‘Most accessible’ Nokia smartphone ever to hit stores

Mr Joseph Omunakwe, Nokia EA and Central general manager. FILE PHOTO | NMG 

By ANNIE NJANJA

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Summary

• Designed to run on the latest Android Oreo (Go edition) software for devices of 1GB RAM or less, the Nokia 1 has an internal storage of 8GB, which can be expanded up to 128 GB.
• It is also a Bluetooth and Wi-Fi enabled device with a primary 5MP camera.
• Smartphone penetration in Kenya has grown to more than 60 per cent of the population over the past five years thanks to the influx of affordable phones, according to a report by Jumia Business Intelligence and GSMA Mobile.

Nokia 1, an entry-level phone by HMD Global, will hit the Kenyan stores in two weeks time as the firm seeks to grow its market share in the budget smartphone segment.

The phone will retail at Sh9,500, putting it at the price range of budget models from brands such as Infinix, Wiko and Tecno.

Designed to run on the latest Android Oreo (Go edition) software for devices of 1GB RAM or less, the Nokia 1 has an internal storage of 8GB, which can be expanded up to 128 GB. It is also a Bluetooth and Wi-Fi enabled device with a primary 5MP camera.

“With the Nokia 1 smartphone, we have combined the reassuring quality and design of a Nokia smartphone with the latest Android Oreo (Go edition) software to deliver exceptional value and realise our dream of creating a complete smartphone experience, accessible to everyone,” said HMD general manager for West, East and Central Africa, Global, Joseph Umunakwe.

“We understand the barriers and challenges people face when it comes to the step up to a smartphone, which is why we’ve made our most accessible smartphone ever.”

READ: Over 60pc of Kenyans have smartphones, shows study

Smartphone penetration in Kenya has grown to more than 60 per cent of the population over the past five years thanks to the influx of affordable phones, according to a report by Jumia Business Intelligence and GSMA Mobile.

The report showed that the exponential growth in smartphone users was due to a drop in average price of gadgets. Chinese brands have created increased competition.