Budget Choice Gaming Phone: itel RS4
itel has entered the gaming phone market with the RS4, a budget-friendly device designed to offer a solid gaming experience without breaking the bank. We’re ready to share our thoughts on its performance, design, and features.
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Unboxing and Initial Impressions
The RS4 comes in a standard packaging that includes a CLA rubber phone case, a charging cable, a charging brick, and the smartphone itself. While wired earphones are not included, the RS4 retains a headphone jack, located at the bottom of the phone alongside the USB-C port, microphone, and one of the two speakers. The second speaker is positioned at the top of the phone, providing a robust audio experience suitable for gaming, music, and movies.
Design and Build Quality
The RS4 boasts a distinctive gaming aesthetic with green accent colors around the camera module and a stripe down the middle, which itel dubs a "high-end racing design." The phone's power button, which doubles as a fast and reliable fingerprint sensor, is located on the right side along with the volume buttons. The left side houses the SIM and SD card tray.
Performance and Gaming
Powered by the Helio G99 Ultimate processor, the RS4 handles gaming impressively well for its price range. This processor, found in more expensive devices like the Redmi Note 13 Pro and Galaxy A15 4G, ensures smooth gameplay without lag or overheating. The RS4 comes in two variants: one with 8GB of RAM and another with 12GB, both expandable with virtual RAM up to 16GB or 24GB, respectively.
While playing games like Asphalt 9, the RS4 delivered a seamless experience with no noticeable lags or glitches. Although it might not handle the highest graphic settings, it performs admirably for a budget device. Feedback from other gamers also indicates that the RS4 can handle a variety of games efficiently.
Display Quality
The RS4 features a 720p LCD display with a 120Hz refresh rate. This combination offers a smooth visual experience, although some users might prefer a 1080p resolution. Despite the lower resolution, the high refresh rate provides fluid motion, which is particularly noticeable during gaming sessions.
Battery Life and Charging
Battery performance is a strong point for the RS4, featuring a 5,000mAh battery that supports 45W fast charging. This is among the fastest charging available for a $150 smartphone. In real-world use, the battery easily lasts a full day, even with extensive gaming or media consumption. The RS4 also includes a bypass charging feature, beneficial for prolonged gaming sessions.
Software and OS
Running on itel OS 13 based on Android 13, the RS4 offers a familiar user experience with various features and quirks. While an upgrade to Android 14 would be ideal, the current OS provides a satisfactory experience. Major OS updates might not be forthcoming, but regular security updates are expected.
Camera Performance
The RS4 is equipped with a 50MP rear camera and an 8MP front camera. Although the camera quality is not the primary focus for a gaming phone, it delivers decent results, especially in well-lit conditions. The rear camera can shoot up to 2K at 30fps, but 1080p at 30fps offers better stabilization. Overall, the camera performance is adequate for casual photography and video recording.
The itel RS4 stands out as a compelling option for budget-conscious gamers. It offers excellent performance for its price, a fluid 120Hz display, solid battery life, and fast charging. The main drawback is its 720p display, which might be a dealbreaker for some users. However, if you can overlook the resolution, the RS4 provides exceptional value and a satisfying gaming experience.
