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.

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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.

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Editorial note: This list was made possible thanks to @droid254.

Images courtesy Google