Today, we’re unboxing and reviewing a smartphone that comes with an incredibly unique selling proposition: a FREE magnetic speaker! Yes, you read that right. We’re talking about the itel City 100, a new offering from itel. The box itself is quite large, hinting at the included speaker, which is clearly advertised as a value of ₹2,999 (approximately $35-$40 USD, depending on current exchange rates).
In this detailed review, I’ll show you the phone, discuss its features, assess its performance, and share whether this budget-friendly device is a worthwhile purchase. Let’s unbox this exciting phone and see what it brings to the table!
1. Unboxing & First Impressions: More Than Just a Phone
The itel City 100 comes in a surprisingly substantial package, split into two separate boxes: one for the phone and one for the magnetic speaker.
- Box Contents: Inside the phone’s box, you’ll find:
- The itel City 100 smartphone itself.
- A sturdy, hard-type back case designed with a magnetic circle to attach the free speaker. The quality of this case is impressive for a budget phone.
- User manuals and a warranty card.
- An 18W charging adapter.
- A white USB Type-A to Type-C cable.
- A SIM ejector tool.
- Observation: It’s great that almost everything you need is included in the box, saving you from extra purchases.
- Speaker Unboxing: The separate speaker box reveals the magnetic speaker with itel branding. It feels solid and promises a unique audio experience.
- First Look at the Phone: Upon removing the plastic, the phone’s design immediately impresses. The back looks remarkably premium, giving the impression of a device costing $150-$200 or more. The camera module is well-designed, featuring three apparent sensors and an LED light, though only one camera is truly functional. The back has a subtle texture that becomes visible with light reflection. I received the purple color, which looks fantastic, but two other colors are available.
2. Design & Build Quality: Sleek and Durable for its Class
The itel City 100 prioritizes a sleek design with practical durability, especially for its budget segment.
- Slim Profile: The phone is notably thin, with a frame thickness of just 7.65mm.
- Material: Both the frame and the back are made of plastic, but it’s a good quality plastic that feels robust and doesn’t flex easily when pressed.
- Matte Finish: A standout feature is the matte finishing on the back. This is excellent for preventing fingerprints and smudges, keeping the phone looking clean.
- IP64 Rating: The phone boasts an IP64 rating. This is a significant advantage in the budget category, meaning it’s well-protected against dust and water splashes, offering peace of mind.
- Magnetic Speaker Integration: The included back case seamlessly integrates the magnetic speaker. It attaches securely and requires a good pull to detach, ensuring it won’t accidentally fall off. The speaker’s sound quality is decent, especially considering it’s a free accessory.
3. Display: Decent Visuals for Everyday Use
The front of the itel City 100 features a waterdrop notch display, which is common in this price range.
- Size & Resolution: It sports a 6.75-inch display with a 720p resolution. While not Full HD, it’s adequate for general content consumption.
- Refresh Rate: The screen offers a 90Hz refresh rate, providing a smoother scrolling experience compared to standard 60Hz panels.
- Brightness: With 700 nits of brightness, the display performs well outdoors, ensuring good visibility even in bright conditions.
- Content Consumption: For watching YouTube content, the color details are acceptable for a budget phone, making the viewing experience enjoyable.
4. Performance: Smooth for Daily Tasks
The itel City 100 is designed to handle everyday smartphone tasks smoothly.
- Chipset: It is powered by a Unisoc T7250 chipset. This is a 4G chipset, so keep in mind this phone does not support 5G connectivity.
- RAM & Storage: The phone comes with 4GB of RAM and 128GB of internal storage.
- Virtual RAM Expansion: A useful feature is the ability to expand the RAM virtually by up to 8GB, bringing the total usable RAM to 12GB.
- UI & Bloatware: The phone runs on Android 14. While it does come with some pre-installed bloatware, these apps can be uninstalled, allowing for a cleaner user interface.
- General Usage: During testing, the phone handled daily tasks and multi-app usage without noticeable issues, performing well for its segment.
5. Camera: Functional for Casual Photography
The camera setup on the itel City 100 is functional for casual photography, with some interesting features.
- Rear Camera: While the back appears to have three sensors, only one is a functional 13-megapixel main sensor. It is accompanied by an LED light.
- Front Camera: The selfie camera is an 8-megapixel sensor, also equipped with an LED light for better low-light selfies.
- Video Recording: Both front and rear cameras support video recording up to 1080p at 30fps.
- Camera UI & Modes: The camera UI offers a variety of modes:
- Blog Mode: For vlog-style videos.
- Video Mode
- AI Cam: Standard photo mode.
- Beauty Mode
- Portrait Mode
- More Section: Includes Dual Video, Panorama, Document Mode, and Slow Motion.
- Photo Quality: Sample footage shows decent detail and color for a budget phone. Skin tones and background handling in human photos are acceptable.
6. Battery & Charging: All-Day Power
Battery life is a strong suit for the itel City 100, ensuring you stay powered throughout the day.
- Large Battery: The phone packs a substantial 5,200 mAh battery.
- Excellent Battery Backup: Based on usage, the battery provides excellent backup, easily lasting more than a full day on a single charge.
- 18W Fast Charging: The included 18W charger allows for reasonably fast charging, minimizing downtime.
7. Unique Features & Smart Enhancements
The itel City 100 comes with several special features that enhance the user experience.
- Viana AI Features: It includes “Viana” AI features, which act as a voice assistant designed to simplify tasks.
- Dynamic Bar: A feature similar to a “dynamic island” that provides quick notifications and interactions.
- Smart Panel: Offers quick access to frequently used apps and functions.
- Game Mode: Optimizes performance for gaming.
- Smart Hub & Dual App: For enhanced productivity and app management.
- Kids Mode: A dedicated mode for children, offering a safe and controlled environment.
- Customizable Display Features: In the settings, you can find unique display customization options with different designs.
- IR Sensor: A notable inclusion, the IR sensor allows you to use your mobile as a remote control for various devices like TVs and ACs.
8. Pricing: Unbeatable Value Proposition
The itel City 100 is priced at ₹7,599 (approximately $90-$95 USD). This price point, combined with the free magnetic speaker (valued at ₹2,999), makes it an incredibly attractive and value-for-money option in the budget smartphone market.
Top 10 Reasons to Buy itel City 100
Top 5 Reasons to AVOID itel City 100 Phone
Conclusion: A Strong Contender in the Budget Segment
The itel City 100 offers a compelling package for its price. It stands out with its surprisingly premium design, robust IP64 rating, and a large 5,200 mAh battery that provides excellent endurance. The inclusion of a free magnetic speaker adds significant value and a unique accessory experience.
While it’s a 4G device and its camera is functional rather than groundbreaking, the phone handles daily tasks smoothly, offers a 90Hz display, and comes with Android 14 and useful smart features. If you’re in the market for an affordable smartphone that doesn’t compromise on essential features and offers a unique bonus accessory, the itel City 100 is definitely worth considering.
Yes, the itel City 100 includes a free magnetic speaker in the box, adding significant value.
It has an IP64 rating, meaning it’s protected against dust and water splashes, but not fully waterproof.
The phone features a large 5,200 mAh battery, providing excellent battery backup for over a day
It has a 6.75-inch HD+ (720p) IPS LCD display with a 90Hz refresh rate and 700 nits brightness.
About the Author: AmiT Technology Amit Technology is a tech channel that’s focused on Hindi Tech and Useful videos. We make videos on New technologies, trending in technologies and many useful tech videos. Video Topic: Mobile tips & tricks | How to tutorials | Internet | Computer | Tech explain | Gadgets Unboxing & Review.
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- Source: itel City 100 Unboxing & Review With Free RGB Mag Speaker & IP64 🔥
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