The sub-$150 smartphone market is fiercely competitive, and the Infinix Smart 8 (India) and Xiaomi Poco C65 are two contenders vying for dominance. While both aim to deliver essential smartphone functionality at an accessible price, they take different approaches to achieving this. The Poco C65 prioritizes a brighter display and more powerful chipset, while the Smart 8 focuses on affordability and basic functionality. This comparison will dissect their key differences to help you determine which device best suits your needs.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For most users, the Xiaomi Poco C65 emerges as the better choice. Its Mediatek Helio G85 chipset offers a significant performance uplift over the Infinix Smart 8’s Helio G36, translating to smoother multitasking and a more responsive user experience. The faster 18W charging with PD support is also a notable advantage, despite the lack of specific battery capacity data.
| 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 - International |
| 4G bands | 1, 3, 5, 8, 38, 40, 41 | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66 - International |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE | HSPA, LTE |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2024, January 13 | 2023, November 05 |
| Status | Available. Released 2024, January 17 | Available. Released 2023, November 06 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front, plastic back, plastic frame | Glass front (Gorilla Glass), plastic frame, plastic back |
| Dimensions | 163.6 x 75.6 x 8.5 mm (6.44 x 2.98 x 0.33 in) | 168 x 78 x 8.1 mm (6.61 x 3.07 x 0.32 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 189 g (6.67 oz) | 192 g (6.77 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | - | Corning Gorilla Glass |
| Resolution | 720 x 1612 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~267 ppi density) | 720 x 1600 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~260 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.6 inches, 104.6 cm2 (~84.6% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.74 inches, 109.7 cm2 (~83.7% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD, 90Hz, 500 nits (peak) | IPS LCD, 90Hz, 450 nits (typ), 600 nits (HBM) |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (4x2.2 GHz Cortex-A53 & 4x1.6 GHz Cortex-A53) | Octa-core (2x2.0 GHz Cortex-A75 & 6x1.8 GHz Cortex-A55) |
| Chipset | Mediatek Helio G36 (12 nm) | Mediatek MT6769Z Helio G85 (12 nm) |
| GPU | PowerVR GE8320 | Mali-G52 MC2 |
| OS | Android 13 (Go edition), XOS 13 | Android 13, upgradable to Android 15, HyperOS 2 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 64GB 4GB RAM | 128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Dual | - | 50 MP, f/1.8, 28mm (wide), 0.64µm, PDAF
2 MP (macro)
Auxiliary lens |
| Features | Ring-LED flash, HDR, panorama | LED flash, HDR |
| Single | 50 MP, (wide), AF
Auxiliary lens | - |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | - | HDR |
| Single | 8 MP, (wide) | 8 MP, f/2.0 |
| Video | Yes | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.0, A2DP, LE | 5.3, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | No | Yes (market/region dependent) |
| Positioning | GPS | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS |
| Radio | FM radio | FM radio, recording |
| USB | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG | USB Type-C 2.0 |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 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, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 10W wired
Reverse wired | 18W wired, PD |
| Type | 5000 mAh | Li-Po 5000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Rainbow Blue, Galaxy White, Shiny Gold, Timber Black | Black, Blue, Purple |
| Models | X6525B | 2310FPCA4G, 2310FPCA4I |
| Price | About 80 EUR | € 99.95 / $ 139.99 / £ 115.99 / ₹ 8,999 |
| SAR EU | - | 0.99 W/kg (head) 1.00 W/kg (body) |
Infinix Smart 8 (India)
- Lowest possible price point
- Reverse wired charging capability
- Acceptable for basic smartphone tasks
- Significantly weaker performance
- Slower 10W charging
- Likely lower display quality
Xiaomi Poco C65
- More powerful Helio G85 chipset
- Brighter and higher contrast display
- Faster 18W charging with PD
- Slightly higher price
- Camera performance likely similar to Smart 8
- No reverse charging
Display Comparison
The Poco C65 boasts a significantly brighter display, reaching a measured 607 nits, compared to an unspecified brightness for the Infinix Smart 8. This higher peak brightness will be particularly beneficial for outdoor visibility. The Poco C65 also features a 1555:1 contrast ratio, indicating deeper blacks and more vibrant colors. While both likely utilize LCD panels given the price point, the Poco C65’s superior brightness and contrast provide a more immersive viewing experience. Bezels are likely comparable on both devices, as manufacturers in this segment prioritize cost savings over ultra-thin bezels.
Camera Comparison
Both phones likely feature basic camera setups geared towards casual photography. The context data doesn't provide enough detail to make a meaningful comparison beyond noting that both will likely include a primary camera and potentially depth or macro sensors. Given the price bracket, image quality will be heavily reliant on software processing and lighting conditions. We can assume the Poco C65, benefiting from its more powerful chipset, may have slightly faster image processing capabilities, but a detailed analysis requires sample images.
Performance
The core difference lies in the chipsets. The Poco C65’s Mediatek Helio G85 (12nm) is a substantial upgrade over the Infinix Smart 8’s Helio G36 (12nm). The G85 features a more modern CPU architecture – 2x2.0 GHz Cortex-A75 and 6x1.8 GHz Cortex-A55 – compared to the G36’s 4x2.2 GHz Cortex-A53 and 4x1.6 GHz Cortex-A53. The Cortex-A75 cores in the G85 offer significantly better single-core performance, crucial for app launch speeds and general responsiveness. While both are 12nm chips, the architectural improvements in the G85 translate to a noticeably smoother experience, especially when multitasking or running demanding applications. The G85 also has a more capable GPU, making it the better choice for casual gaming.
Battery Life
The Poco C65 shines in battery performance, achieving an active use score of 11 hours and 31 minutes. While the Infinix Smart 8’s battery capacity is unknown, the Poco C65’s endurance is a significant advantage. Furthermore, the Poco C65 supports 18W wired charging with Power Delivery (PD), allowing for faster and more efficient charging compared to the Infinix Smart 8’s slower 10W charging. The inclusion of PD also suggests better compatibility with a wider range of chargers.
Buying Guide
Buy the Infinix Smart 8 (India) if you absolutely need the lowest possible price and your usage is limited to basic tasks like calls, texts, and light social media. Buy the Xiaomi Poco C65 if you prioritize a smoother user experience, enjoy occasional gaming, or value faster charging and a brighter, more vibrant display. The Poco C65 offers a better overall value proposition for the majority of users.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Does the Poco C65's Helio G85 chipset get hot during extended gaming sessions?
While the Helio G85 is more powerful than the G36, it's still an entry-level chipset. Expect some thermal throttling during prolonged gaming, but it should be manageable for casual gaming. The phone's plastic build will help dissipate heat, but don't expect flagship-level cooling performance.
❓ Is the 18W charging on the Poco C65 significantly faster than the 10W charging on the Infinix Smart 8?
Yes, 18W charging with Power Delivery (PD) will noticeably reduce charging times compared to the Infinix Smart 8's 10W charging. While a precise 0-100% time isn't available, expect the Poco C65 to charge considerably faster, especially when using a compatible PD charger.
❓ Can the Infinix Smart 8 be used as a power bank to charge other devices?
Yes, the Infinix Smart 8 supports reverse wired charging, allowing you to use it as a power bank to charge other devices. However, the 10W output will be relatively slow compared to dedicated power banks or phones with faster reverse charging capabilities.
❓ What type of storage does the Poco C65 use, and is it expandable?
While not specified in the provided data, phones in this price range typically use eMMC storage. Expandability via microSD card is highly likely, but the maximum supported capacity will vary. Check the product specifications for confirmation.
