5 Best Smartphones in Kenya 2024 Leave a comment

With the ever-evolving landscape of mobile technology, choosing the best phone can feel like a daunting task. Fear not, tech enthusiasts! We have curated a list that explores the top 5 mobile phones currently taking Kenya’s Smartphone Market by storm in 2024.

Catering to diverse needs, budgets and reliability, the handsets have been picked based on their performance, which has been the most sought-after based on our research, along with camera quality, display, and battery backup.

Apple iPhone 15 Pro Max

Performance:

• A17 Pro SoC: Dominate demanding games like Resident Evil Village and Assassin’s Creed Mirage with the blazing-fast 6-core CPU and GPU combo.
• 8GB LPDDR5 RAM: Experience seamless multitasking and app switching, ensuring smooth performance even for the most intensive tasks.
• 1TB NVMe Storage: Store all your games, photos, and videos without worrying about space limitations. 256GB and 512GB are also available.

Camera:

• Versatile Triple-Camera System: The 48MP main camera captures stunning detail, while the 12MP 5x optical zoom lens brings distant subjects closer and the 12MP ultrawide lens expands your creative horizons.
• Enhanced Zooming: Capture crisp, clear telephoto shots with the improved 5x optical zoom, ideal for nature photography or capturing details from afar.
• Cinematic Video Stabilization: Shoot smooth, stable videos that rival professional productions, even in challenging lighting conditions.
• Creative Bokeh Control: Apply the bokeh effect (blurred background) to your photos after the fact, adding a professional touch to your portraits.

Display:

• Large 6.7-inch OLED Display: Enjoy vibrant colors, deep blacks, and incredible contrast on this expansive screen, perfect for gaming, watching movies, and browsing the web.
• Dolby Vision and High Brightness: Immerse yourself in movies and shows with stunning HDR visuals and 1000 nits of peak brightness for outdoor use.
• Adaptive 120Hz Refresh Rate: Enjoy smooth scrolling and buttery-fluid animations with the display’s ability to adjust its refresh rate based on content.
• Dynamic Island: This innovative feature seamlessly integrates notifications and alerts into the display, minimizing distractions and maximizing your viewing experience.

Long-Lasting Battery:

• 4,441mAh Battery: Don’t let battery anxiety hold you back. This phone boasts one of the most impressive battery life figures in an iPhone smartphone, keeping you powered throughout the day.
• Multiple Charging Options: Choose from wired PD charging, 15W MagSafe wireless charging, or 15W Qi2 wireless charging for added convenience.

PROS	CONS
The new design makes it slightly smaller and lighter Smooth performance Excellent cameras for both videos and photos USB-C charging system	Action button performs 1 task Charging speeds are not fast enough

Google Pixel 8 Pro

Processor Power:

• Tensor G3 Chipset: While competent for daily tasks, the Tensor G3 lags behind current and last-gen flagships in raw performance. It can throttle and heat up under sustained load. Enthusiasts seeking top-tier processing power might look elsewhere.

Software:

• Near-Stock Android: Pixel purists rejoice! Enjoy a clean, bloatware-free Android experience with timely updates.
• Pixel Exclusives: Unlock powerful AI-powered features like Magic Eraser, Best Take, and Magic Editor, adding a unique touch to your digital life.

Camera:

• Impressive Triple-Lens System: Capture stunning photos with the 50MP+48MP+48MP triple camera setup. Colours and details remain consistent across lenses, and the 5x zoom delivers commendable clarity.
• Video Limitations: While good, videography doesn’t quite match the top contenders like iPhones.

Display Brilliance:

• Gorgeous 6.7-inch OLED Panel: Immerse yourself in vibrant visuals with the high-resolution display boasting a 120Hz refresh rate, HDR10+ support, and excellent color accuracy. Its impressive brightness ensures outdoor visibility.

Battery Balancing Act:

• Generous 5,050mAh Battery: Enjoy a full day’s use on a single charge. However, heavy users might crave more.
• Slowish Charging: The 30W adapter takes around 2 hours for a full charge, which feels sluggish compared to some competitors.

PROS	CONS
Extended 7-year OS support Close-to-stock Android experience Camera features powered by AIStandout design	Some throttling and heating Slow charging

Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra

Display:

• The 6.8-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X display boasts stunning visuals with vibrant colors, excellent contrast, and sharp details thanks to its QHD+ resolution. The 120Hz refresh rate ensures smooth scrolling and animations, ideal for gaming and fast-paced content.

Processor:

• Depending on your region, you’ll either get the powerful Qualcomm SM8650-AC Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 (4 nm). Both deliver top-notch performance for demanding tasks like gaming, video editing, and multitasking. Expect seamless app switching and fast response times.

RAM and Storage:

• With 12GB of LPDDR5X RAM, you can handle multiple applications and heavy workloads without experiencing lag. The UFS 4.0 storage offers fast loading times and plenty of space for all your files and apps.

Cameras:

• The quad-lens rear camera system is a powerhouse for photography enthusiasts:
  • The 200MP main sensor captures stunning photos with incredible detail, especially in low-light conditions thanks to improved sensors and faster autofocus.
  • The 50MP ultrawide lens allows you to capture expansive landscapes and large groups of people without sacrificing quality.
  • The 10MP telephoto lens with 3x optical zoom brings distant objects closer for detailed shots.
  • The 10MP periscope telephoto lens with 10x optical zoom elevates your photography game, letting you capture professional-looking close-ups from afar.
  • The 12MP under-display camera delivers high-quality selfies and video calls for clearer communication and self-portraits.

Battery:

• The 5000mAh or larger battery ensures you can power through your day without worrying about running out of juice. The 45W fast charging lets you quickly replenish the battery when needed, while the 15W wireless charging offers a convenient way to charge without cables.

Design:

• The Galaxy S24 Ultra boasts a premium design with a sleek, minimalist look. The glass front and back, along with the metal frame, exude a sense of sophistication. The various color options cater to different tastes.

Software:

• Android 14 with Samsung’s One UI 6.1 custom skin provides a user-friendly experience with additional features and customization options. Expect a clean and intuitive interface with enhanced functionality.

PROS	CONS
Screen is bright and anti-glare keeps it easy to use outdoors Circle to Search and call translation are really handy Camera quality is excellent Seven years of OS and security updates	Expensive  Heavy AI features are a mixed bag

Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra

Performance:

• Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 & Adreno 740 GPU: Dominate demanding tasks with the latest processing power, ensuring smooth performance and seamless multitasking.
• Up to 12GB RAM & 1TB Storage: Experience ultra-fast app loading and ample storage for all your multimedia needs.

Camera:

• Revolutionary Quad-Camera System: The 200MP primary sensor captures incredible detail, while the accompanying ultra-wide and telephoto lenses offer versatility for diverse shooting scenarios.
• 100x Zoom Capability: Witness the unseen with 10x optical zoom and a jaw-dropping 100x digital zoom, bringing distant subjects closer than ever before.
• Enhanced Front Camera: Despite a resolution downgrade, new features like dual-pixel autofocus and Super HDR ensure captivating selfies and clear video calls.

Display:

• Expansive 6.8-inch AMOLED Display: Renowned for their display quality, Samsung delivers again with a vibrant, bright panel boasting a 120Hz refresh rate for buttery-smooth visuals.
• QHD+ Resolution & Gorilla Glass Victus 2: Enjoy incredible sharpness and clarity, protected by robust Gorilla Glass for peace of mind.

Battery Power and Charging:

• 5,000mAh Battery: Stay powered throughout the day with this generous battery capacity, optimized for efficiency by the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2.
• 45W Wired Charging: Get back to action quickly with a 65% charge in just 30 minutes.
• Wireless Charging Options: Enjoy the convenience of 15W wireless charging or 4.5W reverse wireless charging to power your compatible devices.

PROS	CONS
Vibrant and smooth display Great cameras, especially for photos Capable performer Long-lasting battery life S Pen	Largely unchanged design

Apple iPhone 15 Plus

Performance:

• A16 Bionic Chipset: Experience smooth performance and effortless multitasking with Apple’s latest processor, handling whatever you throw at it.
• 6GB RAM & 512GB Storage: Multitask with ease and store all your memories with generous RAM and ample storage.

Camera Smarts:

• Versatile Dual-Camera System: Capture stunning photos with the 48MP main camera, offering warm-toned images, and a capable 12MP ultrawide lens for capturing wider scenes.
• Portrait Mode Magic: Transform your regular photos into artistic portraits directly from the Photos app, adding a creative touch.

Display:

• Large 6.7-inch OLED Panel: Enjoy vibrant visuals and ample screen real estate on this high-resolution display.
• Dolby Vision & 1000 Nits Brightness: Experience cinematic visuals with HDR support and impressive brightness for outdoor use.

Long-Lasting Battery

• 6-7 Hours of Screen-On Time: Power through your day with confidence, thanks to an impressive battery life.
• 4,383mAh Battery: The large battery capacity fuels your on-the-go lifestyle.
• 27W Wired Charging: Get a quick boost with wired charging, filling the battery in about 2 hours.
• Wireless Charging Options: Enjoy the convenience of 15W Qi2 and MagSafe wireless charging.

PROS	CONS
Ergonomic Stellar battery life Bright and attractive display Good cameras	Lacks high refresh rate Slow charging

Sony Xperia 1 V

Display

The device boasts a 6.1-inch OLED display with rich, 1-billion colors, HDR10, and BT.2020 support. The 120Hz refresh rate enhances smooth navigation, and the cinematic 21:9 aspect ratio provides an immersive viewing experience. With a resolution of 1080 x 2520 pixels, this Xperia ensures sharp and vibrant visuals, while Corning Gorilla Glass Victus 2 protects the screen.

Performance

Under the hood, the Xperia 5 V is equipped with Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 chipset, built on a power-efficient 4nm process. The Octa-core CPU and Adreno 740 GPU work together to deliver impressive performance. It offers either 8GB of RAM and 128GB of storage or an upgraded variant with 256GB of storage. This powerful combination ensures seamless multitasking and ample storage space.

Camera System

Sony is renowned for its camera technology. It features a dual-camera setup comprising a 48MP wide lens and a 12MP ultrawide lens. The inclusion of Zeiss optics, Dual Pixel PDAF, OIS, and unique features like eye tracking ensures that you can capture stunning photos and 4K HDR videos. The device’s 12MP selfie camera is equally capable, producing high-quality self-portraits and videos.

Battery

A sizable 5,000mAh battery ensures the Xperia 5 V can easily last a full day, even with heavy use. It supports 30W wired charging and wireless charging, allowing you to quickly recharge your device when needed. It also has the convenience of reverse wireless charging.

PROS	CONS
Elegant and Compact Design Immersive Display Powerful Hardware Advanced Camera System High-Quality Audio Feature-Rich Camera Software All-Day Battery Life Comprehensive Connectivity	Price