Now I am become Transsion, the destroyer of local brands.
When MemoXpress listed the TCL 20R 5G, it turned so many heads around because it is a 5G phone at a sub-6K price point. Everyone who wanted to experience 5G without breaking the bank recommended it. The main issue with TCL though is their lack of service centers, and the last kiosk we saw of them was in SM Megamall and even they disappeared. Our TCL 10 5G which we reviewed in 2021, still is stuck in Android 11 and the moment we bought it, it was already slightly dated.
Moving forward to two years later, Itel is once again changing the game, first with their budget OLED screen, and now with a budget 5G phone. This is the Itel P55. It’s also powered with a MediaTek Dimensity 6080 chipset, or better known as the Dimensity 810.
There are three contemporary competitors in the same segment. We already mentioned the TCL 20R 5G, but did you know that Cherry Mobile also has a budget 5G phone under the same price point? That’s the Cherry Mobile Aqua S10 Pro 5G which is still listed online.
The Itel P55 5G is a basic budget phone but with 5G at the helm. Aside from the chipset, there’s also a 50MP primary camera, a side-mounted fingerprint scanner, a 6.6″ HD+ (1500x720px) 90Hz IPS LCD waterdrop screen, and a 5000mAh battery with an 18W USB-C port. It comes with 6GB RAM and 128GB storage.
For its efficient sub-5K price, we’d say this phone offers so much value, on top of the already busted chipset. It runs Android 13 with ItelOS on top. It comes in Mint Green and Galaxy Blue.
Before purchasing however, we suggest looking for feedback in dedicated community groups, such as Itel’s Facebook group for common issues, complaints, and organic reviews. Sometimes, even reviews from your favourite content creators aren’t enough as they will receive a unit or purchase one, review it and tell basic specs, but never expound. It’s always best to do your research.
Here in TechnophilePH, we always make sure to make our reviews as organic as possible, telling all the pros and cons in detail so you know what you’re getting yourself into.
SPECS:
- 6.6″ HD+ (1500x720px) IPS LCD, 90Hz refresh rate
- MediaTek Dimensity 6080 (Dimensity 810) (6nm)
- CAMERAS:
- 50MP (Primary)
- Auxiliary Sensor
- FRONT: 8MP
- ItelOS, Android 13
- 5000mAh, 18W fast charging
- USB-C, 3.5mm jack, Side-mounted fingerprint sensor
- 5G services, 4G LTE, Wi-Fi 6/6e, Bluetooth 5.2
- Mint Green, Galaxy Blue
- PRICE:
- 6/128: TBA
Source: Itel