Itel A50 (A667L) Review, Price And Specifications.
Display: 6.6" HD+ (1612×720) Drop-Notch, 60Hz IPS-LCD Display.
Software: Android 14 (Go Edition) OS, Itel V14.0 Skin.
CPU: Unisoc T603 (22nm).
RAM: 2GB/3GB/4GB (Plus up to 4GB of Virtual RAM).
Storage: 64GB/128GB (Expandable to 2TB).
Rear Camera: Dual-lens (8MP+AI).
Front Camera: Single-lens (5MP).
Security: Face Unlock, Side-mounted fingerprint reader.
Port: USB Type-C.
Speaker: Single.
Network: 4G.
Battery: 5,000mAh.
Charging: 10W
Starting Price:
₦102,000, GH₵ 1,330.00, KSh 10,990, UGX 343,500, $113.80.
Although, at this price point, it's easier to find other budget phones that offer similar features as the Itel A50 (A667L), what you don't usually get is recent Android OS and decent CPU. The phone was able to combine the two and still offers other strong features of the competition. Even, unlike most of them, Itel A50 is available in various RAM options.
However, photos taken with the phone are a little less detailed, compared to the ones taken with the main contenders, other photo qualities remain the same though. Also if you are the type that likes to multi-task every now and them, i would say you should go for the high RAM version of the phone.
Price And design Colours:
Currently, the starting price of the Itel A50 is about 102,000 Naira. And it's available in various colour options of Misty Black, Lime Green, Cyan Blue, and Shimmer Gold.
The Contenders:
From design to specs, the Itel A50 has almost everything in common with previously released Itel A70 (A665L). In fact, the only three things that distinguish this phone from the A70 are camera, Android version, and design texture.
In details, Itel A50 has a matte finish, compared to glossy finish of the A70. The camera system on the latest phone is also made up of lower-megapixel sensors. Lastly, while the A70 is running on previous version of Android OS, the latest phone is pre-installed with a more recent version.
The recently unveiled Xiaomi Redmi A3X also shares almost everything with the Itel A50. Except for the fact that the A3X display is bigger and supports high screen refresh rate. But, all other attributes of the Redmi phone still remain as those of the A50.
And if you can add a little amount of money, Infinix Smart 8 and Tecno Pop 8 offer better CPUs and they also have better camera systems. Both of them also feature hole-punch displays. However, the two phones are running on previous version of Android OS. The rest of their features are also remain to those of the A50.
Design: Stylish But Familiar:
Design-wise. Itel A50 wear the familiar sleek looks that's common among most of the recent budget phones. Especially the ones at this price point. In fact, if not for its matte finish, A50 would have looked exactly like the A70. Firstly, the latest phone has an identical 6.6-inch drop-notched display as the A70. It also maintain the dimensions and flat edges of the earlier phone. The back of the A50 is also mounted with an identical square-shape camera bump. The position and arrangement of camera sensors and LED flash (inside the bump) are also similar to those of the A70.
The arrangements of ports and buttons are also similar to those of the A70 (and others at this price point). You have volume keys and power buttons on the right edge of the phone The power button also doubles as a fingerprint reader. The A50 dual nano-SIM card and SD card slot (and tray) is located on its left edge. There is nothing on the top edge of the phone. Because its 3.5mm audio jack, microphone, USB Type-C port, and single speaker are located on the bottom edge.
Like the others, Itel A50 comes with a 5,000mAh battery, and it also doesn't support fast charging. In other word, the phone features regular 10W charging. And it has a c 10W charger in its box. There is also a USB to Type-C cable, an earphone, and a nice-looking protective case inside the box of the A50.
Familiar 6.6" 720p Display:
Like most phones at this price point, the 6.6-inch drop-notched display of the Itel A50 has a familiar 720p resolution of 1612-by-720 pixels.
By the way, in spite of their sleek-looking hole-punch cameras, the duo of the Tecno Pop 8 and Infinix Smart 8 also has the same screen size and resolution.
In short, at this price point, the Redmi A3X is one of the very few phones that offer slightly bigger displays and different 720p resolutions.
Meanwhile, in terms of picture quality, the A50 display looks like that of the A70. Colours look nice and contrast level is decent. Still both of the Infinix and Tecno phones displays look slightly better.
And if a nice looking display is a must for you at this price point, you should consider the A3X. In addition to its slightly bigger size, the Redmi phone also offers better colour reproduction than all the three phones. Even while the screen of the A50 features regular 60Hz, the one on the Redmi phone supports 90Hz (or high) refresh rate. Although both of the Smart 8 and Pop 8 also feature high screen refresh rates.
Notwithstanding, the screen of the Itel A50, like that of the A70, looks okay for media contents.
Basic Camera System:
As i mentioned earlier, the arrangement of cameras (and LED flash) on the back of the A50 is similar to that of the A70. The number of rear cameras is also two.
But, the latest phone's primary back camera and front-facing camera are fitted with lower megapixel sensors.
In other words, and unlike the A70 that has a 13MP main back camera and an 8MP front camera, A50 comes with an 8MP main back camera and a 5MP front-facing camera. But the second camera on the latest phone is still a QVGA or AI sensor.
Although photos taken with the cameras (both front and back) of the A50 are not as detailed as the ones taken with the A70, but they are moderately clear and bright. Colour rendition is decent too. But, as expected, you need good lighting conditions to get brighter and clearer photos from the A50.
And if you prioritize camera in a low-end budget phone such as this one, i would say you should go for either of the A3X or A70. I prefer A3X though. Notwithstanding, if you don't care much about photo sharpness or details. You won't have issue with the A50 cameras.
By the way, like those of others, both of the front and rear cameras of the A50 can shoot videos up to 1080p at 30fps (frame per second).
Recent Software Yet Same CPU:
In spite of its slightly lower price, Itel A50 features the same Unisoc T603 CPU as the A70 and A3X. Even unlike the A70 that features Android 13 (Go Edition) OS. The A50 is pre-installed with Android 14 (Go Edition) OS. Though the Redmi phone also features Android 14 OS.
Yet, like those two phones, the A50 is available in 3GB and 4GB of RAM options. Even unlike them, the A50 still comes in 2GB RAM option. Nonetheless, the inbuilt storage options are still 64GB and 128GB; like those of the contenders.
Meanwhile, the Unisoc T603 CPU that powered A50 is a recently unveiled 1.8GHz 22nm Octa-core processor. Though, T603 is a low-end CPU, but it is a competent one. In fact, the CPU is just a little less beefier than the T606 that's inside both of the Smart 8 and Pop 8. This enables the A50 to maintain decent performance of the A70, even despite running on the recent Android OS. And as a result of the same CPU and Android version, the A50 performance is also similar to that of the A3X.
Though, as you already know, the A50 is a low-end budget phone, and it's designed to handle light and average tasks like social media and casual internet browsing. And the phone did that successfully.
Because while carrying out those tasks, the phone was able to maintain consistence lag-free and responsive performance.
Although the A50 will only maintain consistence lag-free performance if you don't push it with many tasks at once. That's why as i said if you are the type that likes to multi-task every now and then, you should go for, at least, the 3GB RAM version of the phone.
Notwithstanding, you can still boost the A50 performance slightly by adding Virtual RAM (of up to 4GB) to its default 2GB, 3GB and 4GB of RAM, through MemFusion. In a similar manner, the internal storage space of the phone can be expanded, via microSD card, up to 2TB (Terabyte).
By the way, with the phone's out of the box 10W charger, it will take you almost three and half hours to fully charge the Itel A50 battery from zero percent.
Full Specifications Of The Itel A50 (A667L):
GENERAL
Maker: Itel Mobile.
Name: A50 (A667L).
Year Released: July, 2024.
Dimensions: 163.7x75.6x8.6mm
Weight: 192g.
IP Rating: No.
Colour: Misty Black, Lime Green, Cyan Blue, and Shimmer Gold.
DISPLAY
Screen Panel Type: IPS-LCD capacitive Touchscreen.
Size and Resolution: 6.6-inch, HD+, 1612-by-720 pixels, 60Hz Refresh Rate.
Aspect ratio & Pixel Densities: 20:9, 269PPI.
Protection: N/a.
PORTS:
3.5mm Audio Jack: Yes.
USB Type-C Port: Yes.
MicroUSB port: No.
Lightning Connector: No.
Google Assistant Button: No.
IRS Blaster: No
PERFORMANCE
Chipset: Unisoc T603, 22nm Octa-Core Processor, 1.8GHz.
GPU: PowerVR-GE8322.
RAM: 2GB/3GB/4GB (With up to 4GB of Virtual RAM).
Operating System: Android 14 (Go Edition), Itel V4.0.1.
STORAGE
Internal Storage: 64GB/128GB.
Micro-SD card slot: Yes, up to 2TB (One Terabyte).
SIM AND NETWORK
SIM: Nano, Dual SIM slots.
Network: GSM, HSPA+, & LTE.
CAMERA
Rear camera: Dual-lens; 8MP +AI, Dual-Flash.
Front camera: Single-lens, 5MP Dual Front Flash.
VIDEO RECORDING:
Rear Cameras: 720p, 1080p @ 30 fps.
Front Camera: 720p, 1080p @ 30 fps.
CONNECTIVITY:
Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 5.4, HotSpots, USB-OTG.
BIOMETRIC, SENSORS & LOCATION:
Security: Face Unlock, Side-mounted fingerprint reader.
Sensors: Ambient light, Virtual Proximity, G-sensor, Accelerometer And
Barometer.
Others: GPS, Location (Geo, Glonass), Beidou.
BATTERY
Capacity: 5,000mAh.
Qi Wireless-Charging: N/a.
Fast Charging: 10W (Wired).
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