Itel S26 Ultra – A Strong Budget-Friendly Smartphone for Kenya
If you’re shopping for a budget smartphone in Kenya that punches above its price, the Itel S26 Ultra is worth a careful look.
Why it’s a good budget phone in Kenya
The Itel S26 Ultra offers impressive features for its cost, making it a solid choice for Kenyan buyers who want more than just basic specs. Local listings show prices around KSh 21,000 to KSh 22,000 for variants such as 8 GB RAM with 128 GB/256 GB storage. (Phones and Electronics Africa)
For that price you get a large AMOLED display with high refresh rate, decent cameras, a brand with local presence (Itel) and features that deliver real value. If you use your phone for streaming, social media, casual photography and general everyday tasks, you may find this model gives more for your money than many alternate budget devices.
Specifications
- Display: 6.78″ AMOLED, 120 Hz refresh rate, resolution 1080×2436 pixels, with Corning Gorilla Glass 7i protection. (Phones and Electronics Africa)
- Processor: Unisoc T620 (12 nm) chipset. (Jumia Kenya)
- Memory & Storage: Typical variant 8 GB RAM + 128 GB storage; also 256 GB versions available. (Phones and Electronics Africa)
- Rear Camera: 50 MP main sensor + auxiliary lens; video recording up to 1440p@30fps. (Jumia Kenya)
- Front Camera: 32 MP wide-angle selfie camera. (Jumia Kenya)
- Battery: 5,000 mAh battery with 18W wired charging. (Jumia Kenya)
- Build & Extras: Under-display optical fingerprint sensor, dust & water resistance (IP64 in some listings) (Jumia Kenya)
- Software: Android 14 + Itel OS 14.5 with promise of major updates in some markets. (Jumia Kenya)
Strengths
- Great value for money: For around KSh 21,000 you’re getting features that used to cost much more—large high-quality AMOLED display, 120Hz refresh, high resolution cameras.
- Display & visuals: The 6.78″ AMOLED display with high refresh rate gives smoother scrolling and a more immersive viewing experience, which is rare in the budget segment.
- Generous storage: With 8GB of RAM and up to 256GB storage in some variants you’re well-equipped for apps, media, games and workload.
- Good camera specs for the class: A 50 MP rear camera and 32 MP front camera give you strong photo options for daily use.
- Brand support & local availability: Itel has presence in Kenya, making servicing and availability of parts easier compared to unknown import models.
Weaknesses
- No 5G: The S26 Ultra supports 4G only; if you’re looking ahead to 5G connectivity this may be a drawback.
- Charging speed is modest: While 18W charging is usable, in a time when fast charging is common this is somewhat basic.
- Upper price for “budget”: While it offers strong features, at around KSh 21,000 it’s at the higher end of the budget segment—some buyers might find cheaper phones sufficient.
- Processor limitations for heavy tasks: The Unisoc T620 is capable for daily use but won’t match premium-chip phones for very heavy gaming or intensive multitasking.
- Brand perception & software updates: While Itel has local support, in comparison to bigger brands the long-term software update promise may be less established.
Price in Kenya & Where to Buy
- One listing shows the Itel S26 Ultra priced at KSh 21,000 for the 8/128GB variant. (Phones and Electronics Africa)
- Another listing shows KSh 21,499 for a 256GB variant on Jumia Kenya. (Jumia Kenya)
- Purchase links:
Conclusion
If you’re in Kenya and your budget allows around KSh 20,000-22,000 for a smartphone, the Itel S26 Ultra delivers surprisingly high value. It offers a large, smooth display, solid camera setup, generous storage and brand backing—all of which are often lacking in lower-cost models. Yes, there are compromises (no 5G, modest charging speed, a budget chipset), but for everyday tasks—streaming, browsing, social media, casual photography—this phone performs very well for the money.
JUA KALI MAISHA MAGIC BONGO SEASON 10 EPISODE 121 YA ALHAMISI LEO USIKU 23RD OCTOBER 2025 FULL EPISODE