The sub-$150 smartphone market is fiercely competitive, and the Infinix Smart 8 HD and Motorola Moto E13 are two contenders vying for the attention of budget-conscious consumers. Both devices center around the Unisoc T606 chipset, making a direct hardware comparison less impactful. This review focuses on the nuances – software, potential optimizations, and subtle feature differences – to determine which phone delivers the best overall experience.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average user prioritizing a potentially cleaner software experience and Motorola’s established brand reputation, the Motorola Moto E13 edges out the Infinix Smart 8 HD. However, the Infinix offers reverse wired charging, a feature absent on the Moto E13, providing added utility for those needing to top up accessories.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 3, 5, 8, 38, 40, 41 | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 28, 38, 40, 41 |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE | HSPA, LTE |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| | - | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41 |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2023, December 08 | 2023, January 24 |
| Status | Available. Released 2023, December 13 | Available. Released 2023, February 13 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front, plastic back, plastic frame | Glass front, plastic frame, plastic back |
| Dimensions | 163.6 x 75.6 x 8.5 mm (6.44 x 2.98 x 0.33 in) | 164.2 x 75 x 8.5 mm (6.46 x 2.95 x 0.33 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 184 g (6.49 oz) | 179.5 g (6.35 oz) |
| | - | Water-resistant design |
| Display |
|---|
| Resolution | 720 x 1612 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~267 ppi density) | 720 x 1600 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~270 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.6 inches, 104.6 cm2 (~84.6% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.5 inches, 102.0 cm2 (~82.8% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD, 90Hz, 500 nits (peak) | IPS LCD |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (2x1.6 GHz Cortex-A75 & 6x1.6 GHz Cortex-A55) | Octa-core (2x1.6 GHz Cortex-A75 & 6x1.6 GHz Cortex-A55) |
| Chipset | Unisoc T606 (12 nm) | Unisoc T606 (12 nm) |
| GPU | Mali-G57 MP1 | Mali-G57 MP1 |
| OS | Android 13, XOS 13 | Android 13 (Go edition) |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 64GB 3GB RAM, 64GB 4GB RAM | 32GB 2GB RAM, 64GB 2GB RAM, 64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM |
| | - | eMMC 5.1 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | Ring-LED flash, HDR, panorama | LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Single | 13 MP, f/1.8, 27mm (wide), AF
Auxiliary lens | 13 MP, f/2.2, (wide), 1.12µm, PDAF |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Single | 8 MP, f/2.0, (wide) | 5 MP, f/2.4, (wide), 1/5.0", 1.12µm |
| Video | Yes | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | - | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.0, A2DP, LE | 5.0, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | No | No |
| Positioning | GPS | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO |
| Radio | FM radio | FM radio, recording |
| 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 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, proximity, compass | Accelerometer, proximity |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 10W wired
Reverse wired | 10W wired |
| Type | 5000 mAh | Li-Po 5000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Timber Black, Shiny Gold, Crystal Green, Galaxy White | Cosmic Black, Creamy White, Aurora Green |
| Models | X6525 | - |
| Price | About 70 EUR | $ 119.99 / € 104.99 |
Infinix Smart 8 HD
- Reverse wired charging offers added utility.
- Potentially more aggressive pricing.
- May offer larger storage options.
- Infinix’s software can be heavily customized with bloatware.
- Software update support may be less consistent.
Motorola Moto E13
- Motorola’s near-stock Android experience is cleaner and faster.
- Generally better software update support within the budget segment.
- Established brand reputation for reliability.
- Lacks reverse wired charging functionality.
- May be slightly more expensive than the Infinix.
Display Comparison
Both the Infinix Smart 8 HD and Motorola Moto E13 likely feature similar LCD panels, given their price point. Without specific details on panel type, resolution, or brightness, it’s difficult to declare a clear winner. However, the display quality will likely be adequate for basic tasks like browsing and video consumption, but not ideal for outdoor use in bright sunlight. Expect standard 60Hz refresh rates on both devices, prioritizing battery life over smooth scrolling.
Camera Comparison
Camera performance is likely to be similar on both devices, relying heavily on software processing to enhance image quality. Given the target price point, expect a primary camera sensor accompanied by auxiliary lenses of limited utility (often 2MP macro or depth sensors). Without knowing the specific sensor sizes or apertures, it’s difficult to assess image quality. Motorola’s image processing tends towards more natural colors, while Infinix often boosts saturation. The real-world difference will likely be minimal for casual users.
Performance
The core of both devices is the Unisoc T606 (12 nm) chipset, featuring an octa-core CPU configuration with 2x1.6 GHz Cortex-A75 and 6x1.6 GHz Cortex-A55 cores. This means performance will be nearly identical for everyday tasks like social media, messaging, and light web browsing. The 12nm process node suggests moderate thermal efficiency; sustained gaming at high settings is unlikely to be optimal on either device. RAM configurations, which are not specified, will significantly impact multitasking capabilities. Expect both phones to handle basic Android functions well, but struggle with demanding applications.
Battery Life
Both devices feature 10W wired charging, indicating similar charging speeds. While the exact battery capacities are unknown, the 10W charging suggests a full charge will take approximately 2.5 to 3.5 hours. The Infinix Smart 8 HD’s inclusion of reverse wired charging is a significant advantage, allowing it to function as a power bank for other devices. This feature is absent on the Motorola Moto E13, making the Infinix a more versatile option for users with multiple gadgets.
Buying Guide
Buy the Infinix Smart 8 HD if you need the flexibility of reverse wired charging to power up accessories like earbuds or smartwatches on the go. Buy the Motorola Moto E13 if you prefer a potentially more streamlined Android experience with fewer pre-installed apps and value Motorola’s track record for software updates, even within this price segment.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Will the Unisoc T606 in either phone struggle with popular games like PUBG Mobile or Call of Duty?
Yes, the Unisoc T606 is an entry-level chipset. While it can run PUBG Mobile and Call of Duty, you’ll likely need to play at the lowest graphics settings and may experience frame drops, especially during intense action. These phones are better suited for casual gaming.
❓ How much bloatware can I expect on the Infinix Smart 8 HD compared to the Motorola Moto E13?
Infinix is known for pre-installing a significant amount of third-party apps and services on its devices. The Motorola Moto E13, on the other hand, typically offers a much cleaner Android experience with minimal bloatware. If a clean software experience is a priority, the Moto E13 is the better choice.
❓ Does either phone support fast charging beyond the standard 10W?
No, both the Infinix Smart 8 HD and Motorola Moto E13 are limited to 10W wired charging. This is typical for phones in this price range, and you should expect a relatively slow charging time.
❓ What type of USB port do these phones use – Micro-USB or USB-C?
While not explicitly stated, given the current market trends and the price point, both devices are highly likely to use a USB-C port for charging and data transfer. This is a welcome feature for compatibility with modern accessories.
