Sun King is making a bigger push into Kenya’s smartphone market with the EZ 3, a budget Android phone offered through a pay-as-you-go financing model rather than a conventional cash purchase.
The phone requires a KSh2,299 deposit, followed by KSh55 daily for 365 payments. Based on those advertised payments, a customer pays KSh22,374 in total over the full financing period. Sun King’s official Kenya product page lists the EZ 3 with 4GB RAM/VRAM, 64GB storage, a 5,000mAh battery and a 6.75-inch HD+ 120Hz display.
The launch puts Sun King into an increasingly competitive Kenyan device-financing market alongside companies such as M-KOPA and Watu.
For buyers, however, the most important question is not simply whether KSh55 per day sounds affordable.
It is:
How much will the phone actually cost you, what do you get for that money, and how does the deal compare with buying another budget smartphone outright?
Sun King EZ 3 price in Kenya
The EZ 3 is not currently positioned as a normal cash-purchase smartphone on Sun King’s Kenyan platform.
Instead, customers use the company’s EasyBuy financing model.
The advertised terms are:
| Cost | EZ 3 |
|---|---|
| Deposit | KSh2,299 |
| Daily payment | KSh55 |
| Number of daily payments | 365 |
| Total daily payments | KSh20,075 |
| Total paid including deposit | KSh22,374 |
The KSh20,075 figure comes from KSh55 × 365. Adding the KSh2,299 deposit gives a total repayment of KSh22,374.
That means the headline KSh55 daily payment should not be treated as the phone’s purchase price.
The more meaningful figure for a buyer is KSh22,374 over the full term, assuming all advertised payments remain unchanged and there are no additional charges under the customer’s agreement.
Sun King’s website says the EasyBuy structure allows customers to make a down payment and then continue with small instalments, with payments keeping the product unlocked. Customers should read the applicable financing terms before signing an agreement.
Sun King EZ 3 specifications
The EZ 3 sits firmly in the budget-smartphone category, but some of its hardware specifications are noteworthy for its segment.
According to Sun King’s official Kenya product page, the phone has:
| Feature | Sun King EZ 3 |
|---|---|
| Display | 6.75-inch HD+ |
| Refresh rate | 120Hz |
| RAM | 4GB RAM/VRAM |
| Storage | 64GB |
| Battery | 5,000mAh |
| Charging | Fast charging |
| Rear camera | 13MP |
| Front camera | 5MP |
The large 6.75-inch screen should appeal to users who spend significant time watching videos, browsing social media or using mobile applications.
The 120Hz refresh rate is another positive feature because scrolling and supported animations can feel smoother than on traditional 60Hz displays.
However, buyers should remember that a high refresh rate does not automatically mean high performance. The processor, software optimisation, storage performance and available memory also affect how a phone feels in everyday use.
Is 4GB RAM enough?
For ordinary smartphone use, 4GB of RAM can be adequate, particularly when the user mainly needs WhatsApp, mobile money applications, browsing, social media, video streaming and basic productivity.
It is less suitable for people who regularly run demanding games or keep many heavy applications open simultaneously.
Sun King advertises the EZ 3 as having 4GB RAM/VRAM. Buyers should distinguish between physical RAM and virtual memory expansion because virtual RAM uses storage and does not provide exactly the same performance characteristics as physical RAM.
For the target budget segment, the specification is reasonable.
But prospective buyers should not assume that “4GB RAM/VRAM” means the phone performs like a more expensive device with 8GB or 12GB of physical RAM.
How good is the EZ 3’s battery?
Battery life is one of the phone’s stronger specifications.
The EZ 3 has a 5,000mAh battery, which is a common capacity among current budget smartphones. Sun King also advertises fast charging.
For someone using the phone for calls, WhatsApp, browsing, social media and video, a 5,000mAh battery provides a useful starting point for all-day use.
Actual battery life will vary considerably.
Screen brightness, mobile-network strength, gaming, GPS, video streaming and background applications can all increase power consumption.
A large battery therefore does not guarantee a specific number of hours.
Camera: what should buyers expect?
The EZ 3 has a 13MP rear camera and a 5MP front camera.
These specifications suggest that the camera system is aimed at everyday photography rather than advanced mobile photography.
It should be suitable for basic photographs, WhatsApp images, video calls and social media.
However, megapixel counts do not tell the whole story.
Image processing, sensor size, lighting and software can have a significant effect on the final result.
Anyone buying the EZ 3 mainly for photography should therefore keep expectations realistic.
The biggest question: Is KSh22,374 a good deal?
This is where buyers need to look beyond the KSh55 headline.
The advertised financing cost is:
KSh2,299 deposit + KSh55 × 365 days = KSh22,374.
That is the amount to compare with the cash price of competing smartphones.
For context, current Kenyan retail listings put the Infinix Smart 10 4GB/64GB around KSh11,500 and the 4GB/128GB version around KSh12,500, although retail prices and stock can change.
That creates an important distinction.
A consumer who has enough cash to buy a comparable budget phone outright may pay considerably less than KSh22,374.
But that does not automatically mean the EZ 3 financing model is a bad deal.
The target customer may not have KSh11,000–KSh13,000 available on one day.
The financing model is selling accessibility and cash-flow flexibility, not necessarily the lowest possible cash price.
That is the fundamental trade-off.
EZ 3 financing versus buying a phone outright
Consider two hypothetical buyers.
Buyer A: Has enough cash
A customer with KSh12,000 available could potentially buy a 4GB/64GB budget smartphone outright, depending on the model and retailer.
They own it immediately and avoid a year-long financing commitment.
For this buyer, cash purchase may make more financial sense.
Buyer B: Has limited cash flow
Another customer may not be able to set aside KSh12,000 at once but may be able to manage KSh55 a day.
For that customer, financing can make smartphone ownership possible sooner.
The phone may also provide access to communication, digital payments, online work, education and business services that have economic value.
Therefore, the right question is not:
“Is financing expensive?”
It is:
“Is the additional cost worth the flexibility and immediate access the financing provides?”
That depends on the customer’s financial circumstances.
Sun King vs M-KOPA: how the competition is changing
Sun King is entering a market where device financing is already well established.
M-KOPA currently offers multiple smartphones in Kenya, including its own X-series and models from Samsung. Its official Kenya platform lists devices such as the M-KOPA X3, M-KOPA X30, Samsung A06 and Samsung A07, with customers able to make daily, weekly or monthly payments.
M-KOPA’s model goes beyond financing the hardware.
The company bundles services such as digital loans, health cover, device protection and data with its smartphone ecosystem, subject to its terms.
This is an important competitive difference.
Sun King’s advantage is also clear: it already has substantial experience with pay-as-you-go financing through its solar business.
Its smartphone strategy applies a model that Kenyan customers may already understand—small payments over time for an essential product.
Sun King EZ 3 vs Tecno Pop 10 vs Infinix Smart 10 vs Samsung A06
Sun King’s own Kenyan smartphone catalogue currently lists several financed alternatives alongside the EZ 3.
| Phone | Deposit | Daily payment | Term |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sun King EZ 3 | KSh2,299 | KSh55 | 365 days |
| Tecno Pop 10 | KSh2,799 | KSh55 | 364 days |
| Infinix Smart 10 | KSh2,799 | KSh55 | 364 days |
| Samsung A06 | KSh2,899 | KSh60 | 364 days |
The daily payment figures are surprisingly close.
That means buyers should not choose purely on the basis of the instalment.
They should compare the hardware they receive for roughly the same daily commitment.
Tecno Pop 10
Tecno’s official Kenya specifications show that the Pop 10 can come with 64GB storage and 3GB+3GB or 4GB+4GB extended-memory configurations, a 5,000mAh battery, 13MP rear camera and 8MP front camera. It also has a 6.67-inch 120Hz display and Android 15.
On paper, that makes it a serious alternative to the EZ 3.
The Pop 10 has a smaller display but a higher-resolution front camera.
Infinix Smart 10
The Infinix Smart 10 is another relevant comparison.
Current Kenyan retail listings put the 4GB/64GB version around KSh11,500, although prices and stock vary.
The phone is also listed with a 6.67-inch 120Hz display and 5,000mAh battery in Kenyan retail specifications.
This is where cash buyers need to pay particular attention.
A phone that can be purchased outright for considerably less than the full EZ 3 financing amount may be better value for someone who has enough money upfront.
Samsung Galaxy A06
Samsung’s Galaxy A06 is another option in the financed-device market.
Watu currently offers the A06 in Kenya, while M-KOPA also lists the device among its Kenyan smartphone offerings. Samsung’s model has a 6.7-inch display, 4GB RAM and 64GB storage in the versions listed by M-KOPA, along with a 5,000mAh battery and 50MP main camera.
The advantage here is the familiarity of the Samsung brand and its established service ecosystem.
However, buyers should compare the full financed cost, not simply the brand name.
What about M-KOPA?
M-KOPA has built a particularly strong position in financed smartphones in Kenya.
The company says its model begins with a financed smartphone and then uses the customer’s repayment history to provide access to additional services. Its Kenya platform says customers can make daily, weekly or monthly payments and potentially unlock access to digital loans, health cover, device protection and data.
M-KOPA’s current Kenyan phone range also includes its own smartphones, such as the X3 and X30. The X3 offers 4GB RAM, 128GB storage and a 5,000mAh battery, while the X30 steps up to 6GB RAM and 256GB storage.
This means the competition is no longer simply:
Sun King vs M-KOPA.
It is increasingly:
Which financing platform gives the customer the best combination of price, phone, services and flexibility?
What about Watu?
Watu is another significant player in financed smartphones in Kenya.
The company currently lists the Samsung Galaxy A06 among devices available in Kenya and says its financing business covers connectivity and mobility assets.
Watu’s financing terms can vary by customer and product. Historical loan documentation published online illustrates why consumers should pay close attention to the total repayment amount, interest rate and duration rather than focusing only on a weekly or daily instalment.
Consumers should always rely on the current agreement presented by the provider before committing to a financed device.
Who should consider the Sun King EZ 3?
The EZ 3 could make sense for someone who:
- Needs a smartphone now but cannot comfortably pay the entire cost upfront.
- Wants a large screen and large battery.
- Mainly uses WhatsApp, social media, mobile money, browsing and streaming.
- Is comfortable with daily repayments over a year.
- Values predictable small payments more than the lowest possible cash price.
It may be less attractive to someone who:
- Already has enough cash to buy a comparable phone outright.
- Wants advanced gaming performance.
- Needs a higher-end camera.
- Wants more than 64GB of storage without relying on expansion.
- Does not want a long financing commitment.
What Kenyan buyers should check before signing
A KSh55 daily payment can sound insignificant.
Over 365 payments, however, it becomes KSh20,075, before adding the deposit.
That is why consumers should ask for the complete cost before signing.
Check the total payable amount
Do not rely solely on the daily instalment.
Understand what happens if you miss payments
Sun King’s EasyBuy model says payments keep the product unlocked. Customers should understand what happens when payments are missed and what steps are required to restore access.
Check whether the phone can be used with your preferred SIM
Financed devices can have restrictions associated with the financing arrangement. Read the agreement carefully before purchase.
Confirm warranty and repair arrangements
A low-cost phone becomes expensive if obtaining repairs or replacement parts is difficult.
Compare cash alternatives
Check the current cash price of comparable phones before committing to a one-year financing plan.
Compare storage and memory
64GB may be enough for light users, but people who store many videos, photos and applications may fill it quickly.
Calculate your daily usage
A buyer who spends KSh55 on the phone every day should consider whether that payment remains manageable during weeks when income is lower.
The bigger story: smartphones are becoming financed assets
Sun King’s entry into smartphone financing points to a wider change in Kenya’s consumer technology market.
The smartphone is increasingly treated as more than an electronic gadget.
For many people, it is also a gateway to:
Mobile money
Online work
Social commerce
Digital banking
Education
Business communication
Government services
Entertainment
That makes the affordability of smartphones an important part of digital inclusion.
But financing also requires financial discipline.
A customer can gain access to technology without needing a large upfront payment, but the convenience comes with a commitment to make payments throughout the agreed term.
Is the Sun King EZ 3 worth it?
The answer depends on how you intend to buy it.
For a cash buyer: the KSh22,374 financed total is difficult to compare directly with cheaper phones available for roughly KSh11,000–KSh13,000 because those are different purchase structures. A cash buyer who can afford a comparable device upfront should calculate the difference carefully.
For a customer with limited upfront cash: the EZ 3 becomes more interesting because the KSh2,299 deposit and KSh55 daily payment lower the immediate financial barrier.
For a heavy smartphone user: 64GB storage and 4GB RAM may be the main limitations to consider.
For an everyday user: the large 6.75-inch 120Hz display and 5,000mAh battery make the hardware reasonably attractive for the budget segment.
Final verdict
Sun King’s EZ 3 is not competing solely on smartphone specifications.
Its strongest selling point is the financing model.
At KSh2,299 upfront and KSh55 for 365 daily payments, Sun King is making smartphone ownership accessible to customers who may struggle with a large one-time purchase. The advertised total of KSh22,374 should nevertheless be compared with the cash price and financing terms of alternatives before making a decision.
The phone itself offers a useful budget package: a large 6.75-inch HD+ 120Hz display, 4GB RAM/VRAM, 64GB storage, a 5,000mAh battery and 13MP rear/5MP front cameras.
However, buyers should not make the decision based on KSh55 per day alone.
The better question is:
What will I pay in total, what phone will I receive, and is that combination better value than my other financing or cash options?
That is the comparison Kenyan buyers should make.
Sun King’s entry also makes Kenya’s smartphone-financing market more competitive. With Sun King, M-KOPA and Watu offering different combinations of devices and payment plans, consumers now have more options—but also a greater need to understand the true cost of getting a smartphone on instalments.
For TechDrivers readers, the most important takeaway is simple: a small daily payment can make a smartphone easier to acquire, but affordability should always be measured against the total cost.
