Obi smartphone has impressive features for a low-end device

Obi, the latest entrant in the smartphones turf is now available for sale in Kenya.

Obi’s target market is young, trendy youth. Its dual SIM phone offering targets the youngsters who often operate more than one line.

The 3G enabled handset runs on Android Kit Kat operating system and has an expandible memory of up to 32-gigabytes. The sleek looking Obi Hornbill is retailing at an average price of Sh18,299, a good price for an elegantly finished full glass top device with a 1280 by 720 pixels HD display.

The phone can carry a micro-sim and nano-sim whose slots, together with that of a 32GB memory card are located underneath a removable battery.

The phone operates on a 1.3GHz quad core processor and 1 GB RAM. Of the 8 GB memory available on the device, 5 GB of it is available for the user.

And knowing only too well that the target user group begins and ends its day with a social media update, the manufacturers have preinstalled Instagram, Flicker and other photo-centric apps. The 13 megapixel rear camera with a five megapixel front camera, perfect for selfie lovers should make the experience that much richer for users.

Moreover, the camera has a paranomic capture option as well as a video calling function using the front camera and an LED flash.

To add to the user experience, it has predefined gestures. For example, to wake the screen, the letter‘c’drawn on the screen bring up the call function and ‘e’ the browser app.

It also allows the user to scroll through the gallery without touching the screen, reminiscent of the Samsung Galaxy feature. Google apps that come with the device, these include hangouts, Gmail, Google settings and Google search. In addition, the caller identifying app Truecaller is preinstalled.

On the flip side, the device, being a relatively unknown brand in the market, and especially targeting the low- end smartphone user, getting accessories for the device may prove to be a daunting task. Even though some devices come with a flip cover, like its competitor Tecno, stand alone accessories may not be available any time soon.

Obi Mobiles is a venture by a Canadian investment and acquisition company called Inflexionpoint. The firm expressed optimism that Kenyan consumers would embrace the new smartphones and boost sales.

The company unveiled its smartphones in India and Middle East in April last year. Obi Mobiles investor John Sculley, former Apple CEO, has settled for a rapid market expansion as a strategy to seek global visibility and upset competition. In the last five years, the Kenyan market has seen an influx of low-end smartphones.

The entry of Tecno, Wiko and now Obi offers consumers alternatives to the big, often expensive brands. The shift has pushed giants like Samsung and Nokia (Microsoft) to offer products for the low-end consumer.

The phones are already available in local retail outlets and leading mobile outlets including online shops in Nairobi.