Fero, a fairly new phone brand in the Kenyan space, has today launched a new entry-level smartphone that is aimed at the young in heart, who want a fancy-looking phone with fancy features at an affordable price. The Fero Iris is a device that is bound to capture your attention due to the fact that it comes with a real, working iris scanner at a recommended price of KES.9,000
During the launch, Vishal Bhargava – Director Midcom Group – told Techweez that Fero is committed to not only offering quality devices at an affordable price but also offer great after-sales support. The company plans to roll-out service centres nationally, after only being around for the past 5 months. Currently, Fero uses its nation-wide distribution channels as collection points for faulty devices, which are then brought to their service centre in Parklands, Nairobi. This method takes time and Fero wants to change that by spreading independent service centres across the country.
Anyway, speaking of the Fero Iris, the company boasts that the Iris scanner technology reinforces your phone’s security and also claims that it unlocks your phone in less than a second. The Fero Iris also boasts of an 8MP main camera with “subject-tracking and auto focus for variable distance and lighting clarity” features. All of which we cannot confirm now, until we spend more time with the device.
The Fero Iris comes with a 2500mAh battery, that should be sufficient considering this is a 5.0″ 720p IPS display. The device is 4G LTE ready and comes with a free back cover in the box. Other specifications of the Fero Iris include:
| Display | 5.0" HD (1920*720) IPS |
| Processor | MTK 6737 Quad Core Processor (clocked at 1.3 Ghz) |
| Memory | 1GB RAM with 8GB internal memory |
| Micro SD Card support | Yes, upto 32GB |
| Camera | 8MP main + 2MP front |
| Battery | 2500mAh |
| Software | Android 6.0 Marshamallow |
| Features | 4G, Iris scanner, Dual Sim |
We have reviewed a Fero device before, the Royale X1, which Emmanuel Chenze, praised for its near-stock software and outstanding battery life. The Fero Iris is not the flagship that the Royale X1 was, but we will be putting that Iris scanner to the test, to see if it’s really worth the hype – hoping that the “great battery life and near-stock software” stay constant. Below are a few images of our review unit:
Fero mobile also launched new range of feature phones and smartphones, including:
Royale A1 – whose main feature is voice unlocking – you can simply unlock your phone using your own voice. It also features a 5,000 mAh MEGA Battery plus superfast charging capability. The Royale A1 comes with an 8MP main camera and a 5MP front camera with Flash, Xensation glass with enhanced display protection, Quad-core processor, 1GB RAM and 8GB of internal Memory.
L100 – features a 5.0″ HD IPS screen, with Dragontrail glass protection, a 2350 mAh battery. The phone also sports 5MP Camera at the front and a 5MP camera at the back. It also features 4G LTE.
PACE – comes with fingerprint reader, a 5.5″ HD IPS display, a 2800mAh battery and 8MP main camera coupled with a 5MP front cameras.
Feature phones – Fero announced a series of feature phones with Selfie Camera. The 1.8″ F1805, the 2.4″ K2401 and the 2.8″ K9 powerhouse.
