Itel P70 Review: Is It Worth Your Money?

In today’s review, we’ll take a detailed look at the Itel P70, also known as the Power 70. This budget-friendly smartphone has been gaining significant attention in the market, mainly due to its impressive 10,000mAh battery. With a price tag of around RS 25,000 (and sometimes dropping to RS 24,000 in various markets), it promises to be an affordable powerhouse. But does it live up to the hype, especially for its budget category? Let’s dive deep into the pros and cons.

Design and Build Quality

The Itel P70’s design falls in the budget category, which means you shouldn’t expect premium materials. The phone has a glossy silver finish, which tends to attract smudges easily. While it’s visually appealing, the fingerprints left on the device can be a nuisance. However, Itel has included a protective black stone case in the box to help mitigate this issue.

One area where the P70 could have done better is in the overall design compared to its predecessor, the P65. The P65 had some unique features like a ring light effect and an action button that the P70 lacks. While the P70’s build quality is solid, it doesn’t stand out in a market flooded with similar phones.

Display

The Itel P70 features a 6.67-inch IPS display with a resolution of 720p. While it’s adequate for a budget phone, the low resolution does show when watching videos or browsing content. The display’s quality is acceptable for daily tasks, but don’t expect to have a vivid or sharp viewing experience. The phone supports a 120Hz refresh rate on paper, but in practical usage, it operates closer to 60Hz. Most of the time, you’ll experience 60Hz performance unless you’re in the app drawer or menu, where a slight 120Hz effect is noticeable.

This limitation is due to the hardware inside the phone. When streaming content like YouTube in 1080p, you’ll notice frame drops and stuttering. The phone is primarily capable of handling 720p video smoothly, which is a disappointment for media enthusiasts.

Performance and Processor

The performance of the Itel P70 is a major concern. The phone is powered by the MediaTek Helio G36 chipset, which is essentially a rebranded version of the Helio G50. This downgrade is evident when comparing the P70 with its predecessor, the Itel P65, which used the MediaTek Helio G85. The G85 chipset in the P65 offered performance comparable to mid-range devices, making it a better choice for users who wanted a smooth experience.

In comparison, the P70’s Helio G36 is more suitable for basic tasks, but it struggles when dealing with anything beyond simple applications. The 4GB of RAM and 128GB of storage are decent for a budget phone, but the overall performance leaves much to be desired. Apps often stutter, crash, or freeze when you push the device beyond its limits. Even with minimal load, the P70 can feel sluggish, especially during multitasking.

Battery Life

One of the biggest selling points of the Itel P70 is its advertised 10,000mAh battery. However, this claim is somewhat misleading. In reality, the phone features a 6000mAh battery, with the extra 4000mAh added through an external case. This battery case is an interesting addition, but it doesn’t significantly improve the phone’s overall performance.

While the 6000mAh battery is decent and should provide good battery life for regular use, the performance issues hold it back. Even with a decent battery, the device struggles to handle heavy tasks, and it’s not optimized for high-performance apps. Therefore, if you’re hoping for a phone that can last all day while handling demanding tasks, the P70 may not be your best choice.

Camera Performance

The camera setup on the Itel P70 is fairly basic. It comes with a single rear sensor that tries to replicate the effect of multiple lenses with software processing. The rear camera is capable of taking average shots, but it’s nothing to get excited about. You won’t be getting stunning photos or professional-quality results here, but it will suffice for casual photography.

The front-facing camera is an 8MP sensor, which is also basic and delivers standard selfies. In well-lit environments, you can expect decent shots, but in low light, the quality drops significantly.

Software and Features

On the software front, the Itel P70 runs Android 14 out of the box. However, some users may be disappointed to find that most other brands are offering Android 15 at this price point. The phone also includes features like VoLTE support, Wi-Fi, and a biometric fingerprint scanner that works smoothly for unlocking the device. However, it lacks NFC support, which is a common feature in many budget phones today.

Charging and Battery Performance

The phone comes with an 18W charger in the box. While the large battery capacity is touted as a key feature, charging speeds aren’t as fast as some might expect. It takes quite a while to charge the phone fully, especially given the combined capacity of the battery and case. Even though the P70 holds up well during regular use, heavy gaming or prolonged media consumption will drain the battery faster.

Final Thoughts: Should You Buy the Itel P70?

Overall, the Itel P70 is a mixed bag. On the one hand, it offers a large battery and a budget-friendly price tag, making it a decent option for users who primarily need a phone for basic tasks. However, the performance issues are hard to overlook, and the phone struggles to handle anything beyond simple use cases. The camera is basic, and the display’s resolution and refresh rate could be better.

At RS 24,000 to RS 25,000, the P70 doesn’t offer the best value for money. If you’re looking for a phone with better performance, a more stable software experience, and faster charging, there are better options available in the same price range.

In conclusion, if you’re considering the Itel P70, think carefully about what features matter most to you. If you’re fine with basic performance and just need a phone for calling, messaging, and occasional browsing, it may suit your needs. However, for those who demand more from their smartphones, it’s better to invest in a more capable device.