Obi Mobiles enters Kenya, launches new eight devices

Obi Managing Director Amit Rupchandani (left) and the company's head of marketing and communication Yusuf Khan during a media briefing announcing their entry into the Kenyan market at the Norfolk Hotel on January 21, 2014. Obi Mobiles has ventured into the Kenyan smartphone market, unveiling eight new devices in Nairobi. PHOTO | DIANA NGILA

What you need to know:

  • Obi Mobiles Managing Director Amit Rupchandani, said the entry into the Kenyan market is attracted by the current high transition from the feature-based phones to smartphones.
  • The smartphones go for between Sh6,000 and Sh26,000. Obi mobiles also introduced one feature phone that doubles as a power bank, thanks to its high capacity 3000mAH battery.

Obi Mobiles has ventured into the Kenyan smartphone market, making its debut in East Africa. The firm is owned by former Apple CEO John Sculley.

The company that recently signed DESPEC as an exclusive channel partner in the distribution of its brand in the region unveiled eight new devices in Nairobi. Obi had earlier revealed its intention to capture five per cent market share in the region by the end of 2015.

Obi Mobiles Managing Director Amit Rupchandani, said the entry into the Kenyan market was prompted attracted by the current high transition from the feature-based phones to smartphones.

NEW VENTURE

“Consumers are increasingly looking to upgrade from feature-rich phones to smartphones. However, the high cost of investment on new-age devices is a huge deterrent for a large number of aspirational buyers,” said Mr Rupchandani.

“We hope that our high quality, desirable price points, and the support of strong channels that reach every segment of the market will help us succeed across Africa.”

The eight new devices launched include the flagship Octopus S520 that runs on Android Kit Kat 4.4, a 1.7 GHz Octa Core processor and dual SIM capability, among other futures.

The smartphones go for between Sh6,000 and Sh26,000. Obi Mobiles also introduced one feature phone that doubles as a power bank, thanks to its high-capacity 3000mAH battery.

Microsoft recently estimated that Kenyan smartphone purchases currently stands at above half of the total phone purchases per year.

Obi Mobiles is a new venture launched by Sculley’s Toronto-based Investment and Acquisition Company, Inflexionpoint.

The brand marked its global launch in India and the Middle East in 2014.