The Lava Z2 and Infinix Smart 5 Pro represent the fiercely competitive sub-$150 smartphone market. Both aim to deliver essential smartphone functionality at an accessible price point, but they take drastically different approaches to achieving this. This comparison dissects their core components to reveal which device offers the best value for your money, focusing on the critical differences in their chipsets and overall performance.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average user prioritizing responsiveness and future-proofing, the Lava Z2 is the better choice. Its Mediatek Helio G35, built on a 12nm process, offers a more efficient and capable architecture than the Infinix Smart 5 Pro’s older 28nm Unisoc SC9863A, despite the clock speed differences. While the Smart 5 Pro offers 10W charging, the Z2’s superior processing power provides a smoother user experience.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 900 / 1800 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 3, 5, 8, 40, 41 | 1, 3, 5, 8, 38, 40, 41 |
| Speed | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE Cat4 150/50 Mbps | HSPA 21.1/5.76 Mbps, LTE Cat4 150/50 Mbps |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| | - | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 41, 40, 66 |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2021, January 07 | 2021, November 17 |
| Status | Available. Released 2021, January 11 | Available. Released 2021, November 17 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front, plastic back, plastic frame | Glass front, plastic back, plastic frame |
| Dimensions | 164.5 x 75.8 x 9 mm (6.48 x 2.98 x 0.35 in) | 164.4 x 75.6 x 9.5 mm (6.47 x 2.98 x 0.37 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 190 g (6.70 oz) | - |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass 3 | - |
| Resolution | 720 x 1600 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~270 ppi density) | 720 x 1600 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~269 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.51 inches, 102.3 cm2 (~82.1% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.52 inches, 102.6 cm2 (~82.6% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD | IPS LCD, 500 nits (peak) |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (4x2.3 GHz Cortex-A53 & 4x1.8 GHz Cortex-A53) | Octa-core (4x1.6 GHz Cortex-A55 & 4x1.2 GHz Cortex-A55) |
| Chipset | Mediatek MT6765G Helio G35 (12 nm) | Unisoc SC9863A (28 nm) |
| GPU | PowerVR GE8320 | IMG8322 |
| OS | Android 10 (Go edition) | Android 11 (Go edition), XOS 7.6 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 32GB 2GB RAM | 32GB 2GB RAM |
| | eMMC 5.1 | eMMC 5.1 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Dual | 13 MP, f/1.9, (wide), 1/3.0", 1.12µm, AF
Auxiliary lens | 13 MP, f/1.8, AF
Auxiliary lens |
| Features | LED flash | Quad-LED flash |
| Single | - | 8 MP |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1440p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | - | Dual-LED flash |
| Single | 8 MP, f/2.0, (wide) | 8 MP |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.0, A2DP, LE | 4.2, A2DP |
| NFC | No | No |
| Positioning | GPS | GPS |
| Radio | FM radio | FM radio |
| USB | USB Type-C | microUSB 2.0 |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, Wi-Fi Direct | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer | Fingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, proximity |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | - | 10W wired |
| Type | Li-Po 5000 mAh | 6000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Blue, Red | Morandi Green, Heart of Ocean |
| Models | LMG02 | - |
| Price | About 80 EUR | About 70 EUR |
Lava Z2
- More efficient chipset (12nm process)
- Potentially better sustained performance
- Likely longer software support due to newer chipset
- Charging speed not specified (potentially slower than Infinix)
- Camera specifications unknown
Infinix Smart 5 Pro
- 10W wired charging
- Lowest possible price point
- Newer Cortex-A55 cores (though offset by process node)
- Less efficient chipset (28nm process)
- Likely lower sustained performance
- Potentially shorter battery life
Display Comparison
Neither device boasts a standout display. Given the price bracket, details like panel type and resolution are not provided. However, the focus should be on the processing power needed to drive the display, where the Lava Z2 has an advantage. Expect both to offer basic viewing experiences suitable for everyday use, but neither will excel in outdoor visibility or color accuracy.
Camera Comparison
Without detailed camera specifications, a direct comparison is difficult. Both phones likely feature basic camera setups geared towards casual photography. The absence of information suggests neither device will excel in low-light conditions or offer advanced features like optical image stabilization. Image processing will likely be heavily reliant on software algorithms, and the overall quality will be limited by the sensor and lens quality, which are unknown. It's safe to assume both will struggle with dynamic range and detail in challenging lighting scenarios.
Performance
The core difference lies in the chipsets. The Lava Z2’s Mediatek Helio G35 (12nm) utilizes Cortex-A53 cores clocked up to 2.3 GHz, while the Infinix Smart 5 Pro’s Unisoc SC9863A (28nm) features Cortex-A55 cores clocked up to 1.6 GHz. While the Unisoc chip has newer core architecture, the 28nm manufacturing process is significantly less efficient. This means the Helio G35, despite lower clock speeds, will likely deliver better sustained performance and thermal management. The 12nm process allows for more transistors in a smaller space, leading to improved efficiency. The A53 cores in the Z2, while older, are still capable, and the higher clock speeds provide a noticeable boost in responsiveness. The Smart 5 Pro's A55 cores are more efficient *per clock cycle*, but the larger process node and lower overall clock speeds limit its potential.
Battery Life
Battery capacity is not specified for either device. However, the Infinix Smart 5 Pro includes 10W wired charging, a slight advantage over potentially slower charging on the Lava Z2 (assuming it lacks fast charging support). The Unisoc SC9863A’s less efficient 28nm process will likely result in higher power consumption, potentially negating the benefit of 10W charging. The Helio G35’s 12nm process should contribute to better battery life, even with a potentially smaller battery capacity.
Buying Guide
Buy the Lava Z2 if you need a phone that feels responsive for everyday tasks like browsing, social media, and light gaming. Its more modern chipset will handle multitasking better and offer a longer software support lifespan. Buy the Infinix Smart 5 Pro if your primary concern is absolute lowest price and you only need a phone for basic communication – calls, texts, and very light app usage. The 10W charging is a minor convenience, but doesn't offset the performance gap.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Will the Unisoc SC9863A in the Infinix Smart 5 Pro struggle with multitasking?
Yes, the Unisoc SC9863A, built on a 28nm process, is likely to exhibit performance slowdowns when running multiple apps simultaneously. The less efficient architecture and lower clock speeds will limit its ability to handle demanding multitasking scenarios compared to the Lava Z2’s Helio G35.
❓ Does the Lava Z2 support any form of fast charging?
The provided specifications do not mention fast charging support for the Lava Z2. It's likely to utilize standard charging speeds, which may be slower than the Infinix Smart 5 Pro’s 10W charging. However, the more efficient Helio G35 chipset may offset this with better overall battery life.
❓ Is the difference between Cortex-A53 and Cortex-A55 cores significant in real-world usage?
While Cortex-A55 cores are more efficient *per clock cycle*, the larger 28nm process node of the Unisoc chip significantly diminishes this advantage. The Lava Z2’s Helio G35, with its higher clock speeds and 12nm process, will likely provide a smoother and more responsive user experience despite using the older Cortex-A53 architecture.
