The itel CITY 100, launched in Uganda as the first in itel’s CITY Series, has sparked interest with its promise of affordability, durability, and modern features tailored for young users. Priced at UGX 350,000, it aims to deliver a compelling package for budget-conscious buyers, from students to first-time smartphone users.
After spending time with the device, we’ve put it through its paces to evaluate its performance, camera, battery life, and overall value. Here’s our full review of the itel CITY 100, exploring whether it lives up to the hype in Uganda’s competitive smartphone market.
You could read about: Everything we love about the itel CITY 100 smartphone
Design and build quality
The itel CITY 100 impresses with its sleek, lightweight design, weighing just 185g and measuring 7.65mm thick. Its unibody frame, available in Navy Blue, Pure Titanium, and Fairy Purple, feels modern and youthful, with the Fairy Purple variant standing out for its vibrant appeal.
The plastic back and frame resist fingerprints and scratches, while the IP64 rating for dust and water resistance, combined with drop resistance up to 1.5 meters, ensures durability for everyday use. The side-mounted fingerprint scanner is fast and reliable, and the ergonomic button placement enhances usability.
The 6.75-inch HD+ IPS LCD display with a 90Hz refresh rate is a highlight, offering smooth scrolling and vibrant visuals for browsing, gaming, and streaming. With a resolution of 720 x 1600 pixels and 700 nits of peak brightness, it performs well indoors and in moderate sunlight, though it may struggle under direct sunlight.
The ultra-flat design and Dynamic Bar 2.0 (a notification feature around the front camera cutout) add a premium touch uncommon in budget phones.
Performance and software
Powered by the Unisoc T7250 chipset (12nm) with an octa-core processor (2×1.8 GHz Cortex-A75 & 6×1.6 GHz Cortex-A55) and Mali-G57 MP1 GPU, the CITY 100 handles daily tasks like social media, messaging, and light gaming (e.g., Candy Crush, Subway Surfers) without significant lag.
Our test unit, with 8GB RAM (extendable to 12GB via Memory Fusion) and 128GB UFS 2.2 storage, offered smooth multitasking and ample space for apps, photos, and videos. A microSD slot supports expandable storage, a boon for media-heavy users.
Running on Android 14 with itel’s Pure 14.5 OS, the software is clean, bloatware-free, and intuitive, making it accessible for all users. The standout feature is the DeepSeek R1 AI, which powers instant translation, image-to-text conversion, AI writing, and gesture controls.
In testing, the AI translated Luganda to English accurately, transcribed text from images with minor errors, and simplified tasks like drafting messages. While not flawless, these features add significant value, setting the CITY 100 apart from competitors like the Tecno Spark 20C or Infinix Smart 8.
Camera performance
The CITY 100’s 13MP rear camera (f/1.8, autofocus, LED flash) performs admirably in well-lit conditions, capturing vibrant, detailed photos with good color accuracy thanks to AI enhancements. Portrait mode delivers decent background blur, though edge detection can be inconsistent. Low-light performance is average, with noticeable noise and softer details, but the LED flash helps in darker settings.
The 8MP front camera, also with an LED flash, produces clear selfies for social media, with beauty modes that avoid looking overly artificial. Both cameras support 720p video at 30fps, but the lack of optical image stabilization results in shaky footage when moving.
For a budget phone, the camera system is functional for casual photography and video calls, though it won’t compete with mid-range devices. Users prioritizing photography may want to explore higher-end options, but for its price, the CITY 100 delivers respectable results.
Battery life and charging
The 5,200mAh battery is a standout, easily lasting 1.5 to 2 days with moderate use (social media, calls, light gaming, and streaming). In our testing, it retained 40% charge after 8 hours of mixed use, including 2 hours of video streaming and 30 minutes of gaming. itel’s claim of a 4-year battery health guarantee adds confidence in its longevity.
The 18W fast charger takes about 1 hour 45 minutes to fully charge, which is competitive for the segment. The reverse wired charging feature, allowing the phone to charge other devices, is a practical addition for users on the go.
Additional features
The CITY 100 includes thoughtful extras like an infrared remote control for appliances, dual SIM support, and 4G connectivity, ensuring compatibility with Uganda’s Airtel and MTN networks. The audio quality from the single speaker is decent for calls and casual media consumption, though it lacks the depth of stereo setups. The included 3.5mm earphones are a nice touch, delivering acceptable sound for budget earbuds.
Pros:
- Sleek, durable design with IP64 rating.
- Vibrant 6.75-inch 90Hz display.
- Long-lasting 5,200mAh battery with 18W charging.
- Clean Android 14 experience with innovative AI features.
- Affordable price with generous launch promotions (e.g., free 20,000mAh power bank, 9GB Airtel data).
- Flexible payment plans via MOGO partnership.
Cons:
- Camera struggles in low light and lacks video stabilization.
- Performance limited for heavy gaming or multitasking.
- Display resolution (720p) may feel dated for some users.
Verdict
The itel CITY 100 is a stellar budget smartphone that punches above its price point in Uganda’s market. Its combination of a vibrant display, robust battery, durable build, and AI-driven features makes it an excellent choice for students, young professionals, and first-time smartphone users.
While it’s not suited for high-end gaming or professional photography, it excels in delivering reliable performance for everyday tasks. Priced at UGX 350,000 and available at itel shops, Airtel service centers, and authorized vendors like the new Akamwesi Mall store, the CITY 100 offers exceptional value, especially with its launch promotions and flexible payment options. If you’re seeking an affordable, feature-packed smartphone, the itel CITY 100 is a top contender.
