UP Tech: Lenovo Vibes East Africa. Will East Africa get Enticed?

“We move into the market with the understanding that the consumer is spoilt for choice on their quest to acquire a smartphone. Our proposition to the consumer is the emphasis we have placed on style, productivity, privacy, power and entertainment in the manufacture of our devices,” says Danish Oyugi, the Kenya Country Manager, Lenovo Mobile Business Group.

Lenovo Brand Ambassador Eddah Thiongo at the launch of Lenovo Smartphones in Kenya.

Multinational technology firm Lenovo is banking on the rise of 4G technology and growing internet usage by the millennials, to drive its smartphone business in the East African region.

Danish Oyugi the Business Head- Lenovo East Africa and Shikha Monga the Regional Marketing Manager during the Lenovo Smartphones Launch in Kenya.

Known better for their business in personal computers, Lenovo is counting on the success of its smartphone business in both Europe and Asia to propel the East African operation. With this expansion, comes the introduction of the Vibe Series into the smartphone market.

Lenovo has introduced the lowest-priced 4G smartphone in market, the A2010.

From left_ Lenovo Brand Ambassador’s Violet Wambui Snyder Alusa Peter Irungu the Project Manager Lenovo and Edda Thiongo..

Head of Operations for Middle East and Africa for the Lenovo Business Mobile Group, Sharay Shams adds, “We have great optimism in the success of the mobile business in the East African region. Kenya is without a doubt the gateway into East Africa, and we are keen on building on our success in the PC business as we get more Lenovo smartphones into the market.”

Already the technology firm has a growing presence in Tanzania and Ethiopia, with plans ready to spread into the larger East and Central African region. The number one PC maker globally is currently among the top five smartphone vendors.

The Kenyan Market

Lenovo Brand Ambassador Cynthia Kahura and Peter Irungu the Project Manager Lenovo takes a selfie one of the Lenovo Smartphones.

The latest Communication Authority of Kenya fourth quarter sector report for the year 2014/15 states that there are an estimated 29.6 million internet users. Mobile data subscriptions contribute to 99% of the total subscriptions.

“Our selection of smartphone ranges from the entry-level smartphone targeting consumers transiting from feature phones to smartphones. The middle and high-range models have been expertly designed and manufactured to suit the various needs of our consumers,” Sharay Shams reckons.

Lenovo smartphone lovers in Kenya are in for a delight with Vibe series. Some of the models on the Vibe Series, which represents the high-range phones, include the Vibe X, Vibe S1, Vibe P1 and Vibe P1m. All the Vibe Series models are 4G-enabled.

Vibe S1 is a sleek, social smartphone primed for stylish selfies. The Vibe S1 is the world’s first dual front camera for selfies. The front facing cameras, 8-megapixel and 2-megapixel, both shoot in tandem with the 8MP camera being the main camera as the 2MP camera gives a sense of depth. On the back, the S1 has a 13-megapixel camera with dual LED-flash.

The Vibe P1 targets people on the go who need a phone that will last multiple days on a single charge, with solid all-round performance and enhanced security. It also features the Lenovo Rocket Charge that charges the device up to three times faster than standard charging. It comes with a 5.5-inch HD IPS display, 5000mAh battery, 2GB RAM and 16GB of internal storage.

The Vibe P1m targets the value-conscious consumer who needs a battery that lasts, a phone that can withstand rain and spills while still offering a full host of smartphone features to keep up with a busy life. It is a dual SIM with a 5-inch display 2GB of RAM and 16 GB of internal storage and a 13-megapixel camera with a dual-LED flash on the backside and a 5-megapixel camera on the front.

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