Kenyans are taking more time before replacing their phones, signaling a shift in buying habits and tighter household budgets. Last year, consumers purchased 7.2 million smartphones, down from 7.9 million in 2024, marking a 7.8 percent drop. Analysts say the decline shows users are holding onto devices longer instead of rushing to upgrade.
At the same time, fewer feature phones are being retired. Only 959,692 basic handsets were discarded in 2025, a sharp fall from 1.3 million the previous year.
The trend highlights a broader change in how people manage their devices, with many keeping older phones for longer periods.
Despite fewer new purchases, smartphones remain the dominant technology in Kenya. By December, there were 48.7 million smartphones in use, compared to 29.6 million feature phones, showing that internet-enabled devices still drive most mobile activity.
“By the end of December 2025, the total number of mobile phones connected to mobile networks was 78.3 million, translating to a penetration rate of 149.4 percent,” said the Communications Authority of Kenya in a recent report.
“Penetration of smartphones maintained an upward trend at 92.9 percent while penetration of feature phones continued to decline at 56.5 percent.”
Experts say the market is now more about replacing old phones than attracting new users. However, the slowdown indicates that even replacement cycles are weakening as families trim non-essential spending.
Rising phone prices, influenced by currency fluctuations and import costs, are making new devices less affordable, contributing to the delay in upgrades. Meanwhile, basic phones continue to play a role, especially among low-income users and in households that rely on two devices for different purposes.
Feature phones remain popular for calls, texts, and long battery life, offering a reliable and affordable alternative to smartphones, which are primarily used for internet services and advanced functions.
Earlier, Meltwater data indicated that the continued reliance on feature phones is slowing the pace of internet adoption. Internet usage among Kenyans dropped from 48 percent at the start of 2025 to 40.5 percent by year-end. Mobile web traffic also declined, from 71.98 percent to 60.1 percent, reflecting slower digital engagement.
For telecom companies, the slowdown in smartphone sales could limit data consumption growth, as lower-income users are more likely to retain basic phones, restricting participation in e-commerce, streaming, and other app-based services.