itel A80: Affordable Smartphone With 120 Hz Display And 50 MP Camera

Body

The itel A80 comes in at a slim 8.5 mm thickness, giving it a sleek, modern look that feels great in hand. Its design offers a choice between three color options: Glacier White, Sandstone Black, and Wave Blue. These colors are designed to appeal to a wide range of users, from minimalist fans to those who enjoy a bit of flair. Here are the relevant specs:

The A80 runs on Android 14 with itel's custom itel OS 14 skin. While itel OS is relatively simple, it's geared toward improving ease of use for entry-level users, offering fewer frills but a more streamlined experience.

Although the dull dimensions of the itel A80 are not provided in the spec sheet, with the given 6.7-inch display and an aspect ratio of 20:9, we can estimate the height and width of the phone. This estimated width puts the phone just on the edge of being manageable with one hand for people with average-sized hands. However, longer sessions might require a bit of hand adjustment, especially during typing or swiping in the upper regions of the display.

Given that the phone is 8.5 mm thick, we're looking at a fairly slim profile, which should make it easy to slip into pockets or bags without adding much bulk. The slim thickness suggests that the phone will be comfortable to hold during long sessions, especially for scrolling and watching videos.

Carrying the phone around in your pocket should be comfortable due to its slim thickness and manageable width. The relatively lightweight design (typical for entry-level phones) and its rounded edges, designed for ergonomic comfort, should make it easy to take in and out of pockets or bags without adding strain.

If you're someone who uses your phone for prolonged sessions - whether for reading, scrolling through social media, or watching videos - the slim profile paired with a large display could strike a good balance between comfort and usability.

Let's get a little creative here! The itel A80 offers three color choices - Glacier White, Sandstone Black, and Wave Blue - each likely to attract different types of users:

• Glacier White: This is for the minimalist or someone who loves a clean, crisp aesthetic. The white color often appeals to people who like a more neutral, professional look but still want a touch of modernity. It's the color of simplicity, elegance, and balance. If you're someone who prefers subtle sophistication and want your phone to feel like a blank canvas, this is your go-to color.
• Sandstone Black: The classic black is the go-to for users who prioritize versatility and timelessness. Black suits people who like to keep things understated yet powerful. This color gives the phone a sleek, professional appearance, ideal for users who appreciate bold minimalism and want a phone that can transition easily between casual and formal settings. It also has the added advantage of not showing wear and tear as visibly as lighter colors.
• Wave Blue: For those who like to make a statement, Wave Blue is the color of choice. Blue is often associated with creativity, calmness, and confidence. Users who opt for this color are likely ones who want to stand out a bit more, without going overboard. This is a fun, lively choice that still retains a touch of elegance - ideal for younger users or anyone who enjoys a more playful vibe in one's tech.

In summary, the itel A80's slim profile and lightweight body make it a comfortable device to use for extended periods and easy to carry around. Its estimated dimensions, while large, won't feel overwhelming for most users, and the phone should fit snugly in most pockets or bags. Whether you're looking for something sleek, understated, or vibrant, itel has a color option to match your personality.

If we compare the itel A80 with the predecessor A70, it's gotten a bit slimmer. the itel A70 was 8.6 mm thick.

IP Rating

(Related: IP ratings explained.)

The absence of an official IP rating on the itel A80 might raise an eyebrow or two for potential buyers who are cautious about their devices encountering the elements. However, it doesn't necessarily mean the device is defenseless. Many smartphones, even without official ratings, incorporate design elements that offer a level of protection against accidental spills, rain, or minor dust encounters.

For users keen on adding an extra layer of defense, investing in a protective case for the itel A80 is a pragmatic move. Cases not only shield the device from accidental drops but also act as a barrier against water and dust. Opt for a case that suits your style and provides the level of protection you desire.

The display, being one of the most vulnerable parts of any smartphone, deserves special attention. A high-quality tempered glass screen protector can be a lifesaver. Not only does it guard against scratches and smudges, but it also adds a level of water resistance to the front of the itel A80.

In the absence of an official IP rating, a bit of user-driven precaution can go a long way. In the end, it's about finding the right balance between living on the edge and keeping your tech in tip-top shape.

For comparison, the predecessor itel A70 did not come with an IP rating, either.

Display: 120 Hz on a Budget

(Related: Know more about the various kinds of displays and screen specs.)

One of the standout features of the itel A80 is its 6.7-inch IPS LCD display. The size ensures a large screen real estate, great for video streaming, social media scrolling, and casual gaming. What's surprising for an entry-level phone is the inclusion of a 120 Hz refresh rate, which will make your scrolling experience feel much more fluid. With the 720×1600 pixel resolution, you won't get the sharpest display out there, but at this price point, it's a fair trade-off, especially considering the high refresh rate.

itel A80 display. Image credit: itel

Here are the relevant specs:

IPS (In-Plane Switching) LCD displays are known for their excellent color accuracy and wide viewing angles. Unlike cheaper TFT displays, IPS panels ensure that colors remain consistent even when viewed from the side, making the screen visible and legible at extreme angles. This is great for watching videos or showing content to friends without significant color distortion.

One of the most surprising features for an entry-level phone like the itel A80 is the 120 Hz refresh rate. Many budget phones stick to a 60 Hz refresh rate, but the A80's higher refresh rate means smoother animations and a more responsive feel when scrolling through apps, menus, and websites. This is especially noticeable during fast-paced activities like casual gaming or even just swiping through your social media feed.

For a phone at this price point, this is a significant upgrade, giving you a taste of premium performance in terms of fluidity and responsiveness. You'll notice that transitions are smoother, text feels easier to read while scrolling, and there's a snappier feel when navigating the interface.

The display resolution on the itel A80 is 720×1600 pixels with a 20:9 aspect ratio, resulting in a pixel density of around 262 PPI (pixels per inch). While this doesn't quite reach the sharpness of Full HD or higher-end displays, it's acceptable for everyday tasks. Here's a breakdown of how it performs with different types of content:

• Text and Web Browsing: For text-heavy tasks like reading articles, emails, and browsing websites, the resolution is more than adequate. You may notice slight pixelation on small fonts, but it won't hinder the experience for most casual users.
• Videos and Streaming: The 720p resolution is decent for streaming standard-definition videos or YouTube content. However, if you're someone who regularly watches HD or 4K videos, you'll notice a lack of sharpness and detail compared to higher-resolution displays.
• Casual Gaming: Most casual games will run just fine at this resolution. For graphically intensive games, however, a higher resolution would provide a crisper and more detailed experience, though the 120 Hz refresh rate still helps improve smoothness.

The 500 nits peak brightness on the itel A80 is reasonable for indoor use or shaded environments. It's bright enough to ensure a good viewing experience under normal lighting conditions, making it suitable for tasks like indoor browsing, watching videos, and playing games.

However, when it comes to outdoor visibility, especially under direct sunlight or bright outdoor environments, 500 nits is on the lower side. You may find it challenging to see the screen clearly in such conditions, and the display could appear washed out or hard to read. For bright outdoor use, most phones with excellent visibility have peak brightness levels around 700 to 1000 nits, so the A80 would likely struggle in comparison.

In conclusion, the itel A80's display, with its 120 Hz refresh rate, 720×1600 px resolution, and 500 nits brightness, provides a solid experience for entry-level users. The IPS LCD panel ensures decent color reproduction and wide viewing angles, while the high refresh rate delivers a smooth interface experience that outshines most other budget phones.

For everyday use - whether it's social media, video streaming, or casual gaming - the display performs well. However, heavy media consumers or users who frequently use their phones outdoors in direct sunlight might find the 720p resolution and 500 nits brightness limiting. Overall, itel has made some smart trade-offs to provide an affordable yet capable display.

For comparison, the predecessor A70 featured a 6.6-inch, 720×1612 px IPS LCD display with a 60 Hz refresh rate and 500 nits peak brightness.

Networks

(Related: Cellular networks explained.)

The itel A80 supports GSM, HSPA, and LTE, ensuring decent network connectivity for most users.

GSM and HSPA are the stalwarts, providing 2G and 3G connectivity, respectively. Then there's LTE, the foundation of modern 4G networks, delivering faster internet speeds and improved call quality.

SIM

The itel A80 supports dual SIM.

Chipset - Performance

The itel A80 is powered by the Unisoc T603 chipset, an octa-core processor that's built for basic tasks like browsing, social media, and watching videos. Don't expect it to handle heavy games or intensive applications smoothly, but for most day-to-day activities, it will do just fine. Paired with 3 GB or 4 GB of RAM, the phone provides a reasonably smooth multitasking experience, though the 4 GB version will obviously handle more apps running in the background with less lag. Here are the relevant specs:

The itel A80's spec sheet does not specify a GPU, but often, in entry-level smartphones, the GPU is part of the system-on-chip (SoC) and is an entry-level one. This is likely the case with the itel A80.

The itel A80 is powered by the Unisoc T603 chipset, which is an entry-level SoC. Unisoc processors are commonly found in budget smartphones, focusing more on cost-efficiency rather than raw performance.

The CPU is octa-core, which is quite standard in most modern smartphones, even at the budget level. An octa-core CPU means the phone has eight cores, allowing it to perform better multitasking than a quad-core processor. Typically, these cores are divided into performance cores for handling heavier tasks and efficiency cores for everyday tasks and power saving.

Although it's octa-core, this isn't a high-performance CPU like you'd find in midrange or flagship phones. It's designed to manage everyday operations with adequate efficiency.

The combination of the Unisoc T603 chipset, octa-core CPU, and an entry-level GPU positions the itel A80 as a phone that handles basic tasks quite well but may struggle with heavier loads. Here are the types of tasks that the A80 can handle with ease:

• Day-to-Day Usage: The phone is perfectly suited for activities like browsing the web, checking emails, social media scrolling, and other routine tasks. Thanks to the octa-core processor, multitasking (like switching between a few apps) will be smooth, but keep expectations realistic for heavier loads.
• Media Consumption: Watching videos in standard definition (SD) or even 720p HD will be fine. The phone can handle YouTube, Netflix, and similar streaming platforms with no significant issues. However, keep in mind that due to the 720p screen, the visual clarity won't be as sharp as a Full HD or 4K display.
• Casual Gaming: Light 2D games or simple 3D games that don't push the GPU too hard will run smoothly. Games that don't require high frame rates or demanding graphics should perform fine.

However, there are certain tasks that might demand a more powerful configuration, such as:

• High-End Gaming: If you're into playing demanding 3D games like Call of Duty: Mobile, Asphalt 9, and Genshin Impact, the performance will likely struggle, especially at high settings. You'll probably need to lower the graphics settings to get a playable frame rate, and even then, it might be a less-than-smooth experience.
• Heavy Multitasking: While the octa-core CPU allows for decent multitasking, if you're running multiple resource-hungry apps at once (like a combination of video streaming, heavy browsing, and social media apps), the phone may slow down or lag. The 3 GB or 4 GB RAM variants will have an impact on how well it handles this. The 4 GB RAM model will perform better with multitasking, while the 3 GB variant may struggle more.
• Content Creation / Editing: If you're into photo or video editing (even on a basic level), this phone might not be up to the task for anything beyond light editing. While simple edits can be done, rendering video or working with high-resolution files will likely cause noticeable slowdowns.
• Future-Proofing: The Unisoc T603 is adequate for today's basic apps and tasks, but as apps become more demanding, this processor will age quickly. It's not the most future-proof chipset, so heavier apps or newer versions of Android may start to push the hardware beyond its limits after a couple of years.

In summary, the itel A80, with its Unisoc T603 chipset, octa-core CPU, and a basic GPU, is an entry-level phone designed for users who need a reliable device for basic everyday use. If your needs center around social media, messaging, casual gaming, and video watching, the A80 should deliver a smooth experience. It's also a solid choice for users looking for a phone that can multitask lightly and handle standard apps without much lag.

However, if you're a power user looking for heavy gaming, advanced multitasking, or content creation, this phone's entry-level specs won't cut it. It's great for budget-conscious users who aren't doing processor-intensive tasks, but anyone who needs more power will likely want to look elsewhere for a midrange or higher-end phone.

For comparison, the predecessor A70 featured the same chipset with an octa-core CPU.

Memory and Storage

Here are the relevant specs:

The 128 GB of internal storage on both RAM variants is more than enough for your apps, photos, and videos. But if you need even more space, the phone includes a dedicated microSDXC slot for expandable storage, allowing you to bump up your memory without sacrificing one of the SIM slots.

For comparison, the predecessor itel A70 came in four variants, featuring 3 GB or 4 GB of RAM paired with 64 GB to 256 GB of internal storage, expandable via a microSDXC card.

Cameras: Impressive for the Price

The 50 MP main camera on the itel A80 is a standout feature, especially for an entry-level phone. While most budget phones offer lower-resolution cameras, itel has packed in a solid 50 MP shooter capable of capturing good detail in well-lit conditions. The second camera is an auxiliary lens, which likely assists with depth sensing or macro shots, but it's not a feature that stands out.

The 8 MP selfie camera is modest but functional, offering decent selfies for social media use. It's not going to blow you away with its performance, but at this price, it does the job.

Rear Camera

itel A80 main camera setup. Image credit: itel

The itel A80 features a dual-camera setup, which is fairly typical for entry-level smartphones. While it doesn't have the complex multi-lens systems seen in more expensive phones, the camera configuration is still capable of handling everyday photography needs for the target audience. Let's break down the roles of the two lenses and the additional features. Here are the relevant specs:

Specification	itel A80
Number of Cameras	2 (Dual)
Resolution (Megapixels)	50 MP, N/A (auxiliary lens)
Video Recording	1080p at 30 fps
Other Features	Dual-LED flash, HDR

The star of the show in this dual-camera setup is the 50 MP primary camera. This high megapixel count is impressive for an entry-level device and allows for detailed, high-resolution images. More megapixels mean that the camera can capture finer details, especially in well-lit conditions.

The high resolution also allows for digital zoom without losing too much detail. Though the phone lacks a dedicated telephoto lens, you'll still be able to zoom in on subjects to a certain extent before pixelation becomes noticeable.

A higher megapixel count gives you more room to crop your photos without sacrificing too much quality, which is great for social media or light editing. However, it's important to note that megapixels aren't everything. Image quality also depends on factors like sensor size, aperture, and software optimization. It's likely that in low-light situations, despite the high megapixel count, the performance might not match that of phones with larger sensors or more sophisticated camera systems.

The second camera is simply listed as an auxiliary lens without further details, which is common for budget phones. This secondary camera could serve various purposes, but in most cases for entry-level devices like the itel A80, it's often a depth sensor or AI lens that assists with portrait mode and improving depth perception.

The itel A80's camera setup also comes with a few notable features that enhance the photography experience. The dual-LED flash is a handy addition, especially for night or low-light photography. Having two LEDs instead of one allows for better light distribution and a more natural color temperature in your photos. This is particularly useful when taking pictures in dim environments, as it helps avoid harsh shadows and overly bright spots that a single LED flash might cause.

HDR (High Dynamic Range) is another feature that will improve the overall quality of your photos, especially in tricky lighting conditions like backlighting or high-contrast scenes. HDR combines multiple exposures to retain detail in both the darkest and brightest parts of a scene. For example, when taking a picture of a sunset, HDR can help keep the sky's colors vivid while ensuring that objects in the foreground don't turn into silhouettes.

With HDR, you'll also notice better color balance in photos with extreme lighting, making it useful for shooting landscapes, outdoor scenes, and high-contrast environments like a brightly lit street at night. While HDR won't transform a budget camera into a flagship-level performer, it helps elevate the quality of photos by compensating for some of the limitations of the phone's hardware.

In terms of video, the itel A80 can shoot in 1080p resolution at 30 fps, which is standard for entry-level devices. While this isn't 4K, it's more than adequate for recording casual videos for social media or personal use. 1080p is Full HD, so you'll get decent detail and clarity, but don't expect high-end stabilization or advanced video recording features.

Overall, the itel A80's dual-camera system is well-suited for its price range and target audience. The 50 MP primary lens will capture sharp, high-resolution photos, especially in good lighting, and the auxiliary lens will likely enhance portrait shots by adding depth. Features like dual-LED flash and HDR further enhance the phone's ability to take well-balanced and properly lit photos.

For users who want a phone capable of handling everyday photography, including social media posts, casual portrait shots, and quick snaps in various lighting conditions, this camera setup is more than adequate. However, power users or anyone looking for pro-level photo capabilities, low-light performance, or advanced zoom will want to look elsewhere.

For comparison, the older itel A70 featured a dual camera setup, consisting of a 13 MP standard lens and a 0.08 MP auxiliary lens. It was capable of recording videos, and its feature set included dual-LED flash and HDR.

Battery Life: All-Day Power

(Related: Battery specs and charging types explained.)

Here are the relevant specs:

With a 5000 mAh battery, the itel A80 is designed to last a full day of regular use. This is a major selling point for budget-conscious users who don't want to worry about charging midday. However, the phone only supports 10 W wired charging, meaning it won't power up as quickly as some of its competitors, and you'll have to be patient during recharges.

For comparison, the older itel A70 came with a similar battery and charging setup.

Sound

(Related: Know more about the sound specs and features.)

Here are the relevant specs:

A 3.5 mm headphone jack is present for wired audio fans, which is a welcome addition for those who still prefer traditional headphones. There's a loudspeaker as well, although it's not likely to blow you away in terms of sound quality.

For comparison, the predecessor A70 featured a similar audio setup.

Connectivity

With support for Wi-Fi, the itel A80 ensures you can connect to common Wi-Fi networks.

The A80 features Bluetooth, ensuring a seamless connection, whether you're connecting to headphones, speakers, or other devices.

The itel A80 features the GPS positioning system for accurate navigation and location services.

The omission of NFC might be a downside for some users who rely on mobile payments, but its absence is somewhat expected in this price bracket.

Last but not least, the trusty USB-C 2.0 - the universal connector. Whether you're charging your device, transferring files, or connecting to external devices, USB Type-C 2.0 ensures a reliable connection. It's the jack-of-all-trades, allowing you to expand your device's capabilities and stay connected to the wider world of technology.

Sensors

The itel A80 comes equipped with the following sensor, in addition to other, unspecified ones:

• Fingerprint Sensor: Used for quick and secure unlocking. It is side-facing in the A80.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

• What is itel A80 release date?

  The itel A80 has been announced and released in September 2024.