The Honor 8A 2020 and the Infinix Smart 5 Pro represent the ultra-budget end of the smartphone spectrum. Both aim to deliver essential smartphone functionality at the lowest possible price point, but they take different approaches to achieving this. The Honor 8A 2020, a slightly older model, leverages a more refined (though still entry-level) chipset, while the Infinix Smart 5 Pro opts for a newer, but less efficient, processor. This comparison will dissect their key differences to determine which offers the best value.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average user prioritizing responsiveness and efficiency, the Honor 8A 2020 is the better choice. Its Mediatek Helio P35, built on a 12nm process, provides a smoother experience than the Infinix Smart 5 Pro’s Unisoc SC9863A, which suffers from being manufactured on a larger 28nm node. While the Smart 5 Pro offers 10W charging, the 8A 2020’s overall performance advantage outweighs this.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 38, 40, 41 | 1, 3, 5, 8, 38, 40, 41 |
| Speed | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE Cat4 150/50 Mbps | 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 | 2020, April 10. Released 2020, April 15 | 2021, November 17 |
| Status | Discontinued | Available. Released 2021, November 17 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | - | Glass front, plastic back, plastic frame |
| Dimensions | 156.3 x 73.5 x 8.2 mm (6.15 x 2.89 x 0.32 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 | 150 g (5.29 oz) | - |
| Display |
|---|
| Resolution | 720 x 1560 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~282 ppi density) | 720 x 1600 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~269 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.09 inches, 91.0 cm2 (~79.2% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.52 inches, 102.6 cm2 (~82.6% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD | IPS LCD, 500 nits (peak) |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (4x2.3 GHz Cortex-A53 & 4x1.8 GHz Cortex-A53) | Octa-core (4x1.6 GHz Cortex-A55 & 4x1.2 GHz Cortex-A55) |
| Chipset | Mediatek MT6765 Helio P35 (12 nm) | Unisoc SC9863A (28 nm) |
| GPU | PowerVR GE8320 | IMG8322 |
| OS | Android 9.0 (Pie), EMUI 9 | Android 11 (Go edition), XOS 7.6 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 64GB 3GB RAM | 32GB 2GB RAM |
| | eMMC 5.1 | eMMC 5.1 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Dual | - | 13 MP, f/1.8, AF
Auxiliary lens |
| Features | LED flash, HDR, panorama | Quad-LED flash |
| Single | 13 MP, f/1.8, PDAF | 8 MP |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1440p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | HDR | Dual-LED flash |
| Single | 8 MP, f/2.0 | 8 MP |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 4.2, A2DP, LE | 4.2, A2DP |
| NFC | Yes | No |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS | GPS |
| Radio | FM radio | FM radio |
| USB | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG | microUSB 2.0 |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, Wi-Fi Direct | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, proximity |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | - | 10W wired |
| Type | Li-Po 3020 mAh | 6000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Black, Blue | Morandi Green, Heart of Ocean |
| Price | About 150 EUR | About 70 EUR |
Honor 8A 2020
- More efficient processor (12nm)
- Smoother UI experience
- Potentially longer battery life
- Likely slower charging speeds
- Older chipset
Infinix Smart 5 Pro
- 10W wired charging
- Newer chipset architecture (Cortex-A55)
- Potentially lower price
- Less efficient processor (28nm)
- Lower performance under sustained load
- Shorter battery life
Display Comparison
Neither device is expected to boast a high-end display. Details on panel type and resolution are missing, but given the price bracket, both likely utilize LCD panels. The key difference lies in the underlying processors impacting UI smoothness. The Honor 8A 2020’s Helio P35, while not a display powerhouse, is better equipped to handle the rendering demands of the UI than the Unisoc SC9863A, potentially resulting in fewer stutters during scrolling and app transitions.
Camera Comparison
Both phones are likely to feature basic camera setups. Without specific sensor details, it’s safe to assume both rely on budget sensors. The Infinix Smart 5 Pro may have a slight edge if it includes more megapixels, but image quality is heavily dependent on software processing, which is often limited on these devices. Expect acceptable results in good lighting conditions, but poor performance in low light. The presence of a 2MP macro lens on either device is largely a marketing gimmick and won't significantly improve image quality.
Performance
The core of the difference lies in the chipsets. The Honor 8A 2020’s Mediatek Helio P35 (12nm) features an octa-core CPU with a split configuration of 4x2.3 GHz Cortex-A53 and 4x1.8 GHz Cortex-A53 cores. This offers a balance of performance and efficiency. Conversely, the Infinix Smart 5 Pro’s Unisoc SC9863A (28nm) utilizes an octa-core CPU with 4x1.6 GHz Cortex-A55 and 4x1.2 GHz Cortex-A55 cores. While also octa-core, the 28nm manufacturing process is significantly less efficient, leading to higher power consumption for the same level of performance. The Cortex-A55 cores are more modern, but the process node disadvantage is substantial. Users will notice this in longer app usage and multitasking.
Battery Life
Battery capacity details are missing for both devices. However, the Infinix Smart 5 Pro’s inclusion of 10W wired charging is a notable advantage. The Honor 8A 2020 likely charges at a slower rate. Despite this, the Helio P35’s superior efficiency means the 8A 2020 will likely offer longer real-world battery life, even with a potentially smaller battery capacity. The 28nm process of the Unisoc chip will drain the battery faster under load.
Buying Guide
Buy the Honor 8A 2020 if you need a phone that feels reasonably responsive for everyday tasks like messaging, browsing, and light social media use. Its more efficient processor translates to better battery life under sustained load. Buy the Infinix Smart 5 Pro if you prioritize having the latest chipset, even if it comes at the cost of performance and efficiency, and if 10W charging is a critical feature for your usage patterns.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Will the Infinix Smart 5 Pro struggle with multitasking compared to the Honor 8A 2020?
Yes, the Infinix Smart 5 Pro is likely to exhibit more noticeable slowdowns when multitasking due to the less efficient Unisoc SC9863A chipset. The Helio P35 in the Honor 8A 2020, despite being an older chip, handles multiple apps more gracefully thanks to its 12nm manufacturing process and optimized power consumption.
❓ Does the 10W charging on the Infinix Smart 5 Pro significantly reduce charging time?
While 10W charging is an improvement over even slower charging rates, it won't dramatically reduce charging time. Expect a full charge to take several hours. The Honor 8A 2020 likely charges slower, but its more efficient processor means you may not need to charge it as frequently.
❓ Is the Unisoc SC9863A chipset known for overheating issues?
The Unisoc SC9863A, due to its 28nm process, is more prone to generating heat under sustained load compared to the Helio P35. While it's unlikely to cause severe overheating, users may experience performance throttling during extended gaming sessions or demanding tasks.
