In the ever-evolving world of smartphones, itel has consistently positioned itself as a brand that offers affordable yet feature-rich devices, catering primarily to budget-conscious consumers. The itel A60s is one such offering, designed to provide essential smartphone functionalities at an accessible price point. Launched as part of itel’s A-series, the A60s aims to deliver a balanced user experience with its modest specifications, making it an attractive option for first-time smartphone users or those seeking a reliable secondary device.

This comprehensive overview delves into the various aspects of the itel A60s, including its design, display, performance, camera capabilities, battery life, software, and additional features. By the end of this article, you will have a thorough understanding of what the itel A60s brings to the table and whether it aligns with your smartphone needs.

Design and Build Quality

The itel A60s sports a sleek and modern design that belies its budget-friendly nature. The device features a plastic body, which is expected at this price point, but it is crafted in a way that gives it a premium feel. The back panel has a glossy finish, which not only enhances its aesthetic appeal but also provides a comfortable grip. However, the glossy surface is prone to fingerprints and smudges, which might require frequent cleaning.

The phone is available in multiple color options, allowing users to choose a variant that best suits their personal style. The placement of buttons and ports is ergonomic, with the power button and volume rocker located on the right side of the device. The bottom edge houses a micro-USB port for charging and data transfer, alongside a 3.5mm headphone jack, which is a welcome inclusion for users who prefer wired audio accessories.

The itel A60s is relatively lightweight and compact, making it easy to handle and operate with one hand. The build quality, while not exceptional, is sturdy enough to withstand everyday wear and tear, provided the device is handled with care.

Display

The itel A60s features a 6.6-inch IPS LCD display with a resolution of 720 x 1612 pixels. While the resolution may not be the highest in the market, it is adequate for a device in this price range. The display offers decent color reproduction and brightness levels, making it suitable for everyday tasks such as browsing the web, watching videos, and using social media apps.

The screen has a waterdrop notch at the top, which houses the front-facing camera. This design choice maximizes the screen-to-body ratio, providing an immersive viewing experience. The display is protected by scratch-resistant glass, which helps in preventing minor scratches and scuffs.

One of the standout features of the itel A60s is its support for a 90Hz refresh rate. This is a rare inclusion in budget smartphones and significantly enhances the overall user experience. The higher refresh rate results in smoother animations and transitions, making the device feel more responsive and fluid during navigation.

Performance

Under the hood, the itel A60s is powered by a Unisoc SC9863A chipset, which is an octa-core processor built on a 28nm process. The processor is paired with 4GB of RAM and 64GB of internal storage, which can be expanded further using a microSD card. While the Unisoc SC9863A is not the most powerful chipset available, it is capable of handling basic tasks with ease.

The device performs well for everyday activities such as calling, texting, browsing the internet, and using social media apps. However, it may struggle with more demanding tasks such as gaming or multitasking with resource-intensive applications. Casual games like Candy Crush or Subway Surfers run smoothly, but graphically intensive games like PUBG or Call of Duty may experience lag and frame drops, even at lower settings.

The 4GB of RAM ensures that the device can handle multiple apps running in the background without significant slowdowns. However, users may experience occasional stutters when switching between apps or when the device is under heavy load. The 64GB of internal storage provides ample space for apps, photos, videos, and other files, and the option to expand storage via a microSD card is a valuable addition for users with larger storage needs.

Camera Capabilities

The itel A60s is equipped with a dual-camera setup on the rear, consisting of an 8MP primary sensor and a secondary QVGA sensor. The camera module is accompanied by an LED flash, which helps in capturing better photos in low-light conditions. The rear cameras are capable of recording videos at 1080p resolution, which is impressive for a device in this price range.

The primary 8MP sensor captures decent photos in well-lit conditions, with accurate colors and reasonable detail. However, the camera struggles in low-light environments, with images often appearing noisy and lacking in detail. The secondary QVGA sensor is primarily used for depth sensing, enabling the device to capture portrait shots with a bokeh effect. While the bokeh effect is not as refined as in higher-end devices, it is a nice addition for users who enjoy taking portrait photos.

On the front, the itel A60s features a 5MP selfie camera housed within the waterdrop notch. The front camera is capable of capturing decent selfies, especially in good lighting conditions. It also supports face unlock, which is a convenient and secure way to unlock the device. However, the face unlock feature may not be as reliable in low-light conditions or when the user is wearing accessories like glasses or hats.

The camera app on the itel A60s is user-friendly and offers a variety of shooting modes and features, including HDR, panorama, and beauty mode. These features allow users to experiment with different photography styles and enhance their photos.

Battery Life

One of the standout features of the itel A60s is its impressive battery life. The device is powered by a 5000mAh non-removable battery, which is more than sufficient to last a full day of moderate to heavy usage. The large battery capacity ensures that users can go about their day without constantly worrying about running out of power.

The device supports standard 10W charging via the micro-USB port. While the charging speed is not the fastest, it is adequate for a device with such a large battery. A full charge from 0% to 100% takes approximately 2.5 to 3 hours, which is reasonable considering the battery capacity.

The itel A60s also features power-saving modes that help extend battery life by limiting background processes and reducing screen brightness. These modes are particularly useful when the battery is running low and the user needs to conserve power until they can access a charger.

Software and User Interface

The itel A60s runs on Android 12 (Go edition), which is a lightweight version of Android designed for entry-level smartphones. Android Go is optimized to run smoothly on devices with limited hardware resources, ensuring a responsive and lag-free user experience.

The user interface on the itel A60s is clean and straightforward, with minimal bloatware. The device comes with a selection of Google apps pre-installed, including Google Go, YouTube Go, and Google Maps Go. These apps are optimized for low-end devices, offering a seamless experience without consuming too much storage or memory.

One of the advantages of Android Go is its focus on data efficiency. The operating system includes features like Data Saver, which reduces data usage by compressing web pages and limiting background data. This is particularly beneficial for users with limited data plans or those in regions with expensive mobile data.

The itel A60s also supports Google Assistant, allowing users to perform tasks using voice commands. This is a convenient feature for hands-free operation and can be particularly useful when driving or multitasking.

Additional Features

The itel A60s comes with a range of additional features that enhance its overall appeal. One of the notable features is the inclusion of a rear-mounted fingerprint sensor. The fingerprint sensor is fast and accurate, providing a secure and convenient way to unlock the device. It also supports app locking, allowing users to protect sensitive apps with their fingerprint.

Another noteworthy feature is the dual SIM support, which allows users to use two SIM cards simultaneously. This is particularly useful for individuals who want to separate their personal and work contacts or for those who frequently travel and need to use local SIM cards.

The device also includes a dedicated microSD card slot, which is a rarity in modern smartphones. This allows users to expand storage without sacrificing a SIM card slot, providing greater flexibility in terms of storage options.

The itel A60s supports 4G LTE connectivity, ensuring fast and reliable internet speeds. It also includes other standard connectivity options such as Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and GPS. The inclusion of a 3.5mm headphone jack is a welcome feature for users who prefer wired headphones or earphones.

Conclusion

The itel A60s is a commendable offering in the budget smartphone segment, providing a balanced mix of features and performance at an affordable price point. While it may not compete with mid-range or high-end devices in terms of raw power or camera capabilities, it excels in delivering a reliable and user-friendly experience for its target audience.

The device’s standout features include its large 5000mAh battery, 90Hz refresh rate display, and inclusion of a rear-mounted fingerprint sensor. These features, combined with its sleek design and lightweight build, make the itel A60s an attractive option for first-time smartphone users or those seeking a dependable secondary device.

However, it is important to note that the itel A60s has its limitations, particularly in terms of gaming performance and low-light photography. Users who prioritize these aspects may need to consider other options within a similar price range.

Overall, the itel A60s is a solid choice for budget-conscious consumers who value battery life, display quality, and essential smartphone functionalities. It represents a step forward in itel’s mission to provide affordable yet feature-rich devices, making smartphone technology accessible to a wider audience.