The itel S23 and Infinix Smart 7 HD represent the fiercely competitive sub-$150 smartphone market. Both aim to deliver essential smartphone functionality at an incredibly accessible price point. However, beneath the similar price tags lie key differences in processing power and architecture that significantly impact the user experience. This comparison dives deep into those differences to determine which device offers the best value.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For users prioritizing responsiveness and a slightly more capable processor for multitasking, the itel S23 emerges as the winner. Its Unisoc T606 chipset, with its Cortex-A75 cores, provides a noticeable performance edge over the Infinix Smart 7 HD’s unspecified octa-core CPU, despite both phones sharing the same 10W charging.
| 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 - India | 1, 3, 5, 8, 38, 40, 41 |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE | HSPA, LTE |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| | - | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41 |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2023 | 2023, April 14 |
| Status | Available. Released 2023 | Available. Released 2023, April 14 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | - | Glass front, plastic back, plastic frame |
| Dimensions | 164 x 76 x 8 mm (6.46 x 2.99 x 0.31 in) | 163.9 x 75.5 x 8.7 mm (6.45 x 2.97 x 0.34 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 195 g (6.88 oz) | 196.5 g (6.95 oz) |
| 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 (~84.0% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.6 inches, 104.6 cm2 (~84.6% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD, 90Hz | IPS LCD, 500 nits |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (2x1.6 GHz Cortex-A75 & 6x1.6 GHz Cortex-A55) | Octa-core 1.6 GHz |
| Chipset | Unisoc T606 (12 nm) | - |
| GPU | Mali-G57 MP1 | - |
| OS | Android 12 | Android 12 (Go edition) |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM | 64GB 2GB RAM |
| | - | UFS 2.1 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Dual | - | 8 MP, f/2.0
0.08 MP, (depth) |
| Features | LED flash | Dual-LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Single | 50 MP, f/1.6, (wide), AF
Auxiliary lens | 8 MP, f/2.0
Auxiliary lens |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash | LED flash |
| Single | 8 MP | 5 MP, f/2.0 |
| Video | Yes | 720p@30fps |
| 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 | microUSB 2.0, OTG |
| WLAN | Yes | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer | Fingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, proximity |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 10W wired | 10W wired |
| Type | 5000 mAh | 5000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Starry Black, Mystery White | Ink Black, Silk Blue, Jade White, Green Apple |
| Models | S665L, S665LN | X6516 |
| Price | About 170 EUR | About 110 EUR |
itel S23
- More powerful Unisoc T606 chipset for smoother performance
- Heterogeneous core architecture (Cortex-A75) offers a performance boost
- Potentially better image processing due to chipset
- 10W charging is slow
- Limited display specifications
Infinix Smart 7 HD
- Potentially lower price point
- Simple and straightforward user experience
- Likely lightweight and compact design
- Less powerful CPU for multitasking and demanding apps
- Uniform core configuration limits performance potential
- 10W charging is slow
Display Comparison
Both devices lack detailed display specifications in the provided data. However, given their price bracket, we can expect both to utilize LCD panels with 720p+ resolutions. The absence of information regarding peak brightness, color gamut coverage, or refresh rates suggests neither phone will excel in visual fidelity. Bezels are likely to be substantial on both, maximizing screen real estate within a compact form factor. Color accuracy will likely be standard for this segment.
Camera Comparison
Camera details are sparse for both phones. Without sensor size, aperture, or image processing details, a direct comparison is challenging. It’s safe to assume both will feature basic camera setups geared towards casual photography. The prevalence of 2MP macro/depth sensors in this segment suggests their image quality will be limited. The itel S23 may benefit from slightly better image processing capabilities due to the more powerful chipset, potentially leading to faster image capture and processing times, but this is speculative.
Performance
The core differentiator lies in the chipset. The itel S23’s Unisoc T606 (12nm) features a heterogeneous core configuration: two Cortex-A75 cores clocked at 1.6 GHz and six Cortex-A55 cores, also at 1.6 GHz. This architecture provides a significant boost in single-core performance compared to the Infinix Smart 7 HD’s octa-core CPU clocked at a uniform 1.6 GHz. While the core count is the same, the A75 cores in the itel S23 are considerably more powerful, resulting in snappier app launches and smoother multitasking. The 12nm process node of the T606 also suggests reasonable power efficiency. The lack of RAM specifications for both devices makes it difficult to assess overall system responsiveness, but the chipset advantage favors the itel S23.
Battery Life
Both the itel S23 and Infinix Smart 7 HD are equipped with 10W wired charging. This slow charging speed means a full charge will take a considerable amount of time – likely exceeding 2.5 hours. Without knowing the battery capacity of either device, it’s difficult to predict real-world battery life. However, the more efficient Unisoc T606 in the itel S23 *could* translate to slightly longer usage times, even with a similar battery capacity.
Buying Guide
Buy the itel S23 if you need a phone capable of handling more than just basic tasks like calls and messaging – light social media browsing, occasional gaming, and running multiple apps simultaneously will be smoother. Buy the Infinix Smart 7 HD if your primary needs are limited to essential communication and you prioritize a potentially lower price point, accepting a more basic performance profile.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Will the itel S23 handle popular social media apps like Facebook and Instagram smoothly?
Yes, the Unisoc T606 chipset in the itel S23 is sufficiently powerful to run social media apps like Facebook and Instagram without significant lag. The Cortex-A75 cores provide a noticeable performance boost over simpler processors, ensuring a smoother user experience when browsing feeds and posting content.
❓ Is the Infinix Smart 7 HD suitable for playing mobile games?
The Infinix Smart 7 HD is best suited for very light gaming. While it can run basic games, more demanding titles will likely experience significant frame rate drops and lag due to the less powerful CPU. It's primarily designed for essential communication and basic tasks, not intensive gaming.
❓ How long will it take to fully charge either phone from 0%?
With both phones utilizing 10W charging, expect a full charge to take approximately 2.5 to 3.5 hours. This is a relatively slow charging speed, so it's best to charge the devices overnight or during periods of inactivity.
❓ Can I run multiple apps simultaneously on the itel S23 without slowdown?
The itel S23, thanks to the Unisoc T606, is better equipped for multitasking than the Infinix Smart 7 HD. While it won't match the performance of higher-end devices, you should be able to run several apps simultaneously – like a messaging app, music player, and web browser – without experiencing significant slowdown.
