Smartphones are getting better by the day when it comes to aspects like cameras, software and designs across all price segments.
But one thing that people seem to forget is how much battery has become a sector that these brands are competing in.
And it’s not just about the battery capacity but also factors like charging speed and other innovative charging tech like wireless and reverse charging.
So this list makes sure to cater to all these aspects in trying to figure out the smartphones in the 2024 market that offer the best value.
- iPhone 15 Plus (KES 120,000-130,000)
This is a phone that has been described by many as an outright clone of the iPhone 14 Pro. But that isn’t a bad thing in my opinion, since you’re getting the Pro-level upgrades at a lower price.
The battery is one of the few features that makes the iPhone 15 Plus stand out among the iPhone 15 series despite not being the top sibling. Despite having a mere 4383mAh battery, the device has been touted by many as one that holds its own as it doesn’t demand too much power in comparison to the 15 Pros.
- RAM: 6GB
- Storage: 128GB,256GB
- Battery: 4,383 mAh
- Camera: 48MP + 12MP
- Selfie: 12MP+ SL 3D
- Display: 6.7 inches
- Processor: Apple A16 Bionic
- Connectivity: 5G, Nano-SIM, eSIM, Wi-Fi
- Colours: Black, Blue, Green, Yellow, Pink
- OS: iOS 17
Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra (KES 120,000-170,000)
It’s safe to assume that the currently most expensive non-foldable Samsung smartphone offers one of the best battery lives. The 5,000mAh battery is designed to give you about 14 hours of usage on a single charge which should be more than enough for most users despite the demands you may have from your daily driver.
- RAM: 12GB
- Internal Storage: 256GB, 512GB, 1TB
- Battery: 5000 mAh
- Main camera: 200MP + 50MP + 10MP + 10MP
- Front camera: 12 MP
- Display: 6.8 inch + 120Hz AMOLED display
- Processor: Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 3
- Connectivity: Dual SIM, 3G, 4G, 5G, Wi-Fi
- Colours: Titanium Black, Titanium Gray, Titanium Violet, Titanium Yellow, Titanium Blue, Titanium Green, Titanium Orange
- OS: Android 14, One UI 6.1
OnePlus 12 (KES 90,000-95,000)
OnePlus’ reputation over the years has always been the “flagship killer” and the 12 model definitely lives up to the trend despite selling at “flagship prices” in the Kenyan market through third-party retailers. One of the standout features with this device is the 5,400mAh battery which we don’t get to see enough with phones in this price segment unfortunately.
The pack is definitely big enough to last long despite your level of daily usage. You also get 100W charging support which gets your phone from 0-100% in 30 minutes, give or take.
- RAM: 12GB, 16GB
- Storage: 256GB, 512GB
- OS: Android 14, HyperOS
- Camera: 50MP + 64MP + 48MP
- Selfie: 32MP
- Display: 6.82 inch, LTPO AMOLED,120Hz
- Processor: Qualcomm SM8650-AB Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 (4 nm)
- Connectivity: Dual SIM, 3G, 4G, 5G
- Colours: Black, Green, Silver
- Battery: 5,400 mAh, 100W
OnePlus 12R (KES 67,000-70,000)
Despite a more affordable option to the OnePlus 12, the 12R comes with an even bigger battery at 5,500mAh with 100W charging support. So, everything positive we just mentioned about the 12, you can pretty much say about this device.
- RAM: 12GB,16GB
- ROM: 256GB
- Battery: 5,500 mAh, 100W fast charger.
- Camera: 50MP + 8MP+ 2MP
- Selfie: 16 MP
- Display: 6.78 inches, Fluid AMOLED, 120Hz, HDR10+
- Processor: Octa-core, Qualcomm SM8550-AB Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 (4 nm)
- Connectivity: Dual SIM, 5G, Wi-Fi
- Colours: Iron Gray and Cool Blue
- OS: Android 14, OxygenOS 14
Vivo V30 (KES 65,000)
Vivo V30 has a 5000mAh battery that supports 80W fast charging. Both are improvements over the smaller and slower capacity of the V29 which carried a 4600mAh battery and supported 67W fast charging. 80W fast Type-C charging means you can top up your phone to full charge in 45 minutes.
To assure consumers, vivo assures 4-year-long optimal battery health so that after 1600 charging cycles, the phone will have 80% battery health. Yes, vivo has a neat battery health section on the phone.
- RAM: 8GB, 12GB
- Internal Memory: 128GB, 256GB, 512GB
- Display: 6.78 inches, AMOLED
- Chipset: Qualcomm Snapdragon 7 Gen 3 (4 nm)
- Main Camera: 50MP + 50MP
- Selfie Camera: 50 MP
- Connectivity: 5G
- Battery: 5,000 mAh, non-removable
OPPO Reno 11 F (KES 48,000-50,000)
This midranger is quite fascinating as it actually holds a 5000mAh battery that is bigger compared to that of Reno 11 and Reno 11 Pro which cost more. The battery will give you about 8 hours on a single charge which should be enough for most users as a daily smartphone. The device also supports 67W SuperVOOC charging that juices up the phone to 100% in under 45 minutes. A 30-minute charge can get it to 80%.
- RAM: 8GB
- Storage: 256GB
- OS: Android 14, ColorOS 14
- Camera: 64MP + 8MP + 2MP
- Selfie: 32MP
- Display: 6.7 inch, AMOLED,120Hz
- Processor: Mediatek Dimensity 7050 (6 nm)
- Connectivity: Dual sim, 3G, 4G, 5G
- Colours: Green, Blue and Pink
- Battery: 5000 mAh, 67W
Redmi Note 13 Pro 5G (KES 40,000-42,000)
When it comes to the midrange segment, this will most likely be the one device with the biggest battery which says alot about what it offers. The phone comes with a whopping 5,100mAh battery with 67W charging that guarantees you enough screen time and also fast charging from 0-100%. So, it’s safe to assume that not many users would have too many complaints about power with the Redmi Note 13 Pro 5G.
- RAM: 12GB
- Internal Storage: 512GB
- Battery: 5,100 mAh, 67W
- Main camera: 200 MP + 8 MP + 2 MP
- Front camera: 16 MP
- Display:6.67 inches, OLED, 120Hz, HDR10
- Processor: Qualcomm SM7435-AB Snapdragon 7s Gen 2 (4 nm)
- Connectivity: Dual SIM, 4G, 5G, VoLTE, Wi-Fi
- Colours: Midnight Black, Aurora Purple (Coral Purple), Ocean Teal, Arctic White
- OS: Android 13, upgradable to Android 14, HyperOS
Infinix Note 40 Pro (KES 38,000)
When it comes to innovative charging tech that I mentioned before, this is probably one of the few handsets in the list that lives up to the expectations since we don’t get to see alot of charging features in this price segment. Other than the 5000mAh battery, you get to have a charging pad that also comes with a specially designed phone case for that, reverse wireless charging, 45W wired charging and bypass charging.
- RAM: 8GB, 12GB
- Internal Memory: 256 GB
- Dimensions: 164.4 x 74.6 x 7.8 mm
- Display: 6.78 inches
- Network: 4G
- OS: Android 14, XOS 14
- Chipset: Mediatek Helio G99 Ultimate
- Main Camera: 108MP + 2MP + 2MP
- Selfie Camera: 32MP
- Battery: 5,000mAh, 45W
Honourable Mentions
TECNO Camon 30 Pro Premier (KES 67,000)
- RAM: 12GB
- Internal Memory: 512GB
- Display: 6.77-inches, AMOLED, 120 Hz
- Processor: MediaTek 8200 Ultimate
- OS: Android 14 with HiOS 14
- Main Camera: 50MP + 50MP + 50MP
- Selfie Camera: 50MP
- Connectivity: 5G
- Battery: 5,000mAh, 70W
Redmi 13 4G (KES 18,200-22,000)
- RAM: 6GB, 8GB
- Internal Storage: 128GB, 256GB
- Battery: 5,030 mAh
- Main camera: 108 MP + 2MP
- Front camera: 13 MP, f/2.5, (wide)
- Display: 6.79 inches, IPS LCD
- Processor: Mediatek Helio G91 Ultra (12 nm)
- Connectivity: Dual SIM, 3G, 4G, VoLTE, Wi-Fi
- Colours: Midnight Black, Sandy Gold, Ocean Blue, Pink
- OS: Android 14, HyperOS
Itel S24 (KES 14,000)
- RAM: 4GB
- Storage: 128GB
- OS: Android 13
- Chipset: MediaTek Helio G91 Ultra
- Display: 6.6 inches, IPS LCD
- Main Camera: 108MP+0.08MP
- Selfie Camera: 8MP
- Connectivity: 4G
- Battery: 5000mAh, 18W
