The Oppo A8 and Infinix Hot 9 Pro represent the fiercely competitive sub-$150 smartphone market. Both devices aim to deliver essential smartphone functionality at an accessible price point, but they achieve this with different hardware choices, primarily in their core processing power. This comparison dissects those differences to determine which phone offers the best value for your money.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For most users, the Oppo A8 edges out the Infinix Hot 9 Pro due to its slightly more powerful Mediatek Helio P35 chipset. While the difference isn't massive, the A8's CPU clock speeds offer a tangible performance advantage in multitasking and app loading, making it a smoother daily driver.
| 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, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41 | 1, 3, 5, 8, 38, 40, 41 |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE Cat4 150/50 Mbps |
| Technology | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / EVDO / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| | CDMA2000 1xEV-DO | - |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2019, December. Released 2019, December | 2020, May 29. Released 2020, June 05 |
| Status | Discontinued | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front, plastic back, plastic frame | Glass front, plastic back, plastic frame |
| Dimensions | 163.9 x 75.5 x 8.3 mm (6.45 x 2.97 x 0.33 in) | 165 x 76.8 x 8.7 mm (6.50 x 3.02 x 0.34 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 180 g (6.35 oz) | 185 g (6.53 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Resolution | 720 x 1600 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~269 ppi density) | 720 x 1600 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~266 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.5 inches, 102.8 cm2 (~83.0% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.6 inches, 105.2 cm2 (~83.0% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD, 480 nits (typ) | IPS LCD, 480 nits (typ) |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (4x2.3 GHz Cortex-A53 & 4x1.8 GHz Cortex-A53) | Octa-core 2.0 GHz Cortex-A53 |
| Chipset | Mediatek MT6765V/CB Helio P35 (12 nm) | Mediatek MT6762 Helio P22 (12 nm) |
| GPU | PowerVR GE8320 | PowerVR GE8320 |
| OS | Android 9.0 (Pie), ColorOS 6.1 | Android 10, XOS 6.0 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 128GB 4GB RAM, 64GB 4GB RAM | 64GB 4GB RAM |
| | eMMC 5.1 | eMMC 5.1 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash, HDR, panorama | Quad-LED flash, panorama, HDR |
| Quad | - | 48 MP, f/1.8, (wide), 1/2.0", 0.8µm, PDAF
2 MP (macro)
Auxiliary lenses |
| Triple | 12 MP, f/1.8, (wide), PDAF
2 MP (macro)
Auxiliary lens | - |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | HDR | LED flash |
| Single | 8 MP, f/2.0 | 8 MP, (wide) |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.0, A2DP, LE | 5.0, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | No | No |
| Positioning | GPS, BDS | GPS |
| Radio | FM radio | FM radio |
| USB | microUSB 2.0, OTG | microUSB 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, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Type | Li-Po 4230 mAh | 5000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Green, Black | Violet, Ocean Wave |
| Models | PDBM00 | X655F |
| Price | About 150 EUR | About 50 EUR |
| SAR | - | 0.99 W/kg (head) 0.84 W/kg (body) |
Oppo A8
- Slightly more powerful Helio P35 chipset
- Potentially smoother multitasking experience
- More efficient CPU architecture
- Detailed specs (display, camera, battery) are unknown
- May be slightly more expensive than the Hot 9 Pro
Infinix Hot 9 Pro
- Likely the more affordable option
- Capable of handling basic smartphone tasks
- Decent performance for its price range
- Less powerful Helio P22 chipset
- May struggle with demanding apps or multitasking
- Potentially lower performance in graphically intensive games
Display Comparison
Neither Oppo nor Infinix provide detailed display specifications beyond resolution. However, both likely utilize IPS LCD panels, standard for this price bracket. The real difference lies under the hood. Without knowing peak brightness or color gamut coverage, it's difficult to declare a clear winner. We can assume both offer adequate viewing angles and color reproduction for everyday use, but won't excel in direct sunlight.
Camera Comparison
Detailed camera specs are unavailable. Given the price point, both phones likely feature a primary camera alongside depth and potentially macro sensors. However, the quality of these sensors is crucial. Without knowing sensor sizes or apertures, it’s difficult to assess image quality. The inclusion of a 2MP macro lens on either device is largely a marketing tactic, offering limited practical benefit. Image processing algorithms will play a significant role, and brand-specific tuning could differentiate the results. We can assume both will perform adequately in well-lit conditions but struggle in low light.
Performance
The core distinction between these phones is their chipsets. The Oppo A8 features the Mediatek Helio P35 (MT6765V/CB) with an octa-core CPU configuration split into 4x2.3 GHz Cortex-A53 cores and 4x1.8 GHz Cortex-A53 cores. The Infinix Hot 9 Pro, conversely, utilizes the Mediatek Helio P22 (MT6762) with an octa-core CPU clocked at a uniform 2.0 GHz using Cortex-A53 cores. The A8’s higher clock speeds on its faster cores translate to quicker app launches and smoother multitasking. While both are based on the same Cortex-A53 architecture, the P35’s architecture is slightly more efficient. The P22 is a capable chip for basic tasks, but the P35 offers a noticeable, albeit not dramatic, performance boost.
Battery Life
Battery capacity isn't specified in the provided data. However, typical battery sizes for phones in this segment range from 4000mAh to 5000mAh. Charging wattage is also unknown. The Helio P35 in the Oppo A8, being slightly more efficient, *may* offer marginally better battery life under similar usage conditions. Without knowing the actual battery capacities and charging speeds, it's impossible to definitively declare a winner. Real-world battery performance will depend heavily on individual usage patterns.
Buying Guide
Buy the Oppo A8 if you prioritize a slightly more responsive user experience and anticipate running multiple apps simultaneously. It's ideal for users who need a reliable phone for communication, social media, and light entertainment. Buy the Infinix Hot 9 Pro if you're primarily focused on basic smartphone functions – calls, messaging, and occasional web browsing – and are looking for the absolute lowest price point. It's a good choice for first-time smartphone owners or as a secondary device.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Will the Oppo A8 handle popular games like PUBG Mobile or Call of Duty?
While the Helio P35 can run these games, expect to play them on low to medium settings to maintain a playable frame rate. The GPU isn't powerful enough for high settings without significant lag. The Infinix Hot 9 Pro will likely require even lower settings.
❓ Is the difference in performance between the Helio P35 and Helio P22 noticeable in everyday use?
The difference is subtle but present. The Oppo A8 with the P35 will feel slightly snappier when opening apps, switching between them, and browsing the web. Users upgrading from older, slower phones will notice the improvement more than those coming from similar devices.
❓ How will the lack of detailed camera specs affect my photo quality?
Without knowing sensor sizes and apertures, it's hard to predict. Expect decent photos in good lighting conditions from both phones. Low-light performance will likely be poor. Don't rely on the 2MP macro lens for detailed close-up shots.