itel didn’t just drop a new phone and vanish; the brand is outside, collecting receipts. On December 6, 2025, at the Nigeria Technology Awards (NiTA) held at VirginRose Resort in Victoria Island, Lagos, the itel SUPER 26 Ultra walked away with the award for “Best Curved Display and AI-Powered Smartphone of the Year.”

The event, organised by Beta Media Group, pulled big names from across Nigeria’s tech space: startups, telcos, gadget makers, the whole squad. In the middle of all that, itel’s SUPER 26 Ultra still managed to shine, and not just literally from the screen glow.

This win isn’t just “one nice plaque for the office.” It’s proof that itel is no longer satisfied with being the “cheap but okay” option. The brand is clearly chasing that affordable-premium sweet spot: phones that look and feel like flagship devices, without forcing you to sell your kidney or your PS5.

So What’s Special About the SUPER 26 Ultra?

Let’s be honest: a lot of phones drop every year, and most of them quietly disappear into Jiji listings. The SUPER 26 Ultra is trying very hard not to be one of those.

The phone’s curved display is the star of the show. It gives that sleek, high-end look we’re used to seeing on way more expensive devices. If you’ve ever admired those edge-to-edge screens and thought, “One day sha,” this is itel basically replying, “That day can be today.”

But it’s not just vibes and aesthetics. The device packs AI-powered features that touch almost every part of the experience, from photography to performance and even security. Think smarter camera modes, smoother multitasking and a phone that can actually keep up with how you use it, instead of freezing once you open three apps.

The key part isthat all of this comes at a price point regular people can actually reach. While other brands are climbing higher into luxury territory, itel is doubling down on that “premium feel, accessible cost” formula, especially for young, urban, tech-loving users who want nice things but still know the price of garri.

No surprise then that, even before NiTA, the SUPER 26 Ultra already picked up another award on November 13, 2025: “Best Curved Display Phone Under ₦260,000” at the Africa Tech Alliance Excellence (ATAEx) Awards. That’s two major recognitions in less than a month. Not bad for a phone you don’t need a salary advance to buy.

Beyond the Hype: What Actually Matters

On the surface, this looks like just another brand saying, “We’re honoured, we’re grateful, we love our customers.” And yes, the itel team did all of that. Their marketing and PR leads talked about how the award validates their hustle, boosts trust and proves they’re serious about innovation, not just slogans.

But zoom out a bit, and it gets more interesting.

First, it sends a message that “budget phone” no longer has to mean “basic phone.” Young people want devices that can keep up with content creation, gaming, TikTok editing, school work and side hustle; all at once. The SUPER 26 Ultra winning an AI + curved display award shows that brands are finally responding to that reality, not just slapping “youthful” in their ads.

Second, it keeps competition alive in Africa’s smartphone market. When a brand like itel starts pulling awards usually associated with more expensive brands, everybody has to step up. That’s good news for consumers: better features, better designs, more options in the under-₦260k bracket.

Third, it matches itel’s whole “Tech Empowerment Brand” agenda. The company keeps preaching about making good tech available to more people, not just the top earners. Awards like NiTA and ATAEx help prove that this isn’t just sweet talking; the devices themselves are being recognised by people who actually review and compare gadgets for a living.

At the end of the day, the SUPER 26 Ultra isn’t just another Android phone trying to trend for one week and disappear. With two major awards already attached to its name, it’s officially on the map as one of the most talked-about curved display and AI-powered phones in its price range, and a serious contender for anyone looking to upgrade without going broke.

If this is the kind of energy itel is bringing into 2026, your next “what phone should I buy?” conversation just got more interesting.