The sub-$200 smartphone market is fiercely competitive, and the Infinix Hot 40 and Tecno Spark 20 Pro 5G are two of the latest contenders vying for your attention. While both aim to deliver 5G connectivity and a modern smartphone experience at an accessible price, they take different approaches to achieving this goal, primarily through their chipset choices. This comparison will dissect those differences and help you determine which device best suits your needs.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average user prioritizing overall performance and future-proofing, the Tecno Spark 20 Pro 5G emerges as the stronger choice. Its Mediatek Dimensity 6080, built on a more efficient 6nm process, offers a noticeable performance uplift over the Infinix Hot 40’s Helio G88, making it better suited for demanding tasks and sustained gaming.
| 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 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41 | LTE |
| 5G bands | - | SA/NSA |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE | HSPA, LTE, 5G |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2023, December 05 | 2024, June 17 |
| Status | Available. Released 2023, December | Available. Released 2024, June 20 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front, plastic back, plastic frame | - |
| Dimensions | 168.6 x 76.6 x 8.3 mm (6.64 x 3.02 x 0.33 in) | 168.5 x 76.2 x 8.3 mm or 8.5 mm |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 196 g (6.91 oz) | 200 g or 201.5 g (7.05 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Resolution | 1080 x 2460 pixels (~396 ppi density) | 1080 x 2460 pixels (~396 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.78 inches, 109.2 cm2 (~84.5% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.78 inches, 109.2 cm2 (~85.0% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD, 90Hz, 500 nits (peak) | IPS LCD, 120Hz |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (2x2.0 GHz Cortex-A75 & 6x1.8 GHz Cortex-A55) | Octa-core (2x2.4 GHz Cortex-A76 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55) |
| Chipset | Mediatek MT6769H Helio G88 (12 nm) | Mediatek Dimensity 6080 (6 nm) |
| GPU | Mali-G52 MC2 | Mali-G57 MC2 |
| OS | Android 13, XOS 13.5 | Android 14 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM | 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Dual | 50 MP, f/1.6, (wide), AF
2 MP (macro)
Auxiliary lens | 108 MP, f/1.8, (wide), 1/1.67", 0.64µm, PDAF
2 MP (macro) |
| Features | Quad-LED flash, HDR, panorama | Quad-LED flash |
| Video | 1440p@30fps, 1080p@30fps | 1440p@30fps, 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | Dual-LED flash | Dual-LED dual-tone flash |
| Single | 32 MP, f/2.2, (wide) | 8 MP, (wide) |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1440p@30fps, 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 35mm jack | Yes | No |
| Loudspeaker | Yes, with stereo speakers | Yes, with stereo speakers |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | Yes | 5.3, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | Yes | Yes |
| Positioning | GPS | GPS, GLONASS |
| Radio | FM radio | FM radio |
| USB | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG | USB Type-C |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, proximity, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 33W wired, 20-75% in 35 min
Reverse wired | 33W wired |
| Type | 5000 mAh | 5000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Palm Blue, Horizon Gold, Starlit Black, Starfall Green | Startrail Black, Glossy White, Neon Green |
| Models | X6836 | KJ8 |
| Price | - | About 180 EUR |
Infinix Hot 40
- Potentially lower price point.
- Established Infinix brand presence.
- 33W fast charging with advertised time to 75%
- Older Helio G88 chipset.
- Less efficient 12nm process.
- Likely lower gaming performance.
Tecno Spark 20 Pro 5G
- More powerful and efficient Dimensity 6080 chipset.
- 6nm fabrication process for better battery life.
- Improved gaming and multitasking capabilities.
- Tecno brand may be less familiar to some users.
- Potentially slightly higher price.
Display Comparison
Neither device boasts a standout display. Both likely feature LCD panels, a common trait in this price bracket. However, the lack of detailed display specs necessitates focusing on the chipset's impact on rendering. The Dimensity 6080’s superior GPU will translate to smoother animations and potentially higher frame rates in games, even if the panel resolution and refresh rate are identical. Bezels are likely comparable, and color accuracy will depend heavily on software calibration, an area where Tecno and Infinix often trade blows.
Camera Comparison
Without detailed camera specs, a direct comparison is difficult. However, the chipset plays a role in image signal processing (ISP) capabilities. The Dimensity 6080’s ISP is more advanced, potentially leading to better dynamic range, noise reduction, and overall image quality. It’s reasonable to assume both phones will include a primary camera, an ultrawide, and potentially a depth or macro sensor. The usefulness of a 2MP macro camera on either device is questionable; focus should be on the performance of the main sensor and its aperture. OIS (Optical Image Stabilization) is unlikely on either model at this price point.
Performance
The core difference lies in the chipsets. The Tecno Spark 20 Pro 5G’s Mediatek Dimensity 6080 (6nm) is a significant upgrade over the Infinix Hot 40’s Helio G88 (12nm). The Dimensity 6080 utilizes Cortex-A76 cores clocked at 2.4 GHz, compared to the Hot 40’s Cortex-A75 cores at 2.0 GHz. This architectural advantage, coupled with the smaller 6nm fabrication process, results in better power efficiency and sustained performance. The Dimensity 6080 will handle multitasking and graphically intensive games with greater ease, while the Helio G88 may exhibit more noticeable throttling under prolonged load. While both phones likely feature similar RAM configurations, the Dimensity 6080 benefits from a more modern memory controller.
Battery Life
Both devices feature 33W wired charging, with the Infinix Hot 40 claiming a 20-75% charge in 35 minutes. The Tecno Spark 20 Pro 5G’s charging speed is comparable, but the Dimensity 6080’s superior power efficiency could translate to slightly longer battery life in real-world usage. The actual battery capacity isn’t specified, but a typical capacity for this segment is around 5000mAh. The 6nm process of the Dimensity 6080 will contribute to lower power consumption, offsetting any potential difference in battery capacity.
Buying Guide
Buy the Infinix Hot 40 if you prioritize a slightly more established brand reputation within the Infinix ecosystem and are primarily focused on basic smartphone tasks like calling, texting, and light social media use. Buy the Tecno Spark 20 Pro 5G if you value a more modern chipset architecture, improved performance for gaming and multitasking, and a potentially longer software support lifecycle due to the newer platform.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Will the Dimensity 6080 in the Tecno Spark 20 Pro 5G overheat during extended gaming sessions?
The Dimensity 6080’s 6nm process is significantly more efficient than the Helio G88’s 12nm process. This improved efficiency translates to lower heat generation under load, reducing the likelihood of significant throttling during prolonged gaming. While some heat is inevitable, the Tecno Spark 20 Pro 5G is better equipped to handle sustained gaming than the Infinix Hot 40.
❓ Is the 33W charging on either phone truly 'fast' compared to other budget options?
33W charging is a respectable speed for this price segment, placing both phones above many competitors still relying on 18W or 25W charging. While not as rapid as the 65W or 120W charging found on some higher-end devices, 33W will still provide a noticeable top-up in a short amount of time, with the Infinix Hot 40 claiming 20-75% in 35 minutes.
❓ How will the chipset difference affect the long-term software support for each phone?
The Tecno Spark 20 Pro 5G, powered by the newer Dimensity 6080, is likely to receive longer software support from Tecno. Chipset manufacturers typically provide driver and security updates for a longer period for newer chipsets, ensuring the phone remains secure and compatible with the latest apps and services.
