Android smartphone enters Kenyan market

By Patrick Githinji

While retail shelves for high-end 3G (third-generation) phones have been getting crowded lately, prices have generally remained high.

But the launch on Tuesday of an Android powered smart phone (phones that are virtually mini-computers) by Huawei and Safaricom may just change the dynamics of the market.

Priced at around Sh30,000, the phone is a powerful and serious competitor to Apple’s iPhone 3G and Research in Motion’s BlackBerry, which have ruled the roost for the last two years.

Prices for top-end BlackBerry and iPhone models have kept them out of reach for most of the middle class, but Huawei’s Android is within their grasp

Android is an operating system for mobile devices such as cellular phones, tablet computers and netbooks integrated with Google services. Speaking at the event the Huawei Chief Operating Officer Radoslaw Kedzia said the phone would be on sale at Safaricom shops across the country.

Another plus for the phone is that unlike BlackBerry, which attracts a monthly fee of Sh2000, the Android will have no monthly premium fees, said Kedzia.

It has a bigger screen than the iPhone and is much faster with a more powerful camera.

Key firsts

In terms of picture quality, only the iPhone 4G, which is yet to be launched locally, beats it.

The launch of the Huawei-built Android phone came barely two months after LG and Samsung announced they would be launching Android-powered handsets this year.

The phone has been custom-designed and built buy Huawei for Safaricom, but the Chinese firm said it was ready to do the same for other mobile phone service providers

Kedzia said Huawei would be signing several deals with interested firms. "We are not closing door to one retailer, we are open to any other retailer who is interested," said Kedzia.

Technology analysts say Android-powered phones globally are making a serious run at Apple’s hugely popular iPhone.

"It is interesting to note that Motorola’s mobile division is resurgent following their decision to adopt the Android (operating system) for their new smart phones including the runaway success known as ‘Droid’," said Moses Kemibaro, the founder of technology firm Dotsavvy Ltd, writing on his blog.

Kemibaro said Android is being snapped up by most mobile device manufacturers, and is fast becoming the de facto mobile operating system for smart phones.