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KaiOS VS Symbian OS

Compare KaiOS VS Symbian OS and see what are their differences

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KaiOS logo KaiOS

KaiOS is a light operating system for smart feature phones like the JioPhone and Nokia 8110.

Symbian OS logo Symbian OS

Symbian OS is a former mobile operating system that was developed to be used in smartphones.
  • KaiOS Landing page
    Landing page //
    2021-09-21
  • Symbian OS Landing page
    Landing page //
    2021-07-10

KaiOS features and specs

  • Lightweight
    KaiOS is designed to work efficiently on devices with limited hardware resources, making it suitable for low-cost and basic feature phones.
  • Affordability
    Devices running KaiOS tend to be significantly more affordable compared to smartphones, providing access to digital services for people in developing regions.
  • Battery Life
    Due to its optimized performance and lightweight nature, KaiOS devices typically offer longer battery life, which is a key feature for users in remote areas.
  • Access to Essential Apps
    KaiOS supports a variety of essential apps such as WhatsApp, Facebook, Google Assistant, and YouTube, enhancing the functionality of basic phones.
  • Offline Capabilities
    KaiOS includes several offline features like GPS and FM radio, providing useful tools where internet access may be limited or unavailable.
  • Improved Digital Inclusion
    By providing internet access and digital services to users with limited financial resources, KaiOS plays a crucial role in bridging the digital divide.

Possible disadvantages of KaiOS

  • Limited App Ecosystem
    Compared to Android and iOS, KaiOS has a relatively smaller selection of applications, which can limit users' access to a broad range of services and tools.
  • Performance Constraints
    While KaiOS is optimized for low-spec devices, it can still face performance issues when handling more complex applications or tasks.
  • User Experience
    The user interface of KaiOS is less advanced and polished compared to modern smartphone operating systems, which can affect overall user satisfaction.
  • Security Features
    KaiOS may lack some of the advanced security features found in more mature operating systems, potentially exposing users to higher security risks.
  • Updates and Support
    The frequency and availability of system updates and technical support for KaiOS may be less consistent than more widely-used operating systems like Android or iOS.
  • Developer Attraction
    The smaller user base and limited capabilities of KaiOS can be less attractive to developers, potentially stifling the growth of its app ecosystem.

Symbian OS features and specs

No features have been listed yet.

Analysis of KaiOS

Overall verdict

  • KaiOS is a good operating system for its intended purpose of bringing smart functionalities to low-cost phones. Its ability to operate on minimal resources while still supporting popular applications makes it a strong choice for budget-conscious users or those in regions where smartphones are not economically viable.

Why this product is good

  • KaiOS is a lightweight operating system designed primarily for feature phones. It is known for its low resource consumption, which allows it to run smoothly on devices with limited hardware capabilities. The system is built on a Linux kernel, and it incorporates elements from the Firefox OS. KaiOS supports essential apps and services, such as WhatsApp, YouTube, Facebook, and Google Maps, providing a smartphone-like experience at a fraction of the cost. Additionally, it supports 4G LTE, Wi-Fi, GPS, and NFC, enhancing connectivity and functionality. Its presence in emerging markets is significant as it provides affordable access to internet services.

Recommended for

  • Users in emerging markets who need affordable access to digital services.
  • Individuals who prefer simple, non-touchscreen phones with essential smart features.
  • People looking for a secondary phone with basic smart capabilities.
  • Elderly users or those unfamiliar with complex smartphone interfaces, as KaiOS devices often offer straightforward navigation.

KaiOS videos

+ Add

How KaiOS is catching up with Android.

More videos:

  • Review - KaiOS is the future? - Nokia 2720 Full Review || Yes Hello 911? Tech
  • Review - Alcatel SmartFlip Flip Phone Review: KaiOS in the USA?

Symbian OS videos

+ Add

Throwback: Symbian OS Evolution (S60, Belle, Meego)

Category Popularity

0-100% (relative to KaiOS and Symbian OS)

KaiOS

Symbian OS

Mobile OS
85 85%
Mobile OS
15% 15
Mobile SDK
79 79%
Mobile SDK
21% 21
OS & Utilities
84 84%
OS & Utilities
16% 16
Development
0 0%
Development
100% 100

User comments

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Reviews

These are some of the external sources and on-site user reviews we've used to compare KaiOS and Symbian OS

KaiOS Reviews

Top 5 Mobile Operating Systems 2023 (Alternatives to Android)
By opting for these phones, you will be able to search for, receive, and share information that is crucial to you. Phones incorporating KaiOS-powered can have cameras and support wifi, GPS, and Bluetooth.
Source: www.pcmobitech.com
Best Open Source Android Alternative OS for Smartphones
KaiOS is another open source-based Android alternative OS which approximately runs over 100 millions of devices. That’s a quite big number. If you haven’t heard of this operating system earlier, it’s not a big concern. KaiOS delivers non-touch or keypad only phones which has smart features like 4G, Wi-Fi, GPS, and HTML5-based applications.
Source: www.getdroidtips.com
Android Alternative: Top 12 Mobile Operating Systems
KaiOS packs its own KaiStore where you can find over 500 apps which include WhatsApp, YouTube, Facebook, Google Assistant, Google Maps, Google app, UC Browser, lightweight games, and more. There are hundreds of models available around the globe and the starting price of these phones is just $10 which is amazing. In India, JioPhone is quite popular which costs around $20-25...
Source: beebom.com
Open Source Mobile OS Alternatives To Android
Not your fault really. KaiOS was only released in 2017, and yet it is powering a huge number of mobile phones in just under two years.
Source: itsfoss.com

Symbian OS Reviews

We have no reviews of Symbian OS yet.
Be the first one to post

Social recommendations and mentions

Based on our record, KaiOS seems to be more popular. It has been mentiond 2 times since March 2021. We are tracking product recommendations and mentions on various public social media platforms and blogs. They can help you identify which product is more popular and what people think of it.

KaiOS mentions (2)

  • Our Antivirus Software went crazy
    What website did you go to? KaiOS is not dangerous. I'm dubious that their official site (kaiostech.com) would have trojans or malware on it... Source: almost 2 years ago
  • LetsEncrypt Cross-signing Expiry
    LetsEncrypt ISRG Root X1's IdenTrust DST Root CA X3 cross-signing has come to an end. This means that any device/browser (including KaiOS devices) which doesn't yet trust the ISRG Root X1 will no longer trust any site with a LetsEncrypt certificate (which, by the way, includes kaiostech.com!). Source: about 4 years ago

Symbian OS mentions (0)

We have not tracked any mentions of Symbian OS yet. Tracking of Symbian OS recommendations started around Jul 2021.

What are some alternatives?

When comparing KaiOS and Symbian OS, you can also consider the following products

LineageOS - Operating system for smartphones and tablet computers, based on the Android

GrapheneOS - GrapheneOS is an open source privacy and security focused mobile OS with Android app compatibility.

Android - Android is an open source mobile operating system initially released by Google in 2008 and has since become of the most widely used operating systems on any platform.

CopperheadOS - Secure Android built for encrypted and secure phones by a privacy focused company. Available as security-centric and privacy focused Google-free Android for the latest devices. Fully integrated with the latest IDS and MDM enterprise technologies.

Ubuntu Touch - Read more about Ubuntu Touch. Our free and open source mobile OS is made and maintained by UBports! We care about your freedom and privacy.

Android Lollipop - Android Lollipop is the successor to Android KitKat and adds major changes to the Android mobile operating system.

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