This results from a restructuring inside BBK Electronics as competition increases and growth slows across the global smartphone market.

Under the new structure, OPPO will operate as the lead brand, while Realme and OnePlus function as its official sub-brands. OPPO will be in charge of product direction and shared operations, while allowing Realme to continue targeting price-sensitive buyers and OnePlus to focus on premium smartphones.

The decision follows an internal reshuffle announced by OPPO in January 2026, aimed at cutting overlapping costs across engineering, marketing and customer support. Rather than running multiple teams in parallel, BBK is now concentrating its resources under fewer command lines as smartphone demand softens worldwide.

BBK Electronics already holds a solid position, particularly in India. Its combined brands, OPPO, Vivo, Realme, OnePlus and iQOO, controlled close to 48% of the Indian smartphone market by the second quarter of 2025, up from 46.5% in 2022. 

Globally, BBK’s portfolio ranks among the top five vendors, placing it in direct competition with Samsung and Apple.

Realme’s inclusion under OPPO is as much about margin pressure as scale. The brand has built a strong following in India and Southeast Asia and has always ranked among the top five by shipments.

In Europe, however, its low-price strategy brought volume but struggled to produce sustainable profits. Folding into OPPO allows Realme to lean on a larger supply chain and a shared research base.

Development expenses are increasing, consumers are holding on to phones longer, and manufacturers are betting heavily on foldable designs and software-led features to stand out.

The structure also reveals a playbook used before in China’s smartphone industry, where multiple brands target different income groups while sharing back-end systems. The difference now is the level of central management.

OPPO’s restructuring is a move from expansion to efficiency and this could enhance competition, further crowding out smaller operators.

Retailers and manufacturers also understood these dynamics and positioned October as a prelude to the holiday shopping season.

Across the tech market in Nigeria, consumers are now having varieties of tastes and high expectations. This evolution has made both local and international retailers offer valuable incentives during this period.

This article helps to navigate the overwhelming variety of options and identify genuine value deals this month.

Rather than simply cataloguing every available deal, we have focused on products that give meaningful improvements to daily life, whether through improving productivity, entertainment, or connectivity.

Major Tech Trends and Launches This Month

October 2025 proved to be remarkable because of the volume of product releases and upgrades to existing technologies.

The smartphone sector, in particular, saw very aggressive competition, with manufacturers leveraging artificial intelligence to boost the quality of their products.

These AI features have moved beyond an ordinary status and now provide reasonable benefits in photography, battery management, and personalised user experiences.

In this month, several brands released new models of both flagship and mid range smartphones, with major players including OnePlus, Oppo, Xiaomi, Samsung, Tecno, Realme, and Motorola launching devices that are powered by more efficient processors like the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 and MediaTek Dimensity 9500.

The month’s releases have been characterised by newer innovations, particularly in battery technology and camera setups.

The Xiaomi 17 series arrived with commendable specifications, including a 2.9-inch LTPO AMOLED display on its back panel for widget control and gaming, and a primary 6.9 inch display that reaches a peak brightness of 3,500 nits.

The OnePlus 15, which also launched in China on October 27, features the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 chipset and promises a higher battery performance with its 7,300mAh capacity.

Camera technology reached new heights this month as well. The Vivo X300 series showcased advanced imaging power with a 200MP main sensor on the Pro model, supported by Zeiss optics and powered by the MediaTek Dimensity 9500 chipset.

Oppo’s Find X9 lineup features a 200MP Samsung HP5 periscope sensor with improved Hasselblad tuning, alongside large batteries potentially reaching 7,000mAh capacity.

Artificial intelligence has also transitioned from an experimental phase to an essential utility phase. Modern devices now use AI-powered photography enhancements, battery management systems, and personalised user experiences that deliver useful benefits rather than ordinary marketing promises.

This change resonates especially in markets where improvements in device efficiency are important to daily usability.

Furthermore, display technology has also progressed significantly, with manufacturers adopting BOE’s Q10+ LTPO OLED panels offering adaptive refresh rates from 1Hz to as high as 120Hz.

Higher brightness levels now commonly reach 3,500 nits, ensuring visibility even under the harsh Nigerian sunlight, while IP68 water resistance and Dragon Crystal Glass provide additional protection against environmental hazards.

The mid-range budget market was not neglected. Trusted manufacturers like Samsung with the Galaxy M17 and Vivo with the Y500 brought affordable options to the smartphone market in October, ensuring that the latest technology remains accessible across all budget ranges.

Although there was no single major tech event dominating October’s calendar like Apple’s traditional September launches, several manufacturers held virtual showcases that attracted significant attention.

Samsung expanded its foldable phone lineup, Google introduced improvements to its Pixel series, and Chinese manufacturers continued their aggressive push into the premium tech market with feature-rich devices at competitive pricing.

Best Tech Deals of October 2025

Smartphone manufacturers presented some particularly attractive models this month. Mid-range devices from manufacturers like Infinix and Tecno, brands with strong footholds in the Nigerian market, have seen price reductions of fifteen to twenty percent on selected models.

These are not outdated models, but rather, they are current devices that deliver very impressive specifications at an affordable price.

Similarly for laptops, manufacturers have catered to the diverse needs of users this October. Entry level devices targeting students and casual users have maintained their affordability while integrating higher improvements in build quality and performance.

Meanwhile, mid range productivity laptops have also seen notable discounts, making them affordable to professionals and people who own small businesses.

Mostly expensive gaming laptops also participated in October’s promotional activities. Models from established manufacturers now offer attractive combinations of graphics and processing power at prices that previously secured only lower specifications.

Major online retailers including Jumia, Konga, and Slot have featured these deals in October, while physical stores in major commercial centers across Nigerian cities have matched or improved on online pricing to retain physical traffic.

Comparison shopping has never been as rewarding, with price variations of ten to fifteen percent common across different platforms even for identical products.

Smartphones:

Xiaomi 17 Series:

The standard Xiaomi 17 comes with a 6.3 inch LTPO OLED screen with up to 120Hz adaptive refresh rate and peak brightness of 3,500 nits, IP68 water resistance, and three 50MP cameras including a main lens with OIS, telephoto with 2.6x optical zoom, and ultrawide. The device includes a massive 7,000mAh battery with 100W wired, 50W wireless, and 22.5W reverse wireless charging.

For Nigerian users managing multiple communication apps and productivity tools at the same time, this battery capacity can give exceptional value, and reduce the need for constant charging. The Xiaomi 17 series starts from N990,000.

OnePlus 15:

This model from OnePlus launched in China on October 27 with the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 chipset. The OnePlus 15 promises a very powerful performance and display quality. It features a 6.78 inch LTPO OLED display with 1.5K resolution and 165Hz refresh rate, three 50MP camera sensors, and a substantial 7,300mAh battery pack.

Going for N880,000, this device is a significant leap for users who previously struggled with poor battery life, offering nearly two full days of intensive use.

Vivo X300 Series:

Launched on October 13, the Vivo X300 and X300 Pro come with advanced cameras, including a 200MP main sensor on the Pro model supported by Zeiss optics, powered by MediaTek Dimensity 9500 chipset, with batteries ranging from 6,000 to 7,000mAh.

This device is very suitable for photography enthusiasts and content creators across Nigeria’s vibrant social media platforms; this camera setup delivers professional grade quality without requiring external equipment. The price for this device starts from N700,000.

Motorola Edge 60 Neo 5G:

Motorola launched the Motorola Edge 60 Neo on October 17, and it features a premium vegan leather design, massive 6.88″ HD+ display, 50MP quad pixel camera, and a 7000mAh battery lasting up to 3 days.

This device targets users who prioritise battery longevity over premium specifications. It is perfect for regions with unreliable power supply. Price starts from N460,000.

Laptops:

Acer Aspire Go 15

The Aspire Go 15 delivers very impressive value with its sharp 1080p screen, solid performance for everyday tasks, and powerful battery life that can last for almost 12 hours. Powered by Intel Core i3-N305, it includes USB-C with power and video out, two USB-A ports, HDMI, a headphone jack, and a Kensington lock.

Going for approximately N250,000, this laptop serves students and remote workers, handling document creation, web browsing, and multimedia consumption without lagging.

Lenovo IdeaPad Flex 5 14 (Intel):

The IdeaPad Flex 5 14 features strong performance, over 14 hours of battery life on a single charge, and a comfortable keyboard, with the IdeaPad Flex 5 averaging 3,841 on Geekbench 5’s multicore benchmark.

The convertible design appeals to professionals who like flexibility, functioning effectively as both a laptop and a tablet for presentations or note-taking. The price for this convertible laptop starts from N504,000.

HP Pavilion 15:

The HP Pavilion 15 offers ample storage, screen clarity, and reliable performance at approximately N257,000, with an AMD Ryzen 5 chip providing speed while helping the laptop stay cool during very stressful tasks.

For Nigerian users who frequently work in warm environments, the thermal management of this laptop makes it valuable for sustained productivity.

Dell Inspiron 15 3000 Series:

This series provides balanced specifications that are suitable for productivity work, featuring adequate processing power for office applications, sufficient RAM for multitasking, and storage capacity that meets everyday needs.

You can get this device from major retailers including Slot, Jumia, and Konga, pricing from N280,000 to N320,000 depending on the specific configuration.

Best Flagship Smartphone of the Month: Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra

The Galaxy S25 Ultra features a massive 6.9-inch QHD+ Dynamic AMOLED display (3120×1440, 120Hz), Snapdragon 8 Elite chipset, 12GB RAM, 256GB base storage, 5,000mAh battery with 45W wired charging and Qi2 compatibility, quad rear camera system, WiFi 7, 5G UWB, IP68 rating, ultrasonic fingerprint reader, and facial recognition.

The display delivers a very exceptional quality, covering 128.1% of the sRGB colour gamut and 90.8% of the DCI-P3 colour space, with a Delta-E score of 0.24 approaching perfect colour accuracy.

The device features an improved vapour chamber enlarged by 40% giving the device more thermal efficiency improvements, with performance that feels almost instant with animations and transitions throughout apps.

The S25 Ultra’s signature feature remains the S Pen, an indispensable stylus for handwriting, drawing, pinpoint accurate photo editing and gaming, with a titanium frame and Gorilla Glass Armor 2 including a very effective anti glare coating that makes a big difference in direct sunlight.

The camera setup is another excellent part of this device; it comes with four cameras on the back where every single sensor including ultrawide and two separate telephoto lenses has bigger and better specifications than other competitors in the market.

For Nigerian professionals, content creators, and power users, the S25 Ultra justifies its premium price through valuable productivity improvements. The S Pen helps in document signing, photo editing, and note taking with an accuracy that cannot be made through just touch alone.

Best Budget Laptop for the Month: Acer Aspire Go 15

Priced at just $299 (approximately ₦250,000), the Aspire Go 15 offers a very sharp 1080p screen display, good performance for everyday tasks, and battery life that can last for almost 12 hours, providing full workday coverage.

The model has an Intel Core i3-N305 processor that handles streaming, web browsing, and basic work or school use, while the keyboard enables typing speeds exceeding 110 words per minute and the trackpad gives smooth, responsive control.

Port selection includes USB-C with power and video output, two USB-A connections, HDMI, a headphone jack, a Kensington lock, and a barrel charger.

The Aspire Go 15 is a model that represents device intelligence. While it will not handle complex video editing or gaming tasks, it excels at its intended purpose: reliable computing for students, freelancers, and professionals whose work is based on document creation, web-based applications, and communication tools.

The keyboard quality stands out too, improving comfortable and extensive typing sessions.

Conclusion

October 2025 delivered products that combine innovation at the best pricing. The month’s offerings ranged from budget friendly options that come with important functionality to premium devices that justify their price through valuable benefits.

For Nigerian consumers, these developments are very significant. Devices that have good battery life, withstand environmental challenges, and provide reliable connectivity align with local needs and infrastructure.

November is here, and expectations build for the holiday shopping period.

The N200,000 to N250,000 band has become attractive for buyers seeking strong midrange devices that ensures a balance of premium design touches, dependable performance, and reasonable longevity without breaking the bank.

The process of looking for a solid smartphone at an affordable price in Nigeria can be both exciting and tricky. It’s exciting because the market is full of choices, from itel to Realme to Infinix, but tricky when you try to pick the best device without overspending.

With foreign exchange variance, import duties, and supply chain shifts and specs, prices change too often.

Below is a checklist of what’s essential in this context, followed by four smartphone picks whose specs and local pricing align well with the market today.

Always confirm the specific variant’s features (network bands, memory, update policy) before you buy.

What to Look for

When recommending a phone in Nigeria, these criteria are highly important:

1. Battery & Efficiency (not just capacity)

While 5,000 mAh is the benchmark for many midrange devices, the more important factor is how efficiently the chipset, display, and software manage power.

A 5,000 mAh battery with a power-hungry screen or unoptimised software can underperform. Also consider how the battery ages; heat, charge cycles, and charging style (fast charging, bypass charging) can degrade health.

2. Connectivity & Network Support

Given Nigeria’s patchy coverage, the more LTE/5G bands a phone supports, the better your experience in fringe or rural areas. Also, look for features like WiFi 6, dual-SIM with good switching behavior, and solid antenna design.

3. Software Support & Updates

In this price band, many brands provide only modest OS support (1–2 major updates). Where a manufacturer promises 3+ years (security patches) or 2 major Android version upgrades, highlight that. But always double-check their official roadmap campaign; don’t rely solely on marketing assertions.

4. Storage & RAM (with realistic “usable” expectations)

128 GB storage is a good baseline; 256 GB is preferred if your usage is heavy (videos, games). Be cautious with “extended RAM” or “virtual RAM” claims, those are software tricks, not physical memory, and serve only limited purposes.

5. Display & Build Quality (trade-off lens)

Look for at least 90 Hz refresh rate (120 Hz when possible), good brightness for outdoor use, and durable materials (e.g. Gorilla Glass or reinforced alternatives).

Water/dust resistance is a strong plus, even basic IP54 or IP53 ratings help with daily life in dusty, humid conditions. Also, thermal design matters (how well a phone dissipates heat during gaming or charging).

6. Real-world Use, After Sales & Local Parts

Even the best specs are moot if replacement parts (screens, batteries) are unavailable locally, or service support is weak. Brand reputation and existing presence in Nigeria influence longevity.

Top Smartphones Under N250,000

Below are four phones that are currently (or recently) available in Nigeria in this price band, with verified specs and realistic expectations.

Some may slightly exceed N250k depending on variant, but are included because they give great value and sometimes dip below the upper bound on sale.

Note: Always check the Nigerian variant (network bands, memory, update commitment) before purchase.

1. itel S25 Ultra

Itel’s S25 Ultra is one of the more polished entries in this bracket, with a curved AMOLED display and competitive specs for its class. In local listings, it’s often priced around N210,000–N215,000.

Verified Specs & Notes

• Display: ~6.78-inch AMOLED, curved, 1080×2436.
• Chipset: Unisoc T620 (12 nm) octa-core.
• Memory/Storage: 8 GB RAM, options of 128/256/512 GB storage.
• Camera: 50 MP rear + 32 MP front.
• Battery: 5,000 mAh, 18 W wired charging.
• Software: Ships with Android 14 (itel OS 14.5), and itel promises up to 2 major Android updates.
• Ensure the model supports the LTE/5G bands your area needs.

2. Infinix Hot 50 Pro Plus

Infinix frequently offers aggressive specs-to-price ratios. The Hot 50 Pro+ is often marketed with premium touches (curved AMOLED, AI cameras, etc.). It features in local smartphone comparison articles as a standout option.

Verified Specs & Notes

• Display: ~6.78-inch AMOLED (curved) with premium design elements.
• Memory/Storage: 8 GB RAM, with 128/256 GB storage.
• Camera: 50MP main, 2MP secondary sensor, 80MP selfie camera.
• Battery: 5,000 mAh with 33W fast charging.
• Software (OS): Ships with Android 14 / XOS 14.5.
• Durability: IP54 dust/splash resistance, dual speakers and Dynamic Bar UI overlay.
• Pricing: Nigerian listings show N189,500 for 128GB/8GB and N210,000 for 256GB/8GB.

3. Realme C75

Realme has built the C75 as a rugged/durable option with competitive specs. It often appears in Nigerian tech reviews under N250k and is praised for its features for the price.

Verified Specs & Notes

• Display: 6.72-inch IPS LCD, 90 Hz refresh.
• Chipset: MediaTek Helio G92 Max.
• Memory/Storage: Up to 8 GB + dynamic (virtual) RAM, 128/256 GB storage.
• Camera: 50 MP main + 8 MP front.
• Battery: 6,000 mAh, 45 W fast charging.
• Software: Runs Android 14 / Realme UI 5.0.
• Pricing: N210,000 to N289,000

4. Samsung Galaxy A07

This model is one of Samsung’s latest A-series releases in 2025. It was officially announced on September 1, 2025.

Samsung’s brand reputation, combined with a solid mid-range specification set, makes the Galaxy A07 a practical choice for buyers seeking durability and value within the ~₦250,000 price band.

Features

• Display: 6.7″ PLS/IPS LCD, 720×1600 resolution (20:9 ratio), 90 Hz refresh rate.
• Processor & RAM: MediaTek Helio G99 (6 nm), octa-core (2×2.2 GHz Cortex-A76 + 6×2.0 GHz Cortex-A55); RAM variants from 4 GB to 8 GB.
• Storage: 64 GB / 128 GB / 256 GB variants; expandable via dedicated microSD slot.
• Rear Camera: 50 MP main (f/1.8) + 2 MP depth sensor.
• Front Camera: 8 MP.
• Battery & Charging: 5,000 mAh battery; 15 W wired charging support.
• Durability/Extras: IP54 dust & splash resistance; up to 6 major Android updates + 6 years of security updates.
• Approximate Price (Nigeria): N134,800 – ~N146,500 (depending on variant & retailer) – many listings show base variants around N134,800.

Choosing the best smartphones under N250,000 is not just about comparing prices. It majorly involves identifying the devices that best align with your usage behaviour and expectations.

Each of the models listed in this simple guide comes with unique advantages, from battery size to performance and affordability.

When making your final decision, it’s important to balance features with reliability. A smartphone with good hardware but poor software may not age well, therefore, consider your most frequent activities which may include streaming, photography, gaming or surfing the internet.

Afterwards, choose a smartphone that fits those needs comfortably.

With great features and a sleek design, the Realme GT7 Pro is set to launch internationally by the end of November, first appearing in India on November 26. Although it hasn’t reached Nigeria yet, industry watchers anticipate a rollout soon after its global release.

The realme GT7 Pro is built with a Snapdragon 8 Elite processor, making it a high-powered device designed for performance enthusiasts. It features a large 6.78-inch Eco2 OLED Plus display, developed by Samsung, which supports a peak brightness of 6,000 nits—ideal for outdoor visibility. 

The screen also offers HDR10+ and Dolby Vision, bringing awesome visuals across all types of content. For durability, Corning Gorilla Glass Victus 2 protects the screen, adding a layer of resilience against scratches.

realme has set a new benchmark with the GT7 Pro’s battery, which holds a 6,500mAh capacity—the largest ever in a Realme device. 

Paired with 120W SuperVOOC fast charging, users can expect rapid power-ups. The phone is rated IP68/69 for water and dust resistance, and realme has integrated an innovative underwater photography mode, making the GT7 Pro a versatile tool for adventure enthusiasts.

The photography capabilities of the GT7 Pro are outstanding. The rear camera setup includes a 50MP main camera featuring Sony’s IMX906 sensor, with an f/1.8 aperture and Optical Image Stabilisation (OIS) for crisp, stable shots. 

The 50MP telephoto lens offers 3x optical zoom with a Sony IMX882 sensor, while the 8MP ultra-wide camera completes the trio. A 16MP front-facing camera sits within the display’s punch-hole, providing clear selfies.

Again, the GT7 Pro operates on realme UI 6.0, based on Android 15. It incorporates several photography enhancements like Motion Deblur and AI Snap Mode, aimed at refining image quality. Gamers will also benefit from Game Super Resolution and Gaming Super Frame, optimising the phone’s performance during gameplay.

The realme GT7 Pro is available in Mars Orange, Galaxy Grey, and an exclusive White version for the Chinese market. 

Pricing starts at CNY3,599 (approximately $505/€465) for the 12GB RAM and 256GB storage variant, with configurations going up to 1TB storage. Further details on international pricing will be revealed with its global launch later this month.

With its advanced specifications, durable design, and unique features, the realme GT7 Pro is here to compete in the high-end smartphone market worldwide.

According to Canalys’ latest research, the African smartphone market surged modestly in Q2 2024, by 6% year-on-year to reach 17.8 million units.

The robust double-digit recovery seen over the previous three consecutive quarters has been slowed down by macroeconomic volatility, including heightened inflation risks, renewed currency pressures, due to lingering geopolitical tensions and political stability concerns related to elections.

North Africa outshines sub-Saharan Africa in the smartphone market

The North African markets led the continent in double-digit growth, with Algeria surging by 52%, despite import challenges.

Egypt also saw a notable 27% rise in shipments, driven by local currency stability and the government’s push for local manufacturing, attracting giants like Xiaomi, vivo, Samsung, and recently HMD in talks, with all eyes now on Apple.

In contrast, Morocco faced a steep 24% decline as vendors struggled with import issues following increased customs duties earlier this year.

Sub-Saharan Africa faced its own challenges, with only South Africa achieving a 13% growth rate, influenced by the post-election environment that has reshaped its political landscape, offering both uncertainty and potential for reform.

Meanwhile, Nigeria, which remains the leader in shipment volumes, recorded a modest 5% increase, hindered by persistent inflationary pressures, currency risks, sluggish GDP growth and shrinking disposable income.

Kenya, East Africa’s trade hub, witnessed a 22% decline, driven by ongoing political tensions within the country.

Competition heats up for Africa’s budget smartphone market 

“Vendors leveraged the cost advantages carried over into the first half of the year to drive volume, resulting in an impressive 42% growth for sub-US$100 and 33% of the shipment was attributed to the price band,” said Canalys Senior Analyst Manish Pravinkumar. “With the rising cost of living, consumers are gravitating toward budget-friendly options. Q2 2024 saw one of the lowest ASPs in the last eleven quarters. TRANSSION continued its dominance with a 51% market share but even the leading vendor felt the pressure of a slowing market, with growth dipping to just 1%. Samsung, despite holding a 19% market share, saw shipments plummet by 25% as its focus on its entry-level models waned. Xiaomi bucked the trend with a 45% surge, reaching its record-high 12% regional market share in Q2.

“The Chinese tech giant’s focus on Nigeria and Egypt, coupled with aggressive sales tactics and on-the-ground investments, paid off.

“Meanwhile, realme, though a smaller player with a 5% market share, exploded onto the scene with a staggering 137% growth. OPPO’s resurgence with a 39% growth was equally impressive, driven by a stronger performance in North Africa. The company is committed to long-term investment and development in the region. The expansion of its product range with the Reno series and dedication to innovation are clearly resonating with consumers.”

Device financing: the missing link to breaking through smartphone adoption 

“Despite the rapid growth of the smartphone market in Africa, feature phones still hold a substantial 52% share and there are still many opportunities for expansion for smartphones,” stated Pravinkumar. “In sub-Saharan Africa, device financing is emerging as a critical driver, making smartphones more accessible to the average consumer. In the near term, scaling innovative financing models like Kenya’s M-Kopa with support from smartphone vendors like HMD, telecom operators and governments will be crucial to accelerating this transition. Over the long term, local manufacturing will be key to reducing costs. While countries like Egypt are taking the lead, other regions are expected to follow suit. Addressing broader challenges such as consumers’ willingness to pay, digital literacy, high taxation on devices and currency fluctuations will be essential for unlocking the full potential of smartphone adoption across Africa.”

Despite macroeconomic challenges, import restrictions, and volatile currencies in key markets, latest Canalys analysis shows the region experienced an impressive 12% year-on-year growth in shipments, totaling 17.9 million units. 

TRANSSION maintained its leading position in the Africa’s smartphone market, and achieved 9% annual growth, securing a dominant 48% market share.

The company is strategically expanding its footprint, especially in emerging markets, focusing on price bands below US$100.

Samsung, hit by a 13% decline due to challenges in its mid-to-high-end devices, retained second position with 26% market share.

Xiaomi and OPPO’s successful resurgence with impressive annual growth rates of 100% and 259%, respectively were fueled by significant investments, especially in the Egyptian market, which contributed to positive Q3 results.

realme’s iconic Number series helped garner an impressive 11% growth. At its core is the C series which is hailed as the brand’s ‘Hero range’ for its focus on innovative high-spec, low-cost pricing.

“The African market demonstrates strong resilience in demand and supply amid macroeconomic challenges,” said Canalys Senior Consultant, Manish Pravinkumar. “Despite rapid currency devaluation, South Africa’s smartphone market exhibited a remarkable growth of 20%. This surge was fueled by the demand for entry-level devices, particularly catering to the extensive pre-paid segment. Additionally, mid-tier devices experienced heightened demand, the prevalence of load-shedding contributed to this trend, as people increasingly prioritize smartphones with quality screens and robust battery life to keep them entertained during power outages. Nigeria’s smartphone market expanded substantially, with TRANSSION playing a pivotal role by offering entry-level devices and Xiaomi successfully positioning itself as an aspirational brand for many consumers, gaining popularity with products such as the Redmi series A2, Note 12 4G, 12, and 12C. A strategy also successful for Xiaomi in North African countries such as Egypt and Morocco. Egypt experienced double-digit 19% growth in smartphone shipments, signaling vendors have successfully addressed the challenges posed by strict import restrictions in the previous year.”

“Vendors’ local teams are leveraging the strengths of their brand assets and global product portfolios to augment market positions in Africa,” Pravinkumar continues. “TRANSSION, through initiatives such as the Takenow device financing schemes for TECNO and collaborations with Easybuy, has not only boosted sales but also advocated for an increase in Average Selling Price (ASP). HONOR and Xiaomi are making significant impacts by introducing diverse products at accessible price points. This strategic move aims to expedite the transition from basic feature phones to smartphones, injecting excitement into markets. Meanwhile Samsung maintained it’s A-series to drive volume. And, confronted with the challenge of consumers preferring mid-range devices from Xiaomi, OPPO, and realme, Samsung proactively promoted foldable devices to secure a prominent position in the premium segment. Huawei has been collaborating with local software suppliers in South Africa, continually enhancing the usability of HMS and tackling the lack of GMS.”

“While witnessing significant growth in the third quarter of 2023, Canalys foresees limited expansion in the region, expecting single-digit growth in 2024,” highlighted Pravinkumar.

“Channel partners and vendors are grappling with challenges such as currency devaluation, increased import taxes, and government initiatives promoting local production, potentially leading to cost and price hikes. Nevertheless, the availability of device financing schemes from operators and channel partners could significantly enhance accessibility and boost adoption rates. Looking forward, the next few years are anticipated to witness a plateau in 2G, while 4G and 5G are positioned for robust growth. While there is a slight possibility of disruption if governments choose to phase out 2G networks, this scenario is unlikely in the short term.

“Essentially, Africa’s smartphone market narrative unfolds as a compelling story of overcoming challenges with resilience and capitalizing on opportunities through strategic partnerships, channel dynamics, and a transforming consumer landscape.

As the market evolves, vendors must navigate these complexities with agility and foresight to secure a pivotal position in this burgeoning market,” the report reads.

[Featured Image Credit]

realme, a fast-growing smartphone brand, has announced its strategic expansion into the vibrant Nigerian market.

With a commitment to empowering young consumers with trendsetting technology, realme is set to bring its wide range of innovative products and immersive user experiences to the Nigerian audience.

As one of the youngest globally known smartphone brands, realme has gained a strong reputation for its forward-thinking approach and customer-centric philosophy.

Known for delivering top-notch products at affordable prices, the brand has successfully captured the hearts of tech enthusiasts and young users across various regions.

Nigeria, with its burgeoning tech-savvy population and a rapidly growing economy, presents an exceptional opportunity for realme to establish a strong foothold in Africa.

The company aims to cater to the dynamic needs of the Nigerian market by introducing a diverse product portfolio that includes smartphones, wearables, smart home devices, and more.

David Pan, General Manager, realme Nigeria stated, “We are thrilled to announce our plans to enter the Nigerian market. realme’s mission is to provide young consumers with products that are not only technologically advanced but also aligned with their aspirations and lifestyle. Nigeria’s tech scene is vibrant and diverse, and we believe that our cutting-edge technology will resonate well with the audience here.”

The expansion into Nigeria is part of realme’s broader commitment to global expansion.

The brand has already established a significant presence in several countries, including Kenya, India, Indonesia, Egypt, and the United Kingdom, among others. realme’s arrival in Nigeria reaffirms the company’s dedication to bringing exceptional technology to users around the world.

realme has been continuously investing in research and development, pushing the boundaries of innovation, and enhancing user experiences.

By combining innovation, design, and quality, realme aims to make a positive impact on the lives of young Nigerians, empowering them to stay connected and express themselves in new and exciting ways.

Currently, realme has two Champion models the realme C55 and the realme C30s in the Nigerian Market.

As the launch date approaches, realme will be engaging with the local community through various initiatives, partnerships, and campaigns to build meaningful relationships with Nigerian consumers.

Facts about realme:

• realme is a global emerging consumer technology company disrupting the smartphone and AIoT market by making cutting-edge technologies more accessible.

• It provides a range of smartphones and lifestyle technology devices with premium specs, quality, and trend-setting designs to young consumers at affordable prices.

• Established by Sky Li in 2018 and driven by its “Dare to Leap” spirit, realme has become one of the top 5 smartphone players in 30 markets globally in just three years, and realme has entered 61 markets worldwide, including China and Southeast Asia, South Asia, Europe, Russia, Australia, the Middle East, Latin America, and Africa, and has a global user base of over 140 million.

Rami Osman, Director for Corporate Sales and Marketing at MediaTek Middle East and Africa, disclosed this on Thursday while introducing MediaTek Dimensity 9000 in West Africa, a chip that provides 5G smartphones with unparalleled power efficiency and powerful connectivity.

MediaTek is a market leader in developing innovative systems-on-chip (SoC) for mobile device, home entertainment, connectivity and IoT products.

Ultimately, the company powers more than 2 billion devices a year – that’s in 20 percent of homes and nearly 1 of every 3 mobile phones globally.

MediaTek in Africa

Africa is a developing smartphone market that is expected to reach 95 million smartphones annually by 2025 with West Africa making up over 20%.

Interestingly, MediaTek powers around 48% of 4G Smartphones with successful generations of its Hello Chipsets, with its Dimensity series ready to take the company into the next generation of smartphone and technology.

MediaTek, Osman said, aims to grow Africa share from about 41% in 2022 to 46% by end of 2023 and targets 50% by end of 2024 with more international Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) such as Xiaomi, OPPO, RealMe, Samsung bringing MediaTek processors from the Hello and Dimensity familiies to market.

ALSO READ: Xiaomi is Complementing Nigeria’s 5G Launch with Most Competitive 5G Smartphones

Meanwhile, 5G era has begun in Sub-Saharan Africa, with the first major 5G networks launching across the region in countries like Nigeria, Kenya and South Africa.

“In 2023, MediaTek will continue local testing to make 5G a reality and bring devices to market that are ready to meet consumer expectations. The Dimensity 5G family will power high-end smartphones and bring flagship 5G technology to the mass market.

“This is a region which has experienced accelerated adoption of 4G smartphones over the past years with 4G connectivity already making up around 73% of the smartphone shipments annually.

“We are committed to supporting this transition and supporting migration from legacy technologies with continued enhancements, like those in the Hello G-Series. Collaborating with operators and local companies to bring migration strategies to fruition to reinforcing our commitment to this evolution”

MediaTek’s commitment to Connectivity and IOT in Africa

5G Fixed Wireless Access:

As fixed broadband network adoption increases, MediaTek has pledged to continue to collaborate with MNOs (Mobile Network Operators) and OEM partners on newer generations of connectivity chipsets and look forward to migrating more African homes into 5G and Wifi 6 with the MediaTek T750 platform.

“The fast growth of the smart home devices, plus the more recent surge of people working from home, taking online classes, using video conferencing, now requires pervasive high-speed broadband connectivity. The roll-out and coverage of 5G services is increasing rapidly, and its pace of growth is often faster than fiber and other wired services, making 5G FWA an attractive option for many from now and into the next decade.

AIOT with MediaTek Genio:

MediaTek Genio is a complete platform stack for AIOT with powerful and ultra-efficient chipsets, open platform software development kits (SDKs) and a developer portal with comprehensive resources and tools. This all-in-one platform that makes it easy for brands to develop innovative consumer, enterprise and industrial smart applications at the premium, mid-range and entry-level, and bring these devices to market faster.

To this end, he said that MediaTek would partner with Fintechs for more efficient Point of Sales (PoS) terminals and destop PoS.