Best Smartphones to buy for less than KES. 20,000 in April 2021

It is always a tricky thing to compile a list of “BEST” things in any category. That’s because everyone has their own preferences, and biases. Of course, you’re free to add to this list any other devices – in the comments section – you believe should be considered under KES. 20,000.

These are my favourite considerations every time someone asks about a phone they should get at this budget. I am only going to list recent devices, of course. So if you don’t see something you really expected here, perhaps it’s because it is a quite dated phone (from my consideration). I’ve tried to be very open to all companies because I know people normally want to see their favourite brands on such lists. Here we go!

POCO M3:

Of course I want this at the top of my list. I am not saying it is the very best device in this list. It’s just that for the price of KES. 15,099, the specs here are really good! For that price, you get 128GB storage. There’s a huge 6000mAh battery, 4GB RAM, a 48MP main camera, and a really good processor at this price point: the Snapdragon 662. That’s something no other company can boast of at this price. Check it out here.

Redmi NOTE 10:

This wouldn’t miss on this list. The base Redmi NOTE 10 comes with 4GB RAM, 64GB storage, a nice Snapdragon 678 processor, a Super AMOLED Display, a 48MP main camera, a 5000mAh battery with 33W fast charging, IP53 dust and splash protection, Android 11, USB Type-C, and more for KES. 19,499. That’s a feature set no other device on this list can boast of. Currently, the device is only available offline through Xiaomi stores in Nairobi. Hopefully, it will be listed on Jumia soon for everyone wanting to buy one countrywide.

Infinix NOTE 8i:

Infinix did a good job with the NOTE 8’s hardware. The other device in the series is the NOTE 8i which starts at KES. 15,999 for 4GB RAM, 64GB storage. There’s USB Type-C finally, a Helio G80 processor, a 48MP main camera, a 5200mAh battery with 18W fast charging, If you want a phone with a huge display, this comes with a 6.78-inch 720p panel. Buy it from Jumia.

Samsung Galaxy A12:

The Samsung A-series has proved to be quite popular in many markets across the world. The Galaxy A12 though quite expensive compared to its predecessors brings more to the table with 4GB RAM, 64GB storage, an old Helio P35 processor, with a 5000mAh battery. It feels quite expensive compared to other devices in this list when you consider the specs. But it is a device Samsung lovers will like. Buy it from Jumia for KES. 17,500.

Redmi 9:

We are in Xiaomi territory, so it is normal to see a couple of devices from the company in such a list. This phone is still relevant close to a year since launch, because it is really good. There’s 4GB RAM and 64GB storage. It uses a quite powerful Helio G80 processor (which is good for gaming at this price point). The battery is 5020mAh and there’s USB Type-C. It features a serious set of cameras, plus a fingerprint scanner at the back. Buy it for KES. 14,999 here.

Infinix HOT 10 Play:

Infinix decided to update the HOT 10 Series with a Play version that costs KES. 15,500. There’s a Helio G35 processor, 4GB RAM, 64GB storage, a huge 6000mAh battery, and a huge 6.8-inch display for those who love big phones. Check it out here.

TECNO Camon 16s:

TECNO hasn’t had it easy these past few years with the competition chipping away its control of the market. The Camon 16s was part of the Camon 16 Series bringing a 6.6-inch 720p panel, a 48MP main camera, 4GB RAM, 128GB storage, a dated Helio P35 processor, a 5000mAh battery, running Android 10. It costs KES. 17,699. You can get it from Jumia at discounted prices.

VIVO Y20:

Here’s a device that’s quite good but rarely talked about. The device is priced at KES. 13,999 and for that you get a Snapdragon 460 processor, 4GB RAM, 64GB storage, a 6.5-inch 720p display, and a 5000mAh battery with 18W fast charging. Buy it from Jumia.

OPPO A15s:

There are many options for this phone. It has variants with 2GB, 3GB and 4GB RAM at different price points. These variants have 32GB, or 64GB storage. There’s a 6.52-inch display 13MP main camera, a 4230mAh battery, all powered by the now old Helio P35 Processor. Check it out on Jumia.

realme C15:

If the C25 had launched, I’d gladly have it in this list over the C15. However, we still don’t have a date for that C25 device, and if you want a realme phone, the C15 offers a 6.5-inch 720p display, 4GB RAM, 64GB storage, a huge 6000mAh battery with 18W fast charging, all powered by a Helio G35 processor for KES. 17,000. You can even get a model with 4GB RAM, 128GB storage for KES. 20,000. Check it out on Jumia.

OPPO A53:

Getting this one is currently a hard task. Launched in the market back in August 2020, this device is mostly exciting because of its 90Hz panel. There’s a Snapdragon 460 processor, 4GB RAM, 64GB storage, and a 5000mAh battery with 18W fast charging. Offline shops may still have it in stock.

In summary:

Best phones for less than KES. 20,000 in April 2021:

1. POCO M3 – Costs KES. 15,099 only with 128GB RAM
2. Redmi NOTE 10 – Starts at KES. 19,499 with a Snapdragon 678 processor.
3. Infinix NOTE 8i – Starts at KES. 15,999 for 4GB RAM, 64GB storage.
4. Samsung Galaxy A12 – for between KES. 16,500 to KES. 17,300 you get 4GB RAM, 64GB storage.
5. Redmi 9 – for KES. 14,999 you get 4GB RAM and 64GB storage.
6. Infinix HOT 10 Play – for KES. 15,500 you get 4GB RAM and a huge 6.8-inch display.
7. TECNO Camon 16s – for around KES. 16,000 you get 4GB RAM with 128GB storage.
8. VIVO Y20 – for KES. 14,000 you get a Snapdragon 460 processor.
9. OPPO A15s – from KES. 15,000 you have options from 2GB RAM to 4GB RAM.
10. realme C15 – features a huge 6000mAh battery
11. OPPO A53 – features a 90Hz panel for around KES. 17,000

What else?

Share any other devices you’d have liked to see on this list.