The sub-$150 smartphone market is fiercely competitive. Both the HTC Wildfire E2 Play and the Tecno Spark 8P aim to deliver essential smartphone functionality at an accessible price. However, they take different approaches to achieving this, with the Tecno Spark 8P offering a potentially more powerful chipset, but also a version with a significantly weaker one. This comparison will dissect their key specifications to determine which device offers the best value for budget-conscious consumers.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For most users, the Tecno Spark 8P (version with Helio G70) is the better choice. Its more powerful Helio G70 chipset provides a noticeable performance boost over the HTC Wildfire E2 Play’s Unisoc T606, translating to smoother multitasking and a better gaming experience. However, be cautious of the Spark 8P version with the Helio P22, which would make the Wildfire E2 Play the preferable option.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 2100 | HSDPA 900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 38, 40, 41 | 1, 3, 7, 8, 20, 28 |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE Cat4 150/50 Mbps |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2023, April 17 | 2021, October 13 |
| Status | Available. Released 2023, April 17 | Available. Released 2021, December 14 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front, plastic back, plastic frame | Glass front, plastic frame, plastic back |
| Dimensions | 174.2 x 78.6 x 9.3 mm (6.86 x 3.09 x 0.37 in) | 164.5 x 76.1 x 8.9 mm (6.48 x 3.00 x 0.35 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 210 g (7.41 oz) | - |
| Display |
|---|
| Resolution | 720 x 1640 pixels (~263 ppi density) | 1080 x 2408 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~400 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.82 inches, 110.5 cm2 (~80.7% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.6 inches, 104.9 cm2 (~83.8% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD, 450 nits (typ) | IPS LCD |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (2x1.6 GHz Cortex-A75 & 6x1.6 GHz Cortex-A55) | Octa-core (2x2.0 GHz Cortex-A75 & 6x1.7 GHz Cortex-A55) - Version 1Octa-core (4x1.8 GHz Cortex-A53 & 4x1.5 GHz Cortex-A53) - Version 2 |
| Chipset | Unisoc T606 (12 nm) | Mediatek MT6769V Helio G70 (12 nm) - Version 1Mediatek MT6762D Helio P22 (12 nm) - Version 2 |
| GPU | Mali-G57 MP1 | Mali-G52 2EEMC2 - Version 1PowerVR GE8320 - Version 2 |
| OS | Android 12 | Android 11, HIOS 7.6 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 128GB 8GB RAM | 64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM, 256GB 4GB RAM |
| | eMMC 5.1 | eMMC 5.1 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash | Quad-LED flash, HDR |
| Quad | 48 MP, f/2.2, (wide), PDAF
5 MP, (ultrawide)
2 MP (macro)
Auxiliary lens | - |
| Single | - | 8 MP, f/2.0, 26mm (wide) |
| Triple | - | 50 MP, f/1.6, (wide), PDAF
Auxiliary lenses |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | - | Dual-LED flash |
| Single | 8 MP, f/2.2, (wide) | 8 MP, f/2.0, 26mm (wide) |
| Video | 720p | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.0, A2DP, LE | Yes |
| NFC | No | No |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO | GPS |
| Radio | Unspecified | FM radio |
| USB | USB Type-C 2.0 | Yes |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct | Yes |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, proximity |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 10W wired | 10W wired |
| Type | Li-Po 4600 mAh | 5000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Black, Blue | Turquoise Cyan, Atlantic Blue, Iris Purple, Tahiti Gold |
| Models | - | KG7H, KG7, KG7n |
| Price | - | About 100 EUR |
HTC Wildfire E2 Play
- Consistent performance with Unisoc T606
- Potentially better battery life under light use
- Reliable brand reputation (HTC)
- Less powerful chipset compared to Helio G70
- Likely limited RAM impacting multitasking
- Basic camera system
Tecno Spark 8P
- More powerful Helio G70 chipset (version 1)
- Potentially better gaming performance (version 1)
- Larger display (likely, but unconfirmed)
- Chipset variation (Helio P22 version is significantly weaker)
- Software optimization may be less refined
- 2MP macro camera is largely useless
Display Comparison
Neither device boasts a standout display. Both utilize 12nm chipsets, suggesting a focus on cost optimization over display technology. Specifics like panel type (IPS vs. TFT) and resolution are missing, but both are likely 720p+ displays. The real difference lies in the processing power driving them. A brighter display would benefit outdoor visibility, but without concrete nit figures, it’s impossible to declare a winner. Bezels are expected to be substantial on both devices, typical of this price bracket.
Camera Comparison
Camera performance is likely to be similar on both devices, leaning towards basic functionality. Both manufacturers are known to prioritize megapixel count over sensor size and image quality in this segment. While specifications for the main sensors are missing, the presence of a 2MP macro lens on the Tecno Spark 8P is largely a marketing gimmick, offering minimal practical benefit. Image processing will likely be heavily reliant on software algorithms to enhance photos, potentially resulting in over-sharpened or artificial-looking images. Without detailed sensor information, it’s difficult to assess which device will produce better results in various lighting conditions.
Performance
The Tecno Spark 8P’s chipset is where the biggest divergence occurs. The version equipped with the MediaTek Helio G70 (2x2.0 GHz Cortex-A75 & 6x1.7 GHz Cortex-A55) offers a significant advantage over the HTC Wildfire E2 Play’s Unisoc T606 (2x1.6 GHz Cortex-A75 & 6x1.6 GHz Cortex-A55). The G70’s higher clock speeds and more efficient architecture will result in faster app loading times and smoother multitasking. However, the Spark 8P also comes in a version with the Helio P22 (4x1.8 GHz Cortex-A53 & 4x1.5 GHz Cortex-A53), which is considerably weaker than the T606. The T606’s Cortex-A75 cores provide a performance edge over the P22’s all-A53 configuration. Both phones likely feature limited RAM (likely 2-4GB), which will impact multitasking performance regardless of the chipset.
Battery Life
Both the HTC Wildfire E2 Play and the Tecno Spark 8P feature 10W wired charging, indicating a similar charging experience. Battery capacity is not specified, but both are likely in the 4000-5000 mAh range. The more efficient Unisoc T606 in the Wildfire E2 Play *might* translate to slightly better battery life under light usage, but the Helio G70 in the Spark 8P will consume more power during demanding tasks. Expect a full charge to take around 2-3 hours with the included 10W charger.
Buying Guide
Buy the HTC Wildfire E2 Play if you prioritize a consistently predictable, if modest, performance level and are wary of potential chipset variations. It’s a solid choice for basic communication, light social media use, and essential apps. Buy the Tecno Spark 8P (Helio G70 version) if you want a phone capable of handling more demanding tasks like gaming and video streaming, and are willing to accept the risk of slightly less refined software optimization. If you find a Spark 8P with the Helio P22, avoid it and opt for the Wildfire E2 Play.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ What is the real-world difference between the Unisoc T606 and the MediaTek Helio G70 in terms of gaming?
The Helio G70 offers a substantial advantage in gaming. Its more powerful GPU and CPU allow for higher frame rates and smoother gameplay in demanding titles like PUBG Mobile and Call of Duty Mobile. The Unisoc T606 will struggle with these games, requiring significant graphics settings reductions to achieve playable frame rates. However, the Helio P22 version of the Spark 8P will perform worse than the Wildfire E2 Play.
❓ Is the Tecno Spark 8P's Helio P22 version worth considering, or should I avoid it?
You should avoid the Tecno Spark 8P version with the Helio P22. It's significantly less powerful than the Unisoc T606 in the HTC Wildfire E2 Play and will result in a noticeably slower and less responsive user experience. The performance difference is substantial enough to make the Wildfire E2 Play the better choice in this scenario.
❓ How long will it take to fully charge both phones from 0%?
With their 10W charging capabilities, both the HTC Wildfire E2 Play and the Tecno Spark 8P will likely take around 2 to 3 hours to fully charge from 0%. The actual charging time may vary depending on usage during charging and the efficiency of the charger.
❓ Will the Tecno Spark 8P (Helio G70) overheat during extended gaming sessions?
The Helio G70 is known to generate more heat than the Unisoc T606. While thermal throttling is likely to occur during prolonged gaming, it shouldn't be severe enough to cause significant performance degradation or discomfort. The phone's plastic build will help dissipate some heat, but extended gaming in warm environments may lead to noticeable warming.
