The sub-$100 smartphone market is fiercely competitive, and the itel A90 Limited and Tecno Pop 7 Pro are two contenders vying for your attention. Both aim to deliver essential smartphone functionality at an incredibly low price point, but they take different approaches to achieving this. This comparison dives deep into their specifications to determine which device offers the best overall experience for the budget-conscious user.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For most users, the itel A90 Limited emerges as the better choice. Its Unisoc T7100 chipset, with its octa-core configuration, provides a noticeable performance advantage over the Tecno Pop 7 Pro’s quad-core Helio A22, translating to smoother multitasking and app loading. While the Tecno Pop 7 Pro boasts slightly faster individual core clock speeds, the itel’s architecture offers superior overall efficiency.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 2100 | HSDPA 900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 3, 5, 8, 38, 40, 41 | LTE |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE | HSPA, LTE |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2025, September 02 | 2023, January 28 |
| Status | Available. Released 2025, October | Available. Released 2023, January 28 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | - | Glass front, plastic back, plastic frame |
| Dimensions | - | 163.9 x 75.5 x 8.9 mm (6.45 x 2.97 x 0.35 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | - | - |
| Display |
|---|
| Resolution | 720 x 1612 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~267 ppi density) | 720 x 1612 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~267 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.6 inches, 104.6 cm2 | 6.6 inches, 104.6 cm2 (~84.6% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD, 90Hz, 480 nits (typ), 1500 nits (peak) | IPS LCD |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core 1.8 GHz | Quad-core 2.0 GHz Cortex-A53 |
| Chipset | Unisoc T7100 | Mediatek MT6761 Helio A22 (12 nm) |
| GPU | PowerVR GE8322 | PowerVR GE8320 |
| OS | Android 14 (Go edition), itel OS 14 | Android 12, HIOS 12 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM | 64GB 3GB RAM |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Dual | - | 13 MP, (wide), AF
Auxiliary lens |
| Features | LED flash, HDR, panorama | Dual-LED flash, panorama, HDR |
| Single | 13 MP, AF
Auxiliary lens | 5 MP |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 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 | No |
| Positioning | GPS | GPS |
| Radio | Unspecified | FM radio |
| USB | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG | USB Type-C 2.0 |
| WLAN | Yes | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer | Fingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, proximity |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 15W wired | 10W wired |
| Type | Li-Ion 5000 mAh | 5000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Starlit Black, Space Titanium, Aurora Blue | Turquoise Cyan, Atlantic Blue |
| Models | - | BF7, BF7h |
| Price | About 60 EUR | About 130 EUR |
| SAR | 0.82 W/kg (head) 0.46 W/kg (body) | - |
itel A90 Limited
- Octa-core processor offers better multitasking.
- Faster 15W charging for quicker top-ups.
- Potentially better power efficiency with Unisoc T7100.
- Brand recognition may be lower than Tecno in some regions.
- Camera performance likely similar to Tecno, limited by budget.
Tecno Pop 7 Pro
- Slightly higher individual core clock speed (though offset by core count).
- Tecno is a more established brand in some markets.
- Simple and straightforward user experience.
- Quad-core processor struggles with multitasking.
- Slower 10W charging.
- Less efficient chipset potentially leading to warmer operation.
Display Comparison
Neither device boasts a standout display. Both are likely to feature basic LCD panels with resolutions around 720x1600. However, details like peak brightness and color accuracy are unavailable. The focus here isn't on visual fidelity, but on basic usability. Given the price point, expect significant bezels on both devices. The display is a functional component, not a selling point.
Camera Comparison
Both phones likely feature basic camera setups, and detailed sensor information is scarce. Expect a primary camera on each, potentially accompanied by a low-resolution depth or macro sensor on the Tecno. Given the market segment, image quality will be adequate for casual snapshots in good lighting conditions, but struggles in low light. The absence of Optical Image Stabilization (OIS) on either device means relying heavily on software processing, which will be limited by the chipsets' capabilities. Focusing on megapixel counts would be misleading; sensor size and image processing are far more critical, and data is unavailable for either phone.
Performance
The core difference lies in the chipsets. The itel A90 Limited’s Unisoc T7100 is an octa-core processor clocked at 1.8 GHz, offering eight processing threads. This contrasts with the Tecno Pop 7 Pro’s MediaTek Helio A22, a quad-core processor clocked at 2.0 GHz. While the Helio A22 has a higher clock speed per core, the T7100’s eight cores provide superior multitasking capabilities. The Helio A22, built on a 12nm process, is less efficient than what we'd expect from a modern Unisoc chip, potentially leading to slightly warmer operation under sustained load. This translates to a smoother experience for users running multiple apps or switching between them frequently on the itel.
Battery Life
The itel A90 Limited supports 15W wired charging, while the Tecno Pop 7 Pro is limited to 10W. While battery capacity isn’t specified, both are likely to house batteries in the 4000-5000 mAh range. The faster charging on the itel A90 Limited will result in quicker top-ups, reducing downtime. A full charge on the Tecno Pop 7 Pro will take considerably longer. The Unisoc T7100’s potentially better power efficiency could also contribute to slightly longer battery life in real-world usage.
Buying Guide
Buy the itel A90 Limited if you prioritize responsiveness and the ability to handle multiple apps without significant slowdown. It’s ideal for users who need a phone for everyday tasks like calling, texting, social media, and light web browsing. Buy the Tecno Pop 7 Pro if your primary concern is absolute simplicity and you only need a phone for the most basic functions, and potentially prefer a slightly more established brand in some markets. However, be prepared for a less fluid user experience.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Will the Unisoc T7100 in the itel A90 Limited handle popular apps like WhatsApp and Facebook smoothly?
Yes, the octa-core Unisoc T7100 is more than capable of running everyday apps like WhatsApp, Facebook, and basic web browsers without significant lag. The increased core count provides a smoother experience compared to the quad-core Helio A22 in the Tecno Pop 7 Pro, especially when switching between apps.
❓ Is the 15W charging on the itel A90 Limited a significant improvement over the 10W charging on the Tecno Pop 7 Pro?
Yes, while both are relatively slow by modern standards, 15W charging will noticeably reduce the time it takes to fully charge the itel A90 Limited. Expect a faster turnaround from near-empty to usable charge levels, minimizing downtime compared to the Tecno Pop 7 Pro.
❓ Can either of these phones handle basic mobile games?
Both phones can handle very basic 2D games. However, don't expect a smooth experience with graphically demanding titles. The Helio A22 in the Tecno Pop 7 Pro will likely struggle more with even moderately complex games, while the itel A90 Limited's Unisoc T7100 offers a slightly better chance of playable frame rates at low settings.
