The Tecno Pop 5c and Infinix Smart HD 2021 represent the absolute bottom end of the smartphone market, targeting first-time buyers or those needing a very basic, reliable device. Both aim to deliver smartphone functionality at an incredibly low price point, but they achieve this with different hardware choices. This comparison dissects those choices to determine which offers the best experience for the money.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For most users, the Infinix Smart HD 2021 is the better choice. Its Mediatek Helio A20 chipset, built on a more efficient 12nm process, provides a noticeable performance advantage over the Tecno Pop 5c’s Unisoc SC7731e, making everyday tasks smoother. While both are limited, the Infinix offers a slightly more responsive experience.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 900 / 1800 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | - | 1, 3, 5, 8, 38, 40, 41 |
| Speed | HSPA 21.1/5.76 Mbps | HSPA 21.1/5.76 Mbps, LTE Cat4 150/50 Mbps |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2021, November 12 | 2020, December 16. Released 2020, December 24 |
| Status | Available. Released 2021, November 12 | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Plastic frame, plastic back | Glass front, plastic back, plastic frame |
| Dimensions | 145.2 x 74.1 x 9.9 mm (5.72 x 2.92 x 0.39 in) | 158.3 x 75.2 x 9.8 mm (6.23 x 2.96 x 0.39 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 150 g (5.29 oz) | 195 g (6.88 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Resolution | 480 x 854 pixels, 16:9 ratio (~196 ppi density) | 720 x 1560 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~282 ppi density) |
| Size | 5.0 inches, 68.9 cm2 (~64.0% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.1 inches, 91.3 cm2 (~76.7% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | TFT LCD | IPS LCD, 500 nits (typ) |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Quad-core 1.3 GHz Cortex-A7 | Quad-core 1.8 GHz Cortex-A53 |
| Chipset | Unisoc SC7731e | Mediatek MT6761D Helio A20 (12 nm) |
| GPU | Mali-400 | PowerVR GE8320 |
| OS | Android 10 (Go edition), HIOS | Android 10 (Go edition), XOS 6.2 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 16GB 1GB RAM | 32GB 2GB RAM |
| | eMMC 5.1 | eMMC 5.1 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Dual | - | 8 MP, f/2.0 |
| Features | LED flash | Dual-LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Single | 5 MP, AF | - |
| Video | Unspecified | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash | Dual-LED flash, HDR |
| Single | 2 MP | 5 MP, f/2.0 |
| 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 | microUSB 2.0 |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Accelerometer, proximity | Fingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, proximity |
| Battery |
|---|
| Type | Li-Ion 2400 mAh | 5000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Lake Blue, Dark Blue | Topaz Blue, Obsidian Black, Quartz Green |
| Models | - | X612B, X612 |
| Price | About 60 EUR | About 70 EUR |
| SAR | - | 0.53 W/kg (head) 1.22 W/kg (body) |
Tecno Pop 5c
- Potentially lower price point
- Functional for basic tasks
- Likely to have long battery life due to low-power chipset
- Significantly slower performance than the Infinix
- Less efficient chipset leading to potential throttling
- Outdated CPU architecture
Infinix Smart HD 2021
- More powerful and efficient chipset
- Smoother user experience for everyday tasks
- Better multitasking capabilities
- May be slightly more expensive
- Camera performance likely similar to Tecno
- Still limited by low-end hardware
Display Comparison
Neither device is expected to deliver a stunning visual experience. Details regarding panel type (IPS vs TFT) and resolution are missing, but both will likely feature low-resolution displays. The key difference lies in processing power impacting UI smoothness, not display quality. Expect similar viewing angles and color reproduction, prioritizing functionality over fidelity.
Camera Comparison
Both phones are likely to feature basic camera setups. Given the price point, image quality will be limited. Details on sensor sizes and apertures are unavailable, but it’s safe to assume both will struggle in low-light conditions. The presence of a 2MP macro camera on either device is largely marketing fluff; its utility is minimal due to the low resolution and lack of optical image stabilization. Expect similar results in good lighting conditions, with the Infinix potentially benefiting from slightly better image processing capabilities due to its more powerful chipset.
Performance
The core difference between these phones is the chipset. The Infinix Smart HD 2021 utilizes the Mediatek Helio A20, a quad-core processor clocked at 1.8 GHz and fabricated on a 12nm process. This process node is significantly more efficient than the Unisoc SC7731e in the Tecno Pop 5c, which features a quad-core 1.3 GHz Cortex-A7 CPU. The 12nm process allows the Helio A20 to maintain performance for longer periods without significant throttling, resulting in a smoother user experience, especially when multitasking or launching apps. The Cortex-A53 cores in the Helio A20 also represent a generational improvement over the Cortex-A7 cores in the SC7731e, offering better single-core performance.
Battery Life
Battery capacity details are missing for both devices. However, given the low-power chipsets, both should offer all-day battery life with moderate usage. The more efficient 12nm process of the Helio A20 in the Infinix Smart HD 2021 may translate to slightly longer battery life under similar usage scenarios. Charging wattage is also unknown, but expect slow charging speeds on both devices, likely requiring several hours to reach a full charge.
Buying Guide
Buy the Tecno Pop 5c if your absolute priority is minimizing cost and you only need a phone for the most basic functions – calls, texts, and very light app usage. It’s a functional device for those on the tightest of budgets. Buy the Infinix Smart HD 2021 if you want a slightly more responsive experience for social media, web browsing, and occasional light gaming, and are willing to spend a little more for that improved performance.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Will the Infinix Smart HD 2021 struggle with popular apps like WhatsApp and Facebook?
While the Helio A20 isn't a powerhouse, it should handle WhatsApp and Facebook reasonably well. Expect some loading times and occasional lag, but it's sufficient for basic social media use. The Tecno Pop 5c will likely exhibit more noticeable lag with these apps.
❓ Is either phone suitable for playing mobile games like PUBG or Call of Duty?
Neither phone is well-suited for demanding games like PUBG or Call of Duty. The chipsets lack the processing power and graphics capabilities to run these games smoothly, even at the lowest settings. Expect very low frame rates and significant lag.
❓ Do either of these phones support 4G LTE connectivity?
The Mediatek Helio A20 in the Infinix Smart HD 2021 does support 4G LTE connectivity, allowing for faster data speeds where available. The Unisoc SC7731e in the Tecno Pop 5c may be limited to 3G, depending on the specific model and region.
❓ What version of Android do these phones run?
Both phones likely run Android Go Edition, a lightweight version of Android designed for devices with limited RAM and storage. This helps to improve performance and reduce data usage.
