The itel CITY 100 Packs Big Battery, Durable Build, and Smart Tools Under Ksh 12K
At just over 11K, itel has delivered a phone that favors utility over applause
Budget phones usually come with strings attached — slow performance, flimsy builds, or features that sound better on paper than they actually are. But after spending a bit of time with the itel CITY 100, it’s clear this phone isn’t playing by the usual rules.
This is the first device in itel’s new CITY Series, and for Ksh 11,200, it makes a strong case for itself. The design feels modern and far more refined than you’d expect at this price. It’s slim (just 7.65mm), lightweight, and doesn’t scream “budget” when you hold it. The 6.75-inch display is bright, fluid thanks to a 90Hz refresh rate, and large enough for streaming, scrolling, or whatever else your day throws at it.
A Sturdy Build That Can Take a Hit
Phones break — it’s part of life. But the CITY 100 seems built to survive real-world use. With an IP64 rating for dust and splash resistance and lab tests claiming it can withstand 1.5-meter drops and 25,000 micro drops, itel is clearly betting big on durability. And honestly, it doesn’t feel like marketing fluff — it genuinely feels tougher than many of the phones I’ve used in this price range.
itel’s also throwing in a five-year fluency guarantee, which suggests the phone won’t slow to a crawl after a few months. That’s a bold promise in a market full of devices that lose steam quickly.
itel CITY 100 Battery That Outlasts Your Day
Battery life is often the Achilles’ heel of budget phones. Not here. The CITY 100 packs a 5200mAh battery, and after a full day of web browsing, scrolling my social media feeds, and a bingewatching the latest season of Love Island(don’t judge me), I still had enough juice left to skip the nightly charge. The 18W fast charging also means you’re not tethered to the wall for long.
Even better, itel is backing the battery with a four-year battery health guarantee — a move that shows confidence in their hardware.
itel CITY 100 AI That Actually Does Something
Now here’s where things got unexpectedly interesting: DeepSeek AI. You hear “AI” tossed around a lot, especially in phone marketing, but most of it is surface-level. On the CITY 100, the AI features are actually useful.
You can create custom wallpapers just by typing in a description, take photos using voice commands, clean up call noise, instantly translate text, and even pull text from images. For a phone at this price, these tools feel more polished than gimmicky.
A Few Thoughtful Extras
In some markets, the phone ships with a free magnetic speaker — which is a nice touch for music lovers or students on a budget. It also works well with accessories like magnetic stands and cardholders. Small things, but they show attention to real user needs.
Early Verdict
The itel CITY 100 isn’t trying to be flashy or groundbreaking — and that’s exactly why it works. It’s a phone made for people who want something reliable, stylish, and a little bit smarter than you’d expect for the price. Whether you’re a student, someone buying their first phone, or just need a backup device that doesn’t feel like a downgrade, this one earns a second look.
itel may have just raised the bar for what “entry-level” actually means.
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