The itel S24, officially unveiled in March 2024, is a highly competitive entry-level smartphone designed to offer premium features at an incredibly accessible price point. It aims to deliver a stunning photography experience with its high-resolution main camera, coupled with a smooth display and reliable performance, making it a compelling choice for budget-conscious consumers.
Design and Display
The itel S24 features a modern and stylish design with a unique “Starry Dial” camera module on the back. It comes in eye-catching colors like Dawn White, Coastline Blue, and Starry Black, with some variants featuring a photochromic back panel that changes color when exposed to sunlight. The phone has a slim profile, measuring 8.3mm in thickness and weighing 192g, which makes it comfortable to hold. For security, it includes a convenient side-mounted fingerprint sensor.
The display is a 6.6-inch IPS LCD panel with an HD+ resolution (1612×720 pixels). While not Full HD, a key highlight for this price range is the 90Hz refresh rate, which provides a noticeably smoother and more fluid visual experience for scrolling and app navigation compared to standard 60Hz displays. It offers a peak brightness of 480 nits, ensuring decent visibility in most indoor and outdoor settings.
Performance and Software
Under the hood, the itel S24 is powered by the MediaTek Helio G91 Ultimate chipset. This octa-core processor, with CPU speeds up to 2.0 GHz, is designed for efficient performance, capably handling everyday tasks such as social media, web Browse, and video streaming. It can also manage casual games with adequate fluidity. The device comes with options for 4GB or 8GB of RAM (with up to 8GB of virtual RAM extension) and 128GB or 256GB of eMMC 5.1 internal storage. Storage is expandable via a dedicated microSDXC card slot, providing ample space for photos and media.
Camera Capabilities
The camera is arguably the main selling point of the itel S24. It features a remarkable 108MP main camera with a large f/1.6 aperture. This high-resolution sensor uses 9-in-1 pixel-binning technology to produce detailed and clear photos, especially in good lighting conditions. It’s accompanied by an auxiliary lens. The camera system includes a 3X in-sensor zoom feature, allowing for lossless zooming, which is a rare and impressive feature for its price point. For selfies and video calls, there’s an 8MP front camera. Both cameras support 1080p video recording at 30fps.
Battery Life
The itel S24 is equipped with a large 5000mAh non-removable battery. This substantial capacity, combined with the power-efficient chipset and HD+ display, ensures excellent all-day battery life for most users. The device supports 18W wired fast charging via a USB Type-C port, allowing for reasonably quick top-ups (itel claims a 50% charge in about 40 minutes). It also includes a “bypass charging” feature to reduce heat and battery degradation during gaming.
Price and Value
The itel S24 offers exceptional value in the entry-level smartphone market. With prices in Nigeria starting from approximately ₦118,400 (around $90 USD), it delivers a compelling package that includes a 108MP camera, a smooth 90Hz display, a color-changing design, and reliable performance with long-lasting battery life. It’s an ideal choice for users seeking a feature-packed smartphone without a premium price tag.
Conclusion
The itel S24 is a highly attractive and unique offering in the budget smartphone segment. It successfully combines a stylish, artistic design with a standout 108MP camera, a fluid 90Hz display, and dependable performance for daily tasks. Its overall balance of features, innovative design elements, and aggressive pricing make the itel S24 an excellent and highly recommended device for its target audience.