The itel S24, officially released in April 2024, is a standout in the budget smartphone category. It is designed to shatter the stereotype that affordable phones can’t have a great camera. By combining a flagship-level camera sensor with a smooth display and a long-lasting battery, the S24 offers a unique and compelling value proposition for its price.
Design and Display
The itel S24 features a sleek and modern design with a refined aesthetic that looks more expensive than it is. It comes in a range of attractive colors, including Starry Black, Coastline Blue, and a distinctive Luminous Green. The phone has a comfortable in-hand feel, measuring 8.3mm thin and weighing 192g. A side-mounted fingerprint sensor provides quick and convenient security.
The display is a key highlight for this price segment: a spacious 6.6-inch IPS LCD panel with an HD+ resolution (720 x 1612 pixels). The screen boasts a 90Hz refresh rate, providing a noticeably smoother and more fluid visual experience for scrolling and app navigation. The display also features a peak brightness of 600 nits, ensuring good visibility outdoors. A punch-hole cutout for the selfie camera adds to the modern look.
Performance and Software
Under the hood, the itel S24 is powered by the MediaTek Helio G91 chipset (12nm). This octa-core processor, with a CPU clocked at up to 2.0 GHz, is designed for efficient performance, handling everyday tasks like social media, web browsing, and casual gaming with ease. The device comes with 8GB of RAM and a generous 128GB or 256GB of internal storage. The RAM can be expanded virtually up to 16GB, and the storage is expandable via a dedicated microSDXC card slot.
The smartphone runs on Android 14 with itel’s itelOS 14 on top. The software offers a clean, user-friendly interface with various optimizations and smart features, including a “Dynamic Bar” feature that provides a unique animation around the punch-hole for notifications and charging.
Camera Capabilities
The camera is the main selling point of the itel S24. It features a single, high-resolution 108MP main camera with an f/1.6 aperture and an HM6 sensor. This flagship-level sensor, combined with advanced image processing, captures incredibly detailed and vibrant photos, a rarity in this price category. It is capable of a 3x in-sensor zoom without significant loss of quality and can record videos in 1440p at 30fps. The phone also has an auxiliary lens to assist with image enhancement. For selfies and video calls, there is a capable 8MP front camera (f/2.0).
Battery Life
The itel S24 is built for endurance. It is equipped with a large 5000mAh non-removable battery. This substantial capacity, combined with the power-efficient Helio G91 chipset, 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.
Price and Value
The itel S24 offers exceptional value for money in the budget smartphone market. With prices in Nigeria starting from approximately ₦150,000 (around $100 USD), it delivers a compelling package that includes a professional-grade 108MP camera, a smooth 90Hz display, reliable performance, and a very long-lasting battery with fast charging.
Conclusion
The itel S24 is a revolutionary device in its class. It successfully challenges the notion that budget smartphones must compromise on camera quality. By providing a truly excellent camera experience alongside a smooth display and dependable performance, the itel S24 is an outstanding choice for users who prioritize photography but are constrained by a budget.
