The Realme Narzo 50A and Tecno Spark 8 Pro occupy a fiercely competitive segment: the sub-$150 smartphone market. Both devices leverage the MediaTek Helio G85 chipset, making raw performance similar. However, key differences in charging speed and potentially other areas like display calibration and software optimization separate these contenders, making a direct comparison crucial for informed buyers.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average user prioritizing convenience, the Tecno Spark 8 Pro is the better choice. Its 33W charging significantly reduces downtime compared to the Narzo 50A’s 18W, a critical advantage for those who rely heavily on their phones throughout the day. While performance is nearly identical, the faster charging justifies the potential price premium.
| 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 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE Cat4 150/50 Mbps |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2021, September 24 | 2021, December 29 |
| Status | Available. Released 2021, October 07 | Available. Released 2022, January 04 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | - | Glass front, plastic frame, plastic back |
| Dimensions | 164.5 x 75.9 x 9.6 mm (6.48 x 2.99 x 0.38 in) | 169 x 76.8 x 8.8 mm (6.65 x 3.02 x 0.35 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 207 g (7.30 oz) | - |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | - | NEG |
| Resolution | 720 x 1600 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~270 ppi density) | 1080 x 2460 pixels (~395 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.5 inches, 102.0 cm2 (~81.7% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.8 inches, 109.8 cm2 (~84.6% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD, 570 nits (HBM) | IPS LCD, 500 nits (HBM) |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (2x2.0 GHz Cortex-A75 & 6x1.8 GHz Cortex-A55) | Octa-core (2x2.0 GHz Cortex-A75 & 6x1.8 GHz Cortex-A55) |
| Chipset | Mediatek MT6769Z Helio G85 (12 nm) | Mediatek MT6769Z Helio G85 (12 nm) |
| GPU | Mali-G52 MC2 | Mali-G52 MC2 |
| OS | Android 11, Realme UI 2.0 | Android 11, HIOS 7.6 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM | 64GB 4GB RAM, 64GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM |
| | - | eMMC 5.1 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash, HDR, panorama | Dual-LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Single | 8 MP, f/2.0, 26mm (wide), 1/4", 1.12µm | 8 MP, f/2.0, 26mm (wide) |
| Triple | 50 MP, f/1.8, (wide), PDAF
2 MP (macro)
Auxiliary lens | 48 MP, f/1.8, (wide), PDAF
Auxiliary lenses |
| Video | 1080p@30/60fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | HDR, panorama | Dual-LED flash |
| Single | 8 MP, f/2.0, 26mm (wide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm | 8 MP, f/2.0, 26mm (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 | Yes |
| NFC | No | No |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, BDS | GPS |
| Radio | Unspecified | 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 | Yes |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, proximity |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 18W wired
5W reverse wired | 33W wired |
| Type | 6000 mAh | 5000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Oxygen Blue, Oxygen Green | Komodo Island, Interstellar Black, Winsor Violet |
| Models | RMX3430 | KG8, MZ-TECNO KG8, Mobile KG8 |
| Price | About 130 EUR | About 130 EUR |
Realme Narzo 50A
- Potentially lower price point
- Reverse wired charging capability
- Similar processing power to the Tecno Spark 8 Pro
- Significantly slower charging speed (18W)
- Likely less optimized software experience
- Potentially lower build quality
Tecno Spark 8 Pro
- Much faster 33W charging
- Potentially better software optimization
- Likely more durable build quality
- May be slightly more expensive
- No reverse wired charging
- Similar processing power to the Realme Narzo 50A
Display Comparison
Both the Realme Narzo 50A and Tecno Spark 8 Pro likely feature similar LCD panels, given their price point. Without specific brightness data, it’s reasonable to assume both offer adequate outdoor visibility but won’t excel in direct sunlight. The absence of high refresh rate technology on either device suggests a focus on power efficiency rather than fluid scrolling. Bezels are expected to be relatively thick, typical for this segment. Color accuracy is likely standard, with neither phone prioritizing professional-grade color reproduction.
Camera Comparison
Both phones likely feature multi-camera setups, but the context data doesn’t provide sensor details beyond the chipset. It’s probable that both include a primary sensor, a depth sensor, and potentially a macro lens. The image processing algorithms will likely differ, influencing color science and dynamic range. Without knowing the megapixel counts or aperture values, it’s impossible to definitively declare a camera winner. The usefulness of a 2MP macro lens on either device is questionable, offering limited detail and often requiring ideal lighting conditions.
Performance
The core of both phones is the MediaTek Helio G85 (12 nm) chipset, featuring an octa-core CPU configuration with 2x2.0 GHz Cortex-A75 and 6x1.8 GHz Cortex-A55 cores. This means CPU performance will be virtually identical in day-to-day tasks and even in moderately demanding games. The GPU performance will also be comparable. However, sustained performance could vary based on thermal design. Without specific thermal management details, it’s difficult to predict which phone will exhibit less throttling during extended gaming sessions. RAM configurations are a key factor, but not provided in the context data; faster RAM (LPDDR4X vs LPDDR3) would benefit multitasking.
Battery Life
The most significant difference lies in charging speed. The Tecno Spark 8 Pro’s 33W wired charging is a substantial upgrade over the Realme Narzo 50A’s 18W charging. This translates to a significantly faster 0-100% charge time for the Tecno. While battery capacity isn’t specified, the faster charging mitigates the impact of a potentially smaller battery. The Narzo 50A’s 5W reverse wired charging is a niche feature, useful for topping up accessories but not a primary selling point.
Buying Guide
Buy the Realme Narzo 50A if you prioritize maximizing value and are comfortable with slower charging speeds. It’s ideal for users who primarily use their phone for basic tasks and can charge overnight. Buy the Tecno Spark 8 Pro if you need a phone that can quickly top up its battery, especially if you’re a mobile gamer or frequently on the go. The faster charging is a significant quality-of-life improvement.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Will the Helio G85 in the Tecno Spark 8 Pro overheat during prolonged gaming sessions like PUBG?
The Helio G85 is a capable chipset, but it can generate heat under sustained load. Without specific thermal design details, it's difficult to say definitively. However, the 33W charging suggests Tecno may have invested slightly more in internal components, potentially including better thermal management. Expect some throttling after extended gaming, but it shouldn't be severe enough to render the phone unusable.
❓ Is the 5W reverse charging on the Realme Narzo 50A actually useful for charging accessories like earbuds?
While a convenient feature, the 5W reverse charging is quite slow. It's suitable for topping up small accessories like wireless earbuds or a smartwatch, but don't expect to significantly charge a larger device like a power bank. It's more of a 'nice-to-have' than a core functionality.
❓ How long will it take to fully charge the Tecno Spark 8 Pro from 0% with the included charger?
With 33W charging, the Tecno Spark 8 Pro should fully charge from 0% in approximately 60-90 minutes, depending on battery capacity. This is a substantial improvement over the Narzo 50A's 18W charging, which would likely take over 2 hours.
