- An October 2026 survey of major Kenyan retailers ranked 20 smartphones by main camera megapixels, with five phones leading at 200MP
- The Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra topped the list at KSh 170,000 to KSh 190,000, while the Xiaomi 12T Pro offered 200MP photography from KSh 35,000
- Several high-ranking devices including Google Pixel models and the Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra are not officially available in Kenya
Elijah Ntongai is an experienced editor at TUKO.co.ke, with more than four years in financial, business, labour and technology research and reporting. His work provides valuable insights into Kenyan, African, and global trends.
Kenya's smartphone camera race has intensified significantly.
Source: Getty Images
Mobile phones with 200-megapixel sensors now appearing across a broader price range, according to an October 2026 survey of major retailers including Jumia, Kilimall, Safaricom Shop and authorised Xiaomi distributors.
The ranking below covers the top 20 devices available or known in Kenya, ordered by main camera megapixel count, with sensor size, aperture, optical image stabilisation (OIS) and release date factored in where models are tied.
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What Buyers Should Know About Megapixels
John Maina, a technician and electronics dealer in Nairobi, noted that megapixel count is only one factor in camera quality.
He told TUKO.co.ke that sensor size, aperture, optical image stabilisation, and the phone's image processing software all play a role in determining photo quality, particularly in low light.
"A 50MP phone with a large sensor and good processing can outperform a 108MP phone with a smaller sensor and weaker software. Buyers should consider the complete camera system, including ultra-wide and telephoto lenses, rather than focusing solely on the main camera's megapixel count," he said.
He further noted that prices vary between sellers and may change with promotions, parallel imports and stock availability.
"Some models listed are available only through parallel imports or limited stock, and buyers should verify warranty and authenticity before purchasing," he added.
Top 20 phones by camera megapixels and price
Camera specifications were sourced from GSMArena and manufacturer websites.
Kenyan retail prices were obtained from top ecommerce platforms including Jumia, Kilimall, Safaricom Shop and other authorised distributors in October 2026.
Phones were ranked primarily by main camera megapixels, with ties broken by sensor size, optical image stabilisation and additional camera features. Models not sold in Kenya are marked "N/A".
Rank | Model | Main Camera | Key Camera Specs | Price Range (KSh) |
1 | Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra | 200MP | 1/1.3" sensor, f/1.7, OIS; 12MP ultra-wide, two 10MP telephotos | ~170,000–190,000 |
2 | Xiaomi 12T Pro | 200MP | 1/1.22", f/1.7, OIS; 8MP ultra-wide, 2MP macro | ~35,000–45,000 |
3 | Motorola Edge 30 Ultra | 200MP | 1/1.22", f/1.9, OIS; 50MP ultra-wide, 12MP telephoto (2×) | ~45,000–55,000 |
4 | Infinix Zero Ultra | 200MP | 1/1.22", f/2.0, OIS; 13MP ultra-wide, 2MP depth | ~45,000–55,000 |
5 | Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra | 200MP | 1/1.3", f/1.7, OIS; 50MP ultra-wide (per marketing) | N/A |
6 | Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra | 108MP | 1/1.33", f/1.8, OIS; two 10MP telephotos (3× & 10×), 12MP ultra-wide | ~140,000–160,000 |
7 | Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra | 108MP | 1/1.33", f/1.8, OIS; two 10MP telephotos (3× & 10×), 12MP ultra-wide | ~120,000–140,000 |
8 | Xiaomi Mi 11 | 108MP | 1/1.33", f/1.9, OIS; 13MP ultra-wide, 5MP macro | ~90,000–110,000 |
9 | Xiaomi Mi 10 5G | 108MP | 1/1.33", f/1.7, OIS; 13MP ultra-wide, 2MP macro | ~60,000–80,000 |
10 | Xiaomi Redmi Note 13 | 108MP | 1/1.67", f/1.9, 9-in-1 binning; 8MP ultra-wide, 2MP macro | ~30,000–40,000 |
11 | Xiaomi 12T | 108MP | 1/1.67", f/1.7, OIS; 8MP ultra-wide, 2MP macro | ~50,000–60,000 |
12 | Realme 8 Pro | 108MP | 1/1.52", f/1.9; 8MP ultra-wide, 2MP macro | ~30,000–40,000 |
13 | Samsung Galaxy S20 Ultra | 108MP | 1/1.33", f/1.8, OIS; 48MP periscope (4×), 12MP ultra-wide | ~90,000–110,000 |
14 | Xiaomi 13 Ultra | 50MP | 1" main sensor, f/1.9/4.0, OIS; quad 50MP setup (3.2× tele, 5× periscope, ultra-wide) | ~100,000–120,000 |
15 | Xiaomi Redmi Note 12 Pro | 50MP | 1/1.56", f/1.9, OIS; 8MP ultra-wide, 2MP macro | ~50,000–60,000 |
16 | Google Pixel 8 Pro | 50MP | 50MP Samsung sensor, OIS; 48MP ultra-wide, 48MP tele | N/A (import) |
17 | Google Pixel 7 Pro | 50MP | 50MP Samsung ISOCELL GN1, OIS; 12MP ultra-wide, 48MP tele | N/A (import) |
18 | Google Pixel 6 Pro | 50MP | 50MP sensor, OIS; 12MP ultra-wide, 48MP tele (5×) | N/A (import) |
19 | Apple iPhone 14 Pro | 48MP | 1/1.12", f/1.78, OIS; 12MP ultra-wide, 12MP tele | ~150,000–170,000 |
20 | Apple iPhone 14 Pro Max | 48MP | f/1.78, OIS; 12MP ultra-wide, 12MP tele | ~160,000–180,000 |
Source: TUKO.co.ke
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