The sub-$150 smartphone market is fiercely competitive. The Samsung Galaxy F05 and Infinix Smart 8 Pro both aim to deliver essential smartphone functionality at an accessible price point. However, they take different approaches to achieving this, with Samsung leaning on brand recognition and a slightly more powerful chipset, while Infinix focuses on features like reverse charging and a potentially more aggressive price. This comparison dissects the key differences to determine which device offers the best value.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For most users, the Samsung Galaxy F05 emerges as the better choice. Its Mediatek Helio G85 chipset, featuring Cortex-A75 cores, provides a noticeable performance advantage over the Infinix Smart 8 Pro’s Helio G36, translating to smoother multitasking and gaming. While the Infinix offers reverse wired charging, the F05’s faster 25W charging is more impactful for daily use.
| 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, September 17 | 2024, January 29 |
| Status | Available. Released 2024, September 20 | Available. Released 2024, February |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front, plastic frame, silicone polymer (eco leather) back | Glass front, plastic back, plastic frame |
| Dimensions | 168.8 x 78.2 x 8.8 mm (6.65 x 3.08 x 0.35 in) | 163.6 x 75.6 x 8.5 mm (6.44 x 2.98 x 0.33 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 195 g (6.88 oz) | 189 g (6.67 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Resolution | 720 x 1600 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~262 ppi density) | 720 x 1612 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~267 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.7 inches, 108.4 cm2 (~82.1% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.6 inches, 104.6 cm2 (~84.6% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | PLS LCD | IPS LCD, 90Hz, 500 nits (peak) |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (2x2.0 GHz Cortex-A75 & 6x1.8 GHz Cortex-A55) | Octa-core (4x2.2 GHz Cortex-A53 & 4x1.6 GHz Cortex-A53) |
| Chipset | Mediatek Helio G85 (12 nm) | Mediatek Helio G36 (12 nm) |
| GPU | Mali-G52 MC2 | PowerVR GE8320 |
| OS | Android 14, up to 2 major Android upgrades, One UI Core 6.0 | Android 13 (Go edition), XOS 13 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 64GB 4GB RAM | 64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 4GB RAM |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Dual | 50 MP, f/1.8, (wide), AF
Auxiliary lens | - |
| Features | LED flash | Ring-LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Single | - | 50 MP, f/1.9, (wide), AF
Auxiliary lens |
| Video | 1080p@30/60fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Single | 8 MP, f/2.0 | 8 MP, f/2.0, (wide) |
| Video | Yes | Yes |
| Sound |
|---|
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.3, A2DP, LE | 5.0, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | No | No |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, 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 | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Accelerometer, proximity | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 25W wired | 10W wired
Reverse wired |
| Type | 5000 mAh | 5000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Twilight Blue | Rainbow Blue, Galaxy White, Shiny Gold, Timber Black |
| Models | SM-E055F, SM-E055F/DS | X6525B |
| Price | ₹ 7,480 | About 100 EUR |
| SAR | 0.46 W/kg (head) | - |
Samsung Galaxy F05
- More powerful processor (Helio G85)
- Faster 25W charging
- Established brand reputation
- Likely higher price point
- May lack features like reverse charging
Infinix Smart 8 Pro
- Reverse wired charging capability
- Potentially lower price
- Larger core count (though less performant)
- Slower processor (Helio G36)
- Slower 10W charging
- Less refined software experience
Display Comparison
Neither Samsung nor Infinix provide display specifications beyond resolution in their marketing materials. However, given the price point, both likely utilize LCD panels. The real difference lies in processing power, which impacts UI responsiveness. The lack of high refresh rate support on either device is standard for this segment. Bezels are expected to be substantial on both, minimizing the premium feel.
Camera Comparison
Detailed camera specifications are scarce for both devices. It's safe to assume both will feature a primary camera and potentially depth/macro sensors. Given the price bracket, image quality will be heavily reliant on software processing. Without knowing sensor sizes or apertures, it’s difficult to definitively declare a winner. However, Samsung’s generally more refined image processing algorithms may yield slightly more pleasing results, even with similar hardware. The inclusion of a 2MP macro camera on either device is largely a marketing tactic, offering limited practical benefit.
Performance
The core difference between these phones is the chipset. The Samsung Galaxy F05’s Mediatek Helio G85 utilizes a combination of 2x 2.0 GHz Cortex-A75 and 6x 1.8 GHz Cortex-A55 cores. This architecture provides a significant advantage in single-core performance compared to the Infinix Smart 8 Pro’s Helio G36, which features 4x 2.2 GHz Cortex-A53 and 4x 1.6 GHz Cortex-A53 cores. The Cortex-A75 cores in the G85 are substantially more powerful than the A53 cores in the G36, resulting in faster app loading times and smoother multitasking. While both are 12nm chips, the architectural advantage favors Samsung. The G36's higher clock speed on the A53 cores doesn't compensate for the core design difference.
Battery Life
Battery capacity isn't specified in the provided data, but both phones likely house batteries in the 5000mAh range, typical for this price segment. The key differentiator is charging speed. The Samsung Galaxy F05 supports 25W wired charging, significantly faster than the Infinix Smart 8 Pro’s 10W charging. This translates to a much quicker 0-100% charge time, reducing downtime. The Infinix Smart 8 Pro’s inclusion of reverse wired charging is a niche feature, allowing it to charge other devices, but the slow charging speed of both phones limits its practicality. The faster charging of the F05 is a more universally beneficial feature.
Buying Guide
Buy the Samsung Galaxy F05 if you prioritize consistent performance for everyday tasks and light gaming, and value the established Samsung ecosystem. You'll benefit from a more responsive user experience. Buy the Infinix Smart 8 Pro if you absolutely need reverse wired charging to top up accessories and are on the tightest of budgets, accepting a trade-off in processing power and charging speed.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Will the Helio G36 in the Infinix Smart 8 Pro struggle with demanding apps like Facebook or Instagram?
While the Helio G36 can handle basic social media apps, users may experience occasional lag or slowdowns when multitasking or using feature-rich versions of these apps. The Helio G85 in the Samsung Galaxy F05 offers a smoother experience for these types of applications due to its more powerful core architecture.
❓ How long will it take to fully charge the Samsung Galaxy F05 with the 25W charger?
Assuming a 5000mAh battery (typical for this segment), the Samsung Galaxy F05 should fully charge from 0% to 100% in approximately 1 hour and 30 minutes to 2 hours, depending on usage during charging. This is significantly faster than the Infinix Smart 8 Pro's 10W charging, which could take over 3 hours.
❓ Is the reverse charging feature on the Infinix Smart 8 Pro useful for accessories like Bluetooth earbuds?
While the reverse charging feature is present, its 10W output is quite slow. It can provide a trickle charge to Bluetooth earbuds or a smartwatch, but it's not a practical solution for quickly topping up larger devices like another smartphone. It's more of a convenience feature than a primary charging method.
❓ Can I expect a noticeable difference in gaming performance between these two phones?
Yes, you will likely see a noticeable difference. The Helio G85 in the Samsung Galaxy F05 will deliver higher frame rates and smoother gameplay in most mobile games compared to the Helio G36 in the Infinix Smart 8 Pro. The G85's Cortex-A75 cores provide a significant advantage in graphics processing.
