The Underdogs: Mobile Phones in Kenya
- Janet Wanjohi
- May 29, 2016
- 3 min read
Buying a mobile phone is almost like buying your first home for many people. It is a tedious process of balancing your funds against functionality and a general wow factor. Some companies, especially those with internationally known brand names, justify their extravagant prices through equally extravagant marketing budgets. But really, I believe it is the mere weight of their brand names that dictates the prices on their devices today. Don't less popular brands have to put in just as much, if not greater, efforts in their marketing in order to get their name out there? Not to mention that they do this on tighter budgets.
However, the extravagant prices of these popular brands are not subject to a complaint. In fact, it gives less popular brands that produce equally high quality devices at cheaper, more affordable prices the opportunity to shine and grab a thick slice of the pie. That is the current situation facing the Kenyan mobile phone industry.
For those of you who, like me, must have a mobile phone that is unique and hard to find in the hands of the common man; here is a modest list with minimal specifications of some of the hidden gems of mobile phones that can be found in Kenya today for under Ksh. 15, 000:
Presenting the Chinese handset
InnJoo Max 2 Plus
16GB internal memory, 1GB of RAM
5.5 inch screen
720 x 1280 HD IPS Display
8 MP Front Camera
13 MP Rear Camera
1.3 GHz Quad-Core Processor
Android 5.1 Lollipop
4600 mAh battery
Why does it stand out?
The battery life is outstanding and a real perk for Kenyans especially within this price range.
Next we have the
InnJoo Fire Plus
16GB internal memory, 2GB of RAM
5.5 inch screen
720 x 1280 HD IPS Display
5 MP Front Camera
13 MP Rear Camera
1.4 GHz Octa Core Processor
Android 4.4.2 KitKat
3600 mAh battery
Why does it stand out?
This handset has a Beast of a processor, capable of consistent high performance in multitasking. If you have an appetite for games on your phone as well, then this is just the device for you.
Also, we have the
Tecno Camon C8
16GB internal memory, 1GB RAM
5.5 inch screen
720 x 1280 LCD IPS Display
5 MP Front Camera
13 MP Rear Camera
1.3 GHz Quad Core Processor
Android 5.0 Lollipop
3000 mAh battery
Why does it stand out?
This device simply towers above more popular brand devices and this price range. Both in terms of design and functionality.
Unveiling the
Wiko Slide 2 (from France)
16GB internal memory, 2GB of RAM
5.5 inch screen
720 x 1280 TFT IPS Display
5 MP Front Camera
13 MP Rear Camera
1.4 GHz Octa Core Processor
Android 5.1 Lollipop
2820 mAh battery
Why does it stand out?
Like its counterpart, the InnJoo Fire Plus, this device also has an excellent processor, enabling you a myriad of simultaneous functions. Not to mention its shockingly affordable price.
China does it again with the
X-TIGI S1553
16GB internal memory, 1GB of RAM
5.5 inch screen
720 x 1280 HD IPS Display
5 MP Front Camera
8 MP Rear Camera
1.3 GHz Quad Core Processor
Android 5.1 Lollipop
6000 mAh battery
Why does it stand out?
WHAT! A 6000 mAh Battery. This phone will last you a walk across the Sahara. No, I'm just kidding (I'm really not). Anyway, with that kind of battery life your days with those cumbersome power-banks will be history.
Last but certainly not least is
Wileyfox Swift
16GB internal memory, 2GB of RAM
5 inch screen
720 x 1280 HD IPS Display
5 MP Front Camera
13 MP Rear Camera
1.2 GHz Quad Core Processor
Cyanogen 12.1
2500 mAh battery
Why does it stand out?
Cyanogen OS: An open operating system built by users, for the users. For those of you that would like a custom version of Android. Not to mention that this thing looks like something straight out of the 'Batmobile'.
For the prices of these mobile phones and much more, visit Jumia Kenya.
Comments