From our archive. Specifications, prices and availability reflect the original article and may vary by country or model.
The itel City 200 has officially landed in Zimbabwe. You can now buy it from local retailers for around $130.
This is the newest phone in itel’s City Series. It follows the City 100 which launched last year and quickly became a fan favourite for its slim design and tough build. The City 200 brings some significant upgrades.
What You Get
The City 200 comes with a large 6.78-inch screen with a 120Hz refresh rate. That is a smoother screen than what you find on many phones costing twice as much. It gets up to 700 nits bright too, so you can read it clearly even in direct sunlight.
The camera has jumped from 13MP on the City 100 to a 50MP sensor. That is a huge leap. You also get AI features that help the camera adjust settings depending on what you are shooting.
There is an 8MP front camera with Auto Zoom Selfies. And you can record video from both cameras at the same time using Dual Video mode. Great for vlogging or reaction content.
The battery is 5,200mAh with 18W fast charging. itel says it is rated for 1,600 charge cycles, which works out to about four years of daily charging before it starts losing capacity.
Under the hood is the Unisoc T7250 processor with up to 6GB RAM and up to 256GB storage. It runs Android 15 with itel OS 15.
The phone is IP65 rated (dustproof and splash resistant). It has been drop tested from 1.5 metres. All of this in a body that is just 7.45mm thin.
Two standout features set this phone apart. First is UltraLink Free Call. This lets you make voice calls and send messages to another itel phone without airtime, data, or even cell signal. It uses Bluetooth and works up to 2km in open areas. Second is Sola, an AI assistant powered by DeepSeek that helps with tasks like translation, search, and writing.
It comes in four colours: Vibe Purple, Bass Black, Echo Silver, and Melody Pink.
Why It Costs More Than the City 100
You might have noticed that the City 200 is priced noticeably higher than the City 100, which launched at around $100 in Zimbabwe. Some of that price difference comes from the upgraded specs. A 50MP camera, 120Hz display, NFC, and better build quality all cost more to produce.
But two major global forces are also pushing prices up for all phones right now, not just itel. The biggest factor is the worldwide shortage of memory chips. These are the components that give your phone its RAM and storage. The second factor is the ongoing conflict in the Middle East.
Is It Still Worth Buying?
Yes. Here is why.
Even at $130, the City 200 packs features that were hard to find at this price just a year ago. A 120Hz screen, 50MP camera, military-grade toughness, AI assistant, and a feature like UltraLink Free Call add up to a lot of value.
Prices are unlikely to come down anytime soon. IDC expects the memory shortage to continue through the second half of 2027. And the Middle East situation remains unpredictable. If you need a new phone now, waiting might not save you money. Prices could actually go higher.
If you want something more affordable from itel, the P65 and A70 are still available at lower prices. And if you want the best itel experience possible, the S26 Ultra with its curved AMOLED screen and Helio G99 chip remains a strong pick at around $200.
The City 200 sits right in the middle. Tough. Smart. Capable. And ready for Zimbabwe.