by Ronald Njoroge
NAIROBI, Nov. 27 (Xinhua) -- Chinese phone maker OPPO plans to target Kenya's high-end consumer market by introducing cost-effective smartphones, the company said on Monday.
Andrew Peng, CEO of OPPO Kenya, told journalists in Nairobi the devices will retail for 150 to 500 U.S. dollars.
"We are targeting the premium market for smartphones that has been under-served by phone vendors," Peng said when OPPO started selling one of its latest smartphones, the OPPO F5, in the Kenyan market.
The device, which OPPS says can "capture the real you," is retailing across the country at a price of 320 dollars.
The OPPO F5' standout features include a six-inch full screen, facial recognition, a 20MP selfie camera and the artificial intelligence (AI) "beauty technology" that promises to bring selfies to life.
Peng said the OPPO F5 is part of the company's commitment to focusing on delivering mid- and high-range smartphones with the best possible camera technology with its F series of smartphones.
"The pioneer of the series, the OPPO F1, has been selling in the local market for two years now," he said.
Most of the phones in Kenya retail for less than 150 dollars.
The CEO noted that rising income levels has led to increased demand for higher quality smartphones.
"We have launched the OPPO F5, given that consumers are demanding a camera phone that overcomes challenges and clicks perfect selfies," he added.
OPPO has been in the Kenyan market since March 2015, when it debuted three smartphone models, the premium N3 and R5 and the entry-level Neo 3.
