A Guide to the Best Phone in Kenya in 2020.

The best phone in kenya in 2020 is ….. well, there is no sigle best phone in kenya but there are best phones in kenya. Each has its strength and something they are not the best. If you are wondering how we rank the best among the best. Read A guide to Buying the best phone in Kenya.

All of these best pones are in the Flagship category.  With high-end prices no matter if it comes from Samsung, Apple, OnePlus, Google or Xiaomi, meaning your decision is all the more important. 

This is an updated buyer’s guide list of the best iOS and Android phones – at the best price deals in Kenya. The best available models now. As new models are released and tested, this guide will be updated to help you choose the right flagship phone for you.

The Samsung Galaxy S20 series shook up our rankings, but also consider the iPhone 12 series or Galaxy Note 20 Ultra.

Our Best Phone in Kenya  Selections

KSh. 80,999

Galaxy S20+

It’s the value-for-money that allows Samsung to win over Apple. You’re getting bigger screens, more internal storage, expandable storage, and longer battery life.

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Apple iPhone 11 purple Ksh. 52,000

iPhone SE 2020

it comes with the power and specs we cherish from the iPhone 11 series and packs them into the design of the iPhone 7 and iPhone 8.

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Samsung Galaxy Note 20 Ultra Mystic Bronze Ksh. 114,999

Galaxy Note20 Ultra

Samsung’s Galaxy Note 20 Ultra is all about the camera. It packs a sensor that can take 108-megapixel images.

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Samsung Galaxy s20, s20+

The big phone is the best, but the standard is also great.

Samsung Galaxy S20 Plus is among the best phone you can buy today, while the smaller  Galaxy S20 is so similar that we’ve lumped to two together. 

Samsung-Galaxy-S20-and-S20-Plus

Why it’s the best phone: It’s the value-for-money that allows Samsung to win over Apple. This does t mean it is the best in every comparison. Samsung Galaxy S20 Plus price in Kenya starts at Ksh 80,999 and the S20 starts at Ksh 75,999 but you’re getting bigger screens, more internal storage, a microSD card slot for expandable storage, and longer battery life – features that you won’t find on Samsung’s closest competitor.

Below is Samsung Galaxy S20+ Features

Release date: March 2020 | Weight: 186g | Dimensions: 166.9 x 76 x 8.8mm | OS: Android 10 | Screen size: 6.7-inch | Resolution: 3200×1440 | CPU: Snapdragon 865 | RAM: 8GB | Storage: 128/512GB (up to 1TB with card) | Battery: 4,500mAh | Rear camera: 12MP + 64MP + 12MP | Front camera: 10MP

 Samsung Galaxy s20+  vs Galaxy s20

S20+ and S20 are so similar to each other but the major differences is in  Display size and Dimension, Battery life, Pixel density varies a bit between models, but you almost certainly won’t be able to spot the difference with the naked eye.   

 

Samsung Galaxy S20+

Samsung S20

Screen Size

6.7 inches

6.2 inches

Dimensions

161.9 x 73.7 x 7.8 mm 

151.7 x 69.1 x 7.9 mm

Battery (Endurance)

Li-Po 4500 mAh, 87h endurance rating

Li-Po 4000 mAh, 71h endurance rating. 

     

Watch an  In-depth review of Samsung Galaxy S20+ and S20

In conclusion, The big phone is the best, but the standard is also great. 

iPhone 11

Follwing Samsung Galalxy 20+ among the best latest pones is the best iPhone for most people.  At the time of this update iPhone 12 is to be released next month. 

Below is iPhone 11  Features

Iphone11 in kenya

Weight: 194g | Dimensions: 150.9 x 75.7 x 8.3mm | OS: iOS 13 | Screen size: 6.1-inch | Resolution: 828 x 1792 | CPU: A13 Bionic | RAM: 4GB | Storage: 64/128/256GB | Battery: Li-Ion 3110 mAh, 94h endurance rating | Rear camera: 12MP+12MP | Front camera: 12MP

The iPhone 11 isn’t technically superior to the iPhone 11 Pro series, but its price in Kenya is budget friendly (for an iPhone) and comes with most of the key features you’ll need from an Apple device. It takes the place of the iPhone XR with the same 6.1-inch screen, but a new dual-lens camera on the back.

Why we rank it 2nd: It’s not as good of a value as Samsung’s top-ranked handset, but the iPhone 11 is the best iPhone for most people simply because it costs from  Ksh 78,999. That’s cheaper than the XR at launch a year ago, and much more affordable than the iPhone 11 Pro, which starts at Ksh 115,000 and goes up. And, unlike the iPhone SE 2020, which we praise for being a good value later, you’re getting most of the features found on the Pro-level handsets like the camera’s stunning Night Mode.

Here is a video review of iPhone 11

Samsung Galaxy Note 20 Ultra, Note 20

Samsung Galalxy Note 20 Ultra 20s’ 5x optical camera zoom crushes it. Among the best phone camera it has one of the best camera if not the best. 

Galalxy Note 20 ultra and Galalxy Note 20 in kenya

Below is Samsung Galaxy Note 20 Ultra  Features

Release date: August 2020 | Weight: 208g | Dimensions: 164.8 x 77.2 x 8.1mm | OS: Android 10 | Screen size: 6.9-inch | CPU: Exynos 990 / Snapdragon 865 Plus | RAM: 12GB, 8GB | Storage: 128GB/256/512GB | Battery: 4,500mAh | Rear camera: 108MP/12MP + 12MP + 12MP | Front camera: 10MP. 

The Galaxy Note 20 Ultra is among Samsung’s most expensive phones, and the big catch of the Note is that it comes with an amazing camera. The 5x optical zoom and 50x digital zoom, any creatives dream be it videography and  Photography.  In addition, The S Pen returns with new tricks like recording voice notes and syncing them with handwritten notes. In Kenya Note 20 Ultra price begins from 

Why we rank it 3rd: This is Samsung’s most powerful phone, but more expensive than the S20 series. The Note 20 Ultra comes with: a stylus, a camera with  5x optical zoom and 50x digital zoom, a faster chipset (across its competitors except iPhones’ 13 Bionic chipsets), and a 6.9-inch 120Hz screen. 

In conclusion, Not everyone needs an ‘everything phone’ like this, but if you want it all and maybe don’t fancy Galaxy Z Fold 2  and not an iPhone loyalist this is the phone for you.

Here is Galalxy Note 20 ultra review. 

iPhone 11 Pro and iPhone 11 Pro Max

The spec-superior iPhones. Overall best performance phones. Thanks to its latest A13 Bionic chipset.

 iPhone 11 Pro and 11 Pro Max are almost exactly the same, except for the different screen and battery sizes, as well as prices. Your choice will depend on your budget and how large your grip is.

iphone 11 Pro and iphone 11 pro max

Below is iPhone 11 Pro Max Features

Release date: September 2019 | Weight: 226g | Dimensions: 158 x 77.8 x 8.1mm | OS: iOS 13 | Screen size: 6.5-inch | Resolution: 1242 x 2688 | CPU: A13 Bionic | RAM: 4GB TBC | Storage: 64/256/512GB | Battery: 3,500mAh TBC | Rear camera: 12MP + 12MP + 12MP | Front camera: 12MP

Why we Rank it 4th: The iPhone 11 Pro Max is Apple’s largest and most feature rich cell phone as of 2020 October until Apple 12 is released, and likewise, it is generally more costly.Under the hood you have A13 Bionic processor chipset, the best phone chipset at the moment. While a similar amount of cash could get you a Samsung telephone with a greater screen and more features, most iOS clients would prefer not to manage Android.

Check out iPhone 11 Pro and Pro Max video review

iPhone SE 2020

The best cheapest new iPhone 

iPhone SE 2020 in kenya

If you are coming from iphone 8, iPhone 7, iPhone 6 you will appreciate this phone. 

Below is iPhone SE 2020 features

Release date: April 2020 | Weight: 148g | Dimensions: 138.4 x 67.3 x 7.3mm | OS: iOS 13 | Screen size: 4.7-inch | Resolution: 1134 x 750 | CPU: A13 Bionic | RAM: 3GB | Storage: 64/128/256GB | Battery: 1,821mAh | Rear camera: 12MP | Front camera: 7MP

iPhone SE 2020 is the continuation of the one-hand-friendly iPhone from 2016, and it comes with the power and specs we cherish from the iPhone 11 series and packs them into the design of the iPhone 7 and iPhone 8.

Why we rank it 6th: This isn’t Apple’s most powerful iPhone, but it’s the best value for money for people who want to stick with the iPhone brand and the superior iOS 13 without spending a lot. Its screen technology won’t wow you like an iPhone 11 Pro, and there’s just one camera on the back, but starting Ksh 399 means this is hard to be if you’re on a budget and don’t want to switch to Android. 

Samsung Galaxy S10+ and Samsung Galaxy S10

Samsung Galaxy S10 Plus (specs below) was among the best phone in 2019 and is still a top choice in 2020/21, and the Samsung Galaxy S10 is also a strong contender if you want a smaller screen, and you can get them cheaper than their launch prices, which were $999 and up originally.

Below Samsung Galaxy S10 Plus Features.

Release date: March 2019 | Weight: 175g / 198g (ceramic) | Dimensions: 157.6 x 74.1 x 7.8mm | OS: Android Pie | Screen size: 6.4-inch | Resolution: 3040×1440 | CPU: Snapdragon 855 | RAM: 8/12GB | Storage: 128/512GB/1TB (up to 1.5TB with card) | Battery: 4,100mAh | Rear camera: 12MP + 12MP + 16MP | Front camera: 10MP + 8MP

Why we rank it 8th: Samsung Galaxy S10 Plus was among the No. 1 best phone in Kenya in 2018 and better part of of 2019. The Snapdragon 855 chipset performed well (and still does), the 6.4-inch screen impressive with sharp curves on the right and left sides, and the camera was among the top-ranked.Compared to the best 2020 phones,  It takes a backseat but is still a value-for-money choice.

If looking for a cheaper but almost  same pack of features check out Samsung Galaxy S10e and Samsung Galaxy S10 Lite

iPhone XR

The iPhone XR has decent battery life and lower price tag

 

If you’re looking for an affordable iPhone, the iPhone XR is a strong contender for the latest software, enough power and surprisingly good battery life… for an iPhone. With the introduction of the iPhone SE 2020 , the XR is the second cheapest iphone, making it great value for money. 

Release date: October 2018 | Weight: 194g | Dimensions: 150.9 x 75.7 x 8.3 mm | OS: iOS 12 | Screen size: 6.1-inch | Resolution: 828 x 1792 pixels | CPU: A12 Bionic | RAM: 3GB | Storage: 64/128/256GB | Battery: Li-Ion 2942 mAh | Rear camera: 12MP | Front camera: 7MP

 

iPhone XR the most sold iPhone in 2019

iPhone XS and iPhone XS Max?

iPhone XS vs iPhone XS Max vs iPhone XR comparison

At first comparison , the iPhone XS vs iPhone XS Max vs iPhone XR comparison doesn’t reveal much difference, but in Dimension/Size, Camera, Memory size and Battery.   

 iPhone XS is technically the flagship phone, and also the smallest of the bunch. iPhone XS Max is its bigger version with the largest screen. The iPhone XR is the leaner,  ‘budget flagship’ and drops a few features perks in order to save costs.

iPhone XS price in Kenya starts from Ksh.68,999 for 4GB/64GB while iPhone XS Max price in Kenya begins at Ksh. 70,999. 

 

IPhone XR

iPhone XS

iPhone XS Max

Size/Dimensions

6.1 inches ( 150.9 x 75.7 x 8.3 mm)

5.8 inches (143.6 x 70.9 x 7.7 mm)

6.5 inches (157.5 x 77.4 x 7.7 mm)

Camera

Main Camera 12MP

Front Camera 7MP

Main Camera 12MP + 12MP

Front Camera 7MP

Main Camera 12MP + 12MP

Front Camera 7MP

Ram

3GB

4GB

4GB

Battery

Li-Ion 2942 mAh, Up to 16 h (multimedia)

Li-Ion 2658 mAh, Up to 14 h (multimedia)

Li-Ion 3174 mAh, Up to 16 h (multimedia)

Our Ranking of the best phone in Kenya is based on factors such as budget, must-have features for you, size, Display, Camera, Chipset & Ram, and Durability not in any particular importance or order.

So Here is our Take!

Best Phone Overall

iPhone 11 Pro is the best phone overall. The iPhone 11 Pro is significantly cheaper than Samsung’s Ultra phones and slightly better than the S20 Ultra in ways that will likely matter to more people — namely, with regard to its more intuitive, regularly updated software, exceptional performance, and attractive design.

Best camera Phone:

Samsung’s Galaxy S20 Ultra is all about the camera. it is the best phone with a camera. It packs a sensor that can take 108-megapixel images and offers a whopping 100x zoom to close up on distant details. But it’s not alone in having an impressive camera: Top-end handsets such as the iPhone 11 Pro and Google Pixel 4

Best Phone in Performance.

The A13 Bionic chipset in the iPhone 11 Pro Max surpasses the Qualcomm Snapdragon 865 chipset inside the Galaxy S20 Ultra, just like it beat phones powered by last year’s Snapdragon 855 system-on-chip.

Best Budget Phone

iPhone SE 2020 is the continuation of the one-hand-friendly iPhone from 2016, and it comes with the power and specs we cherish from the iPhone 11 series and packs them into the design of the iPhone 7 and iPhone 8.

Best Value for Money

It’s what you get and the price you get it that allows Samsung Galaxy S20+ to win. You’re getting bigger screens, more internal storage, expandable storage, and longer battery life.

What customers say

The iPhone 11 has the fastest performance in the world (if it’s behind anything, it’s one of the iPhone 11 Pros), amazing cameras, and great battery life.

Lizzie

Now I can say for sure , note 10+ is much fluid and faster than note 20 ultra… Note 20 ultra was a disapointment for me , note 20 ultra

Mike