Itel is officially retiring micro-USB across its entire feature phone lineup in India. The company announced that every model in its portfolio—down to its lowest-priced keypad phones—will now ship with USB Type-C charging, permanently phasing out the older Type-B port that has stuck around in the budget segment long after smartphones moved on.
What's Actually Changing
Type-C has been standard on itel's smartphones and on some of its higher-end feature phones for a while. What's new is the rollout across the entire feature phone range, including the entry-level segment where Type-B has persisted mainly because it's cheaper to manufacture.
This move makes itel the first brand in India to standardize Type-C universally across the whole feature phone segment rather than reserving it for a few flagship keypad models.
Voluntary Shift: It is worth noting that this is itel going beyond what is currently required by law. India's forthcoming USB-C mandate applies primarily to smartphones and tablets—feature phones are specifically exempted. This makes itel's switch a voluntary, brand-driven move rather than strict regulatory compliance.
Why It Matters for Feature Phone Users
For the millions of people in India who still rely on a keypad phone as a primary or secondary device—often in regional and rural "Bharat" markets—a universal cable standard solves a genuine everyday annoyance:
One Cable Standard: Users no longer need to carry separate cables for a smartphone and a feature phone.
Durability: The reversible Type-C connector holds up better over time than micro-USB, whose asymmetric plug is a common point of wear, tear, and damage on cheaper devices.
A New Phone to Lead the Charge: The itel Ace 3 Heera
Alongside the portfolio-wide switch, itel officially launched a new entry-level feature phone called the Ace 3 Heera, built specifically to showcase the brand's native Type-C support.
Priced at an aggressive ₹949, the Ace 3 Heera is designed for robust daily communication:
Battery: It is powered by a 1,000mAh battery equipped with AI Battery Optimization software and a Super Battery Mode to prolong usage when levels drop low.
Utility & Media: The phone features Auto Call Recording, a Wireless FM Radio with a recording function, and Bluetooth support.
King Talker: A built-in voice assistant supporting both English and Hindi assists users with device navigation and dialer readouts.
itel's Scale and Service Policy in India
itel positions itself as a dominant force in the Indian feature phone market. The rollout is backed by massive distribution muscle: over 1.3 lakh retail outlets and more than 1,000 service centers nationwide.
Additionally, the company offers a one-year counter-replacement policy for manufacturing defects, allowing buyers to swap an eligible defective unit directly at a retail store within the first year rather than mailing it in for repair.
itel Ace 3 Heera Key Specifications
SpecFront’s Take: What Buyers Need to Know
Standardizing USB-C across low-cost feature phones is a highly practical improvement. However, buyers should keep a few real-world checks in mind before purchasing:
USB-C Does Not Mean Fast Charging: The connector shape and the charging protocol are separate. An entry-level feature phone will use a USB-C port while charging at a basic rate. Buyers should not assume that plugging it into a high-wattage laptop charger will make the phone charge any faster than its engineered limit.
Check the Box Before Buying: A portfolio-wide announcement does not magically replace every device already sitting in a retail shop. Older micro-USB units will likely remain on shelves while USB-C stock arrives. Before paying, physically check the port on the handset or the sealed-box specifications. A model name alone may not identify a revised hardware batch unless it is a newly launched device like the Ace 3 Heera.