Sun King, a leading company in off-grid solar energy, has launched its first proprietary smartphone: the Sun King EZ 1. This is not a collaboration with brands like Samsung or Nokia. The EZ 1 is a Sun King device that is assembled locally to compete with M-KOPA in the “asset financing” market.
The EZ 1 targets new users who are moving from basic phones to their first smartphone. It has a 6.56″ HD+ screen, 4GB RAM (plus 4GB virtual), 128GB storage, and a 5000mAh battery. You need to pay a deposit of KES 2,999 (about $23). After the deposit, the cost is KES 60 (about $0.45) per day. If a payment is missed, the phone will be locked until you pay.
Why is Sun King Making Phones?
Sun King is expanding from solar energy to consumer finance. For the past ten years, they have collected data on payment behaviour from millions of customers who buy solar lamps through a “Pay-As-You-Go” (PAYG) plan. They believe customers who responsibly paid for a $50 solar lamp are good candidates for a $100 smartphone.
The EZ 1 is assembled in Kenya at Sun King’s new facility in Tatu City, which opened in October 2025. The factory can produce 700,000 units each year. By manufacturing locally, Sun King can save on taxes or import costs, allowing them to compete against brands like Tecno or Itel that don’t offer financing.
Competing with M-KOPA
Sun King faces strong competition from M-KOPA, which has popularised the “smartphone-on-credit” model in Kenya, financing over 3 million smartphones.
| Feature | Sun King (EZ 1) | M-KOPA (Generic Model) |
| Primary Business | Solar Energy | Asset Financing |
| Device Strategy | Proprietary Brand (Vertical Integration) | Partner Brand (Samsung/Nokia) |
| Daily Payment | KES 60 | KES 50 – 100 (Model dependent) |
| Lock Tech | Proprietary (Sun King Key) | Proprietary (M-KOPA Lock) |
Funding Support
Sun King’s launch is backed by substantial funding. In mid-2025, they secured $156 million (KES 20.1 billion) to help finance 1.4 million products, including smartphones.
The EZ 1 is a test for Sun King. If it can convert solar customers into smartphone users, it could become the “Apple of the Unbanked,” controlling the hardware, financing, and customer relationships for many people in rural areas.
