The sub-$100 smartphone market is fiercely competitive. The Tecno Pop 2 F and Xiaomi Redmi 8A Dual represent two popular choices, but cater to slightly different priorities. The Pop 2 F aims for extreme affordability, while the Redmi 8A Dual attempts to offer a more balanced experience with a more powerful chipset and faster charging. This comparison dissects their key differences to determine which device delivers the best value.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For most users, the Xiaomi Redmi 8A Dual is the superior choice. Its Snapdragon 439 chipset provides significantly better performance than the Tecno Pop 2 F’s Mediatek MT6580M, making it more responsive for everyday tasks and light gaming. The 18W charging is a substantial advantage, offsetting the slightly smaller battery capacity.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 900 / 1800 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | - | 1, 3, 5, 8, 40, 41 |
| Speed | HSPA | HSPA, LTE |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2019, May. Released 2019, May | 2020, February 11. Released 2020, February 18 |
| Status | Discontinued | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | - | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 5), plastic back, plastic frame |
| Dimensions | 149.8 x 72.8 x 9.4 mm (5.90 x 2.87 x 0.37 in) | 156.5 x 75.4 x 9.4 mm (6.16 x 2.97 x 0.37 in) |
| SIM | Dual SIM (Micro-SIM, dual stand-by) | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 155 g (5.47 oz) | 188 g (6.63 oz) |
| | - | Water-repellent coating |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | - | Corning Gorilla Glass 5 |
| Resolution | 480 x 960 pixels, 18:9 ratio (~197 ppi density) | 720 x 1520 pixels, 19:9 ratio (~270 ppi density) |
| Size | 5.45 inches, 76.7 cm2 (~70.3% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.22 inches, 96.6 cm2 (~81.8% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD | IPS LCD, 400 nits (typ) |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Quad-core 1.3 GHz Cortex-A7 | Octa-core (4x1.95 GHz Cortex-A53 & 4x1.45 GHz Cortex A53) |
| Chipset | Mediatek MT6580M | Qualcomm SDM439 Snapdragon 439 (12 nm) |
| GPU | Mali-400MP2 | Adreno 505 |
| OS | Android 8.1 Oreo (Go edition) | Android 9.0 (Pie), upgradable to Android 10, MIUI 12 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSD | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 16GB 1GB RAM | 32GB 2GB RAM, 32GB 3GB RAM, 64GB 3GB RAM |
| | - | eMMC 5.1 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Dual | - | 13 MP, f/2.2, (wide), 1/3.1", 1.12µm, PDAF
Auxiliary lens |
| Features | Dual-LED flash, HDR | LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Single | 5 MP | - |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash | HDR |
| Single | 8 MP, f/2.0 | 8 MP, f/2.0, 1/4.0", 1.12µm |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 4.2, A2DP, LE | 4.2, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | No | No |
| Positioning | GPS | GPS, GLONASS, BDS |
| Radio | FM radio | FM Radio, built-in antenna |
| USB | microUSB 2.0 | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer | Accelerometer, proximity, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | - | 18W wired
2.5W reverse wired |
| Type | Li-Ion 2400 mAh, removable | Li-Po 5000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Midnight Black, Champagne Gold, City Blue | Sky White, Sea Blue, Midnight Grey |
| Models | B1c | M2001C3K3I |
| Price | - | About 110 EUR |
| SAR | - | 0.34 W/kg (head) 1.00 W/kg (body) |
Tecno Pop 2 F
- Lowest possible price point
- Functional for basic communication
- Likely lightweight and compact
- Significantly slower performance
- Slow charging (estimated)
- Limited multitasking capabilities
Xiaomi Redmi 8A Dual
- Faster and more responsive performance
- 18W fast charging
- Reverse wired charging capability
- Slightly higher price
- Basic camera system
- Still utilizes a plastic build
Display Comparison
Neither device boasts a standout display. Both likely feature LCD panels, typical for this price bracket. However, detailed specs like resolution and brightness are missing for the Tecno Pop 2 F. The Redmi 8A Dual’s display is expected to be 720 x 1560 pixels. The lack of information on the Pop 2 F’s panel makes a direct comparison difficult, but the Redmi 8A Dual likely offers a sharper and more vibrant viewing experience. Bezels are expected to be substantial on both devices, reflecting their budget nature.
Camera Comparison
Camera performance is likely to be similar in real-world usage, as both phones target the budget segment. The Redmi 8A Dual features a dual-camera setup, while the Pop 2 F’s configuration is unknown. Focusing on the Redmi 8A Dual, the primary sensor is likely 13MP, paired with a 2MP depth sensor. While the 2MP sensor adds a bokeh effect, its image quality is limited. The Pop 2 F’s camera specs are unavailable, but it’s unlikely to outperform the Redmi 8A Dual’s main sensor. Image processing will be basic on both devices, with limited dynamic range and detail in challenging lighting conditions.
Performance
The performance gap is the most significant difference. The Xiaomi Redmi 8A Dual’s Qualcomm Snapdragon 439, built on a 12nm process, is a substantial upgrade over the Tecno Pop 2 F’s Mediatek MT6580M. The Snapdragon 439 features an octa-core configuration (4x1.95 GHz Cortex-A53 & 4x1.45 GHz Cortex A53) compared to the Pop 2 F’s quad-core 1.3 GHz Cortex-A7. This translates to noticeably faster app loading times, smoother multitasking, and a more responsive user interface on the Redmi 8A Dual. The 12nm process also contributes to better power efficiency. The Pop 2 F will struggle with anything beyond basic tasks.
Battery Life
The Redmi 8A Dual’s 18W wired charging is a major advantage. While the battery capacity is likely around 5000mAh (typical for this class), the faster charging significantly reduces downtime. The Tecno Pop 2 F’s charging speed is unknown, but it’s almost certainly slower. The Redmi 8A Dual also supports 2.5W reverse wired charging, allowing it to act as a power bank for other devices, a feature absent on the Pop 2 F. The difference in charging speed will be felt daily, making the Redmi 8A Dual more convenient.
Buying Guide
Buy the Tecno Pop 2 F if your absolute priority is the lowest possible price and you primarily need a phone for basic communication – calls, texts, and WhatsApp. It’s a functional device for those with minimal smartphone requirements. Buy the Xiaomi Redmi 8A Dual if you value a smoother user experience, faster charging, and the ability to handle more demanding apps and occasional gaming. It’s a better all-rounder for users who want a phone that can do more than just the basics.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Will the Redmi 8A Dual handle popular apps like Facebook and WhatsApp smoothly?
Yes, the Snapdragon 439 in the Redmi 8A Dual is capable of running Facebook, WhatsApp, and other common social media apps without significant lag. While it won't offer a flagship-level experience, it provides a usable and responsive experience for these everyday tasks.
❓ Is the Tecno Pop 2 F suitable for playing mobile games?
The Tecno Pop 2 F’s Mediatek MT6580M is not well-suited for gaming. While it can handle very basic 2D games, it will struggle with more demanding titles like PUBG Mobile or Call of Duty Mobile, even on the lowest settings. Expect significant frame rate drops and lag.
❓ Does the Redmi 8A Dual support 4G LTE connectivity?
Yes, the Xiaomi Redmi 8A Dual supports 4G LTE connectivity, allowing for fast data speeds where available. This is crucial for streaming videos, browsing the web, and using social media apps on the go.
❓ What version of Android does the Tecno Pop 2 F run?
The Tecno Pop 2 F likely runs Android Go Edition, a lightweight version of Android designed for devices with limited processing power and storage. This helps to improve performance on the less powerful MT6580M chipset.
