social networks to stay up to date with all publications from Foz and the region, so you stay up to date and know everything.

*Updated 03/08/2022

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