Itel City 100 (C671L) Review, Price And Specifications.
Display: 6.75" HD+ (1600×720) 90hz IPS-LCD Notched Display.
Software: Android 14 (Go Edition) OS, PureOS Custom UI.
CPU: Unisoc T7250 (12nm).
RAM: 4GB/6GB (And up to 4GB of Virtual RAM).
Storage: 128GB (expandable up to 2TB).
Rear Camera: Single-lens (13MP).
Front Camera: Single-lens (8MP).
Security: Side-mounted fingerprint reader, Face Unlock.
Port: USB Type-C.
Network: 4G.
Speaker: Dual.
Battery: 5,200mAh.
Charging Speed: 18W.
Starting Price:
₦115,500, KSh 10,700, GHc 1,10,
UGX 349,000.
Though i was impressed with the Itel City 100's premium build quality, decent CPU, and all-encompassing features, i was let down when the phone booted the previous version of Android OS out of the box. I was even more dissatisfied when i found out that there's no assurance of major software updates for the phone
So, despite the Itel City 100's potential or tendency to last long (as a result of its premium build quality, up-to-date hardware components, and all-encompassing features), its lack of assurance for major software updates is an issue for me.
By the way, despite the fact that the likes of the Redmi A5, Infinix Smart 10, and Tecno Pop 10 lack the all-encompassing features and slightly better build quality of the Itel City 100, they all boot the latest Android OS out of the box. And yet, they have similar basic components as the Itel phone.
Price And Design Colours
The Itel City 100 is available in three colour options of Sleek Black, Pure Titanium , Navy Blue, and Fairy Purple. Currently, the phone's starting price is about 115,000 Naira.
Familiar Design But Premium Build Quality:
Because the Itel City 100 wears a premium look and has an unusually slim frame of 7.7mm, it can easily pass for a more expensive budget phone. However, the phone's thick bezels and traditional screen notch give it away.
Nonetheless, as i mentioned before, the phone has a better build than most other entry-level budget phones. For instance, in addition to its unusually slim frame and premium design, the Itel City 100 also feels solid yet light (185g) in hand. Itel says the phone has a unibody; i don't know what that means, though. But i know it is among the few at this price point that offer an IP64 rating, i.e., the phone is dust-tight and water-splash resistant certified, while most others in this segment are either IP54 or IP52 certified. Also, unlike most others, the Itel City 100 comes with an IR blaster, which allows you to use the phone as a remote control for electronic appliances.
The IR blaster or sensor is placed inside the phone's rear camera bump, which is in the form of an elongated rectangle. At first, i mistook the IR blaster for the phone's second rear camera. But actually, the Itel City 100 has a single-lens rear camera, and it is placed on the upper part of the bump, above the IR blaster.
Like other competing entry-level phones, the Itel City 100 has a flat rear panel and flat sides. It's also made of plastic. The ports and buttons on the City 100 are also similar to those of others.
In detail, the phone's volume keys and power button (which also serves as a fingerprint reader) are located on the right side, while its 3-in-1 SIM tray (which can take two 4G nano-SIM cards and one microSD card) is on the left side.
On the bottom of the phone, you'll find a microphone, a USB Type-C port, a 3.5mm audio jack, and a mono speaker. There's nothing on the top of the Itel City 100. By the way, if you would have preferred stereo speakers and a more stylish hole-punch display, i would say you should go for either of the Infinix Smart 10 or Tecno Pop 10. Both of the phones are also IP64 certified. However, the Infinix phone has a lower megapixel rear camera and lacks the IR blaster found on the City 100. But the Tecno offers both IR Blaster and has the same rear camera as the Itel phone.
Note: The TPU rubber case that comes with the Itel City 100 has a circular magnetic ring. This enables you to attach small metallic objects to the back of the City 100.
A Big 90Hz Display:
The Itel City 100 features a large 6.75-inch display. At this price point, the only phone that offers a bigger display is the 6.88-inch Redmi A5. However, like the one on the Redmi phone and all others, the City 100 display has a 720p (1600x720) resolution, which is what you often get at this price point. So, despite its big size, the display sharpness leaves you wanting. Colour reproduction and brightness level are decent, though. Itel calls the display "Sunbright" (like the one on the Itel A70), claiming a peak brightness of 700 nits. Though the display is a bit brighter than the average ones found on most low-end phones, it doesn't quite seem to reach that peak under direct sunlight.
The City 100 display features a high screen refresh rate of 90Hz. Although this is low compared to the 120Hz of the Redmi A5, Smart 10, and Pop 10, the swiping and scrolling experience is almost the same. Perhaps this is because you don't often get a true 120Hz refresh rate experience on most low-end budget phones, especially those at this price point.
Basic Camera Set-up:
The camera setup on the Itel City 100 is pretty basic. It is what you often get at this price point. The phone's single-lens rear camera has a 13MP sensor, and there's an 8MP camera on the front of the phone.
As expected of a phone in this segment, photos taken with the Itel City 100 are not particularly detailed or appealing. Still, they are moderately clear and sharp. Color representation also looks exciting.
And when compared to those taken with the competition, I consistently notice that the shots from the City 100 appear slightly brighter. However, the perceived increased brightness prevents the shots from having normal or balanced HDR, unlike those from the Redmi A5, Pop 10 and Smart 10.
Meanwhile, like the rest, the City 100 can shoot videos up to 1080p at 30fps (frames per second) with both its front and rear cameras.
Software And Processing Power:
While the Redmi A5, Tecno Pop 10, and Infinix Smart 10 feature Android 15 (Go Edition) OS, the Itel City 100 comes with Android 14 OS. Unfortunately, as i said earlier, it is unlikely the City 100 will get major software updates.
However, the Itel City 100 is running the outgoing Android OS with the recently unveiled PureOS custom UI on top. The phone also comes with an improved version of Aivana (Itel Mobile's Voice Assistant). The Voice Assistant is now powered by DeepSeek R1.
Unlike more expensive budget phones, the City 100 cannot offer full-fledged AI features, yet it comes with two basic ones, namely AI Wallpaper Generator and AI Writing Assistant. The latter can generate, proofread, and summarize texts, so it can be of good assistance when it comes to documentation and writing.
Our Itel City 100 comes with 4GB of RAM and 128GB of internal storage. There's also a 6GB RAM version, but it is also paired with 128GB of internal storage. Nonetheless, the internal storage space can be expanded via microSD, up to 2TB (two terabytes).
While most competing phones that offer similar RAM and storage configurations have eMMC 5.1 type of internal storage, the Itel City 100 offers a slightly faster UFS 2.2 internal storage. This implies the Itel City 100 has a tendency to move a little faster than the competition, especially in the face of demanding tasks.
Talking about its processing power, the Itel City 100 is powered by the Unisoc T7250 processor, a 12nm octa-core entry-level processor with clock speeds of up to 1.8GHz. For its GPU (Graphics Processing Unit), the processor makes use of the Mali-G57 MP1. It should be noted that the Redmi A5, Infinix Smart 10, and Tecno Pop 10 also come with the Unisoc T7250 CPU. Therefore, the City 100's performance is similar to those of the competing phones.
Meanwhile, because the T7250 is an entry-level CPU, the Itel City 100 doesn't have enough power to seamlessly handle quick multitasking and demanding games. Yet, the phone moves quickly and is surprisingly responsive. It also managed to play many graphics-demanding games, but it did so at low frame rates and low-graphics settings. It should be emphasized that the Itel City 100 is meant for basic tasks and light games.
Big Battery & Faster Charging:
The Itel City 100 is powered by a 5,200mAh battery, which is a little bigger than the typical 5000mAh battery that accompanies most budget phones. Although the Redmi A5 also has the same capacity, while the Redmi phone features 15W fast charging, the Itel City 100 features 18W. I think the Itel phone is the only one among the competing phones that features 18W fast charging.
Meanwhile, with its out-of-the-box 18W charger, it will take you a little over two hours to fully charge the Itel City 100 battery from zero percent.
Itel City 100 (C671L) Full Specs:
GENERAL
Maker: Itel Mobile.
Name: City 100 (c671l).
Year Announced: April, 2025.
Dimensions: 167.7x77.5x7.65mm.
Build Resistance: IP64 (Dust-tight and water splash resistance) certified.
Weight: 185g.
Colour: Navy Blue, Pure Titanium, Fairy Purple.
DISPLAY
Screen Type: IPS-LCD Capacitive Touchscreen.
Screen Type: IPS-LCD Capacitive Touchscreen.
Size and Resolution: 6.75-inch, HD+, 1600-by-720 pixels, 90Hz high refresh rate.
Aspect ratio & Pixel Densities: 20:9, 260PPI.
Protection: N/a.
PORTS:
3.5mm Audio Jack: Yes.
USB Type-C Port: Yes.
PERFORMANCE
Chipset: Unisoc T7250, 12nm Octa-core Processor, 1.8GHz.
GPU: Mali-G57 MP1.
RAM: 4GB/6GB (up to 4GB Extra through RAM extension).
Operating System: Android 14 (Go Edition), PureOS 14.5 custom UI.
STORAGE
Internal Storage: 128GB (also 256GB in some regions).
Micro-SD card slot: Yes, up to 2TB (two terabyte).
SIM AND NETWORK
SIM: Nano, Dual SIM slots.
Network: GSM, WCDMA, HSPA+, LTE.
CAMERA
Rear camera: Single-lens; 13MP(f/2.0) With LED-Flash.
Front camera: Single-lens, 8MP (f/2.0) Single Front Flash.
VIDEO RECORDING:
Rear Cameras: 720p, 1080p @ 30 fps.
Front Camera: 720p, 1080p, @ 30 fps.
CONNECTIVITY:
Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 5.0, HotSpots, USB-OTG.
BIOMETRIC, SENSORS & LOCATION:
Security: Face Unlock, Side-mounted fingerprint reader.
Sensors: Ambient light sensor, G-sensor, Accelerometer, Electronic compass And IR blaster.
Others: GPS, Location (Geo, Glonass), Beidou, Galileo, Compass.
BATTERY
Battery Capacity: 5,2000mAh.
Wired Fast Charging: Yes (18W).
Reverse (Wired) Charging: N/a.
Wireless-Charging: N/a.
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