itel is pushing the boundaries of the budget smartphone market with the official launch of its itel SUPER 26 Ultra. Unveiled at an event in Machakos, the new device is a clear statement of intent, packing a premium curved display, a powerful new chipset, and a suite of AI features typically reserved for flagship phones, all while maintaining a recommended retail price of KES 20,499.
The immediate standout feature is the itel SUPER 26 Ultra’s display. It’s a massive 6.78-inch 3D Curved AMOLED screen with a sharp 1.5K resolution. itel is also promising a super-smooth 144Hz refresh rate, a spec that is almost unheard of in this price segment. The company says the screen is also built for durability, featuring Corning’s Gorilla Glass 7i for protection, a reinforced “TitanShield Architecture” body, and an IP65 rating for splash and dust resistance.
Under the hood, the itel SUPER 26 Ultra is one of the first phones to be powered by the new 6nm Unisoc T7300 processor. itel claims this 4G chipset achieves an impressive AnTuTu benchmark score of over 510,000, promising reliable performance and “six years of smooth and stable operation.” Despite packing a huge 6000mAh battery, the phone maintains a sleek 6.8mm profile. It also includes modern conveniences like NFC and an Infrared Remote Control.
Perhaps the most ambitious part of the launch is what itel is calling “AI for the Masses.” The itel SUPER 26 Ultra incorporates several intelligent features that mimic those on high-end devices. This includes an AI Camera Eraser to remove unwanted objects from photos and a Circle to Search function that lets users get immediate answers by highlighting anything on their screen. It also comes with a new AI assistant named Sola.
However, there’s a key detail for early adopters: itel notes that the full 144Hz refresh rate and the “Hi Sola” AI voice activation will not be available out of the box. Instead, these features will be enabled through a future over-the-air (OTA) system update.
With its blend of a high-end curved screen, a capable new processor, and ambitious AI tools, the itel SUPER 26 Ultra is aggressively redefining what consumers can expect from a budget smartphone. By launching in Machakos, itel is signaling its commitment to bringing this technology not just to major cities but to all users across the country.
