Microsoft targets middle class with Lumia dual SIM

Microsoft has announced the availability of the Lumia 540 Dual SIM in Kenya in the fight for the mid to low cost smartphone market.

Following the acquisition of Nokia by Microsoft last year, the company has been seeking to deepen its presence in the region currently controlled by Samsung and other brands.

“For Sh17,800 only, a smart choice for value-conscious smartphone buyers the dual SIM is a welcome addition to our affordable smartphone portfolio,” said Mariam Abdullahi, Microsoft Mobile Devices general manger.

The smart phone will be upgradeable to Windows 10 when the service becomes available later this year. It features a 5-inch High Definition display; 8-megapixel rear-facing camera with LED flash; and 5-megapixel front-facing camera that’s great for taking wide-angle selfies.

“From the 67 per cent of all phones sold in Kenya in 2014, an estimated 1.8m devices being smartphones, the growth of the Lumia portfolio presents a great opportunity for the discerning middle class Kenyan to own a smartphone that helps them increase their productivity in their personal and work life,” added.

VIDEO CALLS

Available in black, Lumia 540 Dual SIM comes with Skype and Microsoft office pre-loaded. Phone calls can instantly be upgraded into video calls with the touch of a button, using the pre-loaded Skype service and front-facing camera.

The launch comes even as a sturdy by Jumia Kenya released early this month states that in 2011, 7 per cent of phones sold were smartphones and the average lowest price was Sh15, 000. The trend has changed with 58 per cent smart phones sold annually, consumers can get very good quality phones at Sh10, 000.

This has pushed Microsoft and Samsung to begin focusing on the mid to low cost smart phone segment as they target revenue from it.