Where to buy a phone? From a shop in Sri Lanka or From a friend in abroad.

I'm looking to buy a phone probably a S25 Ultra, since my exisiting phone is dying soon (used it for 6 years).

With the budget I have 2 options.

1. Buy a phone from a shop in Liberty Plaza. I don't trust these shops. But can't spend lot of money to buy from John Keels (Official Samsung Distributor).

• The issue is all these shops just gives 6 months of shop warranty (for hardware issues). I saw lot of posts that most of the shop didn't cover the warranty as they agreed in some cases. But If I can buy from a somewhat good shop, I can may be claim the warranty.

2. Buy a phone through a friend in Singapore. He is coming to SL sooner. So he can buy a phone from a reputed shop in Singapore with their warranty and bring it here.

• This phone is original, not re-sealed or somewhat. The problem is if I get the phone from abroad, it's difficult to claim the warranty. warranty is applied only in that country. So I may have to send the phone to Singapore with someone go there, to claim the waranty.

Price wise , both are similar.

Only issue I'm considering is the authenticity of the phone, and flexibility to claim the warranty if something goes wrong.

I'm stuck in here. What's your idea. Do you have similar experience.