Review Summary
Expert Rating
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.
Table of Contents
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.
Smartphone | Thickness | Weight | IP Rating |
Itel A80 | 8.54mm | 195 grams | IP54 |
Redmi A4 5G | 8.22mm | 212 gram | IP52 |
Moto G04 | 9.8mm | 179 grams | IP52 |
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.
Smartphone | Display | Peak brightness |
Itel A80 | 6.67-inch IPS | 500 nits |
Redmi A4 5G | 6.88-inch IPS | 600 nits |
Moto G04 | 6.56-inch IPS | 600 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.
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.
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.
Smartphone | Pre-installed apps | Software updates (Android + security) |
Itel A80 | 41 | 2 years security |
Redmi A4 5G | 59 | 2 years OS + 4 years security |
Moto G04 | 45 | NA |
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Smartphone | Battery size | Charging time (20 to 100 percent) |
Itel A80 (10W) | 5,000mAh | 153 minutes |
Redmi A4 5G (18W) | 5,160mAh | 99 minutes |
Moto G04 (15W) | 5,000mAh | 131 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.