John Thiong'o
Best cheap smartphones in Kenya under KSh10000 - August 2022
The economy being what it is and you needing a phone that is pocket friendly, I have taken the time to find for you the best phones under KSh10000, so that you don't have to waste any more bundles googling, you will find your answer right here.
*note: the links provided are Jumia affiliate links
1. Safaricom Neon Ray Pro.
The only phone under KSh5000. This entry level smartphone from Safaricom really punches way above its "price class". Please note the name.
Safaricom neon ray pro specs and price
- Display: 5.5 inch
- Ram/Memory: 1GB + 16GB
- CPU: quad-core
- Rear camera: 5mp
- selfie camera: 5mp
- battery: 2500mAH
- sim/network: single 4G
- OS: android 10 go
- finger print sensor: no
pros of safaricom neon ray pro.
For the features it has like its 5mp selfie camera, 2500mAH battery and the fact it is 4G, this truly is a bargain.
cons of safaricom neon ray pro.
Its from safaricom and single sim. That means you are stuck to one network.
Issues with hanging as it ages.
safaricom neon ray pro starts at KSh4200
see the prices in Jumia.
2. Itel A33 plus.
Powered by a quad-core processor this entry level smartphone from Itel will serve you well when light browsing, using social media and the usual day to day phone use.
Itel A33 Plus specs and price
- Display: 5 inch
- Released: Oct 2021
- Ram/Memory: 1 GB + 16 GB
- CPU: quad-core
- Rear camera: 5 mp
- selfie camera: 2 mp
- battery: 2500 mAH
- sim/network: dual 3G (no 4G)
- finger print sensor: yes
pros of the Itel A33 Plus
Ideal for light use.
its 3020 mAH battery stands out among its peers in the same price range.
cons of the Itel A33 Plus.
the selfie camera is of low quality.
Itel A33 plus starts at KSh5880
3. Itel P17
This iteration from Itel comes with a 4000 mAH battery that will ensure that your phone can at least go a full day without recharging. It also stands out among its peers in the same price range because of additional features.
Itel P17 specs and price
- Display: 5.45 inch
- Released: March 2022
- Ram/Memory: 1 GB + 16 GB
- CPU: quad-core
- Rear camera: 5 mp
- selfie camera: 2 mp
- battery: 4000 mAH
- sim/network: dual 3G (no 4G)
- finger print sensor: yes
pros of Itel P17.
Good battery capacity.
also you will rarely find a fingerprint sensor on a phone of this price.
cons of Itel P17.
Selfie lovers will be disappointed by the low quality selfie camera.
Also the 1 GB ram is a bit underwhelming.
Itel P17 starts at Ksh7100 in kenya.
*NB Itel released a pro version that comes with additional features like an enhanced ram (at 2 GB) Itel P17 Pro starts at Ksh8000. see Itel P17 pro prices in Jumia
4. Nokia C1 2nd Edition.
Nokia entry level smartphone leverages on the reliability and longevity associated with the Nokia brand name, though the features are a bit underwhelming.
Nokia C1 2nd Edition specs and price.
- Display: 5.45 inch
- Released: Aug 2021
- Ram/Memory: 1 GB + 16 GB
- CPU: quad-core
- Rear camera: 5 mp
- selfie camera: 5 mp
- battery: 2500 mAH
- sim/network: dual 3G (no 4G)
- OS: Android 11
- finger print sensor: no
pros of the Nokia C1 2nd Edition.
Selfie lovers will be delighted by the 5mp selfie camera.
cons of the Nokia C1 2nd Edition.
compared with its similarly priced rivals the features it brings are a bit underwhelming.
Nokia C1 2nd Edition starts at KSh7200 in Kenya.
5. Tecno Pop 5 Go.
This entry level smartphone from Tecno has just the right specs for its price range, not too fancy or anything but just functional.
Tecno Pop 5 Go specs and price.
- Display: 6 inch
- Released: July 2021
- Ram/Memory: 1 GB + 16 GB
- CPU: quad-core
- Rear camera: 5 mp
- selfie camera: 5 mp
- battery: 4000 mAH
- sim/network: dual 4G
- OS: Android 10 go
- finger print sensor: yes
pros of the Tecno Pop 5 Go.
the battery is ideal for everyday use.
cons of the Tecno Pop 5 Go.
The 1 GB ram is lackluster especially in comparison to its other features.
The Tecno Pop 5 Go starts at KSh8500 in Kenya.
6. Itel A56.
Itel entry level smartphone game is very impressive. Take the Itel A56 with its 8 mp camera for example, in comparison to its peers in the same price range.
Itel A56 specs and price.
- Display: 5.99 inch
- Ram/Memory: 1 GB + 16 GB
- CPU: quad-core
- Rear camera: 8 mp
- selfie camera: 5 mp
- battery: 4000 mAH
- sim/network: dual 4G
- OS: Android 9 pie
- finger print sensor: yes
pros of Itel A56.
Photo lovers will be impressed by the 8 mp camera especially considering the price.
cons of Itel A56.
An underwhelming ram compared to its price range.
Itel A56 starts at KSh8100 in Kenya.
7. Itel P37.
For the price range it inhabits the Itel P37 really stands out among its peers in all aspects.
Itel P37 specs and price.
- Display: 6.5 inch
- Released: May 2021
- Ram/Memory: 2 GB + 32 GB
- CPU: quad-core
- Rear camera: dual 8 mp + 0.31 mp
- selfie camera: 8 mp
- battery: 5000 mAH
- sim/network: dual 3G (no 4G)
- OS: Android 10 go
- finger print sensor: yes
pros of Itel P37.
A very friendly price tag compared to its rivals.
cons of Itel P37.
Unfortunately doesn't come with 4G.
Itel P37 starts at KSh9600 in Kenya.
8. Nokia C10.
Nokia tries to up its entry level smartphone game with the C10 but it is still leveraging on the good Nokia game rather than features.
Nokia C10 specs and price.
- Display: 6.5 inch
- Released: April 2021
- Ram/Memory: 2 GB + 32 GB
- CPU: quad-core
- Rear camera: 5 mp
- selfie camera: 5 mp
- battery: 3000 mAH
- sim/network: dual 3G (no 4G)
- OS: Android 11
- finger print sensor: no
pros of the Nokia C10.
Gamers will be delighted with its 2GB ram which is suitable for light gaming and more than adequate for everyday use.
cons of the Nokia C10.
the battery is uncomfortably low rated for a this features and its price tier.
Nokia C10 starts at KSh9500 in Kenya.
9.Xiaomi Redmi 9A.
* Note some of the price listings for this phone are up to Ksh12000 but it I did see some few offers beginning at KSh10100, and I saw it would have been a disservice to you if I did not List it here.
By far the best phone in this list, and a bargain considering the features it brings.
Xiaomi Redmi 9A specs and price.
- Display: 6.53 inch
- Released: July 2020
- Ram/Memory: 2 GB + 32 GB
- CPU: octa-core
- Rear camera: 13 mp
- selfie camera: 5 mp
- battery: 5000 mAH
- sim/network: dual 4G
- OS: Android 10
- finger print sensor: yes
pros of Xiaomi redmi 9A.
best specs for price given.
cons of Xiaomi redmi 9A.
Gamers will sigh when they see the ram they have assigned to an octa-core processor.
Xiaomi Redmi 9A starts at KSh10100 in Kenya
Which phone did you like most?
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John Thiong'o
Software developer, tech writer, educator