itel CITY 100 Smartphone Combines Premium Looks, Smart Features, and a Price That’s Hard to Beat
Here’s the thing: most budget smartphones feel like a compromise. You get the basics, maybe a decent screen, but that’s about it. You’d be wrong if you picked up the itel CITY 100 smartphone.
This is the first device in itel’s new CITY Series, and for just Ksh 11,200, it delivers way more than you’d expect. We’re talking good looks, real durability, a battery that actually lasts, and some genuinely smart AI features you’ll actually want to use.
It Looks Like a Phone You’d Want to Show Off
Let’s start with the design. The CITY 100 is slim—just 7.65mm thick—and feels solid without being heavy. It doesn’t have the plasticky vibe you usually get at this price. The screen is big at 6.75 inches, super bright (even in sunlight), and smooth to scroll thanks to the 90Hz refresh rate. It looks more midrange than entry-level, and that’s saying something.
If you care about how your phone looks and feels in your hand, this one’s a win.
You Don’t Have to Baby It
Phones take a beating in real life. Pockets. Bags. Accidental drops on concrete. That’s where the CITY 100 surprises again. It’s IP64-rated against dust and splashes, and itel says it’s been tested to survive 1.5-meter drops and 25,000 micro drops. That’s not just spec-sheet talk — it genuinely feels tougher than most budget phones.
Oh, and itel’s also offering a five-year fluency guarantee, which is a fancy way of saying it shouldn’t slow down anytime soon.
Battery Anxiety? Not Here
If you’re someone who hates running low before the day ends, the 5200mAh battery in this phone will be your best friend. It lasts. I got through a full day with plenty left. And when you do need to charge up, the 18W fast charging helps speed things along.
There’s also a 4-year battery health guarantee, so it shouldn’t die on you a year in.
AI That Actually Feels Useful
Let’s talk about the one thing that really caught me off guard: the DeepSeek AI tools. Usually, “AI” in budget phones is either super limited or just marketing. But on the CITY 100, it’s surprisingly functional.
You can:
- Create wallpapers from words
- Snap photos with voice commands
- Translate text instantly
- Pull text out of images
- Clean up noisy phone calls
- Even get AI to help you write stuff
And yeah, it all works pretty well. It doesn’t feel like fluff — it feels like a solid attempt at bringing real smart features to people who can’t drop 80K on a flagship.
Bonus Touches That Go a Long Way
In some regions, you even get a free magnetic speaker in the box — a nice touch. The phone also plays nice with accessories like stands and card holders. It’s the little things, right?
It’s Not Just a Budget Phone
Here’s the truth: the itel CITY 100 smartphone doesn’t reinvent the wheel. But it absolutely makes budget phones more fun, more stylish, and way more capable than we’re used to.
It’s made for people who want a phone that keeps up without falling apart — students, young professionals, or anyone who just wants something reliable without spending a fortune.
If you’ve been settling for “good enough,” this phone might just change your mind about what entry-level can do.
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