Itel P65: Let’s be real about something – budget smartphones usually suck. They promise the world and deliver laggy performance, terrible cameras, and batteries that die before lunch. So when the Itel P65 landed on my desk in August 2024, I expected another disappointment. Instead, I found something genuinely surprising.
Design That Doesn’t Scream “Cheap Phone”
At first glance, the P65 looks way more expensive than its $121 starting price suggests. The 6.7-inch display dominates the front without looking crude or unfinished. At 7.9mm thick and 192 grams, it feels substantial without being chunky.
The build quality surprised me most. Sure, it’s not premium materials, but everything fits together properly. No creaking, no gaps, no obvious cost-cutting that ruins the daily experience. For a phone at this price point, the construction feels remarkably solid.
The color options keep things simple without being boring. The phone doesn’t try to look like something it’s not, which I actually appreciate in a market full of fake premium wannabes.
Display Performance That Exceeds Expectations
The 6.7-inch IPS LCD panel delivers 720×1600 resolution with 120Hz refresh rate. Those specs might not impress on paper, but the real-world experience surprised me. Colors look natural, brightness levels handle indoor usage well, and that 120Hz makes scrolling feel smooth.
Is it flagship quality? Obviously not. But for daily tasks like social media, messaging, and basic gaming, it’s completely adequate. The screen size makes content consumption enjoyable without straining your eyes.
The HD+ resolution keeps things sharp enough for normal viewing distances. Text stays readable, images look decent, and videos stream without obvious pixelation. Sometimes “good enough” really is good enough.
Performance That Handles Real-World Usage
The Unisoc Tiger T615 chipset paired with up to 8GB RAM creates performance that’s genuinely usable. Daily tasks like calling, messaging, social media, and light gaming run smoothly without frustrating delays.
Android 14 with Itel OS 14 feels responsive throughout normal usage. App launches happen quickly, multitasking works without constant reloading, and the interface stays fluid during regular operations.
Gaming performance stays reasonable for casual titles. Don’t expect to run intensive games at high settings, but popular lighter games work fine. The 120Hz display even makes simple games feel more responsive than expected.
Camera System That Covers the Basics
The 50MP rear camera produces surprisingly decent shots in good lighting. Colors look natural, detail levels satisfy social media needs, and the LED flash actually helps in dark conditions.
Low-light performance is predictably weak, but that’s expected at this price point. The camera handles daylight photography well enough for most users’ needs. It’s not going to win any awards, but it gets the job done.
The front camera manages video calls and selfies adequately. Nothing spectacular, but perfectly functional for daily communication needs.
Battery Life That Actually Lasts
The 5,000mAh battery easily handles full-day usage with moderate to heavy use. Social media browsing, calls, messaging, and light gaming rarely drain it completely before bedtime.
The 18W fast charging gets you back to usable levels quickly during breaks. While not the fastest charging available, it’s reasonable for this price segment and prevents the phone from becoming a daily charging anxiety source.
Battery optimization seems well-tuned. The phone doesn’t waste power on unnecessary background processes, extending practical usage time significantly.
Storage and Connectivity That Work
Starting with 128GB storage expandable via microSD addresses the storage needs of most budget phone users. The ability to add cheap storage cards means you won’t run out of space quickly.
WiFi connectivity stays stable, Bluetooth 5.0 handles accessories reliably, and the USB-C port supports both charging and data transfer. Basic connectivity features work as expected without complications.
Software Experience That Stays Clean
Android 14 with Itel OS 14 keeps bloatware to a minimum while adding useful features. The interface feels familiar to anyone who’s used Android, with minor customizations that actually improve rather than complicate the experience.
Updates remain a question mark for budget phones, but the current software feels stable and responsive. The clean interface contributes significantly to the overall usable performance.
Pricing Reality That Makes Sense
Starting around $121 (or ₹25,299 in Pakistan), the P65 offers genuine value for budget-conscious buyers. The combination of decent display, adequate performance, and solid battery life creates a package that justifies the asking price.
When compared to similarly priced competitors, the P65 holds its own through balanced specifications rather than excelling in any single area. Sometimes that balanced approach works better than phones that sacrifice everything for one standout feature.
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Competition That Should Take Notice
In the ultra-budget segment, the P65 competes through competence rather than flashy specifications. It does everything reasonably well without major compromises that ruin daily usability.
The 120Hz display and 5,000mAh battery create clear advantages over many budget alternatives still using 60Hz screens and smaller batteries.
Itel P65 Market Position That Actually Works
The Itel P65 proves that budget phones don’t have to be terrible compromises. By focusing on fundamentals – decent display, adequate performance, good battery life – it creates a user experience that doesn’t feel punishing.
For users who need a reliable smartphone without flagship aspirations or budget, the P65 delivers exactly what matters most. It’s not exciting, but it’s genuinely functional in ways that many budget phones aren’t.
The P65 represents budget smartphones done right – focusing on core functionality rather than impressive specifications that don’t translate to real-world usability. Sometimes the best innovation is simply making things work properly.