The sub-$150 smartphone market is fiercely competitive. The Oppo A53, powered by a Qualcomm Snapdragon 460, and the Infinix Note 8i, featuring a MediaTek Helio G80, both aim to deliver a solid experience without breaking the bank. This comparison dissects their key differences to help you choose the right device for your needs.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For most users, the Infinix Note 8i emerges as the stronger contender. Its Helio G80 chipset, built on a more efficient 12nm process, provides a noticeable performance edge in demanding tasks and gaming, offsetting the similar charging and battery capabilities of both devices.
| 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 | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 38, 40, 41 |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE Cat4 150/50 Mbps |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| | - | 1, 3, 7, 8, 20, 28 |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2020, August 20. Released 2020, August 25 | 2020, October 15. Released 2020, November 15 |
| Status | Discontinued | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Dimensions | 163.9 x 75.1 x 8.4 mm (6.45 x 2.96 x 0.33 in) | 171.4 x 77.7 x 8.9 mm (6.75 x 3.06 x 0.35 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 186 g (6.56 oz) | - |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass 3 | Corning Gorilla Glass |
| Resolution | 720 x 1600 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~270 ppi density) | 720 x 1640 pixels (~264 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.5 inches, 102.0 cm2 (~82.9% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.78 inches, 109.2 cm2 (~82.0% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD, 90Hz | IPS LCD, 480 nits (peak) |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (4x1.8 GHz Kryo 240 & 4x1.6 GHz Kryo 240) | Octa-core (2x2.0 GHz Cortex-A75 & 6x1.8 GHz Cortex-A55) |
| Chipset | Qualcomm SM4250 Snapdragon 460 (11 nm) | Mediatek MT6769V/CU Helio G80 (12 nm) |
| GPU | Adreno 610 | Mali-G52 MC2 |
| OS | Android 10, upgradable to Android 11 | Android 10, XOS 7.1 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM | 64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM |
| | UFS 2.1 | - |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash, HDR, panorama | Quad-LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Quad | - | 48 MP, (wide), 1/2.0", 0.8µm, PDAF
2 MP (macro)
Auxiliary lenses |
| Triple | 13 MP, f/2.2, 25mm (wide), 1/3.06", 1.12µm, PDAF
2 MP (macro)
Auxiliary lens | - |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1440p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | HDR | Dual-LED flash |
| Single | 16 MP, f/2.0, (wide), 1/3.06", 1.0µm | 8 MP |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes, with stereo speakers | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.0, A2DP, LE, aptX HD | 5.0, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | No | No |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS | GPS |
| Radio | FM radio | FM radio |
| USB | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, proximity, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 18W wired | 18W wired |
| Type | Li-Po 5000 mAh | 5200 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Fairy White, Electric Black, Fancy Blue | Gray, Blue, Green |
| Models | CPH2127, CPH2131 | X683, X683B |
| Price | £ 158.16 / € 169.99 | About 150 EUR |
| SAR | 0.77 W/kg (head) 0.97 W/kg (body) | - |
Oppo A53
- Established brand reputation
- Potentially smoother software experience
- Reliable Qualcomm chipset
- Less powerful chipset compared to Helio G80
- Potentially lower gaming performance
- Older chipset architecture
Infinix Note 8i
- More powerful Helio G80 chipset
- Better performance for gaming and multitasking
- More efficient 12nm process
- Less established brand in some markets
- Software updates may be less frequent
- Potential for more aggressive bloatware
Display Comparison
Neither Oppo nor Infinix provide display specs beyond resolution in their marketing materials. However, both likely utilize LCD panels common in this price bracket. The key difference lies under the hood: chipset performance impacts UI responsiveness, which affects perceived display smoothness. While both will likely offer adequate viewing angles and color reproduction for everyday use, the Helio G80’s processing power in the Note 8i may contribute to a slightly more fluid scrolling experience.
Camera Comparison
Without detailed sensor information, a direct camera comparison is difficult. Both phones likely feature a primary camera alongside depth and macro sensors. However, the image signal processor (ISP) within the Helio G80 may offer more advanced image processing capabilities, potentially resulting in better dynamic range and noise reduction in the Note 8i’s photos. The Oppo A53’s Snapdragon 460 ISP is adequate, but likely less sophisticated. The prevalence of 2MP macro lenses on both devices suggests limited utility for detailed close-up photography.
Performance
The core battleground is the chipset. The Infinix Note 8i’s MediaTek Helio G80 (12nm) boasts a more modern architecture – two Cortex-A75 cores clocked at 2.0 GHz and six Cortex-A55 cores at 1.8 GHz – compared to the Oppo A53’s Qualcomm Snapdragon 460 (11nm) with its four Kryo 240 cores at 1.8 GHz and four at 1.6 GHz. The 12nm process of the Helio G80 generally translates to better power efficiency, while the A75 cores provide a significant uplift in single-core performance, crucial for app launch times and general responsiveness. This means the Note 8i will likely handle multitasking and moderately demanding games with greater ease.
Battery Life
Both the Oppo A53 and Infinix Note 8i feature 18W wired charging, suggesting similar charging speeds – approximately 2-2.5 hours for a full charge. Battery capacity isn’t specified in the provided data, but typical capacities for phones in this segment range from 4000-5000mAh. The Helio G80’s improved power efficiency could translate to slightly longer battery life on the Note 8i, even with a similar capacity, due to reduced power draw during typical usage.
Buying Guide
Buy the Oppo A53 if you prioritize a brand with a more established reputation for software updates and a generally smoother, if less powerful, user experience. Buy the Infinix Note 8i if you're a casual gamer or frequently multitask, as the Helio G80 offers superior processing power for the price, making it ideal for those who demand more from their smartphone.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Will the Helio G80 in the Infinix Note 8i overheat during prolonged gaming sessions?
While the Helio G80 is a capable chipset, sustained high loads can generate heat. However, the 12nm process is more efficient than older nodes, and Infinix likely implements thermal management strategies to mitigate overheating. Expect some throttling after extended gaming, but it shouldn't be severe enough to render the phone unusable.
❓ Is the 18W charging on either phone truly 'fast charging'?
18W charging is considered moderate 'fast charging' in 2024. It's faster than standard 5W charging, but significantly slower than the 30W, 65W, or even 120W charging found on higher-end devices. Expect a full charge to take around 2-2.5 hours.
❓ How does the Snapdragon 460's performance compare to the Helio G80 for everyday tasks like browsing and social media?
For basic tasks, both chipsets will perform adequately. However, the Helio G80’s more powerful cores will result in snappier app launches and smoother scrolling, even during multitasking. The difference won't be dramatic, but noticeable to users switching between apps frequently.
