The itel S25 and Tecno Spark Go 2023 represent the fiercely competitive entry-level smartphone market. Both aim to deliver essential smartphone functionality at an incredibly affordable price point, but they take different approaches to achieving this. The itel S25 prioritizes processing power with a newer Unisoc chipset, while the Tecno Spark Go 2023 focuses on a more streamlined, basic experience. This comparison will dissect their key differences to help you determine which best suits your needs.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For users prioritizing responsiveness and multitasking, the itel S25 is the clear winner. Its Unisoc T620 chipset offers significantly better performance than the Tecno Spark Go 2023’s Helio A22. While the Tecno offers slightly better potential battery life due to its lower power draw, the itel’s 18W charging mitigates this, making it the more practical choice for most.
| 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, LTE | HSPA, LTE |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2024, November 09 | 2023, January 19 |
| Status | Available. Released 2024, November | Available. Released 2023, January 24 |
| Body |
|---|
| Dimensions | 7.3 mm thickness | 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 | 185 g (6.53 oz) | - |
| Display |
|---|
| Resolution | 1080 x 2436 pixels (~393 ppi density) | 720 x 1600 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~267 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.78 inches, 109.9 cm2 | 6.6 inches, 104.4 cm2 (~84.4% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | AMOLED, 1B colors, 120Hz, 1200 nits (HBM), 1800 nits (peak) | IPS LCD |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (2x2.2 GHz Cortex-A75 & 6xX.X GHz Cortex-A55) | Quad-core 2.0 GHz Cortex-A53 |
| Chipset | Unisoc T620 (12 nm) | Mediatek MT6761 Helio A22 (12 nm) |
| GPU | - | PowerVR GE8320 |
| OS | Android 14, up to 2 major Android upgrades, itel OS 14.5 | Android 12, HIOS 12 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | Unspecified | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB 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 | Ring-LED flash, panorama, HDR | Dual-LED flash, panorama, HDR |
| Single | 50 MP, f/1.6, (wide), 0.64µm, AF
Auxiliary lens | 5 MP |
| Video | 1440p@30fps, 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Single | 32 MP, f/2.2, 22mm (wide) | 5 MP |
| Video | 1440p@30fps, 1080p@30fps | Yes |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | - | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | Yes | 5.0, A2DP, LE |
| Infrared port | Yes | - |
| NFC | Yes (market/region dependent) | Unspecified |
| Positioning | GPS | GPS |
| Radio | Unspecified | FM radio |
| USB | USB Type-C 2.0 | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG |
| WLAN | Yes | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (under display, optical), unspecified sensors | Fingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, proximity |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 18W wired, bypass charging | 10W wired |
| Type | 5000 mAh | 5000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Bromo Black, Mambo Mint, Sahara Gleam | Endless Black, Nebula Purple, Uyuni Blue, Skin Orange |
| Models | S685LN | BF7n |
| Price | About 100 EUR | About 90 EUR |
itel S25
- Significantly faster processor for smoother multitasking.
- Faster 18W charging for quicker top-ups.
- More capable for light gaming and demanding apps.
- Potentially slightly lower battery life under very light use.
- May be slightly more expensive than the Tecno Spark Go 2023.
Tecno Spark Go 2023
- Lower price point, making it extremely accessible.
- Potentially longer battery life with minimal usage.
- Simple and straightforward user experience.
- Slow Helio A22 processor struggles with multitasking.
- Slow 10W charging takes a long time to replenish the battery.
- Limited performance for gaming or demanding apps.
Display Comparison
Neither device boasts a standout display. Both utilize 12nm chipsets, suggesting similar power constraints impacting display capabilities. While specific display specs (resolution, panel type) are missing, the focus here is on performance. The lack of information prevents a detailed comparison of brightness or color accuracy, but both are likely to be adequate for indoor use. Bezels are expected to be substantial on both devices, typical of this price segment.
Camera Comparison
Camera performance is likely to be similar, with both devices targeting the entry-level market. Without specific sensor details, it’s safe to assume both feature basic camera setups. The presence of a 2MP macro camera on either device is largely a marketing tactic, offering limited real-world benefit due to the low resolution. Image processing will likely be basic on both, prioritizing speed over detail. The itel S25’s stronger processing power *could* translate to slightly faster image processing times, but the overall image quality will be heavily dependent on the main sensor, which remains unspecified.
Performance
The core difference lies in the chipsets. The itel S25’s Unisoc T620 is an octa-core processor featuring two Cortex-A75 performance cores clocked at 2.2 GHz, paired with six Cortex-A55 efficiency cores. This architecture provides a substantial performance advantage over the Tecno Spark Go 2023’s MediaTek Helio A22, a quad-core processor utilizing four Cortex-A53 cores clocked at 2.0 GHz. The A75 cores in the itel S25 offer significantly higher single-core performance, crucial for app launch speeds and general responsiveness. The Unisoc T620 also benefits from a more modern process node (12nm vs 12nm), potentially leading to slightly better thermal efficiency. Users who intend to run multiple apps or engage in light gaming will find the itel S25 a far more capable device.
Battery Life
The Tecno Spark Go 2023, with its less powerful Helio A22 chipset, will likely exhibit slightly better battery life under light usage scenarios. However, the itel S25 compensates with 18W wired charging, a significant advantage over the Tecno’s 10W charging. This means the itel S25 can replenish its battery much faster, reducing downtime. While the Tecno might last longer on a single charge with minimal use, the itel S25’s faster charging makes it more convenient for users who frequently need to top up their battery.
Buying Guide
Buy the itel S25 if you need a phone capable of handling more than just basic tasks like calls and messaging – think light social media, occasional gaming, and smoother app switching. Buy the Tecno Spark Go 2023 if you prioritize absolute simplicity and are primarily concerned with core functionality, and want the lowest possible price point, accepting a slower overall experience.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Will the Unisoc T620 in the itel S25 struggle with popular apps like Facebook or WhatsApp?
No, the Unisoc T620 is more than capable of handling everyday apps like Facebook, WhatsApp, and browsing. Its octa-core architecture and Cortex-A75 performance cores provide a significant performance boost over the Helio A22, ensuring a smooth and responsive experience even with multiple apps open.
❓ How long does it realistically take to fully charge the itel S25 with the 18W charger?
While a precise 0-100% charge time requires testing, the itel S25’s 18W charging should take approximately 2-2.5 hours to fully charge, depending on battery capacity. This is considerably faster than the Tecno Spark Go 2023’s 10W charging, which could take upwards of 3-4 hours.
❓ Is the Tecno Spark Go 2023 suitable for playing games like PUBG Mobile or Call of Duty?
The Tecno Spark Go 2023’s Helio A22 chipset is not well-suited for demanding games like PUBG Mobile or Call of Duty. While you might be able to run them at the lowest settings, expect significant lag and a poor gaming experience. The itel S25, with its more powerful Unisoc T620, will offer a slightly better experience, but still won't deliver a high-end gaming performance.
