The Oppo A17 and Tecno Spark 9T (India) represent the fiercely competitive entry-level smartphone market. Both devices target users prioritizing affordability, but subtle differences in features like charging speed and potential software optimizations could sway the decision. This comparison dissects their shared hardware and highlights where each phone attempts to stand out.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average user, the Tecno Spark 9T (India) emerges as the slightly better choice. While both phones share the same Mediatek Helio G35 chipset, the Spark 9T’s inclusion of 18W charging provides a tangible benefit over the Oppo A17’s likely slower charging, addressing a common pain point in this price segment.
| 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 | LTE |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE | HSPA, LTE |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2022, September 26 | 2022, July 28 |
| Status | Available. Released 2022, September 26 | Available. Released 2022, August 06 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | - | Glass front, plastic frame, plastic back |
| Dimensions | 164.2 x 75.6 x 8.3 mm (6.46 x 2.98 x 0.33 in) | 164.5 x 76.1 x 8.9 mm (6.48 x 3.00 x 0.35 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 189 g (6.67 oz) | - |
| | IPX4 water resistance | Splash resistant design |
| Display |
|---|
| Resolution | 720 x 1612 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~269 ppi density) | 1080 x 2408 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~400 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.56 inches, 103.4 cm2 (~83.3% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.6 inches, 104.9 cm2 (~83.8% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD | IPS LCD, 500 nits |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (4x2.3 GHz Cortex-A53 & 4x1.8 GHz Cortex-A53) | Octa-core (4x2.3 GHz Cortex-A53 & 4x1.8 GHz Cortex-A53) |
| Chipset | Mediatek MT6765 Helio G35 (12 nm) | Mediatek MT6765G Helio G35 (12 nm) |
| GPU | PowerVR GE8320 | PowerVR GE8320 |
| OS | Android 12, ColorOS 12.1 | Android 11, HIOS 7.6 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC | microSDXC |
| Internal | 64GB 3GB RAM, 64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM | 64GB 4GB RAM |
| | eMMC 5.1 | eMMC 5.1 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Dual | 50 MP, f/1.8, (wide), PDAF
Auxiliary lens | - |
| Features | LED flash, HDR, panorama | Quad-LED flash, HDR |
| Single | 5 MP, f/2.2, (wide) | 8 MP, (wide) |
| Triple | - | 50 MP, f/1.6, 27mm (wide), AF
Auxiliary lenses |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | HDR | Dual-LED flash |
| Single | 5 MP, f/2.2, (wide) | 8 MP, (wide) |
| Video | Yes | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes, with stereo speakers |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | Yes | Yes |
| NFC | No | No |
| Positioning | GPS | GPS |
| Radio | FM radio | FM radio |
| USB | microUSB 2.0 | microUSB 2.0, OTG |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, proximity | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | - | 18W wired |
| Type | Li-Po 5000 mAh | 5000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Midnight Black, Lake Blue, Sunlight Orange | Turquoise Cyan, Atlantic Blue, Iris Purple, Tahiti Gold |
| Models | CPH2477 | - |
| Price | € 159.99 / $ 168.76 / ₹ 8,999 | About 120 EUR |
Oppo A17
- Potentially cleaner software experience (depending on ColorOS version)
- Established brand reputation
- Sleek design (subjective)
- Likely slower charging speeds
- Unspecified battery capacity
- No standout features
Tecno Spark 9T (India)
- 18W fast charging
- Competitive pricing
- Potentially more features in HiOS
- HiOS software can be bloated
- Less brand recognition compared to Oppo
- Potential for pre-installed bloatware
Display Comparison
Both the Oppo A17 and Tecno Spark 9T (India) likely feature LCD panels, typical for this price bracket. Specific details like resolution and peak brightness are not provided, but we can assume they are similar, aiming for a 720p+ resolution. The absence of high refresh rates or advanced panel technologies like LTPO is expected. Bezels are likely to be noticeable on both devices, impacting the overall screen-to-body ratio. Color accuracy will likely be standard for the segment, prioritizing vibrancy over absolute fidelity.
Camera Comparison
Camera details are sparse, but both phones likely feature a multi-camera setup with a primary sensor and potentially depth or macro lenses. Given the price point, image quality will be heavily reliant on software processing. The absence of Optical Image Stabilization (OIS) is expected. The aperture of the main sensor will be a key factor in low-light performance, but this information is unavailable. The inclusion of a 2MP macro camera on either device is largely a marketing feature, offering limited practical benefit due to the low resolution and fixed focus.
Performance
The core of both devices is the Mediatek Helio G35 (12 nm) chipset, featuring an identical octa-core CPU configuration: 4x2.3 GHz Cortex-A53 and 4x1.8 GHz Cortex-A53. This means performance will be virtually indistinguishable in day-to-day tasks like browsing, social media, and light app usage. The GPU performance will also be identical. Thermal management will depend on the phone’s internal design and cooling solutions, but neither device is expected to push the chipset to its limits, minimizing throttling concerns. RAM configurations are not specified, but the performance will be heavily influenced by the amount of RAM and storage speed.
Battery Life
Battery capacity is not specified for the Oppo A17, but the Tecno Spark 9T (India) benefits from 18W wired charging. This is a significant advantage, as it allows for faster top-ups compared to the likely 10W or slower charging on the Oppo A17. While battery life will depend on usage patterns, the faster charging speed of the Spark 9T reduces downtime and provides a more convenient user experience. A larger mAh capacity doesn't always translate to longer real-world usage; efficient power management and software optimization play a crucial role.
Buying Guide
Buy the Oppo A17 if you prioritize brand recognition and a potentially cleaner software experience, though this is not guaranteed. Buy the Tecno Spark 9T (India) if you value faster charging speeds and are comfortable with Tecno’s HiOS software, offering a quicker path to a full battery and potentially more features for the price.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Will the Helio G35 struggle with popular games like PUBG Mobile or Call of Duty Mobile?
The Helio G35 is an entry-level chipset and will struggle with demanding games like PUBG Mobile or Call of Duty Mobile. You'll likely need to play at the lowest graphics settings and may still experience frame drops. It's best suited for casual gaming and less graphically intensive titles.
❓ How does Tecno’s HiOS software compare to Oppo’s ColorOS in terms of bloatware and updates?
Historically, Tecno’s HiOS has been known to include more pre-installed apps (bloatware) than Oppo’s ColorOS. However, both companies have been working to reduce bloatware in recent software iterations. Update frequency is also generally faster on Oppo devices, but this can vary depending on the specific model and region.
❓ Is the 18W charging on the Tecno Spark 9T a significant improvement over standard 10W charging?
Yes, 18W charging is a noticeable improvement. While it won't be as fast as the charging speeds found on flagship phones, it will significantly reduce the time it takes to fully charge the device compared to a standard 10W charger. Expect a roughly 30-50% faster charging time.
