Itel A70 Review: Attempting to Emulate the iPhone on a Budget – How Well Does It Succeed?
In the realm of smartphone design, Apple’s iPhones have set the gold standard that many brands strive to emulate. Some subtly incorporate elements to enhance their devices, while others boldly borrow design features. Today, we’re taking a closer look at the recently launched itel A70, assessing where it falls on the spectrum of imitation, and helping you determine if it offers good value for your money.
From the get-go, it’s evident that the itel A70 is making a bold attempt to mirror the design of the latest iPhones, particularly the iPhone 15 Pro Max. The rear boasts a triple-camera setup – or so it seems. In reality, there are two lenses: a primary 13MP sensor and a 0.08MP auxiliary lens. The appearance of a “third camera” is simply a clever use of a flash to round out the visual impression.
The illusion deepens when you apply the provided black case. The vibrant design on the phone’s back is concealed, offering a more sophisticated, iPhone-inspired appearance. It managed to fool one of my friends into believing I had invested in a brand-new iPhone – no joke. Enhancing the iPhone vibes is the MagSafe-style charging ring on the case, although it’s important to note that wireless charging is not supported, keeping in line with the budget-friendly nature of the device.
However, when you turn the phone around, the resemblance to high-end iPhones quickly fades away, akin to waking up from a pleasant dream. The display is surrounded by thick bezels, especially at the bottom, though they are forgivable considering the cost. At the top, instead of the sophisticated Dynamic Island, there’s a waterdrop notch (though itel has a clever trick up its sleeve to compensate for this shortfall – more on that later).
Beyond its resemblance to the iPhone, the itel A70 stands out as an aesthetically pleasing and well-built phone with a robust feel in hand, despite its plastic construction. The back boasts a captivating light display created by thousands of glittering lines that resemble shooting stars. Strangely, itel appears fixated on the word “awesome” and has emblazoned it on the back of the phone and repeated it seven times on the case, almost as if attempting to cast a spell on you.
iOS features
Apart from sharing design elements with iPhones, the itel A70 surprises with software features inspired by iOS, including a Dynamic Island-style teardrop notch animation. This animation expands the notch into the display, displaying useful details like battery percentage during charging, face unlock information, call details, and more. Users have the flexibility to customize these behaviors in Settings > Special Function > Dynamic Bar or disable them if not preferred. While the ‘Dynamic Bar’ may seem like a gimmick initially, its utility and smooth animation bridging the hardware and software could eventually win users over.
While the itel A70 bears a striking resemblance to the iPhone in terms of design, its internal software doesn’t entirely mimic iOS. Although the skin incorporates a split Control Center and notifications panel, and some system widgets appear to draw inspiration from iOS, the overall resemblance is not too pronounced.
For those yearning for that sleek iPhone aesthetic on their itel A70, there’s a nifty trick up its sleeve. Dive into the built-in theme store, and there awaits a theme named ‘aestheticsm’. While the theme selection doesn’t overtly scream iOS inspiration, Aestheticism subtly channels the iPhone vibe and surprisingly nails the look. Give it a go for that classy touch!
Specifications
As for the other features of this phone, the 6.6-inch 720p display stands out for its crispness and ample brightness. When it comes to photography, the itel A70 boasts a dual camera setup on the back, featuring 13MP and 0.08MP sensors, complemented by an 8MP front snapper. These cameras deliver as anticipated for the price, providing decent output under bright daylight conditions. However, they tend to exhibit noticeable noise and grain in low-light shooting scenarios.
The itel A70 is driven by an entry-level Unisoc T603 octa-core chip, efficiently managing basic tasks such as web browsing, social media, and YouTube. However, the processor proves inadequate for more demanding activities, particularly gaming, especially with complex 3D games. On the other hand, the 5,000mAh battery demonstrates impressive longevity, easily lasting for a day and a half under moderate usage before requiring a recharge to sustain the faux iPhone illusion.
Conclusion
With a price tag of Rs 6,799, any potential grievances with the itel A70 are swiftly overshadowed – not that there were many to begin with. While some may frown upon the overt iPhone mimicry, itel’s playful approach is refreshing in a budget phone market often plagued by compromises. For users seeking an affordable, distinctive handset that dares to venture in a different direction, the itel A70 delivers on thriftiness. However, for those who believe itel may have gone a tad too far with its eccentricities, there are numerous alternatives available at a similar price range, such as the Samsung Galaxy M04, Redmi A2, Poco C55, and Galaxy F04. Just bear in mind that they won’t replicate the discounted iPhone experience.
neoeraadmin