Having this list, as many of you may have noticed if you are constant Techish readers/subscribers, makes more sense if spaced like 6 months apart. If one were to make a list every month, you’d realise that things don’t really change that much (even now things haven’t changed much compared to the November list). For me, a phone doesn’t make it to this list just because it is new. It has to have something exciting in some way.

I am posting this list while I am well aware of Jumia Mobile Week that starts from 19th March to 25th March. They promise this is the biggest mobile sale of the year with vouchers, flash sales, best prices and free delivery. So you can check out a phone in this list and wait for Jumia Mobile week to buy. Or you can check out the Mobile Week page here.

Here are the phones I am sure I’d recommend to anyone who asks me what they should get for less than Ksh. 25,000. I wish they all had the new standard aspect ratio, that is the 2:1 or 18:9 that new smartphones have. But only 2 phones on this list have that and they’re all from OPPO. The new best under 15k list happens to have more 18:9 aspect ratio phones.

Infinix Zero 5

Why this is my top pick is obvious. For its price point, one gets a very good design, though big and bulky for some, and exciting specifications. 6GB RAM, with 64GB storage while running Android 7 Nougat, and having a dual camera setup at the back that supports portrait shots and a front camera that can also take portrait shots. Watch my review, read my favourite things about the phone. Buy it from Jumia. 

Xiaomi Mi A1

Appearing on this list again. 2018 has shown us that the Android One program is very much alive. The Android 8 Oreo update is live for it, so if you get it running Android 7, just upgrade via OTA. You get a 5.5 inch full HD screen, 4GB RAM, 64GB storage and a 2GHz octa-core Qualcomm® Snapdragon™ 625 processor. The front camera is 5MP and the back camera is 12MP. You can get the device from Avechi.com

Nokia 6 (2017)

You all know Nokia is back. You can get it from Safaricom shops. You get a 5.5 inch Full HD display, 4GB RAM; 64GB internal storage, Qualcomm® Snapdragon™ 430 processor, 16MP back camera; 8MP front camera, and a 3000mAh battery. It runs Android 8 Oreo. Get it from Jumia. 

The 2018 version isn’t yet in the market, but when it launches, you should go get it. Because Nokia is really doing a great job with their devices.

Honor Y7 Prime

Read my full review. It costs about 22k. A good device, certainly. You get a 5.5 inch 720p HD Display, 12MP Back camera, 8MP front camera, 3GB of RAM, 32GB of built-in storage, and a large 4000mAh battery. It runs Android 7 Nougat powered a Qualcomm® Snapdragon™ 435. You can get it from Huawei shops, Safaricom shops, or from Jumia: https://goo.gl/Snze8w

Infinix Note 4 Pro

Read my full review. The major issue with this (for me) is the X-pen. But it is a really good device. You get a 5.7 Full HD 2.5D curved display by Sharp, 13MP Back camera; 8MP front camera, 3GB RAM; 32GB storage, and a huge 4500mAh battery. It runs Android 7 Nougat powered by a 1.3GHz MT6753 Octa-Core Processor. Buy it from Kilimall https://goo.gl/NbCTve. Or get it from Jumia: https://goo.gl/erxhYK

Samsung J5 Pro

This is one device I would love to check out. You get a 5.2 HD display, 3GB RAM, 32GB storage, 13MP rear camera, 13MP front camera and a 3000mAh battery. It runs Android 7 Nougat and is powered by a 1.6GHz octa-core Exynos 7870 processor. Get it from Jumia: https://goo.gl/8pYsPb

OPPO F5 Youth

With that lovely 18:9 aspect ratio, a 6 inch full HD screen, 3GB RAM, 32GB storage, 3200mAh battery, and running Android 7.1 Nougat, this is a promising device for its price point. The major problem however with all OPPO smartphones is the skin they run on top of Android called ColorOS. There’s so much freedom on Android and ColorOS takes all that away. Get it from Jumia. 

Lenovo Moto E4 plus

You can get this from Safaricom shops for about 24k. I remember writing a post asking Safaricom to avail the devices, and the next day there was news the phones were already on sale in Safaricom shops. You get a 5.5 inch HD Gorilla Glass 3 display, 13MP back camera, 5MP front camera, Mediatek MT6737 Quad-core 1.3 GHz Cortex-A53, 3GB RAM; 16GB internal storage, and a massive 5000mAh battery. It should be in line to receive Android 8 Oreo too.

Nokia 5 (2017)

You should be able to get this phone from a Safaricom shop. Android 8 Oreo update is live, so if you get your device running Android 7 be sure to update. You get a 5.2″ HD polarised display with 2.5D curved corning Gorilla Glass Protection, 13MP back camera; 8MP front camera, Qualcomm® Snapdragon™ 430, 2GB RAM; 16GB internal storage, and a 3000mAh battery. You can also get it from Jumia at 18k: https://goo.gl/3VknQQ 

Xiaomi Mi 5X

Xiaomi is a brand that should start taking the Kenyan market seriously. You get a full HD 5.5 inch device with 4GB RAM, 64GB Storage, 12MP back camera, 3080mAh battery and running Android 7 Nougat. You also get a classy design. This one is available on Avechi.

Infinix Zero 4 Plus

So many months later and this still stays on my list. My full review review is where you should start if you want to get it. The fact that the 20.7MP camera has Optical Image Stabilisation, and Laser Autofocus is quite telling. The 5.98 inch full HD display is really good, and you get 4GB RAM and 32GB storage. And there’s a massive 4000mAh battery. Powering the device is a HelioX20 decacore processor on Android 7 Nougat. Buy from Jumia: https://goo.gl/BwTdgt. Buy from Kilimall: https://goo.gl/wfhV2L

Extras:

Infinix Zero 5 Pro

This is the Pro version of the Infinix Zero 5. The only difference is in storage as this comes with 128GB of internal storage. I haven’t managed to use 60% of the storage yet. Get it from Jumia. 

Samsung Galaxy C5 Pro

This is one sleek and premium device. The major problem is that it runs Android 6 Marshmallow. It is the only device on this list that’s that outdated. It comes with 4GB RAM, 64GB storage, 16MP back camera, 16MP front camera. Get it from Jumia. 

TECNO Phantom 8

I haven’t touched or used TECNO’s new flagship device. But it has exact similar specs to the Infinix Zero 5, and that should make for something. Though battery life is a little smaller than on the Zero 5. So if you prefer the TECNO brand to Infinix, get it from Jumia. 

TECNO Camon CX Pro

Read my TECNO Camon CX Review. This is similar in design to the original Camon CX but has extra RAM and extra storage. Which means better performance. Battery size is the same. Get it from Jumia. 

OPPO A83

This is very new to the Kenyan market. It also brings the 18:9 aspect ratio to the market. With 3GB RAM, 32GB storage, a 3180mAh battery and running Android 7.1 Nougat, you’re sure your work will run smoothly. Though, remember, ColorOS may come as a hindrance to your experience with the phone. Get it from Jumia. 

Which phone would you love to see on the list that I may have missed out on? Remember to share article with people looking for devices at this price points.