The Infinix Hot 9 and Tecno Spark 5 Pro occupy the fiercely competitive sub-$150 smartphone market. Both devices are built around the Mediatek Helio A25 chipset, making a direct hardware comparison less insightful than examining software optimizations, brand ecosystems, and subtle design choices. This deep dive explores where these nearly identical phones diverge.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average user, the Tecno Spark 5 Pro edges out the Infinix Hot 9 due to its generally more refined software experience and slightly better camera processing, despite sharing the same core hardware. However, the choice often comes down to brand preference and local pricing.
| 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, 38, 40, 41 | LTE |
| Speed | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE Cat4 150/50 Mbps | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE Cat4 150/50 Mbps |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2020, March 23. Released 2020, April | 2020, July 13. Released 2020, July 13 |
| Status | Discontinued | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front, plastic back, plastic frame | - |
| Dimensions | 165.4 x 76.8 x 8.8 mm (6.51 x 3.02 x 0.35 in) | 164.7 x 76.3 x 8.8 mm (6.48 x 3.00 x 0.35 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 185 g (6.53 oz) | - |
| Display |
|---|
| Resolution | 720 x 1600 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~266 ppi density) | 720 x 1600 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~266 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.6 inches, 105.2 cm2 (~82.8% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.6 inches, 105.2 cm2 (~83.7% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD | IPS LCD |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (4x1.8 GHz Cortex-A53 & 4x1.5 GHz Cortex-A53) | Octa-core (4x1.8 GHz Cortex-A53 & 4x1.5 GHz Cortex-A53) |
| Chipset | Mediatek MT6762D Helio A25 (12 nm) | Mediatek MT6762D Helio A25 (12 nm) |
| GPU | PowerVR GE8320 | PowerVR GE8320 |
| OS | Android 10, XOS 6.0 | Android 10, HIOS 6.1 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 32GB 2GB RAM, 32GB 3GB RAM, 64GB 3GB RAM, 64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM | 64GB 3GB RAM, 64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM |
| | eMMC 5.1 | eMMC 5.1 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | Triple-LED flash, panorama, HDR | Quad-LED flash, panorama, HDR |
| Quad | 13 MP, (wide), 1/3.1", 1.12µm, PDAF
2 MP (macro)
Auxiliary lenses
or
16 MP, (wide), PDAF (64/128 GB models only)
2 MP (macro)
Auxiliary lenses | 16 MP, f/1.8, PDAF
2 MP (macro)
Auxiliary lenses |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | - | Dual-LED flash, HDR |
| Single | 8 MP, (wide) | 8 MP, f/2.0, (wide) |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 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 | GPS |
| Radio | FM radio | FM radio |
| USB | microUSB 2.0, OTG | microUSB 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 (rear-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, proximity |
| Battery |
|---|
| Type | 5000 mAh | 5000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Midnight Black, Quetzal Cyan, Violet, Ocean Wave | Ice Jadeite, Spark Orange, Seabed Blue, Cloud White |
| Models | X655C, X655, X655D | - |
| Price | About 90 EUR | About 120 EUR |
Infinix Hot 9
- Potentially cleaner Android experience
- Competitive pricing
- Reliable performance for basic tasks
- Limited camera capabilities
- Slow charging speeds (likely)
- Basic display technology
Tecno Spark 5 pro
- Feature-rich software experience
- Potentially better camera processing
- Competitive pricing
- Software can feel cluttered
- Limited camera capabilities
- Basic display technology
Display Comparison
Both the Infinix Hot 9 and Tecno Spark 5 Pro feature displays that prioritize affordability over cutting-edge technology. While specific panel details (like IPS LCD vs. TFT LCD) aren't provided, the shared chipset suggests similar display capabilities. Expect 720p+ resolution, adequate brightness for indoor use, but limited visibility in direct sunlight. The absence of features like high refresh rates or Gorilla Glass is standard for this price point. Color accuracy will likely be moderate, leaning towards warmer tones to enhance perceived contrast.
Camera Comparison
Both phones likely feature a multi-camera setup, but the context data doesn't detail sensor specifications beyond the common inclusion of low-resolution auxiliary lenses. Image quality will be heavily reliant on software processing. While the Helio A25 supports image signal processing, the quality will be limited by the sensor itself. Expect decent results in well-lit conditions, but significant noise and loss of detail in low light. The Tecno Spark 5 Pro may offer slightly more aggressive image processing, resulting in more vibrant (though potentially less accurate) photos.
Performance
The core of both devices is the Mediatek MT6762D Helio A25, an octa-core processor with a configuration of four 1.8 GHz Cortex-A53 cores and four 1.5 GHz Cortex-A53 cores. This chipset is designed for basic multitasking, social media, and light gaming. Performance will be similar across both phones, with occasional stutters when running demanding applications or multiple apps simultaneously. The 12nm process node offers reasonable power efficiency, but sustained gaming will likely lead to thermal throttling. RAM configurations (not specified) will significantly impact multitasking performance; more RAM is always preferable.
Battery Life
Battery capacity is not specified, but both devices likely house batteries in the 4000-5000 mAh range, typical for this segment. The Helio A25's power efficiency contributes to all-day battery life with moderate usage. Charging wattage is also unspecified, but expect relatively slow charging speeds – likely around 10W. The actual 0-100% charge time will depend on the specific charger used and the battery's capacity. Software optimizations for battery management could differentiate the two devices, potentially giving one a slight edge in longevity.
Buying Guide
Buy the Infinix Hot 9 if you prioritize a potentially cleaner Android experience and are comfortable with a more basic feature set. Buy the Tecno Spark 5 Pro if you prefer a more feature-rich software experience, potentially better camera results, and are willing to navigate a slightly more cluttered interface. Both are excellent choices for first-time smartphone buyers or those needing a reliable secondary device.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Will the Helio A25 chipset struggle with popular games like PUBG Mobile?
The Helio A25 can run PUBG Mobile, but expect to play at the lowest graphics settings and potentially experience frame drops during intense action. It's not designed for demanding gaming experiences.
❓ How does the software experience differ between Infinix and Tecno?
Infinix typically offers a closer-to-stock Android experience, while Tecno's HiOS is more heavily customized with additional features and pre-installed apps. This can result in a more cluttered interface on the Tecno Spark 5 Pro, but also provides more out-of-the-box functionality.
❓ Are there any significant differences in the build quality between these two phones?
Both phones utilize plastic construction to keep costs down. Build quality is likely comparable, with neither device offering premium materials or exceptional durability. A protective case is recommended for both.
❓ Does either phone support fast charging?
Neither phone is expected to support fast charging. They likely utilize standard 10W charging, resulting in relatively slow charging times.
