Itel RS4 - Specs Review of Itel's first Gaming phone
This is a specs review of Itel's first Gaming phone, the Itel RS4. We'll look at the phone and it's key specifications such as the SoC, display, cameras, battery and software to make sure if this is the right device for you.
The Itel RS4 is a smartphone from the stables of Chinese smartphone makers, Itel. It was announced and released in April of 2024. It is being marketed as Itel's first Gaming Smartphone.
Itel is well known for releasing low end phones and this is a tag that it has been trying to shake off recently. Having released a slew of lower midrange phones, Itel seems to be ready to make the step up to the big time.
No phone typifies this commitment more than the Itel RS4. It has got the hype, the looks and the marketing, but does it have the substance to go with the bluster? That's what we're going to be reviewing right now.
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Specs of the Itel RS4
The key specifications of the Itel RS4 are:
| Specs | |
|---|---|
Body | Plastic frame and back, rounded edges, 198g |
SoC | MediaTek Helio G99 Ultimate |
GPU | ARM Mali G57 MC2 |
Software | Itel OS 13 based on Android 13 |
Benchmarks | AnTuTu - 416,194 |
RAM | LPDDR4X, (8GB/12GB) |
Storage | UFS 2.1 (128GB/256GB) |
Display | 6.56” 720p IPS-LCD, 120Hz |
Camera (Rear) | 50MP main, 1080p@30fps |
Selfie | 8MP |
Battery | 5,000mAh, 45W fast charge |
Connectivity | 4G, WiFi 5, Bluetooth 5.2, USB-C (2.0) port, 3.5mm audio in/out, side-mounted Fingerprint reader, |
Performance and Gaming
The Itel RS4 comes equipped with a MediaTek Helio G99 Ultimate SoC which is a very decent performer. This SoC is a lower mid-range SoC which will handle HD games like Call of Duty Mobile, Player Unknown Battlegrounds Mobile (PUBG), eFootball 2024 Mobile, Free fire etc. It could struggle with triple A titles like Warzone Mobile, Grid Auto Sports, Fortnite etc. and could only tackle these at low settings. It can also handle emulation up to PS2 (AetherSX2 and NetherSX2) as well.
Beyond gaming, it would breeze through most apps and tasks that are native to Android and would rarely lag or stutter.
Software
This device runs on Itel OS 13 which is based on Android 13. It boasts features such as GPT AI assistant, magic sky-change mode etc.
RAM and Storage
The Itel RS4 is armed with 8GB or 12GB of LPDDR4X RAM. Whilst this configuration is decent, most modern phones use LPDDR5 RAM which is faster and more efficient for handling games. For storage, there is UFS 2.2 storage on board for taking care of storage needs.
Cameras and Video
The main camera on the Itel RS4 is a 50MP snapper which shoots very decent photos and videos in good lighting. For selfies, there's a 8MP cameras in front. It will struggle in low light situations such as in a dark room or in the evenings without a prominent light source. Using the flash will only serve to blow the highlights out of proportion and potentially ruin the image.
Display
The display on this one is a let down as it only has a resolution of 720p (HD+) on a large screen estate of 6.56”. To compensate, the display compensates by offering support for a refresh rate of up to 120Hz.
Connectivity
This is a 4G LTE only device in the era of 5G. This immediately puts it at a disadvantage against other gaming centric devices that supports 5G.
It also supports Bluetooth 5.2, WiFi 5, USB-C port (USB v2.0), NFC and 3.5mm Audio jack for audio in and out.
Battery
This device is powered by a 5,000mAh battery and supports an impressive 45W fast charge. Itel claims that this fast charge can do 0-80% in 30 mins.
Author’s Score card
Our review of Itel RS4
The Itel RS4 offers gaming on a budget for gamers to play their favorite android titles as well as emulated games from retro consoles.
Positives
- 45W Fast Charge for quick top ups
- Good looking aesthetics and design
- Decent performance from the Helio G99 Ultimate
Negatives
- Performance falls behind those of proper gaming phones
- Lacks 5G support
- Lacks a cooling system of any sort
Conclusion
The Itel RS4 is a step in the right direction but I think that it is being oversold. It is a very decent lower mid-range phone with a decent amount of RAM/storage, very good fast charge and that’s about it. Most modern gaming phones have better upper midrange SoCs, 5G, LPDDR5 RAM, UFS 3.1, passive and/or active cooling systems, trigger buttons and other bells and whistles which the Itel RS4 sorely lacks.
It however would serve as a decent cost effective option for Android gaming on a budget and as a daily driver but do not expect much more than that.