itel has launched the CITY 100, the first smartphone in its new CITY Series, targeting young users with a combination of AI capabilities and durability at a budget price point of KES 11,200.
Design and Build Quality
The CITY 100 features a 7.65mm unibody frame with an ultra-flat display that sits flush with the edges, a design choice typically reserved for premium phones. The 6.75-inch screen delivers a 90Hz refresh rate, 700 nits peak brightness, and 83% color gamut coverage.
Durability testing includes 1.5-meter drop resistance and 25,000 micro-drop tests. The phone carries IP64 rating for dust and water protection, with itel backing it with a 60-month fluency guarantee.
AI Integration
The CITY 100 runs on DeepSeek R1, making it itel’s first AI-powered smartphone. The AI features include:
- Text-to-wallpaper generation
- Image stylization
- One-press AI search for shopping
- Real-time translation
- Image-to-text conversion
- AI writing assistance
- Call noise reduction
- Voice-activated photography
Battery and Performance
The device packs a 5,200mAh battery with 18W fast charging, backed by a 4-year battery health guarantee. itel includes a free magnetic speaker in select markets and supports accessories like stands and card holders.
Market Position and Availability
The CITY 100 is itel’s push into AI-enabled budget devices. The 15-year-old brand operates in over 80 markets and held the top position in 2024 for smartphones under $75 globally.
itel’s new device targets Gen Z users who want AI functionality without premium pricing, positioning itself against other budget Android devices that typically lack advanced AI features.
The itel CITY 100 is now available at KES 11,200, with specific market availability and accessory bundles varying by region.
