The sub-$150 smartphone market is fiercely competitive. Both the Cubot A30 and the Infinix Smart 5 Pro aim to deliver essential smartphone functionality at an accessible price. However, they take drastically different approaches to achieving this, particularly in their core processing power and power efficiency. This comparison will dissect those differences to determine which device offers the best value.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average user prioritizing longevity and responsiveness, the Cubot A30 is the clear winner. Its Unisoc Tiger T616 chipset, built on a more modern 12nm process, delivers significantly better performance and, crucially, far superior battery endurance (52:43h) compared to the Infinix Smart 5 Pro.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 17, 20, 28, 41 | 1, 3, 5, 8, 38, 40, 41 |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE | HSPA 21.1/5.76 Mbps, LTE Cat4 150/50 Mbps |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| | - | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 41, 40, 66 |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2024 | 2021, November 17 |
| Status | Available. Released 2024 | Available. Released 2021, November 17 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | - | Glass front, plastic back, plastic frame |
| Dimensions | 170.4 x 77.5 x 9.6 mm (6.71 x 3.05 x 0.38 in) | 164.4 x 75.6 x 9.5 mm (6.47 x 2.98 x 0.37 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 216 g (7.62 oz) | - |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | Mohs level 6 | - |
| 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 (~83.3% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.52 inches, 102.6 cm2 (~82.6% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD, 90Hz | IPS LCD, 500 nits (peak) |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (2x2.0 GHz Cortex-A75 & 6x1.8 GHz Cortex-A55) | Octa-core (4x1.6 GHz Cortex-A55 & 4x1.2 GHz Cortex-A55) |
| Chipset | Unisoc Tiger T616 (12 nm) | Unisoc SC9863A (28 nm) |
| GPU | Mali-G57 MP1 | IMG8322 |
| OS | Android 14 | Android 11 (Go edition), XOS 7.6 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 128GB 6GB RAM | 32GB 2GB RAM |
| | - | eMMC 5.1 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Dual | - | 13 MP, f/1.8, AF
Auxiliary lens |
| Features | LED flash | Quad-LED flash |
| Single | 48 MP, (wide), PDAF
Auxiliary lens | 8 MP |
| Video | Yes | 1440p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | - | Dual-LED flash |
| Single | 16 MP | 8 MP |
| Video | Yes | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | - | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.0, A2DP, LE | 4.2, A2DP |
| NFC | No | No |
| Positioning | GPS, GALILEO, GLONASS, BDS | GPS |
| Radio | Unspecified | FM radio |
| USB | USB Type-C, OTG | microUSB 2.0 |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Accelerometer, proximity | Fingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, proximity |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | - | 10W wired |
| Type | 5100 mAh | 6000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Gray, Pink | Morandi Green, Heart of Ocean |
| Price | - | About 70 EUR |
| EU LABEL |
|---|
| Battery | 52:43h endurance, 800 cycles | - |
| Energy | Class B | - |
| Free fall | Class A (270 falls) | - |
| Repairability | Class B | - |
Cubot A30
- Superior chipset performance with Cortex-A75 cores
- Exceptional battery life (52:43h endurance)
- More efficient 12nm process technology
- Display specifications are unknown
- Camera details are limited
Infinix Smart 5 Pro
- Lowest possible price point
- Functional for basic communication tasks
- 10W wired charging
- Significantly weaker chipset performance
- Poor battery life compared to the A30
- Less efficient 28nm process technology
Display Comparison
Display specifications are not provided for either device. However, given their price points, it's safe to assume both utilize LCD panels with 720p+ resolutions. The lack of information prevents a detailed comparison of brightness, color accuracy, or refresh rates. Users should expect a basic viewing experience on both.
Camera Comparison
Camera details are limited. Both phones likely feature a multi-camera setup, but without sensor size or aperture information, a meaningful comparison is impossible. It’s reasonable to assume both will struggle in low-light conditions. The presence of a 2MP macro camera on either device is largely a marketing tactic, offering minimal practical benefit due to the low resolution and lack of optical image stabilization.
Performance
The performance gap between these two devices is substantial. The Cubot A30’s Unisoc Tiger T616, with its 2x2.0 GHz Cortex-A75 and 6x1.8 GHz Cortex-A55 cores, represents a significant architectural leap over the Infinix Smart 5 Pro’s Unisoc SC9863A. The SC9863A’s quad-core Cortex-A55 setup, clocked at 1.6 GHz and 1.2 GHz, is designed for basic tasks. The T616’s inclusion of the more powerful Cortex-A75 cores provides a noticeable boost in application launch speeds and multitasking capabilities. Furthermore, the T616 is fabricated on a 12nm process, offering better power efficiency than the SC9863A’s older 28nm node. This translates to less heat generation and sustained performance.
Battery Life
Battery life is where the Cubot A30 truly shines. Its reported 52:43 hours of endurance is exceptional for a budget smartphone. This is a direct result of the more efficient Unisoc Tiger T616 chipset. The Infinix Smart 5 Pro, while offering a standard 10W wired charging, lacks the endurance to match the A30. The larger process node of the SC9863A consumes more power, requiring more frequent charging. While 0-100% charging times aren’t specified, the A30’s efficiency suggests it will also be less reliant on extended charging periods.
Buying Guide
Buy the Cubot A30 if you need a phone that can reliably last through a full day of moderate to heavy use, and if you value a smoother, more responsive user experience. It’s ideal for users who stream videos, browse social media, and occasionally play games. Buy the Infinix Smart 5 Pro if your primary concern is absolute lowest price and you only need a phone for very basic tasks like calls, texts, and light web browsing. Be prepared for slower performance and more frequent charging.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Is the Unisoc Tiger T616 chipset in the Cubot A30 capable of handling popular games like PUBG Mobile?
The Unisoc Tiger T616 is capable of running PUBG Mobile, but users should expect to play at lower graphics settings to maintain a stable frame rate. The Cortex-A75 cores provide a performance boost over the SC9863A, but it's still a budget chipset and won't deliver a flagship gaming experience.
❓ How does the 28nm process of the Infinix Smart 5 Pro's chipset affect its real-world performance?
The 28nm process is significantly less efficient than the 12nm process used in the Cubot A30's chipset. This means the SC9863A consumes more power for the same tasks, leading to shorter battery life and potentially more heat generation, which can cause performance throttling.
❓ Will the Cubot A30 receive software updates and security patches?
Software update support for Cubot devices can be inconsistent. While Cubot has improved in recent years, users should not expect the same level of long-term support as brands like Samsung or Xiaomi. Checking online forums and community feedback is recommended to gauge the current update situation.
