This archive report was first published on 29 June 2020.
On June 27, 2020, I posed a question to my Facebook friends: what factors inform their decision when buying a mobile phone?
While cost was not a primary concern, most respondents sought the best smartphone at the lowest price. They universally desired a device with a large storage capacity, fast processor, day-long battery life, and large screen.
One respondent, Bornventure Bucci Gamba, specified a battery runtime of at least 4000 mAh, 64GB ROM that is expandable, and a minimum of 4GB RAM. The Huawei Y6p, which has just hit retail shelves in Kenya, seems tailored to Gamba's specs, with a 5000 mAh non-removable battery, 13MP triple camera, 64GB storage, and 6.3” screen.
For others, screen size was a key factor. Owuoche Adhiambo, for instance, prioritized a large screen due to her age, while Geoffrey Akungu sought a 4G smartphone with a 5000 mAh battery, screen size of at least 6.2”, and storage of 32GB. The Y6p meets these requirements and offers double the storage capacity.
Camera and battery life were common concerns among respondents. Michelle Anakeya emphasized the need for a great camera, while Michael Mugendi and Nicholas Kagali prioritized battery longevity. This underscores the increasing demand for smartphones that can withstand moderate to heavy usage without running out of battery.
According to Brenda Khaimia, Communications and Marketing Manager, Huawei Mobile Kenya, the Y6p has a unique feature: it can function as a power bank to charge other devices and even act as backup storage for other devices.
Respondents also highlighted the importance of their mobile phones as a bank for mobile money and internet banking, a camera, and a store for memorable moments. Mary Kangai, for instance, uses her mobile phone for 90% of her work-related tasks and over 95% of all her transactions.
Christine Wanja, an online journalist, uses her mobile phone to edit short clips for posting on her company's social media platforms and performs many work tasks as long as she has mobile data.
