Sunmi handhelds are popular in Kenyan restaurants because the printer is built in. Here is how to think about choosing between them.
Sunmi devices show up in a lot of Kenyan restaurants, and for a good reason: they are Android handhelds with a receipt printer built into the same unit. One device instead of two, nothing to connect, and it fits in one hand.
Why handhelds suit restaurants here
A waiter can take the order at the table and print the customer receipt on the spot. There is no cable, no separate printer to pair, and no walking back to a till. For delivery, a rider can carry one and print on handover.
Because everything is in one unit there is also less to go wrong - the most common POS support call anywhere is a printer that will not connect.
How to choose between them
Both run Android and both print. The practical differences come down to speed, screen size, battery and price. As a general rule the newer model handles heavier use and longer shifts more comfortably, while the older one remains a sensible buy for lighter volume or a tighter budget.
Rather than quote specifications that change between production runs, we would rather tell you what is currently in stock and what it does. Ask us and we will give you the current specification and price for both.
Questions worth asking before you buy any handheld
- How long does the battery last through a full service, and can you swap or charge mid-shift?
- What paper roll size does it take, and how easy is that paper to buy locally?
- Does it have mobile data as well as WiFi, for outdoor service or deliveries?
- Who repairs it in Kenya if it fails, and how long does that take?
- Is it locked to one software provider, or will it work with anything?
That last one matters more than people expect. Hardware tied to a single vendor becomes worthless the day you change your mind.
Where a handheld fits
Handhelds are excellent as a second device - a waiter unit, a delivery unit, an outdoor bar during an event. For a busy counter that runs all day, a fixed terminal is usually still the better main till, with handhelds working around it.
Related reading
Ask us what is in stock
Specifications and prices change between production runs, so rather than guess - ask us for the current spec and price on both models, or browse POS terminals.
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