Solar Company Sun King Launches Pay-As-You-Go Smartphone

The company that brought solar power to hundreds of thousands of Kenyan homes is now putting smartphones in their hands.

Sun King, known for its yellow solar lanterns and affordable home energy systems, launched the EZ 1 smartphone in Kenya this month. The phone costs just 2,999 Kenyan shillings upfront (about $23) and 60 shillings daily (roughly $0.40) through the same pay-as-you-go model that made solar power accessible to families across East Africa.

The phone itself is built at Sun King's new manufacturing facility in Nairobi, marking a win for local tech production. It features 4 GB of RAM, 128 GB storage, a large 6.56-inch screen, and a 5000 mAh battery that outlasts many budget devices.

But the real breakthrough isn't the hardware. It's making smartphone ownership feel manageable for families who can't afford several hundred dollars upfront.

In Kenya, smartphones unlock mobile money transfers, online education, small business tools, and essential communication. Yet high upfront costs keep many people locked out of opportunities that require being online.

The Ripple Effect

Sun King's approach joins a growing movement of Kenyan companies using local assembly and creative financing to close the digital divide. M-Kopa has already assembled millions of devices locally, proving demand exists when payment barriers fall.

For small business owners, the daily payment model means they can start earning online income immediately rather than saving for months. Students can access digital learning resources their parents couldn't buy outright. Families can connect to relatives abroad without waiting to afford a phone.

The model does have tradeoffs. Paying over time typically costs more than the cash price, a reality critics call the "poverty penalty." And entry-level specs may not keep pace with future app demands.

But for thousands of Kenyans currently using basic feature phones or sharing devices, the EZ 1 represents a gateway. Sun King is betting that making digital access affordable today matters more than waiting for perfect economics.

The move signals broader momentum in Kenya's tech manufacturing sector, where homegrown assembly is competing with cheaper imports. Companies are proving that local production paired with smart financing can overcome traditional barriers.

For families who've already trusted Sun King to light their homes, trusting them to connect their world feels like a natural next step.