Are you looking for the best smartphones in Kenya? Relax, you are in the right place. Sometimes it’s relatively challenging for many folks to choose from different mobile phones available in the market. There are various smartphones you can use to surf various social media sites.
However, in this article, we’ll save you from the hassle by providing a detailed review based on the specifications and personal experiences. This will undoubtedly give you the best insights into the best cell phones in Kenya. The phones are easily available in various online shopping malls.
Let’s have a look!
Cheap Smartphones in Kenya
Name of the Phone |
Important Features |
Price Range |
Samsung Galaxy A20 |
6.4 inch super AMOLED touchscreen Android 9 pie Design dimensions 7.8 x 74.7 x 158.4 mm. 3GB RAM & 32GB ROM expandable micro SD Non-removable 4000mAh battery Fast battery charging at 15W |
Kshs. 16500- 18000 |
Infinix Hot 8 |
2 Models Non-removable 5000mAh battery 32GB ROM 2 GB RAM with an expandable Micro SD Android 9 Pie and XOS 5.0 Mediate Helio Octa-core processor 64 GB internal storage 4GB RAM capacity expandable to 256 GB |
11500- 14500 |
Oppo Reno 2 |
RAM 8GB & internal memory 128 GB AMOLED capacitive screen Screen resolution of 2340 x 1080 pixels Dimensions 75.8 x 162.4 x 8.7 mm Android system 9.0 pie 4000 mAh battery non-removable |
Kshs. 32500 to Kshs. 46990 |
Huawei P20 Lite |
Operating system 8.0 Oreo upgradable to v9.0 pie 3000 mAh battery Nano and a Nano (hybrid) dual sim VoLTE support High Silicon Kirin Octa-core processor 128/64 GB ROM and 4GB RAM Rear-mounted fingerprint Front camera 16 MP & rear 24 MP |
Kshs. 16500 to Kshs. 29499 |
Nokia 7.1 |
2280×1080 pixels resolution 6 inch LCD screen HD full Glass-unibody Android 9 operating system (pie) Expandable micro-SD card ITS Storage RAM LPDDR4/4GB/3GN The internal storage memory of 64 GB Battery capacity is 3060 mAh Supports a Qualcomm Quick Charge Dual SIM |
Kshs. 25000 to Kshs. 30000 |
Huawei Y7-Prime |
The design dimensions are 76.9 x 158.9x 8.1 mm 6.25 inch LCD screen with 1520 x720 pixels (IPS) Operating system 8.1 EMUI 8.2 Storage capacity 3GB RAM and 32GB ROM expandable micro SD 2MP/13MP dual camera 16MP secondary camera HDR 4000mAh non-removable battery A Hybrid Dual Sim (dual stand-by, Nano-sim) |
14999- 15700 |
Tecno Camon 12 Air |
8MP secondary camera and 16 MP primary camera 4000mAh non-removable battery 2.0 GHz processor (Octa-core) HIOS version android 9.0 pie 32 GB ROM and 3 GB RAM expandable memory to 128 GB Design dimensions are 76.1 x 164.2 x 8.15 mm LCD Screen resolution 1600 by 720 pixels |
12900- 13499 |
Tecno Spark 4 |
2.0 GHz processor 8MP secondary camera & 18 MP Main camera 4000mAh non-removable battery Phone dimensions are 76.1 x 8.15 x 164.2 mm Android version 9 and its HiOS based 32 GB RAM and 3GB ROM expandable SD to 128 GB IPS LCD 6.55 inch screen Resolution of 1600 x 720 pixels |
9500- 11000 |
Infinix S5 |
6 GB RAM and 128 GB ROM Expandable up to 128 GB 32 MP secondary camera and 16 MP wide-angle back camera Battery capacity 4000 mAh Screen resolution of 720 x 1600 pixels 6.6 inch Phone dimensions 76 x 7.99 x 164 mm Android version 9 Image resolution 3464 x 4616 pixels |
15500- 19800 |
Oppo A83 |
Android v7.1 (Nougat) operating system Aluminum black color 3GB RAM and 32 GB ROM Expandable to 256 GB Bezel-less display 5.7 inches (14.48 cm) 13 MP back camera MediaTek MT6763t processor core (Tru-Octa) |
22999- 23500 |
1. Samsung Galaxy A20
This model from Samsung was released in April 2019. It is one of the cell phones in Kenya that features a pocket-friendly price with a plethora of specs under its name.
Galaxy A20 phone features a massive 6.4-inch screen display with a 720 x 1560P display to give you the best viewing experience. The octa-core CPU that’s combined with 2GB RAM guarantees you a reliable and fast user experience.
Specifications:
- 6.4 inch super AMOLED touchscreen
- Android 9 pie
- The design dimensions include 7.8 x 74.7 x 158.4 mm.
- 3GB RAM and 32GB ROM with an expandable micro SD
- Main camera
- Non-removable 4000mAh battery
- Fast battery charging at 15W
2. Infinix Hot 8
This smartphone offers pretty nice specs under the hood. It has a bigger screen with impressive battery performance. It’s a phone meant for big dreamers and comes with several latest features. If you’re a phone lover, then this can be your greatest pick.
Specifications:
- Non-removable 5000mAh battery
- GHz processor
- 32GB ROM and 2 GB RAM with an expandable Micro SD
- Android 9 Pie and XOS 5.0
- Phone dimensions are 8.7 x 76.3 x 165 mm
- It comes with a 6.5 inch LCD screen with 720 x 1600 pixels with a waterdrop notch
- Plastic black design
- The back fingerprint sensor that unlocks the phone in 0.3 seconds
- Mediate Helio and an Octa-core processor.
- 64 GB internal storage and 4GB RAM capacity that you can expand to 256 GB
- Face unlock
3. Oppo Reno 2
Reno 2 from Oppo is among the latest and mid-range phones. It was launched in the country on September 20th, 2019. The mobile phone comes with excellent features that make Kenyan smartphones users defy their budget to buy it. It’s among the cheapest phones that feature an AMOLED display.
Specifications:
- RAM 8GB and internal memory is 128 GB
- AMOLED capacitive screen with a screen resolution of 2340 x 1080 pixels
- Dimensions 75.8 x 162.4 x 8.7 mm
- Android system nine pie
- 4000 mAh battery non-removable
- Performance Snapdragon 730G
- Proximity sensor, light sensor, compass, and Gyroscope
- Fingerprint sensor
4. Huawei P20 Lite
Huawei P20 Lite is a great smartphone in Kenya with a large screen that features a 5.84-inch screen. It was globally launched in March 2018. The smartphone comes with several incredible features that will work exactly according to your expectations. It is a saviour for budget-savvy folks.
Specifications:
- Operating system 8.0 Oreo that’s upgradable to v9.0 pie
- 3000 mAh battery
- Nano and a Nano (hybrid) dual sim with a VoLTE support
- High Silicon Kirin Octa-core processor with eight chores
- 128/64 GB ROM and 4GB RAM
- Rear-mounted fingerprint
- Front camera 16 MP and rear 24 MP
5. Nokia 7.1
Did you know that Nokia was one of the first smartphones in Kenya? The brand supplies the most affordable smartphones. That’s why it’s no surprise that we feature Nokia 7.1 (the latest release) in this review.
Specifications:
- 2280×1080 pixels resolution
- 6 inch LCD screen
- HD full Glass-unibody with a tread-drop notch
- Android 9 operating system (pie)
- Expandable micro-SD card
- ITS Storage RAM LPDDR4/4GB/3GN and internal storage memory of 64 GB.
- Battery capacity is 3060 mAh that supports a Qualcomm Quick Charge
- Dual SIM (dual stand-by, Nano-SIM)
6. Huawei Y7-Prime
Despite the current trade wars that Huawei is facing in the States, its African market is rapidly growing. In fact, since its inception in Kenya back on March 15th, 2019, it’s boasted pocket-friendly prices, being an excellent model in the Y series.
Specifications:
- The design dimensions are 76.9 x 158.9x 8.1 mm
- It comes with a 6.25 inch LCD screen with 1520 x720 pixels (IPS)
- Operating system 8.1 and EMUI 8.2
- Storage capacity 3GB RAM and 32GB ROM with an expandable micro SD
- 2MP/13MP dual camera and another 16MP secondary camera and an HDR
- 4000mAh non-removable battery
- A Hybrid Dual Sim (dual stand-by, Nano-sim)
- Glass-front, plastic frame, plastic back
7. Tecno Camon 12 Air
Camon 12 model from Tecno was introduced in Kenya in November. The smartphone features the latest technology that will impress you. One interesting thing that made many phone users love it is the Triple AI camera and the Dot-in-display.
Specifications:
- 8MP secondary camera and 16 MP primary camera
- 4000mAh non-removable battery
- 2.0 GHz processor (Octa-core)
- HIOS version with android nine pie
- 32 GB ROM and 3 GB RAM with an expandable memory micro SD up to 128 GB
- Design dimensions are 76.1 x 164.2 x 8.15 mm
- LCD Screen resolution of 1600 by 720 pixels and measures 6.55 inches
8. Tecno Spark 4
Are you a techie looking for market-friendly priced smartphones? Then this is your best pick. It performs exceptionally, being an upgrade from the predecessor Tecno Spark 3. It has a feature-rich camera as the main upgrade that you can use to take lovely photos.
Specifications:
- It has a 2.0 GHz processor
- 8MP secondary camera and 18 MP main camera
- 4000mAh battery that’s non-removable
- Phone dimensions are 76.1 x 8.15 x 164.2 mm
- Android version 9 and its HiOS based
- 32 GB RAM and 3GB ROM with an expandable SD of up to 128 GB
- It comes with an IPS LCD 6.55 inch screen with a resolution of 1600 x 720 pixels
9. Infinix S5
“Brilliant experience starts from here,” that’s Infinix’s slogan since the release of this amazing smartphone. Its design does not disappoint. If you are hunting for a sleek and affordable product, this is your gadget.
Specifications:
- 6 GB RAM and 128 GB ROM with a micro SD expandable up to 128 GB
- 32 MP secondary camera and 16 MP wide-angle back camera
- Battery capacity measures 4000 mAh
- Screen resolution of 720 x 1600 pixels and measures 6.6 inch
- Phone dimensions are 76 x 7.99 x 164 mm
- Android version 9
- Image resolution 3464 x 4616 pixels
10. Oppo A83
Perfect for selfies. This smartphone is consistent with the latest technological trends. The phone comes with a fantastic user interface and features precious rear and front cameras. It’s a great phone if you love multi-tasking. It comes in handy when you want to take some snaps when visiting one of the game reserves in Kenya.
Specifications:
- Android v7.1 (Nougat) operating system
- Aluminum black color
- 3GB RAM and 32 GB ROM with a micro SD that’s expandable to 256 GB
- Bezel-less display 5.7 inches (14.48 cm)
- No face unlock
- No fingerprint sensor
- 13 MP back camera
- MediaTek MT6763t processor core (Tru-Octa)
- Sleek design
With the widespread use of smartphones, Kenya’s mobile phone usage has increased over the past years. However, the smartphones listed here are the best options that are currently trending in the market.
