The Best Budget Smartphones to Get Under 15K

It’s that time of the year when you’re looking for a smartphone that seats in the middle of budget, performance and looks. We rounded up these fantastic budget smartphones and the reasons to get or not to get one – all under Ksh 15,000.

Infinix S4

The S series by Infinix is focused on the selfie-taking audience and its other specs will shake up the very competitive budget category dominating the Kenyan smartphone market. It packs:

6.2 inch HD display with a resolution of 720 by 1500 pixels with 2.5D glass covering
XOS v5.0 Cheetah on top of Android 9.0 Pie
MediaTek Helio P22 processor
3GB or 6GB of RAM & 32GB or 64GB of onboard storage
triple rear camera set-up that features a 13MP standard sensor, an 8MP wide-angle sensor and a 2MP depth sensor aligned vertically next to the quad LED flash.
32MP AI-powered selfie camera.
a 4000mAh battery
The Infinix S4 comes in various colours including gradient blue, purple and Milan black.

If you’re interested in picking one up yourself, the Infinix S4 starts selling on Infinix Mall for Ksh 13,999 for the 3GB RAM and 32GB onboard storage variant and Ksh 17,999 for the 6GB RAM and 64GB onboard storage variant.

Here’s our full review and our comparison review with the Huawei Y7 Prime 2019.

Huawei Y6 Prime 2019

The Huawei Y6 Prime 2019 is Huawei’s latest budget smartphone on its Y Series that doesn’t compromise on quality. Here are some of its specs:

13MP main camera
8MP selfie camera
EMUI 9.0 on top of Android 9.0 Pie
4G Support
2GB RAM and 32GB internal storage
3020mAh battery

Here’s our unboxing and first impressions review. The Huawei Y6 Prime 2019 goes for Ksh 13,499.

Tecno SPARK 3

The Tecno SPARK 3 is another latest contender that will shake the sub 15K table – especially the Pro version. Here’s why – the Tecno SPARK 3 comes in two variants; an ordinary one without 4G LTE, 2GB/16GB memory combination, as well as a Pro version with 4G(Faiba supported), 3GB of RAM and 32 GB of internal storage. Here are some of its specs:

13MP + 2MP main cameras
8MP selfie camera
Android 9 Pie
3G, 4G LTE Support for the Pro version
2GB RAM and 16GB internal storage, 3GB RAM and 32GB internal storage for the Pro
3500 mAh battery

For now, only the Pro version is available in online shops such as Jumia and authorized dealers at KES 12499. The basic SPARK 3 will be available from April 25th and will retail for presumably less than Ksh 12,000.

TECNO Camon 11

Another Tecno favourite is the TECNO Camon 11 that was launched in the latter part of last year. Here’s a brief breakdown of its specs:

6.2” 720p HD display in a 19:9 aspect ratio
Android 8.1 Oreo
MediaTek Helio A22 processor
3GB RAM and 32 GB internal storage
Dual 13MP and 5MP camera on the back
16MP selfie camera
3750mAh battery
Faiba 4G Support

If you’re looking for a power horse, then the TECNO Camon 11 is the one to pick. Check out our review. It retails for Ksh 14,999 on Jumia.

Nokia 5.1 Plus

This mid-range smartphone, brings with it a few changes over its successor, including adding a notch, in line with all the “Plus” series Nokia smartphones. Here are some of its specs:

13MP + 5MP main cameras
8MP selfie camera
Android 8.1 Oreo but is getting the Android 9 Pie update
4G LTE (No Faiba Support)
3/4GB RAM and 32/64GB internal storage
3060mAh battery

Get the 3GB variant at Jumia for Ksh 15,999 or Ksh 10,999 using this link.

Nokia 6

Jumia is selling the Nokia 6 for Ksh 15,299. Here are some of its specs:

16MP main cameras
8MP selfie camera
Android 7.1.1 Nougat
4G
3GB RAM and 32GB internal storage
3000 mAh battery

Xiaomi Redmi 6

The Xiaomi Redmi 6 shares a lot with the well-received Redmi 6A. It offers even better processing power, more RAM and more storage. Here are some of its other specs:

A 720p 5.45-inch display in an 18:9 aspect ratio
Dual 12MP + 5MP cameras and a 5MP selfie camera
3000mAh battery
Fingerprint scanner
3GB/4G RAM and 32GB/64GB internal storage
Android 8.1 Oreo
and a Helio P22 Processor

Read our full review here. Jumia sells the 3GB variant for Ksh 11,053 and the 4GB variant for Ksh 11,699.

Infinix Hot 7

Last on our list is the Infinix Hot 7. This is the latest smartphone by Infinix and comes in three variants-: a 16GB/1GB RAM/single camera variant which will retail for Kshs 9,999, a 32GB/2GB/dual back camera variant that will retail for Kshs 10,999 and a reportedly Pro version packing 3GB RAM and either 32 or 64GB.

Here are some of its other specs:

A 720p 6.2-inch display in an 18:9 aspect ratio
13MP, Pro: Dual 13 MP + 2 MP main cameras
8MP selfie camera
4000mAh battery
4G
Fingerprint scanner
1GB/2GB/3GB RAM and 16GB/32GB/64GB internal storage
Android Go – Android 8.1 Oreo, Pro: Android 8.1 Oreo with XOS 4.1 Honeybee on top
Quad-core 1.3 GHz Mediatek MT6580P Processor

Read our unboxing and first impressions here. The 2GB variant retails at Ksh 10,799 on Jumia.