itel City 100: Sleek, light, and built for everyday use

Itel has always been the brand you turn to when money’s tight. For years, they’ve owned the budget space, but lately, they’re starting to look and feel more like mid-range smartphones. And with the City 100 launched in April, Itel seems to be saying, “We’re done being overlooked.” 

Backed by Transsion, the same company behind TECNO and Infinix, the Itel City 100 seeks to offer solid everyday performance in a sleek, lightweight body, all without pushing the price too high.

At around ₦120,480 in Nigeria, it slots into that entry-level category that appeals to students and anyone looking for an affordable 4G phone with decent specs. It’s only 7.65mm thin, weighs about 185 grams, and comes in three colour options: Navy Blue, Fairy Purple, and Pure Titanium.

Here’s everything you should know about the City 100, from its design and display to the camera, AI features, and battery.

Specs at a glance:

FEATURES	ITEL CITY 100
Display	6.75-inch HD+ IPS display, 90Hz
RAM & Storage	Up to 12GB RAM, up to 256GB
Camera	13MP rear camera / 8MP selfie camera
Battery	5,200mAh, 18W fast charging
Software	Android 14, Itel OS 14.5
Processor	Unisoc T7250 octa-core
Price	₦120,480 (~$77)

What we like about iTel City 100:

• Affordable pricing with solid performance
• Long-lasting 5200mAh battery
• Slim and lightweight design
• IP64 dust and splash resistance
• Minimal bloatware
• 90Hz Refresh Rate
• AI features available for this price range
• Infrared remote app

What to consider:

• Limited camera performance in low-light conditions
• Lagging during intense or prolonged use
• No NFC functionality
• Display resolution could be higher

Design and Build

The itel City 100 stands out for its slim 7.65mm profile and a lightweight build that makes it easy to handle. The finish gives off a metallic shine, though the back is plastic. It’s well put together and doesn’t feel flimsy, which is notable for a budget device.

Despite the glossy look, the back is resistant to fingerprints and smudges. Button placement is straightforward, with the power button and volume rocker positioned on the left side. The fingerprint reader is built into the power button for a cleaner look too.

There’s also an IP64 rating, offering basic protection against dust and splashes in the case of everyday use in less-than-perfect conditions. Port-wise, there’s a USB-C, headphone jack, mic, and a single speaker—not stereo, and no use of the earpiece as an extra speaker. On the back is a 13MP camera with dual LED flash, and there’s a front flash as well—both can be switched on at the same time for extra lighting. Overall, the build feels solid, and the styling does a good job of mimicking more expensive phones.

Display

The Itel City 100 4G comes with a 6.75-inch IPS LCD screen, offering a 720 x 1600 resolution and a 90Hz refresh rate. For a budget phone, this setup handles daily use (scrolling, streaming, and general browsing) without much trouble. The 90Hz refresh rate is a nice touch, keeping motion smooth enough for social apps and light gaming.

At 700 nits peak brightness, the screen stays visible outdoors, even under direct sunlight. That’s especially useful in regions with intense daylight. The colors are decent for an IPS panel, though it doesn’t have the deep contrast of AMOLED. Text and images aren’t as sharp as Full HD panels, but at this price, HD+ is still serviceable.

There’s a waterdrop notch housing the selfie camera, which might look a bit dated, but it doesn’t get in the way. The display covers a good chunk of the front—almost 85%—so watching videos or scrolling feeds feels immersive enough for the basics.

Camera

For a phone in this price range, the Itel City 100 offers a surprisingly capable camera setup. The rear 13MP camera with f/1.8 aperture and autofocus handles daylight shots well, delivering colorful and sharp images, especially with the help of the LED flash. Low-light photos are decent too, though not as clean or bright compared to the front-facing shots.

The 8MP selfie camera also includes an LED flash, which helps keep selfies bright in both natural and artificial lighting. Portrait mode gives users the option to shoot at 1x or 2x zoom for a bit of depth effect, though the added depth sensor is mostly for show.

Video recording tops out at 1080p at 30fps. It’s good enough for casual clips, but with no optical image stabilisation, expect some shakiness during movement or vlogging. HDR and burst shooting modes are available for capturing vibrant or fast-moving scenes, adding to the overall value of the camera setup.

Performance

The smartphone is powered by the Unisoc T7250 octa-core processor, paired with a Mali-G57 MP1 GPU. It comes in two variants—4GB RAM with 128GB storage or 8GB RAM with 256GB storage. With Itel’s MemFusion, up to 8GB of virtual RAM can be added, making the base 4GB variant feel more responsive during everyday use.

It runs on Android 14 with Itel OS 14.5, which is clean and relatively bloat-free. During testing, a software update was available, indicating ongoing support. The system is easy to navigate, and multitasking works well for basic tasks like WhatsApp, YouTube, and web browsing. That said, it can struggle when several heavier apps are open at once—lag becomes noticeable under pressure.

For casual gaming, it handles lighter titles like Subway Surfers without much issue. Games like Call of Duty or PUBG do run, but only on the lowest graphics settings. This isn’t a phone built for high-end gaming or heavy multitasking, but it performs well within its price range.

One standout feature is the DeepSeek R1 AI assistant, which can be activated with a side button. It supports text translation, image-to-text conversion, and gesture controls. The built-in IR blaster is another practical touch, allowing control over compatible home appliances.

Cameras

The Itel City 100 comes with a dual rear camera setup, a 13MP main sensor paired with a QVGA depth sensor and an 8MP front camera. In good lighting, the rear camera produces usable shots with decent colours and enough detail for casual sharing. Dynamic range is limited, but for a budget device, the results are fair.

Low-light performance, as expected, is where things drop off. Noise increases and sharpness takes a hit, especially on the main camera. The selfie cam handles daylight fairly well and should be fine for video calls, but it also struggles in dim settings.

Both cameras support 1080p video recording at 30fps, which is suitable for basic clips. The camera app keeps things simple with features like Super Night mode, HDR, portrait, beauty mode with AI effects, and Pro mode. There’s a dual rear flash and a front-facing adjustable LED flash to help in darker environments.

Battery Life and Charging

The large 5200mAh battery is easily one of its strongest features. It handles everyday use like streaming, gaming, and calls without breaking a sweat, and can last up to two days on a single charge with moderate to heavy use. Light users could push it to three days without needing a top-up.

Charging is handled via USB-C, and the included 18W charger gets the battery from 0 to 100% in just under two hours. It’s not the fastest out there, but for the price, it’s solid and reliable. Features like Bypass Charging and AI protection are included, which help reduce battery stress during gaming and overnight charging.

There’s no wireless charging, but that’s expected at this price point. Interestingly, the phone also supports reverse charging, so it can double as a power bank in a pinch—handy if another device needs a quick boost. While the company claims the phone will remain smooth for up to 60 months, that’s more of a marketing promise than a guarantee. Performance may vary over time..

Software and Extras

The itel City 100 4G runs Android 14 with itel OS 14.5, offering a clean and lightweight interface with minimal bloatware. Most pre-installed apps can be uninstalled, and there are several customisation options for things like icons and the status bar. The AI Wallpaper Generator is available for creating personalised wallpapers, and there’s support for an Always-On Display of sorts, though the screen does go dark after a few seconds.

Other familiar features include Dynamic Bar, Smart Panel, Game Mode, and Kids Mode. The Action and Gesture tool is back too, letting users draw shortcuts for quick access. There’s also an infrared remote app for controlling appliances like TVs and air conditioners.

itel includes its AI assistant called “Aivana,” powered by Deepseek R1. It handles tasks like sending messages, playing music, or even holding a basic conversation, but requires a data connection. 

Pricing & Availability

The itel City 100 is available in Nigeria in two configurations. The 4GB RAM + 128GB variant is priced at about ₦110,900, while the 6GB RAM model with the same storage goes for roughly ₦120,480. On Jumia, the listed price is ₦114,421 at the time of writing. 

You can also find the phone with itel-authorised retailers near you.

Our Verdict

The itel City 100 gets a lot right for its price. It’s a solid pick if all you need is a reliable 4G phone for everyday tasks like WhatsApp, calls and light browsing. The 90Hz screen keeps things smooth, the battery holds up well, and the interface doesn’t get in the way.

That said, there are limits. The HD+ resolution isn’t the sharpest, and the cameras struggle in low light. There’s no 5G, and performance takes a hit if pushed too hard with gaming or multitasking.

Still, for users looking for a basic smartphone that works without fuss, especially in places like Africa where value matters, the City 100 makes a strong case. It’s built for people who just want their phone to work, and that’s exactly what it does.

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