Blackview consistently targets the ultra-budget smartphone market, and the Color 8 and A55 Pro represent two of their recent offerings. While both aim to deliver affordability, they diverge significantly in their core processing power. This comparison dissects the key differences between the Unisoc Tiger T616-powered Color 8 and the MediaTek Helio P22-equipped A55 Pro, helping you determine which device best suits your needs.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average user prioritizing responsiveness and future-proofing, the Blackview Color 8 is the better choice. Its Unisoc Tiger T616 chipset offers a noticeable performance advantage over the Helio P22 in the A55 Pro, translating to smoother multitasking and a more enjoyable user experience, despite similar charging speeds.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 900 / 2100 - International | HSDPA 900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 3, 7, 8, 19, 20, 28, 40, 41 - International | 1, 3, 7, 8, 20, 40 |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE | HSPA, LTE |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2024, January | 2022, March 07 |
| Status | Available. Released 2024, January | Available. Released 2022, March |
| Body |
|---|
| Dimensions | 167.8 x 77.4 x 9.1 mm (6.61 x 3.05 x 0.36 in) | 164.8 x 76.7 x 9.2 mm (6.49 x 3.02 x 0.36 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 214 g (7.55 oz) | 197 g (6.95 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Resolution | 720 x 1600 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~260 ppi density) | 720 x 1600 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~269 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.75 inches, 110.0 cm2 (~84.7% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.53 inches, 102.9 cm2 (~81.4% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD, 90Hz, 450 nits (typ) | IPS LCD |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (2x2.0 GHz Cortex-A75 & 6x1.8 GHz Cortex-A55) | Octa-core (4x2.0 GHz Cortex-A53 & 4x1.5 GHz Cortex-A53) |
| Chipset | Unisoc Tiger T616 (12 nm) | Mediatek MT6762V Helio P22 (12 nm) |
| GPU | Mali-G57 MP1 | PowerVR GE8320 |
| OS | Android 13, Doke OS 4.0 | Android 11 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC |
| Internal | 256GB 8GB RAM | 64GB 4GB RAM |
| | - | eMMC |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Dual | 50 MP, (wide), 1/2.76, 0.64µm, PDAF
Secondary unspecified camera | - |
| Features | LED flash, HDR, panorama | LED flash |
| Single | - | 5 MP, f/2.2, (wide) |
| Triple | - | 13 MP, f/1.9, (wide), AF
other unspecified cameras |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Single | 8 MP, (wide), 1/4.0, 1.12µm | 5 MP, f/2.2, (wide) |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | Yes |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | - | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.0, A2DP, LE | 4.1, A2DP |
| NFC | No | No |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS |
| Radio | FM radio | FM radio |
| USB | USB Type-C, OTG | microUSB 2.0, OTG |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n/ac, dual-band |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, proximity | Fingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, proximity |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 18W wired | - |
| Type | 6000 mAh | 4780 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Ash Gray, Ripple Blue, Wisteria Purple | Black, Blue, White, Green |
| Price | About 150 EUR | About 130 EUR |
Blackview Color 8
- More powerful Unisoc Tiger T616 processor
- Modern CPU architecture for better responsiveness
- Potentially better battery life due to chipset efficiency
- Detailed display specs are unavailable
- Camera quality likely limited by budget components
Blackview A55 Pro
- Extremely affordable price point
- Suitable for basic communication tasks
- 18W fast charging
- Outdated MediaTek Helio P22 processor
- Struggles with multitasking and demanding apps
- Likely lower battery life compared to Color 8
Display Comparison
Neither Blackview provides detailed display specifications beyond size. However, both utilize 12nm chipsets, suggesting a focus on efficiency over high-end display features. Expect standard LCD panels with likely 720p+ resolutions. The absence of information regarding peak brightness, color gamut coverage, or PWM dimming rates suggests neither phone is geared towards media consumption or users sensitive to screen flicker. Bezels are likely to be substantial on both devices, typical for this price bracket.
Camera Comparison
Detailed camera specifications are unavailable. Given the price point, expect basic camera setups. The presence of a 2MP macro camera on either device is largely marketing fluff; image quality will be limited. The primary sensor’s size and aperture are the key determinants of image quality, but without this data, it’s difficult to assess. Image processing will likely be minimal on both phones, relying heavily on software algorithms to enhance photos. The Color 8’s more powerful processor *could* translate to slightly faster image processing times, but the difference will likely be marginal.
Performance
The core difference lies in the chipsets. The Blackview Color 8’s Unisoc Tiger T616 utilizes a more modern CPU architecture with 2x 2.0 GHz Cortex-A75 cores and 6x 1.8 GHz Cortex-A55 cores. This contrasts with the A55 Pro’s MediaTek Helio P22, which employs 4x 2.0 GHz Cortex-A53 cores and 4x 1.5 GHz Cortex-A53 cores. The Cortex-A75 cores in the T616 offer significantly higher single-core performance, crucial for app launch speeds and general responsiveness. While both are 12nm chips, the T616’s architecture provides a clear advantage in multi-threaded tasks and gaming. The A55 Pro’s older Cortex-A53 cores will struggle with more demanding applications.
Battery Life
Both devices feature 18W wired charging, suggesting similar charging speeds. While battery capacity isn't specified, the more efficient Unisoc Tiger T616 in the Color 8 will likely result in slightly better battery life under similar usage conditions. The A55 Pro’s older chipset will consume more power during operation, potentially requiring more frequent charging. Expect a full charge to take around 2-3 hours with a compatible charger.
Buying Guide
Buy the Blackview Color 8 if you need a phone capable of handling everyday tasks with ease, occasional gaming, and appreciate a more modern processor architecture. Buy the Blackview A55 Pro if you prioritize absolute minimal cost and your usage is limited to basic communication – calls, texts, and light social media – and you don't anticipate demanding applications.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Will the Helio P22 in the A55 Pro struggle with popular apps like Facebook or WhatsApp?
While the A55 Pro can run basic apps like Facebook and WhatsApp, you may experience noticeable lag and slowdowns, especially when multitasking or using the apps for extended periods. The Helio P22 is an older chipset and lacks the processing power to handle these apps smoothly under heavy load.
❓ Is the 18W charging on both phones actually 'fast charging'?
18W charging is considered relatively slow by today's standards. While it's faster than standard 5W charging, don't expect a significant speed boost. Both phones will likely take around 2-3 hours to fully charge from 0% using a compatible charger.
❓ Can the Blackview Color 8 handle light gaming?
The Unisoc Tiger T616 in the Color 8 is capable of handling light gaming, such as casual puzzle games or older titles. However, don't expect to play demanding games like PUBG Mobile at high settings. You'll likely need to lower the graphics settings and frame rate for a playable experience.
❓ What type of storage do these phones use – eMMC or UFS?
Given the price point, both the Color 8 and A55 Pro likely utilize eMMC storage, which is slower than the more modern UFS storage. This will impact app loading times and overall system responsiveness.
