Midrange smartphones are now packing features that offer more value to the consumer for the price they are asking for. You get great screens, versatile cameras, stellar performance, excellent battery life. These are all the features you want in a mid-range smartphone and then some more that some of the smartphones listed here deliver on.

If you’re on the market for a midrange device that marries affordability with function and performance punctuated by the impressive design – then you’ve come to the right place:

I’ve ranked them according to brand for easier navigation:

Huawei

Huawei Nova 5T – Ksh 33,599

This phone is perfect for those who like compact phones as it comes at 6.2″ Full HD+ resolution screen. Also, it comes with support for Google’s apps and services and thus you’ll get access to the Google Play Store to download your favourite Google Apps.

It was launched in early 2020.

Other features include:

• 6.26” Full HD+ punch-hole display
• EMUI 10.1 on top of Android 10. The phone will likely get updated to EMUI 11 and Android 11 when they launch next month and September respectively.
• The Huawei Nova 5T features 8GB of RAM and a Mali G76 MP10 – this is the same hardware that powers Huawei’s flagships, the Huawei P30 Pro and Mate 20 pro.
• GPU Turbo 3.0
• The Huawei Nova 5T is equipped with four AI-powered rear cameras that sit on a protruding lozenge: 16MP sensor with an f/2.2 ultra-wide-angle lens, 48MP Sony IMX586 main sensor with an f/1.8 wide-angle lens, a 2MP f/2.4 depth-sensing camera and a 2MP sensor with an f/2.4 macro lens. 10X digital zoom is available too.
• The 32MP punch-hole front camera takes care of selfies.
• For charging, there’s a 3,750mAh battery and a 22.5W SuperCharge adapter that lets you get from 0% to 50% in under 30 minutes, to 80% in an hour and in an hour and a half to full charge.
• The Huawei Y6s back finish comes in beautiful shades – Midsummer Purple, Black, Crush Blue and Crush Green.

Read our full review here and a comparison review with the OPPO Reno 2F here.

Huawei P30 Lite -Ksh 26,999

Huawei P30 Lite is another incredible device from last year and will still serve you well when you get it. It recently got updated to EMUI 10.

• 6.15″ FHD+ display
• octa-core Kirin 710 processor combined with 4 or 6GB of RAM and 128GB of storage
• A 3,340mAh battery rocks the Huawei P30 Lite and coupled with the support for 18W fast charging.
• USB Type-C port is located at the bottom and not only acts as the charging port but also a headphone jack if you have USB Type-C headphones or earphones.
• triple rear camera setup that gives it a slight bump and is made up of a 24MP f/1.8 primary sensor, an 8MP ultra-wide sensor and a 2MP depth sensor.
• 32MP selfie camera
• You can get it in Aurora Blue or Breathing Crystal.

Huawei Nova 7i – Ksh 29,200

Huawei Nova 7i is a recent newcomer to the Huawei line in Kenya. The Huawei Nova 7i doesn’t come with Google’s apps and services but you can still download your favourite apps with this article that explains it all.

You Can Actually Live on an Android Smartphone Lacking Google’s Apps and Services. Here’s How I Did It:

Here are some of the features that come with the phone:

• 6.4-inch FHD+ IPS LCD display – 1080 x 2340 pixels (~398 ppi density)
• Android 10.0 and EMUI 10.1, No Google apps and services. YOu instead get the AppGallery.
• HiSilicon Kirin 810 SoC and Mali-G76 MP6
• 8GB of RAM and 128GB of onboard storage
• 4G LTE(Safaricom and Faiba 4G)
• Quad rear camera setup: 48 MP, f/1.8, (wide), 1/2″, 0.8µm, PDAF, 8 MP, 13mm (ultrawide) f/2.4 1/3.1″, 2MP F/2.4 27mm macro sensor, and 2 MP, f/2.4, depth sensor. gyro-EIS, 2160p@30fps, 1080p@30/60fps
• 16 MP, f/2.0 wide 1/3.1″ 0.8µm. gyro-EIS, 1080p@30/60fps
• 4200mAh with 40W fast charging(0% -70% in 30 minutes)
• Side mounted fingerprint reader
• It comes in Magic Night Black, Snow Sky, and Forest Green colors

No Wrong Choice: Huawei nova 7i Versus Samsung Galaxy A51

Huawei Y9s – Ksh 25,400

Huawei Y9s was released mid-November last year. This was the company’s first phone in Kenya to rock a side-mounted fingerprint sensor.

You get:

• 6.59″ LCD display is stunning and comes with a resolution of FHD+ at 2340×1080 and in a 19.5:9 aspect ratio.
• the Huawei Y9s comes in two colours – Midnight Black and Breathing Crystal. The back is curved to give a good grip for easy one-handed use.
• For optics, the Huawei Y9s features 4 cameras: triple AI-powered rear cameras and a pop-up selfie camera. The main cameras include 48MP, an 8MP wide-angle camera and a 2MP depth sensor for bokeh shots.
• There’s a dedicated night mode
• For selfies, you get a 16MP camera that uses a pop-up mechanism that retracts the camera back into the phone’s body when the sensors notice a sharp and fast decline.
• Powering the Huawei Y9s is a 2.2Ghz octa-core Kirin 710F chip coupled with 6GB of RAM and 128GB of onboard storage.
• GPU Turbo 3.0.
• 4000mAh battery, Type-C USB port with 10W charging
• Android 10 and EMUI 10 with support for Google’s apps and services.

Huawei Y8p – Ksh 24,999

Huawei Y8p is another Huawei device that closes this list. It joins the Huawei Y5p, Huawei Y6p and Huawei Y7p.

Here’s what you’re getting for 25K:

• 6.3” OLED Dewdrop display with 2400 by 1080 resolution
• EMUI 10.1 and Android 10
• Kirin 710F SoC and Mali-G51 MP4
• 6GB RAM and 128GB onboard storage
• 48MP setup that also includes an 8MP ultra-wide-angle and 2MP depth sensor
• 16MP selfie camera
• 4000mAh battery with 10W charging via USB-C
• In-display fingerprint scanner
• Comes in two colours: Breathing Crystal, Midnight Black

Huawei Y9a

Huawei Y9a is the company’s latest device and comes with:

• 6.63″ LCD display(2400 x 1080 pixels)
• Mediatek G80 chip, 8GB RAM & 128GB storage
• Android 10 and EMUI 10.1
• 4300mAh with 40W fast USB-C charging
• 64MP quad-camera setup
• 16MP pop-up selfie camera

Read our full review here. The Huawei Y9a is available for Ksh 31,000.

OPPO

OPPO Reno5 F – Ksh 31,999

We’ve had the OPPO Reno5 F for a good amount of time. This is OPPO’s latest midrange smartphone in the OPPO Reno 5 line.

OPPO Reno5 F is the entry-level device in the OPPO Reno5 line that includes the OPPO Reno5 and the OPPO Reno 5 Pro.

The OPPO Reno5 F is equally capable and even more affordable than its older sibling, the Reno 5.

With the OPPO Reno5 F, you are getting a sleek and attention-grabbing smartphone with incredible performance, powerful specs, refined software, crisp camera shots, high-quality display and excellent battery performance too.

OPPO Reno5 F Review: The Awesome Middle Child

Watch our unboxing and first impressions review above.

OPPO Reno5 – 41,999

OPPO Reno5 joins this list as the company’s latest midrange smartphone in Kenya.

• 6.4″ AMOLED display with 1080p resolution and a 90Hz refresh rate.
• OPPO Reno5 ships with Android 11 and ColorOS 11
• 8GB of RAM, 128GB of onboard storage
• Qualcomm Snapdragon 720G chip and Adreno 618 GPU
• a 44MP punch-hole selfie camera while the main camera is a 64MP wide camera, 8MP super wide camera, 2MP monochrome and 2MP macro camera.
• 4310mAh battery with 50W wired fast charging that can charge the phone’s battery from 0% to up to 80% within 31 minutes and charge the device to up to 100% in just 48 minutes.

OPPO Reno5 is available on all OPPO retail stores countrywide and in online retail stores including Jumia, Kilimall and Masoko.

OPPO Reno5 Review: Basically Perfect

OPPO Reno5 vs OPPO Reno4 Comparison Review: Sibling Rivalry

OPPO Reno5 Camera Performance Review: More is Better

OPPO Reno5 First Impressions Review: Striking a Perfect Balance

OPPO Reno5 Now Available in Kenya

OPPO A92 – Ksh 29,999

OPPO A92 starts this list of OPPO devices worth getting. This is actually my favourite OPPO device and delivers as much bang for its price and more.

Read my full review here.

Microsoft Launcher Is Actually Pretty Good

OPPO A92 comes in three colours including Twilight Black, Stream White and Aurora Purple.

• 6.5″ IPS LCD screen with 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~405 ppi density)
• Android 10 and ColorOS 7.1
• Qualcomm SM6125 Snapdragon 665 (11 nm) and Adreno 610 GPU
• 8GB of RAM and 128GB of onboard storage
• Quad rear camera setup that includes: 48 MP (wide), 8 MP (ultrawide), 2 MP (depth) and 2 MP (monochrome)
• 16MP selfie camera
• side-mounted fingerprint sensor
• 5000mAh battery with 18W fast charging with USB-C

You can also get the OPPO W31 wireless earphones too.

OPPO Enco W31 Wireless Earphones Review: Incredible Audio Quality and Great Comfort

OPPO A52 – Ksh 24,999

OPPO A52 is another OPPO device worth checking out.

It packs:

• 6.5″ IPS LCD screen with 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~405 ppi density)
• Android 10 and ColorOS 7.1
• Qualcomm SM6125 Snapdragon 665 (11 nm) and Adreno 610 GPU
• 4GB of RAM and 128GB of onboard storage
• Quad rear camera setup that includes: 12 MP (wide), 8 MP (ultrawide), 2 MP (depth) and 2 MP (monochrome)
• 16MP selfie camera
• side-mounted fingerprint sensor
• 5000mAh battery with 18W fast charging with USB-C

OPPO Reno 3 – Ksh 39,999

OPPO Reno 3 joins the list and features:

• 6.4″ AMOLED screen with 1080 x 2400 pixels
• Android 10 and ColorOS 7.1
• Mediatek MT6779 Helio P90 (12 nm) and PowerVR GM9446
• 8GB of RAM and 128GB of onboard storage
• 4025 mAh with Fast Charging at 30W aka VOOC 3.0
• Under the display fingerprint reader
• 44MP selfie camera
• Quad setup: 48 MP, f/1.8, (wide), 13 MP, f/2.4, (telephoto), 8 MP, f/2.2, (ultrawide) and 2 MP B/W
• It comes in Midnight Black, Aurora Blue colours

Read our first impressions review and full review. Here’s our comparison review with the Samsung A71.

OPPO Reno 2F – Ksh 30,000

OPPO Reno 2F was launched late last November and precedes the OPPO Reno 3. At launch, the phone was selling at Ksh 40,000 but 7 months after, you can get it for Ksh 30,000 on Jumia.

• 6.5″ 1080p AMOLED display at the front and has no notch.
• The back is made from curved glass and the ergonomics are just right.
•  It has a Mediatek Helio P70 CPU, 8GB of RAM and 128GB of internal storage.
• On the front, you have the single 16MP camera with an f/2.0 aperture and on a motorized system.
• There is a 48MP main camera with an F/1.7 aperture, a 8MP f/2.2 ultra wide-angle camera, a 2MP black and white camera and a 2MP depth sensor.

OPPO Reno 2F Review: Solid Upper Midranger

Comparison Review: Huawei Nova 5T vs OPPO Reno 2F

OPPO Reno 4

OPPO Reno 4 is the company’s upper-midrange smartphone. We’ve played around it for a while. It’s an incredible smartphone.

OPPO Reno 4 is an aesthetically great looking phone that matches that beauty with its brains thanks to the powerful processor inside, unrivalled camera performance, lean software experience, excellent battery life and 30W fast charging that crowns it all.https://t.co/O2vGsuoWCT

— Techweez (@techweez) October 20, 2020

Here’s our review of how its cameras perform. Our full review is here too.

The phone goes for Ksh 39,999.

OPPO A93

OPPO A93 is an entry-level midrange device from OPPO that goes for Ksh 31,000

https://twitter.com/techweez/status/1319523537342922753

You can read our first impressions review here.

Vivo

Vivo V17 Pro – Ksh 39,999

Vivo V17 Pro features a gorgeous and premium design, bright SUPER AMOLED display, fast processor, superb camera system, capacious battery.

Here’s what you’re getting:

• The 6.44″ Super AMOLED screen on the Vivo V17 Pro has a resolution of 2400×1080 pixels with an aspect ratio of 20:9 giving the phone a screen-to-body of 91.65%.
• It packs a Snapdragon 675 processor, 8GB RAM and 128GB of onboard storage.
• Running the show is Android 9 Pie(it’s unclear if the Vivo V17 Pro will be getting an Android 10 update) and Funtouch OS 9.

Vivo V17 Pro Review: Big and Bold

• The Vivo V17 Pro sports a 48MP main camera, a 13MP telephoto lens, 8MP wide-angle lens and 2MP depth sensor for portrait shots.
• The dual selfie setup includes 32MP primary camera and an 8MP super wide-angle lens.
• The Vivo V17 Pro has a 4100mAh and comes with an 18W fast charger

Vivo V17 Pro Unboxing and First Impressions Review: This Is It Chief

Vivo V19 -Ksh 41,000

Vivo V19 launched recently.

Here’s what it packs:

• 6.44″ AMOLED display 1080 x 2400 pixels with ~409 ppi density, 20:9 aspect ratio, 800 nits brightness and HDR 10
• Android 10; Funtouch 10
• Qualcomm Snapdragon 712 and Adreno 616 processors
• 8GB of RAM and 128GB onboard storage.
• Quad main camera setup: 48 MP, f/1.8, (wide), 1/2.0″, 0.8µm, PDAF, 8 MP, f/2.2, 13mm (ultrawide), 1/4.0″, 1.12µm, 2 MP, f/2.4, (macro) and 2 MP, f/2.4, (depth). Video: 4K at 30fps, 1080p at 30 and 60fps
• Dual front selfie cameras: 32 MP, f/2.1, 23mm (wide), 1/2.8″, 0.8µm and 8 MP, f/2.3, 17mm (ultrawide). Video: 1080p at 30fps
• in-display fingerprint reader
• 4500mAh battery with 33W fast charging(0% -54% in 30 minutes) -USB-C charging port
• It comes in Piano Black, Gleam Black, Mystic Silver and Sleek Silver

Both the Vivo V17 Pro and V19 can be bought at their official retail stores countrywide. Here are some of them.

Nairobi:  Aghakhan walk, Tricom Agakhan walk, Harambee Avenue, Embassy house -Tricom Embassy, Taveta lane -Kibe Com, Wabera Street -Far East Electronics, Moi Avenue-Mobile Hub, Smartphone Store KE

Eldoret Town: Ananda Communication

Jumia also has them.

vivo V19 First Impressions: Beautiful Screen, Remarkable Snappers, All In An Attractive Body

vivo V19 Review: Can a KES 41000 Phone Check The Important Boxes?

Vivo V20

Vivo V20 was launched in January this year and ships with

• insane 44MP selfie camera
• main 4MP camera with an 8MP ultrawide camera and an extra 2MP camera.
• 6.44 inch 2400 x 1080 Super AMOLED display
• Snapdragon 720G
• 8GB of RAM with either 128GB or 256GB of internal storage.
• 4000mAh battery that can be quickly charged using a 33W charger
• USB C port, Bluetooth 5.1
• Android 11 and FuntouchOS 11

Samsung

Samsung Galaxy A71 – Ksh 40,000

Samsung A71 rocks:

• 6.7″ Super AMOLED 1080 x 2400 pixels
• Qualcomm SDM730 Snapdragon 730 (8 nm)
• 6/8GB of RAM and 128GB of onboard storage
• 32MP selfie camera
• Quad setup: 64 MP, f/1.8, (wide), 12 MP, f/2.2, (ultrawide), 5 MP, f/2.4, (wide), dedicated macro camera and 5 MP, f/2.2, depth sensor
• 4500 mAh battery, 25W fast-charging
• One UI 2 on top of Android 10
• In-display fingerprint reader
• It comes in Prism, Crush Black, Silver, Blue, and Pink colours

Samsung Galaxy A71 Vs OPPO Reno3: An Easy Win for Samsung

Samsung Galaxy A51 – Ksh 29,500

Samsung A51 features:

• 6.5” Super AMOLED screen with a resolution of 1080 x 2400 pixels. the display is also taller at 20:9 and is protected by Corning Gorilla Glass 3.
•  A 32 MP selfie shooter and a quad setup with a 48 MP main sensor, a 12 MP ultrawide, and two 5 MP for macro and portrait shots.

No Wrong Choice: Huawei nova 7i Versus Samsung Galaxy A51

• Exynos 9611 chip and a Mali-G72 MP3 GPU
• 4GB of RAM and either 64GB or 128GB of onboard storage
• 4000mAh battery with 15W fast charging

Nokia

Nokia 5.3 – Ksh 23,000

Nokia 5.3 is the successor to the Nokia 5.1 and packs:

• 6.55″ screen with 720 x 1600 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~268 ppi density)
• Android 10.0, Android One
• Qualcomm Snapdragon 665 (11 nm) processor and Adreno 610 GPU
• 3/4/6 GB of RAM and 64GB of onboard storage
• 8 MP selfie camera
• quad main setup: 13 MP, f/1.8, (wide), 5 MP, (ultrawide), 2 MP, (macro) and 2 MP, (depth)
• 4000mAh battery with Type C 10W fast charging
• it comes in Cyan, Sand and Charcoal colours

Nokia 6.2 – Ksh 20,399

Nokia 6.2 features:

• 6.3″ screen with 1080 x 2280 pixels, 19:9 ratio (~400 ppi density), HDR 10
• Android 10 , Android One
• Qualcomm SDM636 Snapdragon 636 (14 nm) and Adreno 509 GPU
• Various configurations: 32GB  and 3GB RAM, 64GB and 4GB RAM, 128GB and 4GB RAM
• 8MP selfie camera
• Tripel rear setup: 16 MP, f/1.8, (wide), 8 MP, f/2.2, (ultrawide) and 5 MP, depth sensor
• 3500mAh battery with Type-C 10W fast charger.

Nokia 7.2 – Ksh 27,999

Nokia 7.2 is an improvement of the Nokia 7.1 in term of the camera and design elements.

Here’s what you get:

• 6.3″ IPS LCD screen with 1080 x 2280 pixels, 19:9 ratio (~400 ppi density), GG 3 protection and HDR 10
• Android 10; Android One
• Qualcomm SDM660 Snapdragon 660 (14 nm) and Adreno 512 GPU
• Triple system with Zeiss optics: 48 MP, f/1.8, (wide), 8 MP, f/2.2, (ultrawide) and 5 MP, depth sensor
• 20 MP, f/2.0 selfie camera
• 64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM
• 3500 mAh with 10W charging

Xiaomi

Xiaomi Redmi Note 9 Pro and 9 Pro Max

Xiaomi finishes the list with the Redmi Note 9 Pro and the 9 Pro Max. 

The separating features are mainly in the camera departments and charging speeds. The normal Pro has a 16 MP selfie camera, whereas the Max has a 32 MP one. The main rear sensor for the Max is a 64 MP shooter, and the non-Max has a 48 MP primary one. The same downgrade is seen for the macro lens, which is at 2 MP for the Pro and at 5 MP for the Pro Max.

The last difference is that the Max supports fast charging at 33W, but the Pro cuts it way down to 18 W. Both have large 5020 mAh cells.

Infinix Zero 8

Infinix closes this list with their latest midrange – the Zero 8.

We’ve taken it through its paces including a camera review and a conclusive review.

With the Infinix Zero 8, you get an elegant design, stutter-free performance, superb hardware, a high refresh rate high-resolution display, excellent battery life and fast USB-C charging and to top the crown – an unquestionable camera experience.

Infinix Zero 8 Review: Walking That Big Talk

You can buy the Infinix Zero 8 online and offline at X-Park which is Infinix’s online shop for Ksh 28,999, Jumia for Ksh 29,999 or head out to Infinix’s official retail stores countrywide.

TECNO Camon 16 Premier

A Tecno midrange – the Camon 16 Premier ships with:

• 6.9” FHD+ screen w/ 90 Hz refresh rate
• Helio G90T processor, 8GB RAM and 128GB storage
• 64MP quad-camera setup
• 4500mAh battery with 33W USB-C fast charging

TECNO Camon 16 Premier goes for Ksh 28500.

realme 7i

realme 7i is available in Kenya for Kshs 24,999

realme 7i redefines budget smartphones that bring solid performance with the additional 90Hz goodness.

realme 7i:
• delivers superlative performance – you won’t see any slowdowns here
• the 90Hz refresh rate makes everyday interactions from social media scrolling, web browsing and gaming buttery smooth
• expect fab photos with great dynamic range, plenty of detail and accurate colours in most lighting conditions
• stereo speakers and fantastic 90Hz screen for immersive multimedia consumption
• 18W fast USB-C charging coupled with a long-lasting battery that lasts all day and then some so you won’t ever have battery anxiety with the phone.

https://youtu.be/5AcvYJKsniU

realme 6

realme is quickly gaining ground in Kenya. They’ve launched the realme c3, realme 6, realme c11, realme c15, Buds Air Wireless earbuds and the Buds Q.

realme 6 is available for purchase for Ksh 29,999.

You are getting trustworthy performance for gaming and multitasking, a brilliant 90Hz screen, plenty of battery life, attractive design, capable camera performance, fast and reliable processors – the symphony of these features makes for a solid purchase if you’re in the market for a mid-range device.

realme 6 Review: Solid Purchase

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