Vifaa Tech Awards: Samsung's five devices scoop top prizes

Samsung’s business refocus to match quality and affordability is fast paying off. The firm's  five products bagged five awards at the recently concluded Vifaa Tech Awards hosted by East Africa’s biggest media company Nation Media Group and Wee Media.

The electronics manufacturer scooped the Best Midrange Smartphone award with the Samsung Galaxy A72, Best Flagship Smartphone with the Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra, Best Battery Life on a Smartphone with the Samsung Galaxy A32, Must Have Accessory with the Samsung Galaxy Buds Pro and Best TV in Kenya with Samsung Q60 Series.

Charles Kimari, Head of Integrated Mobile Division at Samsung Electronics East Africa said during the virtual award ceremony that the company has been banking on customer feedback data to improve on its device design, battery and overall performance to meet their unique preferences.

“Samsung Electronics manufactures mobile devices, accessories and consumer electronics from the customer’s feedback and winning these awards today just confirms that we are doing something right” he said.

Galaxy Buds Pro

The Samsung Galaxy A32, A72 devices and Galaxy Buds Pro were all launched in March this year, while the Galaxy S21 range of devices were launched last January. They cost Sh26,000, Sh46,000, Sh21,000 and Sh120,000 respectively, on average at African e-commerce site Jumia.

The Samsung Q60 Series that is commonly known as the QLED series was also launched in April 2021 during a virtual event held in South Korea.

Vifaa Tech Awards are part of the Vifaa Tech Festival which seeks to recognise and shine a spotlight on brands, gadgets and even stores that consumers appreciate.

Unlike the previous years where international award selections have been the determinant for consumers choices, Vifaa Tech Awards allows the African consumer to determine their best devices and consumer electronics.

 “An important aspect in the life cycle of a consumer product is feedback from its users. We believe that through these awards, brands will be able to better connect with what their customers like and hopefully, the results serve as a blueprint for future products,” said Saruni Maina, Managing Editor, Gadgets Africa.

Voting for the Vifaa Awards was open to the public from May 24 to June 6, 2021 through the Gadgets Africa website. The awards had 16 categories that the public could vote for.

Mr Kimari further noted that the voice of Samsung customers has been the epicentre of every product the company develops and releases to a market.

“The products that have been nominated are some of the products that Kenyans have asked for and it is great when they win awards”.