Itel City 100 vs Itel A90 — Which budget phone is better?
Both phones bring impressive value, but which offers more bang for your buck?
For a long time, Itel phones have been among the most budget-friendly options on the market, if not the most budget-friendly. But lately, they’ve started showing up with features that make you pause and take them more seriously. It’s easy to write them off as just “cheap phones,” but their parent company, Transsion (the same folks behind TECNO and Infinix), clearly knows how to squeeze value out of a small price tag.
The latest head-to-head at the ultra-budget end is between the Itel City 100 and the Itel A90. Both come in under ₦150,000 (~$93), so comparing them might feel like splitting hairs. But when you’re on a strict budget or just looking for a reliable second phone, those differences start to matter.
So, let’s break it down in plain terms and see which one deserves a spot in your pocket, and which one might leave you needing just a little bit more.
David Adubiina
1. Display & Design
The Itel City 100 features a 6.75-inch HD+ IPS display with a 90Hz refresh rate and peak brightness of 700 nits. It's housed in a slim unibody design with a 7.65mm thickness, offering a more modern feel.
The A90, on the other hand, comes with a slightly smaller 6.6-inch HD+ screen and also supports 90Hz. However, its resolution is 720 x 1612, and the device is slightly thicker at 8.55mm.
2. Performance & Storage
Inside, the City 100 uses a Unisoc T7250 octa-core processor, while the A90 runs on the T7100 chip. Both phones come with up to 12GB RAM (8GB physical + 4GB virtual) and 256GB of internal storage, expandable via microSD. The T7250 offers slightly better performance, especially for multitasking and overall efficiency.
3. Camera Setup
Camera specs remain nearly identical. Both devices are equipped with a 13MP rear camera. The City 100 edges out slightly with an 8MP front-facing camera compared to the A90’s 5MP sensor.
4. Battery & Charging
In terms of battery life, the City 100 packs a 5200mAh battery and supports 18W fast charging via USB-C. The A90 offers a 5000mAh battery and 15W charging, also via USB-C.
These are marginal differences, but the City 100 has a slight edge in both capacity and charging speed.
5. Software & Extra Features
Both phones run Android 14, but the City 100 uses Itel OS 14.5, while the A90 runs the lighter Go edition with Itel OS 14, which makes it a worthwhile option for basic tasks and power saving.
The City 100 includes IP64 protection, an infrared remote, a side fingerprint sensor, and Lively AI support.
Meanwhile, the A90 offers IP54 protection, side fingerprint unlock, camera sliding zoom, and GPT AI Assistant wake-up.
Overall, the City 100 brings more advanced features, but the A90 still delivers useful tools for its price.
6. Pricing
The Itel City 100 is priced at ₦115,480, while the A90 comes in slightly lower at ₦102,496.
For the extra ₦13,000, the City 100 offers a more powerful chip, better display, larger battery, and extra features like IP64 protection and AI tools.
If you're on a tight budget, the A90 covers the basics well. But for a bit more, the City 100 delivers more value overall.
Conclusion
The Itel A90 delivers on the basics: decent display, good battery, and sufficient storage for its class. However, for users willing to spend a bit more, the City 100 offers better value with a brighter, larger display, improved front camera, slightly stronger processor, and useful extras like IP64 protection and faster charging.
For those who can stretch their budget, the City 100 may be a better long-term option, but if the goal is just to stay connected and handle light tasks, the A90 remains a solid choice.
David Adubiina
