Best phones in Zimbabwe for under $500

Earlier today we released a list of the top 10 phones worldwide.

One argument raised was that the list did not reflect the needs and constraints of the Zimbabwean consumer. So we have decided to come up with a list of phones that best suit the Zimbabwean environment according to the following factors:

1. Network capabilities (4G LTE capable)
2. Dual-Sim (not a must but preferred)
3. Price (Up to $500 brand new in the local market)
4. Battery Life
5. Expandable Memory (sd-card slot)
6. Camera

So here is our list in no particular order:

 

Nokia Lumia 930

Network: GSM/HSPA/LTE | Weight: 167 g | Dimensions: 137 x 71 x 9.8 mm | OS: Windows 10 |Screen: 5.0 inches AMOLED | Resolution: 1080 x 1920 | CPU: Snapdragon 800 | RAM: 2GB |Storage: 32GB | Battery: 2420mAh | Rear camera: 20MP | Front camera: 1.2MP | SD-Card Slot: None

Pros: FullHD screen, 2,2 GHz quad-core processor, impressive battery, supreme build quality, durable

Cons: No sd-card slot, Windows App support low, updates come once in a while

Local Price: $300- $400.

 

Iphone 5S 64GB

Network: GSM / CDMA / HSPA / EVDO / LTE | Weight: 112g | Dimensions: 123.8 x 58.6 x 7.6 mm | OS: iOS 10 |Screen: 4.0 inches IPS LCD | Resolution: 640 x 1136 | CPU: Apple A7 | RAM: 1GB |Storage: 64GB | Battery: 1560mAh | Rear camera: 8MP | Front camera: 1.2MP | SD-Card Slot: None

Pros: Build Quality, Touch ID fingerprint reader, Siri virtual assistant, Great Camera, Wide variety of apps, still supported in updates

Cons: No sd-card slot, Small Screen

Local Price: $450-$500.

 

HTC M9

Network: GSM / CDMA / HSPA / EVDO / LTE | Weight: 157g | Dimensions: 144.6 x 69.7 x 9.6 mm | OS: Android Nougat |Screen: 5.0 inches Super LCD3 | Resolution: 1080 x 1920 | CPU: Snapdragon 810 | RAM: 3GB |Storage: 32GB | Battery: 2840mAh | Rear camera: 20MP | Front camera: 4MP | SD-Card Slot: Yes-Up to 256GB

Pros: Amazing camera with 4K recording, super-fast CPU, great audio quality, long lasting battery. sd-card slot

Cons: Small Screen, Non-Removable battery for an Android, non-water/dust proof

Local Price: $500.

 

Huawei P8

Network: GSM / HSPA / LTE | Weight: 144 g | Dimensions: 144.9 x 72.1 x 6.4 mm | OS: Android Marshmallow |Screen: 5.2 inches IPS-NEO LCD | Resolution: 1080 x 1920 | CPU: HiSilicon Kirin 930/935| RAM: 3GB |Storage: 64GB | Battery: 2680mAh | Rear camera: 13MP | Front camera: 8MP | SD-Card Slot: Yes-Up to 256GB

Pros: Good price, Amazing front facing camera, Dual-Sim Capable, 1080p video recording

Cons: non-removable battery, easily scratched, feels light in the hand and no build quality

Local Price: $350-$450

 

Sony Xperia Z5

Network: GSM / HSPA / LTE | Weight: 154 g | Dimensions: 146 x 72 x 7.3 mm | OS: Android Nougat |Screen: 5.2 inches IPS LCD | Resolution: 1080 x 1920 | CPU: Snapdragon 810| RAM: 3GB |Storage: 32GB | Battery: 2900mAh | Rear camera: 23MP | Front camera: 5.1MP | SD-Card Slot: Yes-Up to 256GB

Pros: Good price, Both Cameras are amazing, Water Proof,

Cons: non-removable battery, waterproofing makes it heat up

Local Price: $500

 

Sony Xperia Z3 Dual

 

Network: GSM / HSPA / LTE | Weight: 152 g | Dimensions: 146 x 72 x 7.3 mm | OS: Android Nougat |Screen: 5.2 inches IPS LCD | Resolution: 1080 x 1920 | CPU: Snapdragon 801| RAM: 3GB |Storage: 32GB | Battery: 3100mAh | Rear camera: 20.7MP | Front camera: 2.2MP | SD-Card Slot: Yes-Up to 256GB

Pros: Good price, Both Cameras are amazing, Long Lasting Battery, wide angle camera, dual sim

Cons: non-removable battery, waterproofing makes it heat up

Local Price: $450-$500

 

LG G4

Network: GSM / HSPA / LTE | Weight: 155 g | Dimensions: 148.9 x 76.1 x 6.3 – 9.8 mm | OS: Android Marshmallow |Screen: 5.5 inches IPS LCD | Resolution: 1440 x 2560 | CPU: Snapdragon 808| RAM: 3GB |Storage: 32GB | Battery: 3000mAh | Rear camera: 16MP | Front camera: 8MP | SD-Card Slot: Yes-Up to 256GB

Pros: Good performance, great screen, and amazing camera

Cons: non-removable battery, smaller chip compared to other flagships of its time

Local Price: $300-$400

 

Samsung Galaxy S6

Network: GSM / HSPA / LTE | Weight: 138 g | Dimensions: 143.4 x 70.5 x 6.8 mm | OS: Android Marshmallow |Screen: 5.1 inches Super AMOLED | Resolution: 1440 x 2560 | CPU: Exynos 7420 Octa| RAM: 3GB |Storage: 32GB | Battery: 2550mAh | Rear camera: 16MP | Front camera: 5MP | SD-Card Slot: None

Pros: Good performance, great screen,amazing camera, sleek design, fingerprint scanner, premium glass design.

Cons: non-removable battery, high depreciation value, no water or dust protection, no Sd-card slot

Local Price: $500

 

Samsung Galaxy Note 4

Network: GSM / HSPA / LTE | Weight: 176g | Dimensions: 153.5 x 78.6 x 8.5 mm | OS: Android Marshmallow |Screen: 5.7 inches Super AMOLED | Resolution: 1440 x 2560 | CPU: Exynos 5433/Snapdragon 805 | RAM: 3GB |Storage: 32GB | Battery: 3220mAh | Rear camera: 16MP | Front camera: 3.7MP | SD-Card Slot: Yes

Pros: Large display, stylus pen, great screen,amazing camera, fingerprint scanner, premium glass design. big battery

Cons: Not the best-looking phone

Local Price: $500

There are still quite a few high-end/flagship devices one can pick up on the local market. These phones are more than capable to run most processes you could throw at them with ease.

Most of the devices had industry leading specs or components at their time of release so one can expect a good user experience, they also support all the latest applications and updates with ease.

Next we will be looking at the smartphones you can get under $300 in the local market brand new.