M-KOPA X30 Review | A Budget 4G Smartphone on Flexible Payment Options

The M-KOPA X30 is a successor of the M-KOPA X20, both budget-friendly Android smartphones designed for Africa’s growing urban and rural consumer who want a smartphone experience via flexible payment options.

M-KOPA X30 is for everyday users who want big battery life, a large display, capable cameras, and smooth performance without paying cash. The brand is retailing in phones and motorcycles in Kenya, Uganda, South Africa, Nigeria and a number of other African countries with flexible payment options.

What We Like

Strong Cameras for the Price

• The 50MP rear camera with OIS (optical image stabilization) captures clear and steady shots, especially in daylight.
• The 8MP ultra-wide lens adds flexibility for landscapes or group photos.
• A 50MP AI-powered front camera gives very good selfies in good lighting — impressive on a phone in this price range.

Spacious Screen

• The 6.72-inch Full HD+ display is large and crisp, making it great for videos, browsing, and social apps.
• While the 60Hz refresh rate isn’t the fastest, it’s smooth enough for everyday use.

Battery That Lasts All Day

• A 5000mAh battery easily lasts through a full day of use — up to two days if you’re light with gaming and video.
• 10W charging isn’t super fast by today’s standards, but it’s reliable.

Practical Security & Features

• Side-mounted fingerprint sensor (on the power button) unlocks the phone quickly.
• Face unlock adds another convenient option.
• Extras like an LED notification light, custom button, and OTG support make everyday use more enjoyable.

Where It’s Average

• The Unisoc Tiger T615 processor performs well for everyday tasks — messaging, social apps, video streaming — but it isn’t meant for heavy gaming or intensive multitasking.
• 4G connectivity is widely used and dependable, though no 5G support means it’s not future-proof for high-speed networks.
• 60Hz refresh rate is fine but not as smooth as higher-refresh phones.

Comparison With Other Mid-Range Phones

Here’s how the M-KOPA X30 stacks up against similar mid-range phones in the market:

Key Takeaways

• M-KOPA X30 shines in camera quality, storage, and display size — making it ideal for social media, media viewing, and everyday apps.
• Samsung A05/A06 offers brand reliability and software support, but cameras and storage are more basic.
• M-KOPA X20 is good for smooth display refresh and affordability, but the X30 offers better cameras and modern Android features.

Verdict

The M-KOPA X30 is a value-packed smartphone with a good battery life, reliable performance, solid cameras, and a large display. It’s best for students, everyday users, and anyone who wants a dependable phone without breaking the bank.

If you’re moving up from a basic or feature phone, or want a capable everyday Android device, the M-KOPA X30 is worth considering if you can pay KES 4,000 deposit and a daily amount of like KES 100 for a whole year or more.

M-KOPA X30 Full Phone Specifications 

Platform

• OS: Android™ 15 with AI enhancements
• Certification: Android Enterprise Recommended
• Processor: Unisoc Tiger T615

Design & Dimensions

• Size: 169.2 × 78 × 8.6 mm
• Fingerprint Sensor: Side-mounted (Power Key)

Display

• Type: 6.72″ Full HD+
• Resolution: 2400 × 1080 pixels
• Refresh Rate: 60Hz

Cameras

• Rear: 50MP OIS + 8MP Ultra-Wide
• Front: 50MP AI

Memory & Storage

• RAM: 6GB (expandable up to 10GB)
• Internal Storage: 256GB ROM
• Expandable: microSD
• SIM: Dual Nano SIM

Battery

• Capacity: 5000mAh
• Charging: 10W

Connectivity

• Network: 4G / 3G / 2G
• Bluetooth: v5.0
• NFC: Yes
• GPS: GPS/AGPS/Galileo
• USB: USB Type-C
• Headphone Jack: 3.5mm

Security

• Side fingerprint sensor & Face Unlock

Sensors

• Accelerometer, G-sensor, Ambient light sensor

Special Features

• Custom button, LED notifications, OTG support

In the Box

• M-KOPA X30 handset
• 10W Charger
• USB Type-C Cable
• Earphones
• SIM ejector tool
• Screen protector
• Free phone cover