The itel A50C and Tecno Spark Go 2023 represent the ultra-budget end of the smartphone spectrum, targeting first-time buyers or those needing a reliable secondary device. While both aim for affordability, they take different approaches to achieving it, primarily in their chipset choices. This comparison dissects those differences to determine which phone delivers the best experience for the price.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average user prioritizing responsiveness and multitasking, the itel A50C emerges as the better choice. Its Unisoc T603 octa-core processor offers a significant performance advantage over the Tecno Spark Go 2023’s quad-core Helio A22, making everyday tasks smoother and more enjoyable, despite the Tecno's slightly faster charging.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 2100 | HSDPA 900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | LTE | LTE |
| Speed | HSPA | HSPA, LTE |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2024, August 12 | 2023, January 19 |
| Status | Available. Released 2024, August 12 | Available. Released 2023, January 24 |
| Body |
|---|
| Dimensions | 163.9 x 75.7 x 9.4 mm (6.45 x 2.98 x 0.37 in) | 163.9 x 75.5 x 8.9 mm (6.45 x 2.97 x 0.35 in) |
| SIM | Dual SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 192.6 g (6.81 oz) | - |
| Display |
|---|
| Resolution | 540 x 1208 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~202 ppi density) | 720 x 1600 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~267 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.56 inches, 103.4 cm2 (~83.4% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.6 inches, 104.4 cm2 (~84.4% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD | IPS LCD |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core | Quad-core 2.0 GHz Cortex-A53 |
| Chipset | Unisoc T603 | Mediatek MT6761 Helio A22 (12 nm) |
| GPU | - | PowerVR GE8320 |
| OS | Android 14 (Go edition) | Android 12, HIOS 12 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 32GB 2GB RAM | 32GB 3GB RAM, 64GB 3GB RAM, 64GB 4GB RAM |
| | - | eMMC 5.1 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Dual | - | 13 MP, f/1.9, (wide), AF
Auxiliary lens |
| Features | LED flash | Dual-LED flash, panorama, HDR |
| Single | 8 MP, AF | 5 MP |
| Video | Yes | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Single | 5 MP | 5 MP |
| Video | Yes | Yes |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | - | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | Yes | 5.0, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | No | Unspecified |
| Positioning | GPS | GPS |
| Radio | Unspecified | FM radio |
| USB | USB Type-C | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG |
| WLAN | Yes | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (rear-mounted); unspecified sensors | Fingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, proximity |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | - | 10W wired |
| Type | 4000 mAh | 5000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Dawn Blue, Sapphire Black, Misty Aqua | Endless Black, Nebula Purple, Uyuni Blue, Skin Orange |
| Models | - | BF7n |
| Price | - | About 90 EUR |
itel A50C
- Octa-core processor offers superior performance
- Likely better multitasking capabilities
- Potentially better power efficiency
- Charging speed likely slower than Tecno
- Camera performance likely similar to Tecno
Tecno Spark Go 2023
- Faster 10W charging
- Simple and reliable for basic tasks
- Affordable price point
- Quad-core processor limits performance
- Less responsive user experience
- Struggles with multitasking
Display Comparison
Neither device boasts a standout display. Both are likely to feature LCD panels, typical for this price point. However, detailed specs like resolution and brightness are missing. Given the market segment, expect 720p+ resolution at best. The focus here isn't on visual fidelity, but on basic readability. Bezels are likely to be substantial on both, maximizing screen real estate within a compact form factor.
Camera Comparison
Camera performance is expected to be basic on both devices. Details are scarce, but both will likely feature a primary camera and potentially a secondary depth sensor. The importance of megapixel count is minimal at this price point; image quality will be more heavily influenced by software processing and sensor size, neither of which are specified. Expect acceptable results in good lighting conditions, but struggles in low light. The presence of a 2MP macro camera on either device is largely a marketing tactic, offering limited practical benefit.
Performance
The core difference lies in the chipsets. The itel A50C’s Unisoc T603 is an octa-core processor, meaning it has eight processing cores, compared to the Tecno Spark Go 2023’s MediaTek Helio A22, which has only four. While the Helio A22 is clocked at 2.0 GHz, the sheer number of cores in the T603 provides a significant advantage in multitasking and handling more demanding applications. The Helio A22’s 12nm process node is relatively efficient, but the T603’s architecture, while not specified, likely offers a better balance of performance and power consumption. This translates to a more responsive user experience on the itel A50C.
Battery Life
Battery capacity is not specified for either device, but both will likely house batteries in the 4000-5000 mAh range, typical for entry-level smartphones. The Tecno Spark Go 2023 has a slight edge with its 10W wired charging, potentially offering faster top-ups compared to the itel A50C, which likely supports 5W or 7.5W charging. However, the more efficient Unisoc T603 in the itel A50C could offset this difference by consuming less power during typical usage, resulting in comparable overall battery life.
Buying Guide
Buy the itel A50C if you need a phone capable of handling more than just basic calling and texting – light social media, web browsing, and even some casual gaming will be noticeably smoother. Buy the Tecno Spark Go 2023 if your primary need is a very basic, reliable phone for calls, texts, and minimal app usage, and you value the slightly faster 10W charging for topping up the battery quickly.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Will the Unisoc T603 in the itel A50C handle popular apps like WhatsApp and Facebook smoothly?
Yes, the octa-core Unisoc T603 is more than capable of running apps like WhatsApp and Facebook smoothly. The additional cores provide headroom for multitasking and ensure a responsive experience even with multiple apps open.
❓ Is the Helio A22 in the Tecno Spark Go 2023 sufficient for making calls and sending texts?
Absolutely. The Helio A22 is perfectly adequate for basic communication tasks like making calls and sending texts. It's designed for efficiency and reliability in these core functions.
❓ Can either of these phones run PUBG Mobile, and if so, at what settings?
While technically possible to launch PUBG Mobile on both devices, the experience will be far from ideal. Expect very low frame rates and significant lag, even on the lowest settings. These phones are not designed for demanding gaming.
❓ What type of storage does each phone use, and is it expandable?
Details on storage type (eMMC vs. UFS) are unavailable. However, both phones likely offer expandable storage via microSD card, allowing you to increase the available space for photos, videos, and apps. Check the product specifications for maximum supported microSD card capacity.
