Entry level Android device of the times title has always gone to the Huawei Ideos U8150 which made the smartphone numbers skyrocket in Kenya with over 200,000 pieces sold in the Kenyan market. Others were buying them from the Kenyan market for use in other countries due to the subsidized status of the phones. Close nearby was the Samsung Galaxy mini which offered an upgrade option to the Ideos user at a difference of Kes. 5000 bob(Ideos was selling at Kes 8000 or $10 while Galaxy mini was selling at Kes 13,000, both at a subsidized price by mobile service providers). There are other devices competing for this market that doesnt want to stick with feature phones but have a meager budget for a phone.
In comes Samsung Galaxy pocket, a budget smartphone with almost premium features on a price point of Kes 10,000 at Safaricom shops. There is something I can foretell, yes, quote me on being a prophet, but these devices will sell out FAST! Just like the Galaxy Y pro Duos is.
Take a moment to peruse through the phone specs:
|
Network |
HSDPA 3.6UMTS 900/2100 EDGE/GPRS 850/900/1800/1900 |
|---|---|
|
Processor |
832MHz Processor |
|
Display |
2.8” QVGA(240×320) TN LCD |
|
OS |
Android 2.3(Gingerbread) |
|
Camera |
Main(Rear): 2 Megapixel Fixed Focus Camera |
|
Video |
Video: MPEG4, H.263, H.264 |
| Audio | Codec: MP3, OGG, AAC, AAC＋, eAAC＋, AMR-NB, AMR-WB, WAV, MID, IMY
3.5mm Ear Jack , Stereo FM Radio with RDS
|
|
Value-added Features |
Samsung TouchWiz UX |
|
Samsung Apps |
|
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Samsung Kies |
|
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Social Hub |
|
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Samsung ChatON mobile communication service |
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| Google™ Mobile Services – Android Market™, Gmail™, YouTube™, Google Maps™, Syncing with Google Calendar™, Google Search, Google ＋ |
|
| A-GPS | |
|
Connectivity |
Bluetooth® technology v 3.0 |
|
Sensor |
Accelerometer, Digital Compass |
|
Memory |
3GB User memory |
|
Size |
103.7 x 57.5 x 12 mm, 97g |
|
Battery |
Standard battery, Li-ion 1,200 mAh |
With this you get Samsung’s trusted brand with a phone which offers better battery life(800htalktime), better processor(832Mhz), more memory(3GB), Capacitive multi-touch and a better OS(Android 2.3 Gingerbread) albeit on a similar screen size as the Ideos, on a price point of 10,000 bob. The other device that would offer similar specs is the LG L3 who’se price point is abit higher. Samsung Galaxy pocket is a small, light droid at just 2.8″ and 97 grams and the fact that it will give budget conscious consumers a taste of Android 2.3(most of previous entry level devices run Android 2.2 Froyo). This makes it at a very unique position to capture the mass market, add the fact that its selling subsidized by Safaricom, which has availability in major towns and is also the largest mobile service provider in the country by far. Even with the impending introduction of a new model Huawei device by Safaricom. It always pays to be there first. Couple that with the yet to be launched Safaricom Online shop that will be available in three Kenyan Cities very soon and you have a winner there.
What’s your take?
