The itel CITY 100 emerges as a standout contender in Kenya’s competitive budget smartphone market, offering a compelling blend of premium design, advanced AI capabilities, and robust performance at just KES 11,200. As the inaugural device in itel’s new CITY Series, this smartphone challenges conventional expectations for entry-level devices by integrating features typically reserved for higher-priced smartphones.
Design and Build Quality: Premium Aesthetics in a Budget Package
The CITY 100 immediately impresses with its sophisticated 7.65mm unibody frame that delivers a seamless and polished aesthetic. Unlike traditional budget phones with plasticky builds, itel has crafted a device that feels substantially more premium than its price suggests. The ultra-flat display sits perfectly flush with the chassis, creating a design approach typically reserved for mid-range and flagship devices.
At 185g and measuring 167.7 x 77.5 x 7.7mm, the phone strikes an excellent balance between substantial feel and comfortable handling. The device undergoes rigorous durability testing, including 1.5-meter drop resistance and an impressive 25,000 micro-drop simulations, addressing common durability concerns in the budget segment. With IP64 dust and water resistance certification, the CITY 100 can withstand everyday splashes and dust exposure, making it ideal for Kenyan conditions.
Available in three attractive color options (Navy Blue, Pure Titanium, and Fairy Purple), the phone offers stylish choices that appeal to Gen Z users seeking both functionality and aesthetic appeal.
Display Technology: Smooth Performance and Outdoor Visibility
The 6.75-inch IPS LCD display represents a significant upgrade over typical budget phone screens. With a 90Hz refresh rate, scrolling through apps and browsing feels noticeably smoother compared to standard 60Hz displays. The screen delivers impressive peak brightness at 700 nits, ensuring excellent outdoor visibility even under direct sunlight.
The HD+ resolution of 720 x 1600 pixels provides sharp visuals with approximately 260 ppi density, while the 83% wide color gamut ensures vibrant and accurate color reproduction. The display achieves an 84.6% screen-to-body ratio, maximizing viewing area within the device’s compact footprint.
Performance and Storage: Efficient Processing Power
Powered by the Unisoc T7250 chipset built on a 12nm process, the CITY 100 features an octa-core CPU configuration with two Cortex-A75 cores running at 1.8GHz and six Cortex-A55 cores at 1.6GHz. The Mali-G57 MP1 GPU handles graphics processing efficiently, supporting casual gaming and multimedia consumption.
Notably, the CITY 100 utilizes UFS 2.2 storage technology, delivering significantly faster app loading and file transfer speeds compared to competitors using eMMC storage. This technical advantage translates into noticeably improved daily performance.
Camera System and Battery Life
The camera setup focuses on delivering reliable everyday photography. The 13MP rear camera includes LED flash, HDR, and panorama modes, providing decent image quality in well-lit conditions. The 8MP front camera handles selfies and video calls competently, with face unlock functionality for convenient security.
Battery performance represents one of the CITY 100’s strongest features. The substantial 5,200mAh capacity easily provides full-day usage. The 18W fast charging via USB Type-C port offers reasonable charging speeds. Additionally, the phone supports reverse wired charging, allowing it to function as a power bank for other devices. Itel backs the battery with an impressive 4-year battery health guarantee.
DeepSeek AI Integration and Market Position
The CITY 100’s most distinctive feature is its integration of DeepSeek R1 AI technology, making it among the first budget smartphones to offer advanced AI capabilities. The DeepSeek AI enables numerous creative and productivity functions including text-to-wallpaper generation, AI image styling, real-time translation capabilities, and AI writing assistance.
The device also includes infrared remote control functionality, allowing users to control home appliances like TVs and air conditioners. At KES 11,200, the CITY 100 offers a distinctive proposition that prioritizes user experience, design quality, and practical AI features over raw specifications, making it an attractive option for price-conscious consumers.
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