The sub-$150 smartphone market is fiercely competitive. Both the Lava Yuva 3 and the Infinix Smart 8 Pro aim to deliver essential features at an accessible price point. However, they take different approaches to achieving this, primarily through their chipset choices and charging capabilities. This comparison dissects those differences to determine which device offers the best value.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For most users, the Lava Yuva 3 emerges as the slightly better choice. Its Unisoc T606 chipset, featuring Cortex-A75 cores, provides a noticeable performance edge over the Infinix Smart 8 Pro’s Helio G36, particularly in multi-tasking and demanding applications. While the Infinix offers reverse wired charging, the slower 10W charging and less powerful processor make it a less compelling overall package.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 900 / 1800 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 3, 5, 8, 40, 41 | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 41, 40 |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE | HSPA, LTE |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2024, February 02 | 2024, January 29 |
| Status | Available. Released 2024, February 07 | Available. Released 2024, February |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | - | Glass front, plastic back, plastic frame |
| Dimensions | 164.2 x 76 x 8.5 mm (6.46 x 2.99 x 0.33 in) | 163.6 x 75.6 x 8.5 mm (6.44 x 2.98 x 0.33 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 192 g (6.77 oz) | 189 g (6.67 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Resolution | 720 x 1600 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~270 ppi density) | 720 x 1612 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~267 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.5 inches, 102.0 cm2 (~81.7% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.6 inches, 104.6 cm2 (~84.6% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD, 90Hz | IPS LCD, 90Hz, 500 nits (peak) |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (2x1.6 GHz Cortex-A75 & 6x1.6 GHz Cortex-A55) | Octa-core (4x2.2 GHz Cortex-A53 & 4x1.6 GHz Cortex-A53) |
| Chipset | Unisoc T606 (12 nm) | Mediatek Helio G36 (12 nm) |
| GPU | Mali-G57 MP1 | PowerVR GE8320 |
| OS | Android 13 | Android 13 (Go edition), XOS 13 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM | 64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 4GB RAM |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Dual | 13 MP, (wide), AF
VGA
Auxiliary lens | - |
| Features | LED flash, HDR, panorama | Ring-LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Single | - | 50 MP, f/1.9, (wide), AF
Auxiliary lens |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Single | 5 MP | 8 MP, f/2.0, (wide) |
| Video | Yes | Yes |
| Sound |
|---|
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.0, A2DP, LE | 5.0, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | No | No |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS | GPS |
| Radio | FM radio | FM radio |
| USB | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n/ac | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, proximity | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 18W wired | 10W wired
Reverse wired |
| Type | Li-Po 5000 mAh | 5000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Eclipse Black, Cosmic Lavender, Galaxy White | Rainbow Blue, Galaxy White, Shiny Gold, Timber Black |
| Models | - | X6525B |
| Price | About 80 EUR | About 100 EUR |
Lava Yuva 3
- More powerful chipset with Cortex-A75 cores
- Faster 18W wired charging
- Potentially smoother multitasking experience
- Lacks reverse wired charging
- Camera specifications are unknown
Infinix Smart 8 Pro
- Includes reverse wired charging functionality
- Potentially lower price point
- Higher clocked primary cores (though less efficient)
- Less powerful chipset with older Cortex-A53 cores
- Slower 10W wired charging
- Likely less responsive user interface
Display Comparison
Neither Lava nor Infinix provide display specifications beyond the basic panel type. Assuming both utilize standard IPS LCDs common in this price bracket, the display experience will likely be similar. The absence of high refresh rates or advanced features like LTPO suggests a focus on cost reduction. Bezels are expected to be substantial on both devices, impacting the overall screen-to-body ratio. Color accuracy will likely be standard for the segment, requiring calibration for professional use.
Camera Comparison
Detailed camera specifications are unavailable. However, given the price point, both devices likely feature a primary sensor paired with auxiliary lenses of limited utility (often 2MP macro or depth sensors). Image processing will be crucial, and the differences here are difficult to predict without testing. The absence of Optical Image Stabilization (OIS) on either device suggests reliance on software stabilization, which may struggle in low-light conditions. The primary sensor's aperture will be a key determinant of low-light performance, but this information is currently missing.
Performance
The core difference lies in the chipsets. The Lava Yuva 3’s Unisoc T606 utilizes a big.LITTLE architecture with 2x 1.6 GHz Cortex-A75 cores and 6x 1.6 GHz Cortex-A55 cores. This configuration provides a performance boost for demanding tasks compared to the Infinix Smart 8 Pro’s MediaTek Helio G36, which employs 4x 2.2 GHz Cortex-A53 cores and 4x 1.6 GHz Cortex-A53 cores. While the Helio G36 boasts a higher clock speed on its primary cores, the older Cortex-A53 architecture is less efficient than the A75 found in the Yuva 3. This translates to better sustained performance and responsiveness on the Lava device. Both are 12nm chips, so thermal efficiency will be comparable, but the A75 cores will handle heavier workloads more gracefully.
Battery Life
Battery capacity is not specified for either device. However, the charging speeds reveal a significant difference. The Lava Yuva 3 supports 18W wired charging, while the Infinix Smart 8 Pro is limited to 10W. This means the Yuva 3 will achieve a 0-100% charge considerably faster. Furthermore, the Infinix Smart 8 Pro includes reverse wired charging, allowing it to function as a power bank for other devices. This is a unique feature, but the slower charging speed and potential battery drain when using reverse charging need to be considered.
Buying Guide
Buy the Lava Yuva 3 if you prioritize a smoother user experience, better app loading times, and occasional light gaming. Its chipset architecture is better suited for handling multiple tasks simultaneously. Buy the Infinix Smart 8 Pro if reverse wired charging is a must-have feature for you, allowing you to top up accessories or other devices on the go, and you primarily use your phone for basic communication and social media.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Will the Unisoc T606 in the Lava Yuva 3 handle popular games like PUBG Mobile?
The Unisoc T606 can run PUBG Mobile, but expect to play at lower graphics settings (Balanced or Low) to maintain a stable frame rate. The Helio G36 in the Infinix Smart 8 Pro will likely struggle even more with consistent performance in demanding games.
❓ How much faster is the 18W charging on the Lava Yuva 3 compared to the 10W charging on the Infinix Smart 8 Pro?
While exact times depend on battery capacity, 18W charging will typically reduce charging time by 40-60% compared to 10W. This means a full charge could take around 2-3 hours on the Yuva 3 versus 3-5 hours on the Smart 8 Pro.
❓ Is the reverse wired charging on the Infinix Smart 8 Pro useful for everyday use?
Reverse wired charging is a niche feature. It's convenient for topping up accessories like Bluetooth headphones or smartwatches, but it's not a primary reason to choose this phone. Keep in mind that using reverse charging will drain the Infinix Smart 8 Pro's battery.
