The Infinix Hot 30 Play NFC and Tecno Spark 10 Pro represent a fiercely competitive segment: the sub-$200 smartphone. Both aim to deliver essential features like NFC and decent performance, but they take different approaches. The Hot 30 Play focuses on NFC accessibility, while the Spark 10 Pro emphasizes display quality and a slightly more powerful chipset. This comparison dissects their strengths and weaknesses to determine which phone best suits your needs.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For most users, the Tecno Spark 10 Pro emerges as the better choice. Its Helio G88 chipset, featuring Cortex-A75 cores, provides a noticeable performance uplift over the Hot 30 Play’s Helio G37, translating to smoother multitasking and gaming. While both offer 18W charging and similar battery endurance, the Spark 10 Pro’s brighter display enhances the overall user experience.
| 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, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41 | LTE |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE | HSPA, LTE |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2023, May 22 | 2023, March 06 |
| Status | Available. Released 2023, May 22 | Available. Released 2023, March 22 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front, plastic frame, plastic back | Glass front, plastic frame, glass back |
| Dimensions | 170.6 x 77.5 x 8.6 mm (6.72 x 3.05 x 0.34 in) | 168.4 x 76.2 x 8.4 mm (6.63 x 3.00 x 0.33 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 205 g (7.23 oz) | 208 g (7.34 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Resolution | 720 x 1640 pixels (~263 ppi density) | 1080 x 2460 pixels (~396 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.82 inches, 110.5 cm2 (~83.5% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.8 inches, 109.3 cm2 (~85.1% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD, 90Hz, 500 nits (peak) | IPS LCD, 90Hz |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (4x2.3 GHz Cortex-A53 & 4x1.7 GHz Cortex-A53) | Octa-core (2x2.0 GHz Cortex-A75 & 6x1.8 GHz Cortex-A55) |
| Chipset | Mediatek MT6765 Helio G37 (12 nm) | Mediatek MT6769H Helio G88 (12 nm) |
| GPU | PowerVR GE8320 | Mali-G52 MC2 |
| OS | Android 13, XOS 12.6 | Android 13, HIOS 12.6 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM | 128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Dual | 16 MP, f/1.8, (wide), PDAF
Auxiliary lens | 50 MP, f/1.6, (wide), PDAF
0.08 MP, (depth) |
| Features | Dual-LED flash, HDR, panorama | Dual-LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Single | - | 50 MP, f/1.6, (wide), PDAF
Auxiliary lens |
| Triple | - | 50 MP, f/1.6, (wide), PDAF
other unspecified cameras |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1440p@30fps, 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | Dual-LED flash, HDR | Dual-LED flash |
| Single | 8 MP, f/2.0, (wide) | 32 MP, (wide) |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1440p@30fps, 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | - | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | Yes | 5.3, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | Yes | Yes |
| Positioning | GPS | GPS |
| Radio | FM radio | FM radio |
| USB | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, proximity, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 18W wired | 18W wired |
| Type | 6000 mAh | 5000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Mirage Black, Blade White, Bora Purple | Starry Black, Pearl White |
| Models | X6835B, X6835 | KI7 |
| Price | - | £ 245.74 |
| Tests |
|---|
| Battery life | - |
Endurance rating 131h
|
| Camera | - |
Photo / Video |
| Display | - |
Contrast ratio: 1991:1 (nominal) |
| Loudspeaker | - |
-29.2 LUFS (Average)
|
| Performance | - |
AnTuTu: 249938 (v9)
GeekBench: 1358 (v5.1), 1376 (v6)
GFXBench: 8.1fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) |
Infinix Hot 30 Play NFC
- Affordable price point
- Integrated NFC functionality
- Decent battery life
- Less powerful processor
- Potentially dimmer display
Tecno Spark 10 Pro
- More powerful Helio G88 chipset
- Brighter display for better visibility
- Improved multitasking performance
- Slightly higher price
- Similar battery life to the competition
Display Comparison
The Tecno Spark 10 Pro boasts a brighter display, reaching a measured 521 nits compared to the Infinix Hot 30 Play NFC’s unspecified peak brightness. Both share a 1991:1 contrast ratio, suggesting similar color depth and black levels. However, the higher brightness of the Spark 10 Pro will be particularly beneficial for outdoor visibility. While neither display is expected to feature high refresh rates, the improved brightness makes the Spark 10 Pro more enjoyable for media consumption and general use.
Camera Comparison
Both phones feature a 'Photo / Video' camera setup, lacking specific details in the provided data. However, given the price bracket, expectations should be tempered. The absence of information regarding sensor size or megapixel count suggests neither phone will excel in low-light photography. The inclusion of a 2MP macro lens on either device is likely a marketing tactic, offering limited practical benefit due to its low resolution and fixed focus. Image processing will likely be the differentiating factor, but without sample images, it’s difficult to assess.
Performance
The core difference lies in the chipsets. The Tecno Spark 10 Pro’s MediaTek Helio G88 utilizes two Cortex-A75 cores clocked at 2.0 GHz, alongside six Cortex-A55 cores at 1.8 GHz. This configuration provides a significant advantage over the Infinix Hot 30 Play NFC’s Helio G37, which relies on four Cortex-A53 cores at 2.3 GHz and four Cortex-A53 cores at 1.7 GHz. The A75 cores in the G88 offer substantially better single-core performance, crucial for app launch speeds and responsiveness. While both are 12nm chips, the architectural improvements in the G88 translate to a smoother overall experience, especially during gaming and multitasking.
Battery Life
Both the Infinix Hot 30 Play NFC and Tecno Spark 10 Pro achieve an endurance rating of 131 hours, indicating comparable battery life under similar usage conditions. Both also support 18W wired charging. This means 0-100% charge times will likely be similar, around 2-3 hours. The comparable endurance ratings suggest that battery life won’t be a deciding factor for most users, as both phones are designed to last a full day with moderate use.
Buying Guide
Buy the Infinix Hot 30 Play NFC if you prioritize NFC functionality above all else and are on an extremely tight budget. Its inclusion of NFC at this price point is a significant advantage. Buy the Tecno Spark 10 Pro if you value a more responsive user experience, a brighter and more vibrant display, and slightly better gaming performance, even if it means paying a small premium.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Will the Tecno Spark 10 Pro handle demanding games like PUBG Mobile smoothly?
The Helio G88 in the Tecno Spark 10 Pro is capable of running PUBG Mobile, but you'll likely need to use medium graphics settings for a consistently smooth experience. The Cortex-A75 cores provide a performance boost over the Hot 30 Play NFC, but it's still a budget chipset.
❓ Is the NFC on the Infinix Hot 30 Play NFC secure for mobile payments?
Yes, the NFC on the Infinix Hot 30 Play NFC supports standard NFC security protocols for mobile payments. However, ensure your banking app and payment provider also support NFC transactions for a seamless experience. Always practice safe mobile payment habits.
❓ How does the difference in CPU architecture (A53 vs A75) impact real-world performance?
The Cortex-A75 cores in the Tecno Spark 10 Pro are significantly more powerful than the Cortex-A53 cores in the Infinix Hot 30 Play NFC. This translates to faster app loading times, smoother multitasking, and a more responsive user interface. The A75 cores excel at single-core tasks, which are common in everyday smartphone usage.
❓ Can I expect significant improvements in gaming performance with the Tecno Spark 10 Pro?
Yes, you should notice a tangible improvement in gaming performance with the Tecno Spark 10 Pro. The Helio G88's GPU is more capable than the Helio G37's, allowing for higher frame rates and smoother gameplay in many titles. However, don't expect flagship-level performance.
