Smartphone prices have really fallen to the ground, yes, I know we have $1000 smartphones but the best selling smartphones in the world consists of 70% budget phones costing less than 30k.
As the likes of TECNO and budget Samsung phones dominate the current market, a decade ago LG (yes, that LG), Motorola and Nokia were the Kings of the day.
What’s interesting is the pricing, which ranged from Kes.21,000 to Kes.63,000 for devices with specifications that we get with sub 10k phones today.
For context, 10 years ago, the first iPhone had just been launched and Android was also making its debut. So, don’t expect to see any Android phones on this list or even iPhones. However, interestingly, we do have a number of Windows phones.
Here’s how much smartphones costs in Kenya 10 years ago:
LG Viewty KE 90 – Kes.21,000
Specifications:
- Touchscreen
- 3G internet access
- 5MP camera
- FM Radio
Nokia E66 – Kes.38,000
Specifications:
- Wifi
- 3G internet access
- 3.2MP camera
Nokia 5800 – Kes.32,000
Specifications:
- Touchscreen
- 3G
- 3.2MP camera
Nokia N78 – Kes.29,500
Specifications:
- 3G
- Stereo speakers
- GPS
- 3.2MP camera
- WiFi
Motorola V8 – Kes.23,000
Specifications:
- 2MP Camera
- 512MB memory
- Capacitive touch-sensitive buttons
Samsung Omnia – Kes.45,000
Specifications:
- Handwriting recognition
- Windows Mobile 6.1
- 5MP camera
- Touchscreen
Nokia E51 – Kes.25,000
Specifications:
- 3G
- FM radio
- Wi-Fi
- 2MP camera
Nokia E90 – Kes.63,000
Specifications:
- FM radio
- Bluetooth
- 3G
Nokia E71 – Kes.39,000
Specifications:
- 3G
- WiFi
- Qwerty keyboard
- FM radio
Motorola Q9H – Kes.33,000
Specifications:
- 3G
- Windows Mobile 6.1
- Qwerty keyboard
Samsung i780 – Kes.33,000
Specifications:
- 3G
- WiFi
- Windows Mobile 6.1
- 2MP camera
Nokia E63 – Kes.23,500
Specifications:
- 2MP
- 3G
- WiFi
- 101MB internal storage
Personally, I have owned the Nokia E71 (I was so impressed by its WiFi capabilities). I was also lucky enough to own the Nokia 5800 (was my second Xpress Music device).
All these phones were icons at their time and their pricing tells it all. If these prices do not inspire you to appreciate how far smartphones (especially in Kenya) have come, then I don’t know what will.
Editorial note: This list was made possible thanks to @droid254.
Images courtesy Google
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