Itel S24 Ultra 5G : In the ever-evolving world of smartphones, Itel has made a significant leap with its latest offering, the Itel S24 Ultra 5G.
This device marks Itel’s ambitious entry into the 5G market, aiming to make next-generation connectivity accessible to budget-conscious consumers.
Let’s delve into what makes this smartphone a potential game-changer in its segment.
Itel S24 Ultra 5G Design and Build: Elegance Meets Durability
The Itel S24 Ultra 5G boasts a design that punches above its weight class.
With a sleek profile measuring just 8.3mm in thickness and weighing a comfortable 192 grams, it strikes an excellent balance between portability and substantial feel.
The phone’s exterior features a glossy finish available in three eye-catching colors: Dawn White, Coastline Blue, and Starry Black.
The device’s front is dominated by a large 6.6-inch display, protected by Corning Gorilla Glass 3.
This not only enhances the phone’s premium look but also provides decent protection against scratches and minor drops.
The rear panel houses a vertically aligned camera module, which protrudes slightly but doesn’t make the phone wobble when placed on a flat surface.
On the right side, you’ll find the volume rocker and power button, which doubles as a fingerprint sensor.
The left edge houses the SIM tray, while the bottom edge features a USB-C port, a 3.5mm headphone jack, and a single speaker grille. The overall build quality feels robust, defying the phone’s budget pricing.
Itel S24 Ultra 5G Display: Immersive Viewing Experience
The Itel S24 Ultra 5G sports a 6.6-inch IPS LCD panel with a resolution of 720 x 1612 pixels.
While it may not be the sharpest display in its class, it compensates with a 90Hz refresh rate, providing smoother scrolling and more fluid animations compared to standard 60Hz displays.
The screen boasts a peak brightness of 480 nits, which is adequate for indoor use but may struggle a bit under direct sunlight.
Color reproduction is decent, with good contrast levels for an LCD panel.
The 20:9 aspect ratio makes the phone ideal for consuming media content and multitasking.
One of the standout features is the 90Hz refresh rate, which is not commonly found in this price range.
This higher refresh rate contributes to a more premium feel when navigating the UI or playing compatible games.
Itel S24 Ultra 5G Performance: 5G on a Budget
At the heart of the Itel S24 Ultra 5G lies the MediaTek Helio G91 Ultra chipset.
While not the most powerful processor in the market, it’s a significant step up from Itel’s previous offerings.
The octa-core CPU, featuring two Cortex-A75 cores clocked at 2.0 GHz and six Cortex-A55 cores at 1.8 GHz, provides a good balance between performance and power efficiency.
The phone comes in three configurations: 4GB RAM with 128GB storage, 8GB RAM with 128GB storage, and 8GB RAM with 256GB storage.
The inclusion of 8GB RAM options is particularly noteworthy, as it allows for smoother multitasking and better overall performance.
In day-to-day usage, the S24 Ultra 5G handles basic tasks like web browsing, social media, and light gaming with ease.
More demanding applications and games may show occasional stutters, but nothing that significantly hampers the user experience.
The real star of the show is the 5G capability. Itel has managed to integrate 5G support into a budget-friendly device, making it one of the most affordable 5G smartphones in the market.
This future-proofs the device and allows users to take advantage of high-speed mobile networks where available.
Itel S24 Ultra 5G Camera: Impressive on Paper, Decent in Practice
The camera setup on the Itel S24 Ultra 5G is one of its most intriguing aspects. The primary rear camera boasts a whopping 108MP sensor with an f/1.6 aperture.
This is accompanied by a 0.08MP auxiliary lens, which primarily assists with depth sensing for portrait mode shots.
In good lighting conditions, the main camera captures detailed photos with vibrant colors.
The large sensor size allows for good dynamic range and low-light performance that’s above average for its price range.
However, in challenging lighting situations, some noise becomes apparent, and details can get a bit soft.
The camera app offers various modes including Night, Portrait, and Pro, allowing users to experiment with their photography.
The 108MP mode, in particular, can capture highly detailed shots, though at the cost of increased file sizes.
Video capabilities are decent, with the ability to record 1440p footage at 30fps. While not class-leading, it’s more than adequate for casual video capture and social media sharing.
On the front, an 8MP selfie camera handles self-portraits and video calls. It produces acceptable results in good lighting but struggles in low-light environments.
Itel S24 Ultra 5G Battery Life and Charging: All-Day Power
The Itel S24 Ultra 5G is equipped with a substantial 5000mAh battery, which is becoming the standard for mid-range and budget smartphones.
This large capacity, combined with the power-efficient processor and HD+ display, translates to excellent battery life.
With moderate usage, including a mix of calls, messaging, social media browsing, and some light gaming, the phone easily lasts a full day and often stretches into a second day.
Heavy users might need to charge by the end of the day, especially when using 5G extensively.
Charging is handled by an 18W fast charger, which comes included in the box. While not the fastest charging solution available, it’s a welcome addition in this price segment.
The phone can charge from 0 to 50% in about 40 minutes, with a full charge taking around 1 hour and 45 minutes.
Itel S24 Ultra 5G Software and User Experience
The Itel S24 Ultra 5G runs on Android 13 with Itel’s custom itelOS overlay.
The UI is relatively clean and user-friendly, with some pre-installed apps that can be uninstalled if not needed.
Itel has promised one year of software updates, which is modest but not unexpected for a budget device.
The software includes some useful features like a system-wide dark mode, gesture navigation, and a game mode that optimizes performance for gaming sessions.
The integration of Google services is seamless, providing access to the full suite of Google apps and the Play Store.
Itel S24 Ultra 5G Connectivity and Additional Features
As its name suggests, 5G connectivity is the standout feature of the S24 Ultra 5G.
It supports multiple 5G bands, ensuring compatibility with most 5G networks worldwide.
In addition to 5G, the phone supports dual-band Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 5.2, and GPS.
The side-mounted fingerprint sensor is quick and reliable, offering a convenient way to unlock the device.
Face unlock is also available, though it’s not as secure as the fingerprint method.
The inclusion of a 3.5mm headphone jack is a welcome feature for those who prefer wired audio.
The single bottom-firing speaker is loud enough for casual use but lacks depth and clarity at higher volumes.
Itel S24 Ultra 5G Value Proposition and Conclusion
The Itel S24 Ultra 5G represents a significant step forward for Itel in the budget smartphone segment.
By offering 5G connectivity, a high-resolution camera, and decent overall performance at an affordable price point, Itel has created a compelling option for budget-conscious consumers looking to future-proof their smartphone purchase.
While it may not compete with mid-range or flagship devices in terms of raw performance or camera capabilities, the S24 Ultra 5G offers an impressive package for its price.
It’s particularly well-suited for users who prioritize 5G connectivity and battery life over top-tier performance or premium build materials.
In conclusion, the Itel S24 Ultra 5G is a noteworthy contender in the budget 5G smartphone market. It successfully balances performance, features, and affordability, making next-generation connectivity accessible to a wider audience.
While it has its limitations, the overall package offers excellent value for money, potentially setting a new standard for what consumers can expect from budget 5G devices.