Coolpad has introduced a new budget smartphone in China that is drawing attention for a reason few entry-level models can claim: an iPhone-like rear design paired with a price of just 819 Yuan. The device, called the Coolpad Cool 80, is aimed at cost-conscious buyers, but it still brings a chipset that remains familiar in affordable phones.
What makes the phone stand out is the contrast between its familiar-looking body and its modest price bracket. With a 90Hz display and MediaTek Helio G99, the Cool 80 is positioned as another attempt by Coolpad to regain ground in the crowded low-cost smartphone market.
A budget phone with a familiar face
Visually, the Coolpad Cool 80 follows a rear design language that will look familiar to many smartphone users. The company has kept the camera arrangement distinct enough to avoid being a direct copy, but the overall impression remains clearly inspired by Apple’s design cues.
That approach may help the phone attract attention in a segment where many devices look interchangeable. At the same time, it gives Coolpad a way to make an entry-level product appear more polished than its price might suggest.
Display and body size
On the front, the Cool 80 uses a 6.7-inch IPS LCD panel with HD+ resolution. It also supports a 90Hz refresh rate and uses a punch-hole layout for the front camera.
The handset measures 168.5 x 76.3 x 8.2 mm, placing it firmly in the large-screen category. That size makes it suitable for everyday use, basic entertainment, and general browsing.
Helio G99 remains the main selling point
Under the hood, Coolpad equips the device with the MediaTek Helio G99. The chip has appeared in many affordable and mid-range phones over the past few years, and it remains the most notable internal component in this model.
The Cool 80 comes with 6GB of physical RAM and supports virtual RAM expansion of up to 8GB. Storage is set at 128GB, and users also get a microSD card slot for additional capacity.
That combination suggests Coolpad is not relying only on appearance. For a phone in this price category, the pairing of Helio G99, 6GB RAM, and 128GB storage is likely to matter more to buyers than the design alone.
Basic cameras and an unresolved battery detail
Photography is kept simple. The rear camera is rated at 13 megapixels, while the front camera uses a 5-megapixel sensor for selfies and video calls.
The camera setup confirms that the phone is not chasing high-end imaging. Instead, Coolpad appears to be focusing on practical basics, a smooth display, and a chipset that still has enough strength for everyday use.
Battery information is less certain. A JD.com listing mentions a 4,000mAh battery with 10W charging, but that specification appears low for a phone of this size and is not fully confirmed.
Price, colors, and availability
Coolpad has launched the Cool 80 in a single configuration, 6GB plus 128GB, priced at 819 Yuan. That places it at roughly $120, making it one of the more aggressively priced phones in its class.
The device is already available in China through local retail channels and online platforms. Buyers can choose from Rock Sand Black, Dune Orange, and Gauze White.
For now, there is no confirmed plan to bring the Cool 80 to international markets. Coolpad has also not announced any broader rollout beyond China, leaving its future availability outside the country unclear.
With its eye-catching back panel, 90Hz screen, and Helio G99 at a sharp price, the Coolpad Cool 80 is clearly built to stand out in the entry-level category. The unresolved battery details, however, may become the point that buyers watch most closely before deciding whether it offers enough value.