By In case you have no idea what former flagships are, these are high-end smartphones from the previous years that were once at the top of what their respective companies had to offer.
While these devices may be considered old by standards of time, the features they posses tend to trickle down to current mid-range devices that we so much celebrate.
The question of whether to buy a former flagship or buy a current mid-range phone is one that comes across a number of times, while you might be tempted to buy the new flashy device, former flagship smartphones usually have great advantages just by the means of once being a flagship device.
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If you are in the market for a worthy smartphone that is likely to stand the test of time, here are five former flagship smartphones that are still worth buying in 2019:
Samsung Galaxy S8+
This is the device that ushered in Samsung’s new design language, effectively dropping the “edge” moniker. The phone gets points for being beautiful with the edge display, no notch or punchole, good cameras and a premium design.
Even by 2019 standards, The Galaxy S8+ still stands out as a unique phone. The only problem would be the device’s battery life which struggles a bit but with careful usage can last throughout the day.
Specs:
- Display: 6.2″ 1440p Display
- Memory: 4GB RAM + 64GB internal storage with SD card support
- Camera: 12MP main + 8MP selfie
- Battery capacity: 3500mAh
- Current software: Android 9.0 Pie
- Year of release: April 2017
Currently retails at Kes.38,000
iPhone 7
Image Courtesy Techspot
For Apple lovers, we got you. As part of the population still flaunts their ageing iPhone 6s around, the more worthy iPhone to get at a budget is the iPhone 7.
Despite having a rather dated design, the phone remains an iPhone and will perform better in terms of camera and user experience than most Androids in the same price range. As much as iPhones may not be a cup of tea for everyone, those who long to join the Apple world, this is a good place to start.
Specs:
- Display: 4.7″ 750p Display
- Memory: 128GBGB internal storage
- Camera: 12MP main + 7MP selfie
- Current software: iOS 13.1.2
- Year of release: September 2016
Currently retails at Kes.38,000
Samsung Galaxy Note 8
Image Provided
If you want a powerful phone with endless features and a stylus without breaking the bank then the Galaxy Note 8 is the phone for you.
Not only is it big, but it’s also feature-packed with water resistance, amazing cameras, awesome display and even tricks you’ll never use.
Specs:
- Display: 6.3″ 1440p Display
- Memory: 6GB RAM + 64GB internal storage with SD card support
- Camera: Dual 12MP + 12MP main, 8MP selfie
- Battery capacity: 3300mAh
- Current software: Android 9.0 Pie
- Year of release: September 2017
Currently retails at Kes.45,000
Huawei P20 Pro
If your memory serves you right, then you will remember that the Huawei P20 Pro was the phone that put Huawei on the map as a camera powerhouse.
Ever since the P20 Pro was announced, smartphone cameras have fought to dethrone Huawei, with only a few manufacturers being able to do so. The P20 Pro is a device we highly recommend for anyone looking to get into smartphone photography and 2019 devices are a bit too expensive.
Specs:
- Display: 6.1″ 1080p Display
- Memory: 6GB RAM + 128GB internal storage
- Camera: Triple 40MP + 8MP + 20MP main, 24MP selfie
- Battery capacity: 4000mAh
- Current software: Android 9.0 Pie
- Year of release: April 2018
Currently retails at Kes.58,000
iPhone 8
Yup. We have another iPhone on the list. The iPhone 8 may still have a home button but it’s a phone that most will respect, because, you know, it’s an iPhone.
While its hard to find anything interesting with the design of the phone, similar to the iPhone 7 above, the Apple logo on the back and the cameras on this device will put you well ahead of your peers and their peasant Androids.
Specs:
- Display: 4.7″ 750p Display
- Memory: 256GBGB internal storage
- Camera: 12MP main + 7MP selfie
- Current software: iOS 13.1.2
- Year of release: September 2017
Currently retails at Kes.60,000
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