5G is quickly picking pace in Kenya. 5G-powered Samsung, OPPO and Apple smartphones are already in the market including the S21 FE, the Z Flip 3, the S22 series, the OPPO Reno6 5G and the iPhone 12 series and iPhone 13 series. Vivo is also set to launch the V23 5G in the country later this month.
TECNO and Infinix are joining the bandwagon too. Infinix already has the Zero 5G while TECNO has the POVA 5G. Both are not available in the country.
TECNO is set to bring 5G-powered devices to the country this year.
The company will bring 5G-powered devices in the new Phantom series and Camon series.
Shiva Zhong, TECNO’s Country Brand Manager shared with me during the launch of their flagship store at Sarit Centre that the upcoming Phantom 11 series and Camon 19 series will have 5G.
The Phantom 11 series will have three devices in its lineup – probably a Pro, a middle child and a regular Phantom. They’ll all have 5G Chips.
The Phantom line usually launches around July so we should expect a Phantom 11 5G by that time.
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The Camon 19 Premier will be the only one to have a 5G processor included.
My assumption is that TECNO will opt to use the Dimensity 900 chipset for the Phantom lineup as this is the same processor that runs its sister device – the Infinix Zero 5G. Unless they go with the Dimensity 920 – the possibilities are endless.
Fingers crossed that the same chip is used for the Camon 18 Premier. Unless they go with a lower processor like the Dimensity 800.
Aside from the processors, we also expect new cameras and improved photography.
The Camon lineup is usually announced around May so we should expect a launch around then.
The tech company is borrowing a leaf from Apple and will be bringing Sensor-Shift Image Stabilization – this is also a first for Android smartphones.
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TECNO is also working on bringing a foldable to the Android world. Its features are still unclear but it’ll be interesting to see the company dip its toes in the foldable world that’s dominated by Samsung.
Dickson, TECNO Kenya’s Product Manager shared that the foldable is going to be affordable for most consumers.
I, for one, can’t wait to check out a TECNO foldable.
This year looks pretty exciting for TECNO.
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Hopefully, by the time these devices are unveiled, Safaricom should have increased their 5G network availability to more areas. At the moment, there are more than 200 test sites in various locations including Nairobi, Kisumu, Kisii, Kakamega and Amboseli(Ol Tukai).
The latest location is Yaya Centre.
Airtel has said that its 600 sites are 5G-ready and that they won’t have to make any further modifications to the network – they will just get the spectrum and decide when to switch on.
Telkom Kenya is expanding its 4G LTE network which will set the foundation for the telco to deploy 5G in the country in the near future.
