Why HMD Arc Is a Good Budget Phone Buy in Kenya
The HMD Arc offers the essentials you need in a smartphone today—good battery life, reliable performance, and a clean software experience—at a very affordable price in Kenya. If your priorities are everyday usability rather than cutting-edge specs, this could be one of the best value picks in the entry-level segment.
Specifications
| Feature | Detail |
|---|---|
| Display | 6.52-inch IPS LCD, ~HD+ (576 × 1280), 20:9 aspect ratio, ~460 nits peak brightness (Cellular Kenya) |
| Processor / Chipset | Unisoc SC9863A (28nm) octa-core (4×1.6 GHz + 4×1.2 GHz) (Mobile Hub) |
| RAM & Storage | 4 GB RAM, 64 GB internal storage; microSD expansion supported (Future Technologies) |
| Rear Camera | Single 13 MP wide sensor with LED flash (Mobile Hub) |
| Front Camera | 5 MP selfie camera (Mobile Hub) |
| Battery & Charging | 5,000 mAh battery, 10W wired charging (Mobile Hub) |
| Build & Durability | Side-mounted fingerprint sensor; 3.5mm headphone jack; IP54 dust & splash resistance; plastic body; Android 14 (Go edition) OS (Mobile Hub) |
Strengths
- Long battery life thanks to the 5,000 mAh battery. Great for heavy users or those who are often away from charging points. (Cellular Kenya)
- Clean, simple software: Android 14 Go edition runs lighter than standard Android, helping avoid lag on modest hardware. (Future Technologies)
- Solid build features for the price: IP54 rating for dust/splash resistance, side fingerprint scanner, headphone jack—all useful in everyday use. (Mobile Hub)
- Affordable price: this phone enters the Kenyan market at a price many can afford. (Avechi Kenya)
Weaknesses / Trade-Offs
- Low resolution display (HD+) means text and images won’t be as sharp as on FHD+ or higher displays. (Mobile Hub)
- 10W charging is slow, especially with a large battery. You’ll need patience when charging from low battery. (Mobile Hub)
- Limited RAM (4 GB) and modest processor architecture mean this phone is not made for heavy multitasking or high-end gaming. (Mobile Hub)
- No 5G support; it is limited to 4G LTE. This may matter in areas where 5G becomes more widespread. (Mobile Hub)
Price in Kenya & Where to Buy
| Retailer | Price (KES) | Notes / Variant |
|---|---|---|
| Avechi Kenya | ~ KSh 9,799 for 4GB + 64GB variant (Avechi Kenya) | |
| Phonetronics Kenya | ~ KSh 10,300 for same 4+64 variant (Phonetronics Kenya) | |
| Future Technologies | ~ KSh 10,200 discounted price, standard variant (Future Technologies) | |
| Cellular Kenya | ~ KSh 10,000 (Cellular Kenya) | |
| Phones & Electronics Africa | ~ KSh 11,000 (Phones and Electronics Africa) |
Purchase Links
- MobileHub Kenya – HMD Arc (Mobile Hub)
- Avechi Kenya – HMD Arc 4GB/64GB (Avechi Kenya)
- Phonetronics Kenya – HMD Arc (Phonetronics Kenya)
- Future Technologies – HMD Arc (Future Technologies)
- Phones & Electronics Africa – HMD Arc (Phones and Electronics Africa)
Final Thoughts
For anyone in Kenya who wants a reliable, simple smartphone that covers calls, social media, video streaming, and general day-to-day use without breaking the bank, the HMD Arc makes sense. Its large battery, clean software, and solid basic features offer good value. If you expect high performance, fast charging, sharp displays or premium camera systems, you might need to look a bit higher, but for its price this phone gives a lot of what many people need.
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