The Tecno Pop 5 and Nokia C200 represent the absolute bottom end of the smartphone market, targeting first-time smartphone users or those needing a very basic backup device. Both prioritize affordability, but they take different approaches to achieving it. This comparison dissects the key differences in performance, battery, and overall value to determine which device offers the best experience for the price.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average user prioritizing responsiveness and a slightly more modern chipset, the Nokia C200 is the better choice. Its Mediatek Helio A22, clocked at 2.0 GHz, offers a noticeable performance uplift over the Tecno Pop 5’s 1.3 GHz Cortex-A7, making everyday tasks feel smoother. However, the Pop 5 may offer a lower initial price point.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 900 / 1800 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 |
| 4G bands | - | 2, 4, 5, 12, 13, 41, 66, 71 |
| Speed | HSPA 21.1/5.76 Mbps | HSPA, LTE (2CA) |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| | eMMC 5.1 | - |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2021, July 26 | 2022, January 05 |
| Status | Available. Released 2021, July 26 | Available. Released 2022, Q2 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Plastic frame, plastic back | - |
| Dimensions | 157.7 x 75.7 x 9.6 mm (6.21 x 2.98 x 0.38 in) | 156.5 x 73.1 x 8.8 mm (6.16 x 2.88 x 0.35 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM |
| Weight | - | 172.5 g (6.10 oz) |
| | - | Splash protection |
| Display |
|---|
| Resolution | 720 x 1560 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~282 ppi density) | 720 x 1560 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~282 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.1 inches, 91.3 cm2 (~76.5% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.09 inches, 91.0 cm2 (~79.6% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD | IPS LCD |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Quad-core 1.3 GHz Cortex-A7 | Quad-core 2.0 GHz Cortex-A53 |
| Chipset | - | Mediatek MT6761 Helio A22 (12 nm) |
| GPU | - | PowerVR GE8320 |
| OS | Android 10 (Go edition), HIOS | Android 12 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 16GB 1GB RAM, 32GB 2GB RAM | 32GB 3GB RAM |
| | - | eMMC 5.1 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Dual | 5 MP
VGA | - |
| Features | LED flash | LED flash |
| Single | 5 MP | 13 MP, AF |
| Video | Unspecified | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash | - |
| Single | 5 MP | 8 MP |
| Video | Unspecified | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 4.2, A2DP, LE | 5.0, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | No | No |
| Positioning | GPS | GPS |
| Radio | FM radio | FM radio |
| 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/ac |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer | Accelerometer, proximity, barometer |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | - | 10W wired |
| Type | 4000 mAh | Li-Ion 4000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Ice Lake Green, Obsidian Black, Ice Blue | Meteor Black |
| Models | BD2, BD2p, BD3, BD1, BD2d | TA-1437, TA-1510 |
| Price | About 70 EUR | About 60 EUR |
| SAR | - | 1.11 W/kg (head) 1.33 W/kg (body) |
Tecno Pop 5
- Potentially lower initial purchase price.
- Simple and straightforward user interface.
- Likely lightweight and compact design.
- Significantly slower processor performance.
- Outdated Cortex-A7 architecture.
- Limited multitasking capabilities.
Nokia C200
- More powerful Mediatek Helio A22 chipset.
- More efficient Cortex-A53 cores.
- Smoother user experience for basic tasks.
- 12nm manufacturing process for better power efficiency.
- 10W charging is relatively slow.
- Still limited performance for demanding apps.
- May be slightly more expensive than the Tecno Pop 5.
Display Comparison
Neither device boasts a standout display. Specifics regarding panel type, resolution, or brightness are unavailable for the Tecno Pop 5, suggesting a very basic LCD. The Nokia C200 also likely utilizes a low-cost LCD panel. The absence of detailed display specs indicates both phones prioritize cost savings over visual fidelity, meaning users should expect limited viewing angles and color accuracy. Bezels are expected to be substantial on both devices.
Camera Comparison
Camera performance on both devices is expected to be extremely limited. Details regarding camera sensors are scarce, but given the price point, both likely feature low-resolution sensors. Focusing on megapixel counts would be misleading; image quality will be heavily reliant on software processing, which is unlikely to be sophisticated on either phone. The absence of Optical Image Stabilization (OIS) on both devices means low-light photography will be particularly challenging.
Performance
The Nokia C200’s Mediatek Helio A22 (12nm) represents a significant architectural advantage over the Tecno Pop 5’s quad-core 1.3 GHz Cortex-A7. The Helio A22 utilizes Cortex-A53 cores, which are more efficient and capable than the older A7 architecture. The 12nm manufacturing process further contributes to better power efficiency. This translates to a smoother experience when launching apps and navigating the interface on the Nokia C200. While neither chipset is designed for demanding tasks, the C200 will handle basic multitasking more effectively.
Battery Life
Battery capacity details for the Tecno Pop 5 are unavailable. The Nokia C200 supports 10W wired charging. While 10W is slow by modern standards, it’s adequate for a device with likely modest power demands. The Helio A22’s 12nm process contributes to better power efficiency, potentially offsetting any capacity difference between the two devices. Expect both phones to offer all-day battery life with light usage, but prolonged gaming or video streaming will quickly deplete the battery.
Buying Guide
Buy the Tecno Pop 5 if you absolutely need the lowest possible upfront cost and are willing to tolerate slower performance for basic tasks like calls and messaging. Buy the Nokia C200 if you value a more responsive user experience, even for simple apps, and appreciate the benefits of a more modern, albeit still entry-level, chipset like the Helio A22. The C200 is better suited for light social media browsing and basic app usage.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Will the Nokia C200 struggle with WhatsApp and Facebook?
While not ideal for heavy usage, the Nokia C200’s Helio A22 chipset should handle WhatsApp and Facebook reasonably well. Expect some lag when loading images or videos, but basic messaging and scrolling should be functional. The Tecno Pop 5’s older processor may exhibit more noticeable slowdowns with these apps.
❓ Is the Nokia C200 suitable for playing games?
Neither the Nokia C200 nor the Tecno Pop 5 are designed for gaming. While simple 2D games might be playable at low settings, demanding 3D titles will likely be unplayable due to the limited processing power and graphics capabilities of both chipsets. Expect significant frame rate drops and lag.
❓ What version of Android do these phones run?
Both devices likely run Android Go Edition, a lightweight version of Android designed for devices with limited RAM and processing power. This helps to optimize performance and reduce storage usage, but it also means some features found in the full Android experience may be missing.
❓ How much storage do these phones have, and is it expandable?
Storage capacity details are limited, but both devices likely offer minimal internal storage (around 16-32GB). Expandable storage via microSD card is highly probable, given the target market, but the maximum supported capacity may be limited.
