I Tried the itel Super 26 Ultra for a Week — It’s Not What I Expected (Review)
The itel Super 26 Ultra is one of those phones that immediately confuses expectations. The name sounds like a high-end flagship device, but the real experience sits somewhere between budget ambition and midrange practicality.
After using it for a week and breaking down how it performs in real life, I noticed something clear:
Itel is no longer just building “cheap phones” — they are trying to build affordable phones that look and feel expensive, even if the raw performance doesn’t fully match the design language.
A Flagship-Looking Design That Feels Surprisingly Premium
The first thing that stands out is the design direction.
In real use, I noticed the Super 26 Ultra does a good job of looking far more expensive than it actually is. The curved AMOLED display, slim body, and clean rear camera layout all push a modern flagship-like identity.
The phone feels slim in hand despite packing a large 6000mAh battery. The curved edges also make it more comfortable during long usage, especially when scrolling or watching content.
However, when you pay closer attention, the materials remind you of its category. The back panel is still plastic, and while the finish is polished, it doesn’t have the cold premium feel of glass or metal.
So overall, it looks premium first, but feels budget when examined closely.
The video also includes the unboxing, where the itel Super 26 Ultra is revealed with its full package and first in-hand impression. The design immediately gives off a premium look thanks to the curved AMOLED display, slim body, and clean rear layout, making it feel more expensive than it actually is.
A Display That Carries Most of the Experience
This is where the phone actually impresses more than expected.
In real use, the 6.78-inch curved AMOLED display feels smooth, vibrant, and responsive. The 144Hz refresh rate makes scrolling feel fast and fluid, especially on social media and web browsing.
Colors are punchy without being overly unrealistic, and brightness holds up well indoors and outdoors in normal conditions.
Watching videos or consuming content is genuinely enjoyable on this screen — and this is one of the areas where itel clearly invested most of the “premium feel”.
Performance That Focuses on Stability, Not Power
The Unisoc T7300 inside the Super 26 Ultra is not a flagship chipset, but it is a strong improvement for itel’s lineup.
In daily use, I noticed the phone handles basic and moderate tasks smoothly. Apps open at a reasonable speed, multitasking is stable, and general navigation feels consistent.
What stands out more is not raw speed, but stability under normal usage.
However, when pushed harder — heavy multitasking, demanding apps, or extended performance stress — the limitations of a midrange chip become more noticeable. It doesn’t break down, but it doesn’t feel powerful either.
This is clearly a phone optimized for efficiency and long-term smoothness rather than raw performance spikes.
Gaming Experience That Works, But Has Limits
Gaming performance sits in the “acceptable” zone for this device.
In real use, lighter games run smoothly without issues. Mid-level games also perform decently at moderate settings, with stable frame behavior in short sessions.
But during longer gaming periods, I noticed performance balancing kicking in. This is likely due to thermal and power management rather than outright weakness.
The phone is playable for gaming, but it is not designed for heavy or competitive gaming sessions.
The gaming test in the video covers more than 8 different games, and the Super 26 Ultra handles lighter titles smoothly with stable performance during short sessions.
As the gameplay becomes more demanding or extended, I noticed the phone starts to adjust performance to manage heat and power, which leads to reduced stability in heavier scenes.
Camera Experience That Relies on AI Processing
The camera setup is centered around a 50MP main sensor, supported by basic auxiliary lenses.
In daylight, I noticed photos come out sharp enough for social media use, with boosted colors and decent dynamic range. The phone tends to process images in a way that makes them look more appealing rather than strictly accurate.
Portrait shots are usable, with decent edge detection, but not consistently perfect.
In low light, detail reduction becomes more noticeable, and images soften as expected for this category.
Overall, the camera is tuned for social media-friendly output rather than photography accuracy.
The basic camera test in the video focuses on video recording and zooming along a highway scene, and the Super 26 Ultra delivers decent daylight clarity with noticeable AI processing, while zoom shots remain usable but lose detail as distance increases.
Battery Life That Easily Lasts the Day
Battery life is one of the strongest areas of the Super 26 Ultra.
In daily usage, the 6000mAh battery easily lasts a full day and often stretches beyond that with light usage. Because the processor is efficient, power drain remains controlled during normal tasks.
The drain test behavior is also consistent — the battery drops steadily rather than unpredictably, which makes it easier to rely on throughout the day.
Charging is capped at 18W, so while battery life is strong, charging speed is not fast by modern standards.
The drain test in the video shows the Super 26 Ultra holding its battery steadily through normal usage, with gradual percentage drops and no sudden dips, confirming that it can comfortably last through a full day of typical tasks.
Software Experience That Feels Simple and Clean
itel OS 15 based on Android 15 is straightforward and minimal.
In real use, I noticed the interface is easy to understand, especially for users who prefer simplicity over complex customization. There is less visual clutter compared to some heavily modified Android skins.
However, it also doesn’t feel very advanced or deeply optimized in terms of features.
It gets the job done, but it doesn’t try to impress with software depth.
What I Liked
- Premium-looking curved AMOLED display
- Strong 144Hz smoothness
- Large 6000mAh battery life
- Clean and simple software experience
- Stable daily performance
- Slim design despite big battery
What I Didn’t Like
- Plastic build still noticeable
- Gaming performance is limited under heavy load
- Camera struggles in low light
- 18W charging feels slow for the battery size
- Performance is balanced, not powerful
FAQ
Is the itel Super 26 Ultra a flagship phone?
No. It looks like a flagship, but performance is midrange.
Is it good for gaming?
It is fine for casual gaming but not for heavy gaming sessions.
How is the camera?
Good for social media in daylight, average in low light.
Does it last long on battery?
Yes, the 6000mAh battery easily lasts a full day or more.
Is it worth buying?
Yes, if you want a stylish phone with strong battery and display. Not ideal if you want top-tier performance.
Conclusion
After using the itel Super 26 Ultra, the biggest takeaway is simple:
It is a design-first smartphone with balanced performance underneath.
It doesn’t try to be the fastest or most powerful phone. Instead, it focuses on delivering a premium feel, strong display experience, and long battery life at an affordable level.
If you understand what it is built for, it actually makes a lot of sense.
But if you expect flagship-level performance because of the “Ultra” name, you will definitely be disappointed.
