In an age where smartphones are ditching the headphone jack and raising prices with every new launch, the itel S9 Star stands as a beacon for budget-conscious users who don’t want to compromise on audio experience. Priced affordably, yet delivering decent all-round performance, this phone is specially built for those who still enjoy the convenience and clarity of wired earphones. Let’s dive into the itel S9 Star and explore why it’s making waves in the sub-₹10,000 smartphone market.
Design and Build Quality
The itel S9 Star doesn’t look like your typical budget phone. With a premium glossy finish, a dual-camera island, and curved edges, the device feels quite modern and appealing in hand. The back panel is made of polycarbonate, but it doesn’t feel cheap. The rear fingerprint sensor is snappy and easy to reach, while the face unlock works reliably in good lighting conditions.
Despite being lightweight at around 190 grams, the phone feels sturdy and durable. The USB Type-C charging port is a welcome feature at this price range, and so is the 3.5mm headphone jack — a rare find in today’s wireless-obsessed market.
Display: Bright Enough for Daily Use
The itel S9 Star features a 6.6-inch HD+ IPS LCD display with a resolution of 1612 x 720 pixels. Though not Full HD, the screen offers decent color reproduction and viewing angles, especially for everyday use like YouTube streaming, social media, and casual gaming. The peak brightness is sufficient for indoor and moderate outdoor use, though direct sunlight readability is average.
The waterdrop notch houses the front camera, and the bezels are relatively slim for a phone in this segment, providing a good screen-to-body ratio.
Performance: Built for Daily Tasks
Under the hood, the itel S9 Star is powered by a Unisoc T603 octa-core processor, paired with 4GB of RAM and 128GB of internal storage (expandable up to 1TB via microSD card). For basic tasks like WhatsApp, browsing, YouTube, Instagram, and even light gaming (like Subway Surfers, Temple Run, or Free Fire on low settings), the performance is more than acceptable.
Multitasking between a few apps is smooth, although heavy gaming or graphic-intensive apps might struggle, which is understandable at this price. For the average user looking for a daily driver, the S9 Star delivers well.
Software and UI
The device runs on Android 13 (Go Edition), which is optimized for entry-level hardware. The Go Edition ensures the system is lightweight and responsive, and you still get access to all core Google services, including YouTube Go, Gmail Go, and Maps Go.
itel has kept bloatware minimal, and the interface feels clean and easy to use, especially for first-time smartphone users or those upgrading from older Android devices.
Audio Experience: Plug-In Star Power
Where the itel S9 Star truly shines is in its audio department. While many smartphones in this segment focus on camera gimmicks or large displays, itel has tapped into the needs of users who value wired audio.
The 3.5mm headphone jack delivers clean, distortion-free sound with good bass and treble balance when paired with a quality wired headset. Whether you’re streaming Spotify, watching YouTube, or attending a Zoom call, the audio clarity is impressive for a phone under ₹7,000.
Additionally, the loudspeaker is decently loud and clear — suitable for media consumption and ringtones, though not ideal for immersive audio experiences.
Camera: Capable for Social Sharing
The rear camera setup includes an 8MP AI Dual Camera with LED flash, and the front camera offers a 5MP selfie shooter. While these numbers aren’t groundbreaking, the camera quality in daylight is surprisingly good for its price.
Photos taken in natural lighting are sharp, with fair color accuracy and contrast. The AI mode helps enhance shots for better social media-ready images. The selfie camera, though basic, gets the job done for video calls and casual selfies.
Low-light performance is average, and there’s noticeable grain, but that’s expected in this budget category.
Battery Life: All-Day Juice
The itel S9 Star houses a 5000mAh battery, which is one of its strongest suits. Given its HD+ screen and power-efficient Unisoc chipset, the phone easily delivers a full day and a half of usage on a single charge.
From browsing and video streaming to occasional calling and messaging, you can expect reliable battery performance. The 10W charging support isn’t fast by today’s standards, but it’s acceptable given the battery size and price point.
Security and Connectivity
- Rear fingerprint sensor
- Face unlock
- Dual SIM with 4G VoLTE support
- Bluetooth 5.0
- Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n
- GPS and A-GPS
- USB Type-C
The inclusion of USB Type-C, usually reserved for slightly higher-priced phones, is a great move by itel. Both fingerprint and face unlock are reasonably fast and secure, ensuring privacy without hiccups.
Who Should Buy the itel S9 Star?
This phone is an ideal choice for:
- Students looking for a budget smartphone for online classes or entertainment.
- Elderly users who prefer simple UI and wired earphones.
- Budget-conscious buyers who want the basics done right.
- Secondary phone users who want a dependable backup device.
Variants and Availability
As of now, the itel S9 Star comes in a single variant:
- 4GB RAM + 128GB Storage
Expected Price: ₹6,999 – ₹7,299
Available in Blue, Black, and Green color options, the device is being sold across offline retailers and online platforms like Amazon and Flipkart.
Pros and Cons
Pros:
- Excellent battery life (5000mAh)
- 3.5mm headphone jack with good audio output
- USB Type-C port
- Decent design and display
- Android 13 Go Edition with clean UI
Cons:
- Average camera performance in low light
- No fast charging
- Display resolution could have been Full HD
Conclusion
In a world where budget smartphones often compromise on practicality, the itel S9 Star goes back to basics — and that’s exactly what makes it shine. It doesn’t try to be flashy or overambitious. Instead, it offers solid everyday performance, a reliable battery, clean software, and most importantly, a 3.5mm headphone jack for users who still value wired audio.
If your priorities include a reliable phone under ₹7,000 with good sound, long battery life, and essential features, the itel S9 Star is definitely worth considering.
FAQs
Q1: Does the itel S9 Star support fast charging?
No, it supports standard 10W charging.
Q2: Can I play games like Free Fire or BGMI on it?
Yes, but on low graphics settings for a smoother experience.
Q3: Is the 3.5mm headphone jack good for music?
Absolutely! The audio output through wired earphones is one of the best in this price segment.
Q4: Can I expand storage?
Yes, it supports microSD cards up to 1TB.
Q5: Is it suitable for online classes or YouTube?
Yes, the HD+ display and decent speakers make it suitable for video content and learning apps.