The Infinix Hot 8 and Motorola Moto G8 Play represent two compelling options in the ultra-budget smartphone segment. Both aim to deliver essential smartphone functionality at a price point that won't break the bank, but they take different approaches to achieving this. The key differentiator lies in their chipsets, impacting everything from everyday performance to gaming capabilities.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For most users, the Motorola Moto G8 Play is the superior choice. Its Mediatek Helio P70M chipset, featuring Cortex-A73 cores, provides a significantly smoother and more responsive experience than the Infinix Hot 8’s Helio A22, making it better suited for multitasking and demanding apps.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 3, 5, 8, 38, 40, 41 | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 28, 66 - LATAM |
| Speed | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE Cat4 150/50 Mbps | HSPA, LTE |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2019, September 04. Released 2019, September | 2019, October. Released 2019, October |
| Status | Discontinued | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front, glass back | Glass front, plastic back, plastic frame |
| Dimensions | 165 x 76.3 x 8.7 mm (6.50 x 3.00 x 0.34 in) | 157.6 x 75.4 x 9 mm (6.20 x 2.97 x 0.35 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 179 g (6.31 oz) | 183.6 g (6.49 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Resolution | 720 x 1600 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~269 ppi density) | 720 x 1520 pixels, 19:9 ratio (~271 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.52 inches, 102.6 cm2 (~81.5% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.2 inches, 95.9 cm2 (~80.7% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD | IPS LCD |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Quad-core 2.0 GHz Cortex-A53Octa-core 1.8 GHz Cortex-A53 | Octa-core (4x2.1 GHz Cortex-A73 & 4x2.0 GHz Cortex-A53) |
| Chipset | Mediatek MT6761 Helio A22 (12 nm) - 32/2 GBMediatek MT6762 Helio P22 (12 nm) - 64/4 GB | Mediatek MT6771 Helio P70M (12 nm) |
| GPU | PowerVR GE8320 | Mali-G72 MP3 |
| OS | Android 10 | Android 9.0 (Pie), upgradable to Android 10 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) |
| Internal | 32GB 2GB RAM, 64GB 4GB RAM | 32GB 2GB RAM |
| | eMMC 5.1 | eMMC 5.1 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | Quad-LED flash, panorama, HDR | LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Triple | 13 MP, f/1.8, 26mm (wide), 1/3.1", 1.12µm, PDAF
Auxiliary lenses | 13 MP, f/2.0, (wide), 1.25µm, PDAF
8 MP, f/2.2, 117˚ (ultrawide), 1.12µm
Auxiliary lens |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash | HDR |
| Single | 8 MP, f/2.0, 25mm (wide) | 8 MP |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| | Dirac Surround Sound | - |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.0, A2DP, LE | 4.2, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | No | No |
| Positioning | GPS | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO |
| Radio | FM radio | FM radio |
| USB | microUSB 2.0, OTG | USB Type-C 2.0 |
| 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 (rear-mounted), accelerometer, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity |
| Battery |
|---|
| Type | 5000 mAh, non-removable | Li-Po 4000 mAh, non-removable |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Quetzal Cyan, Cosmic Purple, Shark Grey, Midnight Black | Black onyx, Magenta red |
| Models | X650C, X650B, X650D | XT2015, XT2015-2 |
| Price | About 7000 INR | About 90 EUR |
| SAR | - | 0.62 W/kg (head) 1.68 W/kg (body) |
Infinix Hot 8
- Potentially longer battery life due to less powerful chipset.
- Lower price point (likely).
- Simple and straightforward user experience.
- Significantly slower performance compared to the Moto G8 Play.
- Limited multitasking capabilities.
- Struggles with demanding apps and games.
Motorola Moto G8 Play
- Much faster and more responsive performance thanks to the Helio P70M.
- Better suited for multitasking and gaming.
- More refined software experience.
- Potentially slightly shorter battery life.
- May be slightly more expensive.
- Camera performance, while better, is still limited by the budget sensor.
Display Comparison
Neither device boasts a standout display. Details regarding panel type (IPS vs TFT) and resolution are missing, but both likely feature 720p+ displays typical of this price bracket. The focus here isn't on visual fidelity. Bezels are expected to be substantial on both, and color accuracy will likely be average. The absence of high refresh rates or HDR support is standard for this segment.
Camera Comparison
Camera performance is likely to be similar in real-world usage, with both phones relying on budget sensors. Details on sensor size and aperture are unavailable, but both will likely feature a primary camera alongside depth and macro sensors (the usefulness of the latter is questionable). The Moto G8 Play’s image processing, while not exceptional, is likely to be more refined due to the more powerful chipset, potentially leading to better dynamic range and noise reduction. The Infinix Hot 8’s camera will likely struggle in low-light conditions.
Performance
This is where the biggest difference lies. The Infinix Hot 8 offers two configurations: a Helio A22 paired with 2GB of RAM, or a Helio P22 with 4GB of RAM. The Helio A22’s quad-core Cortex-A53 CPU clocked at 2.0 GHz is geared towards basic tasks. The Moto G8 Play, however, utilizes the Helio P70M, an octa-core processor with a more sophisticated architecture – four Cortex-A73 cores clocked at 2.1 GHz and four Cortex-A53 cores at 2.0 GHz. This combination delivers a substantial performance advantage, particularly in multi-threaded applications and gaming. The A73 cores provide a significant uplift in single-core performance, resulting in snappier app launches and smoother scrolling. The RAM difference (2GB vs. likely 4GB in the G8 Play) further exacerbates the performance gap.
Battery Life
Both devices likely feature large batteries (5000mAh is common in this segment) to compensate for the less efficient chipsets. The Infinix Hot 8, with its less powerful processor, may offer slightly longer battery life in typical usage. However, the Moto G8 Play’s more efficient chipset and potentially optimized software could mitigate this difference. Charging wattage is unknown for both, but expect relatively slow charging speeds – likely around 10W.
Buying Guide
Buy the Infinix Hot 8 if your primary needs are basic communication – calls, texts, and light social media – and you prioritize maximizing battery life over performance. It’s a viable option for first-time smartphone users or those on an extremely tight budget. Buy the Motorola Moto G8 Play if you want a more capable device for everyday tasks, occasional gaming, and a generally smoother user experience. The P70M chipset offers a noticeable performance boost for a relatively small price increase.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Will the Infinix Hot 8 struggle with popular apps like WhatsApp and Facebook?
While the Infinix Hot 8 can run these apps, expect slower loading times and occasional lag, especially with multiple apps open. The Helio A22 chipset is designed for basic tasks and may feel sluggish with demanding applications.
❓ Can the Motorola Moto G8 Play handle light gaming like PUBG Mobile or Free Fire?
The Moto G8 Play’s Helio P70M chipset is capable of running PUBG Mobile and Free Fire at lower settings. However, don’t expect a high-frame-rate experience. You’ll likely need to reduce graphics settings to achieve playable frame rates.
❓ Is the 2GB of RAM in the base Infinix Hot 8 sufficient for modern smartphone use?
2GB of RAM is increasingly limiting in 2024. The Infinix Hot 8 with 2GB of RAM will struggle with multitasking and may frequently close apps to free up memory. Upgrading to the 4GB RAM variant (if available) is highly recommended.
❓ How does the Helio P70M in the Moto G8 Play compare to other chipsets in this price range?
The Helio P70M is a significant step up from the Helio A22 found in some versions of the Infinix Hot 8. It offers a noticeable performance advantage over other entry-level chipsets like the Snapdragon 439, making it a strong contender in the budget segment.
