As expected, OPPO has started selling its budget photography-focused smartphone, the OPPO A57, in Kenya.
The device is available on sale in various outlets across the country starting today.
The 5.2-inch device’s standout feature is the 16-megapixel camera sensor on its front that is meant to bring high-quality selfies to the budget smartphone segment, following in the footsteps of last year’s F1s, a mid-range device that had a similar focus.
Don’t be shaken when you mistake it for an iPhone. Like the F1s from last year, the A57’s design is heavily inspired by Apple’s iPhone (see below image).
“The A57 brings consumers premium photography and advanced features, like the industry-leading fingerprint reader, that go well beyond the conventional boundaries for this price segment,” reads a statement from the company attributed to its marketing director in charge of its global mobile business, Sky Li.
See the rest of the OPPO A57’s specifications here.
The A57 arrives in the Kenyan market at a time when buyers are spoilt for choice when it comes to camera-centred budget smartphones. Infinix’s latest budget smartphone in the Kenyan market, the S2 Pro (read my early thoughts on it here), promises to offer more sharp and crisp selfies with its dual selfie-camera setup for much less (Kshs 16,000 or below) and Tecno’s camera-centric budget smartphone Camon lineup currently boasts of two equally capable devices, the Camon CX and the Camon CX Air.
Hoping to replicate its global success (it is ranked 4th after Samsung, Apple and compatriot Huawei) in the Kenyan market that is currently dominated by Hong Kong-based Transsion Holdings’ Tecno and Infinix brands and perennial rivals Samsung by capturing more market share, OPPO is set to unveil several other devices in the Kenyan market in coming months (details coming soon).
I do not have pricing information for the device, yet. This article will be updated with the information when it becomes available.
UPDATE: April 21st, 2017
The OPPO A57 costs Kshs 24,000.
