Edited Press Release
The market is already saturated with smartphones boasting skyrocketing megapixel counts, so a 108MP camera is neither groundbreaking nor surprising. But a 108MP camera for less than ₱6,000? Now, that’s something unheard of. Down from ₱8,999 actual price, itel now offers the S24 for only ₱5,999.
Surprisingly, itel managed to incorporate a 108MP lens into a smartphone while maintaining its entry-level price. The itel S24, featuring the brand’s first 108MP camera, is set to revolutionize the way people perceive budget-friendly smartphones.
Does the 108MP really deliver?
Housing a sensor from the brand that first introduced the 108MP camera to the market, the itel S24’s hardware does not disappoint. Equipped with the Samsung HM6 ISOCELL, which utilizes Nonapixel Plus technology by merging nine pixels into one to allow more light per pixel, this smartphone greatly enhances image clarity and excels in night photography.
Additionally, S24 features a 3X in-sensor zoom, enabling users to shoot farther and capture more details with ease. This is of course thanks to the 108MP camera lens.
Aside from its hardware features, itel also put in much effort in its camera software. The phone has multiple camera modes for both photography and videography including portrait, movie master, dual video and the fancy photo filters.
Users can easily switch to 108MP mode via the top of the screen, next to the AI mode. This allows them to use the high-resolution option deliberately, as photos taken in 108MP mode obviously consume more storage. On average, a photo taken in 108MP mode is around 25MB, compared to just 5MB for a shot in the default AI mode.
In front, the 8MP selfie camera is housed in a punch-hole setup. It captures decent photos, particularly in good lighting conditions. Additionally, the front camera supports most of the modes available in the 108MP rear camera, including portrait and dual video modes.
For videos, the maximum resolution is at 2K in 30 frames per second which is better than entry-level usual 1080p but not quite on the 4K side offered to most flagship phones.
Chipset and storage size
Chipsets serve as the brains of smartphones, making them the most crucial factor in determining overall performance. One of the key selling points of the itel S24 is its MediaTek Helio G91 chipset, which promises a smooth gaming experience.
The Helio G91 is a mid-range chipset designed for gaming enthusiasts. It offers a balanced mix of power and efficiency, tailored to handling everyday applications and gaming with ease. Casual games like mobile legends, Honor of Kings, Roblox and Call of Duty can run smoothly in S24.
The memory specifications of the Helio G91 chipset support seamless multitasking. This capability is paired with the itel S24’s generous storage, offering 256GB of internal storage and 16GB of extended RAM (8+ 8). With RAM expansion options up to 16GB and 256GB of storage, the S24 ensures enhanced smoothness in performance and ample space for storing memories.
Overall screen and media consumption experience
The itel S24 features a large 6.6-inch HD punch-hole display with a 90Hz refresh rate, perfectly complementing the chipset’s gaming capabilities. Its screen resolution of 1612 x 720 is surprisingly crisp and detailed for its specs, providing a media consumption experience that rivals higher-priced smartphones.
Audio experience is also something to look forward to in S24. It boasts a dual DTS speaker which generates multi-dimensional audio quality for a more immersive and lifelike audio experience. This quality is comparable to the Dolby Atmos audio found in higher-priced smartphones.
Battery and charging
Big battery and fast charging capabilities have been the norm nowadays. Gone are the days when charging time took a day and the consumption would only last for a few hours. S24 packs in a 5000mAh battery coupled with 18W fast charging. This is not a highlight but more on the standard these days.
The 5000mAh lasts for an entire day on average social media and games consumption which is decent enough for casual users who charge their phones every night. The 18W fast charging can full charge the phone in two hours from zero battery percentage.
Looks and design
For the Philippine market, there are two available color options, the starry black and dawn white. The dawn white in particular has this what itel calls as color changing technology. Basically, if sunlight hits the back of the phone, the white colors will change into pink which surely is a gimmick, but still it shows that itel does try to put effort in conceptualizing their designs.
The design of the S24 feels surprisingly premium for its price point. Honestly, it doesn’t feel like a phone under 10K. While it’s slightly heavy at 192 grams, its 8.3mm thickness and balanced ergonomics make it comfortable to hold, so the weight isn’t really noticeable in hand.
Overall
Before anything else, remember that the itel S24 is priced at just ₱5,999, with an even bigger discount during its launch—down to ₱4,899. At this price point, it’s nearly impossible to find another phone that can match its specs and performance. With a 108MP camera, MediaTek G91 Ultra chipset, 16GB + 256GB memory, and a design that feels far beyond the entry-level segment, you simply can’t go wrong with this device.