The Motorola Moto E15 and the Infinix Smart 8 Plus represent the fiercely competitive sub-$150 smartphone market. Both aim to deliver essential functionality at an accessible price, but they take different approaches to achieving this. The Moto E15 prioritizes sustained performance with a more powerful processor, while the Infinix Smart 8 Plus focuses on convenience with reverse wired charging and a slightly newer chipset.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For users prioritizing consistent performance in demanding apps and longer-term reliability, the Motorola Moto E15 is the better choice. Its Helio G81 Extreme chipset, featuring Cortex-A75 cores, offers a noticeable advantage over the Infinix Smart 8 Plus’s Helio G36, despite the latter’s higher clock speed on its less capable cores. The Moto E15’s exceptional 68-hour endurance further solidifies its position as the winner for power users.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 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, December 17 | 2024, January 30 |
| Status | Available. Released 2025, January 22 | Available. Released 2024, February |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 3), plastic frame, silicone polymer back (eco leather) | Glass front, plastic back, plastic frame |
| Dimensions | 165.7 x 76 x 8.2 mm (6.52 x 2.99 x 0.32 in) | 163.7 x 75.7 x 9 mm (6.44 x 2.98 x 0.35 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 188.8 g (6.67 oz) | 204 g (7.20 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass 3, Mohs level 6 | - |
| Resolution | 720 x 1604 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~264 ppi density) | 720 x 1612 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~267 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.67 inches, 107.2 cm2 (~85.2% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.6 inches, 104.6 cm2 (~84.4% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD, 90Hz | IPS LCD, 90Hz, 500 nits (peak) |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (2x2.0 GHz Cortex-A75 & 6x1.7 GHz Cortex-A55) | Octa-core (4x2.2 GHz Cortex-A53 & 4x1.6 GHz Cortex-A53) |
| Chipset | Mediatek Helio G81 Extreme (12 nm) | Mediatek Helio G36 (12 nm) |
| GPU | Mali-G52 MC2 | PowerVR GE8320 |
| OS | Android 14 (Go edition) | Android 13 (Go edition), XOS 13 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 64GB 2GB RAM | 64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash, HDR | Ring-LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Single | 32 MP, f/2.2, (wide), 0.64µm, PDAF | 50 MP, f/1.9, (wide), AF
Auxiliary lens |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Single | 8 MP, f/2.1, (wide), 1.12µm | 8 MP, f/2.0, (wide) |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | Yes |
| Sound |
|---|
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes, with stereo speakers | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.0, A2DP, LE | 5.0, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | No | No |
| Positioning | GPS, GALILEO, GLONASS | GPS |
| Radio | FM radio (no radio in FR, IT) | FM radio |
| USB | USB Type-C 2.0 | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, proximity | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, proximity, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 18W wired | 18W wired
Reverse wired |
| Type | 5200 mAh | 6000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Fresh Lavender, Misty Blue, Denim Blue | Galaxy White, Shiny Gold, Timber Black |
| Models | XT2523-6, XT2523-8 | X6526 |
| Price | $ 85.00 / C$ 100.00 / £ 60.99 / € 75.99 | About 100 EUR |
| EU LABEL |
|---|
| Battery | 68:26h endurance, 1000 cycles | - |
| Energy | Class A | - |
| Free fall | Class B (180 falls) | - |
| Repairability | Class B | - |
Motorola Moto E15
- Superior CPU performance with Cortex-A75 cores
- Exceptional battery endurance (68:26h)
- Long-term battery health with 1000 charge cycles
- Likely utilizes a standard LCD panel
- Camera specifications are unknown
Infinix Smart 8 Plus
- Convenient reverse wired charging
- Slightly newer chipset (Helio G36)
- Potentially lower price point
- Less powerful CPU architecture (Cortex-A53)
- Likely shorter battery life compared to Moto E15
Display Comparison
Neither device provides display specifications in the provided data, so a direct comparison is limited. However, given the price bracket, both likely utilize LCD panels with 720p+ resolution. The absence of details like refresh rate or peak brightness suggests neither phone will excel in outdoor visibility or offer a particularly fluid visual experience. Expect standard viewing angles and color reproduction typical of budget LCDs.
Camera Comparison
The provided data doesn’t detail camera specifications beyond the chipsets. In this price range, both phones likely feature a primary camera around 13MP, accompanied by auxiliary sensors of limited utility. Image processing will heavily rely on software algorithms, and image quality will likely be acceptable in good lighting conditions but suffer in low light. Without specific sensor details, it’s difficult to definitively declare a winner, but the Helio G81’s ISP (Image Signal Processor) may offer slightly better processing capabilities.
Performance
The core difference lies in the CPU architecture. The Motorola Moto E15’s Mediatek Helio G81 Extreme utilizes a combination of 2x2.0 GHz Cortex-A75 and 6x1.7 GHz Cortex-A55 cores. The Cortex-A75 is a significantly more powerful core than the Cortex-A53 found in the Infinix Smart 8 Plus’s Helio G36 (4x2.2 GHz Cortex-A53 & 4x1.6 GHz Cortex-A53). While the G36 boasts a higher clock speed on its A53 cores, the A75 cores in the G81 Extreme provide superior single-core and multi-core performance, translating to faster app loading times and smoother multitasking. This architectural advantage will be most noticeable in demanding applications and games.
Battery Life
The Motorola Moto E15 boasts a remarkable 68:26h endurance rating, indicating exceptional battery life. While the Infinix Smart 8 Plus’s battery capacity isn’t specified, the Moto E15’s endurance suggests a larger battery or more efficient power management. Both phones support 18W wired charging, but the Infinix Smart 8 Plus adds the convenience of reverse wired charging, allowing it to function as a power bank for other devices. However, the Moto E15’s 1000 charge cycles suggest greater long-term battery health and longevity.
Buying Guide
Buy the Motorola Moto E15 if you need a phone that can handle multitasking, moderate gaming, and consistently deliver a smooth experience over its lifespan. Its stronger CPU architecture and impressive battery endurance make it ideal for users who rely heavily on their smartphones throughout the day. Buy the Infinix Smart 8 Plus if you prioritize convenience features like reverse wired charging and a slightly newer chipset, and your usage is primarily focused on basic tasks like calls, messaging, and light social media browsing.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Will the Helio G36 in the Infinix Smart 8 Plus struggle with graphically intensive games like PUBG Mobile?
The Helio G36 is capable of running PUBG Mobile, but you’ll likely need to lower the graphics settings to achieve a playable frame rate. The Moto E15’s Helio G81 Extreme, with its more powerful CPU and GPU, will provide a smoother gaming experience at higher settings.
❓ How much faster is the Motorola Moto E15's charging compared to the Infinix Smart 8 Plus, given they both support 18W charging?
While both support 18W charging, the Moto E15’s superior power efficiency and potentially larger battery capacity may result in a slightly faster overall charge time. However, the difference is unlikely to be substantial. The Infinix Smart 8 Plus’s reverse wired charging is a unique feature the Moto E15 lacks.
❓ Is the 1000 charge cycle rating on the Moto E15 a significant advantage?
Yes, it is. A 1000 charge cycle rating indicates that the battery is designed to retain a significant portion of its original capacity after being fully charged and discharged 1000 times. This suggests the Moto E15 will experience less battery degradation over its lifespan compared to phones with lower cycle ratings.
