Itel A80 review: a budget-friendly choice for everyday use

Review Summary

Expert Rating
7.5/10

Design
 
8.0
/10
Display
 
7.5
/10
Software
 
7.0
/10
Camera
 
7.0
/10
Performance
 
7.0
/10
Battery
 
7.0
/10

Pros

  • Tall display
  • Clean Android with Go edition
  • Decent battery
  • Loud speakers

Cons

  • Average performer
  • Slow charging

In a matter of a month, Itel has introduced two budget-friendly smartphones. Recently, we reviewed the Itel Zeno 10, a moderately featured-packed handset with an aggressive starting sticker price of Rs 5,699. In this review, we are checking out the Itel A80, which offers relatively better cameras, more storage, and a bigger display, starting at Rs 7,099. But is it worth considering, especially if you consider rivals like the Redmi A4 5G (review) that even offer 5G connectivity in the same sub-Rs 10K segment? Let’s find out.

Verdict

The Itel A80 is a decent smartphone for entry-level customers who want a reliable smartphone with a tall display for reading and watching content. The phone also has decent cameras, though it’s best to manage expectations. However, no 5G support might draw customers to rivals, such as the Redmi A4 5G. If that’s not a dealbreaker, the Itel A80 is a good starting point.

Design and display

Unlike the Itel Zeno 10’s flashy colourway, the Itel A80 features a more subtle and minimalist appearance. The phone is available in three colour options, which is uncommon in this price range. I reviewed the Wave Blue variant, featuring a brushed pattern on the back that adds a touch of elegance. The other options – Glacier White and Sandstone Black – each showcase a distinct pattern, catering to diverse user preferences.

itel-a80-review
All three colour variants share the same design language, with two cutouts on the back housing the dual camera sensors. The camera module design draws inspiration from the latest iPhone 16 (review), though the LED flash is awkwardly big to create an impression of a third sensor. Even the rounded corners and flat edges resemble that of the latest iPhones.

SmartphoneThicknessWeightIP Rating
Itel A808.54mm195 gramsIP54
Redmi A4 5G8.22mm212 gramIP52
Moto G049.8mm179 gramsIP52


The build is plastic, which doesn’t feel cheap by any standards. The sides include the usual port and button selection, such as the USB-C and headphones jack at the bottom, while power buttons and volume rockers rest on the right side. The left spine of the smartphone includes the SIM tray (dual SIM cards supported).

The weight and size are ergonomic for my grip, especially since I prefer smartphones with larger displays. The Itel A80 boasts a 6.67-inch IPS display with HD+ resolution (1,600×720 pixels) and a 120Hz refresh, a common hardware choice for smartphones in this range. That also means the new Itel smartphone does not break any ground based on the viewing experience. The display offers adequate brightness, with decent colours but not as vibrant as those found on AMOLED screens.

itel-a80-review
I tested the display by playing several videos on YouTube, and the picture quality was decent for the price. However, the phone only supports L3 Widevine playback, meaning you cannot stream online videos in full HD resolution. This limitation is common among smartphones in this segment and does not distinguish the Itel A80.

SmartphoneDisplayPeak brightness
Itel A806.67-inch IPS500 nits
Redmi A4 5G6.88-inch IPS600 nits
Moto G046.56-inch IPS600 nits


Notably, the Itel A80 features a tiny LED light discreetly tucked under the black bezel at the top of the display. It lights up while charging or when the front flash is enabled for selfies. Though not highly versatile, it’s a quirky (read: fun) addition to a smartphone in the sub-Rs 10K segment.

itel-a80-review

Cameras

Like most budget smartphones in the segment, the Itel A80 offers a modest camera setup, headlined by a 50MP sensor. The rear panel also includes a secondary camera lens, though that’s more about style over substance. The 8MP selfie camera is housed within a hole-punch cutout, offering a refreshing change from the outdated waterdrop notch commonly used by many brands. The hole-punch design provides a more modern aesthetic and helps create a cleaner, more immersive display by reducing the appearance of thick bezels.

itel-a80-review
Based on the performance, the Itel A80 was decent at best. While the smartphone offers several features to play with, its images generally lack colours and details. You can manage some crisp shots under ample lighting conditions, though the low-light photography struggles a lot. Moreover, the phone also struggles with human subjects, occasionally capturing inconsistent skin complexions. Even the portrait mode needs improvement, as you’ll notice in my comparison below.

itel-a80-camreasamples008
itel-a80-camreasamples005
itel-a80-camreasamples009
itel-a80-camreasamples010
itel-a80-camreasamples011
itel-a80-camreasamples006
itel-a80-camreasamples007
itel-a80-camreasamples001
itel-a80-camreasamples002
itel-a80-camreasamples003
itel-a80-camreasamples004
previous arrow
previous arrow
next arrow
next arrow
itel-a80-camreasamples008
itel-a80-camreasamples005
itel-a80-camreasamples009
itel-a80-camreasamples010
itel-a80-camreasamples011
itel-a80-camreasamples006
itel-a80-camreasamples007
itel-a80-camreasamples001
itel-a80-camreasamples002
itel-a80-camreasamples003
itel-a80-camreasamples004
previous arrow
next arrow

Performance and software

The Itel A80 draws power from the Unisoc T603 chipset, similar to the Itel Zeno 10, but offers a higher RAM capacity of 4GB. Its base variant includes 128GB of eMMC 5.1 storage, which may sound impressive on paper. However, this memory standard is slower compared to UFS 2.2 in both sequential read and write performance tests. Additionally, the phone skips 5G support, which could be a dealbreaker for customers.

SmartphonePre-installed appsSoftware updates (Android + security)
Itel A80412 years security
Redmi A4 5G592 years OS + 4 years security
Moto G0445NA


For day-to-day work, such as basic browsing, texting, calling, and mild gaming, the Itel A80 is sufficient, though you may notice some lags and stutters occasionally. I did not face significant performance issues, though the phone occasionally takes a long time to boot, which can become annoying over time.

itel-a80-antutu
Itel A80 AnTuTu score

Since the smartphone is utilising the “Go” edition of Android 14, you don’t get many third-party apps, but there are a lot of proprietary applications that may or may not serve any purpose. In my brief usage, I was drawn towards the regular Google apps rather than using Itel’s solutions for browsing the internet or downloading apps.

itel-a80-geekbench
itel-a80-geekbench
Itel A80 Geekbench score

Similarly, its gaming experience is average since the brand wants to reach entry-level users. It’s best to manage expectations to play titles like BGMI and COD Mobile on this device. On the other hand, if you enjoy some popular feel-good titles, like Ludo or Subway Surfers, you can expect a decent performance.

Otherwise, the Itel A80’s performance is quite modest based on benchmarks, even compared to the 4G-enabled Moto G04.

Battery

The Itel A80 packs a standard 5,000mAh battery with 10W charging support. Battery backup is reliable, thanks to the phone’s power-efficient LCD screen with an HD+ resolution.

itel-a80-review

Given the modest hardware, users can expect a full day of usage with basic tasks. Another positive is the addition of a USB-C port for charging, which is a welcome upgrade over the outdated micro-USB port commonly found in budget devices.

itel-a80-pcmark
Itel A80 PCMark battery test result

However, the slow 10W charging speed could be a drawback, especially when competing smartphones in the same price range offer faster 18W charging solutions. It took nearly 2.5 hours to charge the phone from 20 to 100 percent.

SmartphoneBattery sizeCharging time (20 to 100 percent)
Itel A80 (10W)5,000mAh153 minutes
Redmi A4 5G (18W)5,160mAh99 minutes
Moto G04 (15W)5,000mAh131 minutes

Final verdict

Overall, the Itel A80 is a decent buy for entry-level customers seeking a smartphone with a tall screen for watching YouTube shorts, reading, and texting/ calling. Its cameras are also decent, but it’s best to manage expectations. Do note, the Itel skips 5G support, which helps reduce the cost of this device. If that’s a dealbreaker, the Redmi A4 5G is a better choice, if only you use a Jio SIM card.

If you’re not concerned about 5G and are looking for a simple, easy-to-use 4G-supporting smartphone for yourself or your parents, the Itel A80 serves as a decent entry-level option with its relatively more affordable price tag.

Editor’s rating: 7.5 / 10

Reasons to buy

  • The Itel A80 offers a tall, bright display for reading and browsing.
  • The phone provides decent battery backup.
  • The Android 14 Go edition feels light with fewer third-party apps.
  • It also boasts an IP54 rating for protection against dust and water.

Reasons to not buy

  • The cameras on the Itel A80 need improvements.
  • The Itel A80 takes a very long time to charge fully.

Key Specs

Itel A80
Unisoc T603Processor
6.67 inches (16.94 cm)Display
4 GB RAM + 128 GBRAM & Storage
50 MPRear Camera
8 MPFront Camera
5000 mAhBattery
See Full Specs
Itel A80 Price
₹7,299.00
Go To Store
View All

No posts to display