Tecno Pop 5S vs. Infinix Smart 5 Pro: A Deep Dive into Ultra-Budget Smartphones

The Tecno Pop 5S and Infinix Smart 5 Pro represent the extreme end of the smartphone price spectrum. Both aim to deliver essential smartphone functionality at a price point accessible to the widest possible audience. This comparison dissects their key differences, focusing on where the Infinix Smart 5 Pro’s Unisoc chipset impacts real-world usability compared to the Tecno Pop 5S, given the limited available specifications for the latter.
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🏆 Quick Verdict

For the average user prioritizing basic functionality and a slightly smoother experience, the Infinix Smart 5 Pro emerges as the better choice. Its Unisoc SC9863A chipset, while not powerful, provides a demonstrable performance advantage over what is typical for the Tecno Pop series, making everyday tasks more responsive.

PHONES
Phone Names Tecno Pop 5S Infinix Smart 5 Pro
Network
2G bandsGSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
3G bandsHSDPA 850 / 900 / 2100HSDPA 850 / 900 / 2100
4G bandsLTE1, 3, 5, 8, 38, 40, 41
SpeedHSPA 21.1/5.76 Mbps, LTEHSPA 21.1/5.76 Mbps, LTE Cat4 150/50 Mbps
TechnologyGSM / HSPA / LTEGSM / HSPA / LTE
 eMMC 5.11, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 41, 40, 66
Launch
Announced2022, February 072021, November 17
StatusAvailable. Released 2022, February 07Available. Released 2021, November 17
Body
BuildGlass front, plastic frame, plastic backGlass front, plastic back, plastic frame
Dimensions148 x 72.3 x 9.9 mm (5.83 x 2.85 x 0.39 in)164.4 x 75.6 x 9.5 mm (6.47 x 2.98 x 0.37 in)
SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIM
Weight160 g (5.64 oz)-
Display
Resolution720 x 1520 pixels, 19:9 ratio (~295 ppi density)720 x 1600 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~269 ppi density)
Size5.7 inches, 81.1 cm2 (~75.8% screen-to-body ratio)6.52 inches, 102.6 cm2 (~82.6% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeIPS LCDIPS LCD, 500 nits (peak)
Platform
CPU-Octa-core (4x1.6 GHz Cortex-A55 & 4x1.2 GHz Cortex-A55)
Chipset-Unisoc SC9863A (28 nm)
GPU-IMG8322
OSAndroid 10 (Go edition), HiOSAndroid 11 (Go edition), XOS 7.6
Memory
Card slotmicroSDXCmicroSDXC (dedicated slot)
Internal32GB 2GB RAM32GB 2GB RAM
 -eMMC 5.1
Main Camera
Dual5 MP Auxiliary lens13 MP, f/1.8, AF Auxiliary lens
FeaturesLED flashQuad-LED flash
Single2 MP8 MP
Video-1440p@30fps
Selfie camera
FeaturesLED flashDual-LED flash
Single2 MP8 MP
Video-1080p@30fps
Sound
3.5mm jack YesYes
35mm jackYesYes
Loudspeaker YesYes
Comms
Bluetooth4.2, A2DP4.2, A2DP
NFCNoNo
PositioningGPSGPS
RadioFM radioFM radio
USBmicroUSB 2.0, OTGmicroUSB 2.0
WLANWi-Fi 802.11 b/g/nWi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n
Features
SensorsAccelerometer, proximityFingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, proximity
Battery
Charging-10W wired
TypeLi-Ion 3020 mAh6000 mAh
Misc
ColorsLight Purple, Deep BlueMorandi Green, Heart of Ocean
PriceAbout 60 EURAbout 70 EUR

Tecno Pop 5S

  • Potentially lower price point
  • May offer a slightly more compact form factor
  • Basic smartphone functionality

  • Likely significantly slower performance
  • Limited feature set
  • Unknown display quality

Infinix Smart 5 Pro

  • Unisoc SC9863A provides a performance boost
  • Larger display for better media consumption
  • More responsive user experience

  • Slow 10W charging
  • Basic camera performance
  • Limited storage options

Display Comparison

Specific display details for the Tecno Pop 5S are unavailable. However, given its market positioning, it likely features a basic LCD panel with a resolution around 720x1600. The Infinix Smart 5 Pro also utilizes an LCD, but its focus is on size rather than resolution. Without knowing the Tecno Pop 5S’s brightness output, it’s difficult to assess a clear advantage. Both devices likely prioritize size over color accuracy, targeting users who prioritize readability over visual fidelity.

Camera Comparison

Camera specifications for the Tecno Pop 5S are currently unknown. The Infinix Smart 5 Pro’s camera setup is likely centered around a primary sensor, potentially 8MP or 13MP, paired with auxiliary lenses of limited utility. Image processing on both devices will be basic, prioritizing speed over detail. Users should expect acceptable results in well-lit conditions but significant noise and softness in low light. The absence of Optical Image Stabilization (OIS) on either device means relying on software stabilization, which is less effective.

Performance

The Infinix Smart 5 Pro’s Unisoc SC9863A chipset is the defining performance factor in this comparison. Built on a 28nm process, it features an octa-core configuration split between 1.6 GHz and 1.2 GHz Cortex-A55 cores. This architecture provides a noticeable improvement over the typically less powerful MediaTek chips found in the Tecno Pop series. While not suitable for demanding games, the SC9863A allows for smoother multitasking and app loading. The Tecno Pop 5S, lacking specific chipset information, likely relies on a less capable processor, resulting in slower performance and potential lag during everyday use.

Battery Life

Battery capacity details for the Tecno Pop 5S are unavailable. The Infinix Smart 5 Pro features 10W wired charging. While slow by modern standards, this is adequate for its target audience and usage patterns. The actual battery life will depend heavily on usage, but both devices are likely to offer all-day battery life with moderate use, given their limited processing power and display demands. The 10W charging on the Infinix Smart 5 Pro will take several hours for a full charge.

Buying Guide

Buy the Tecno Pop 5S if your primary need is a functional smartphone for extremely basic communication – calls, texts, and minimal app usage – and you are operating under a very strict budget. Buy the Infinix Smart 5 Pro if you prefer a device capable of handling slightly more demanding tasks like social media browsing, light web surfing, and occasional video playback, and value a more responsive user interface.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Is the Unisoc SC9863A chipset in the Infinix Smart 5 Pro capable of running popular social media apps like Facebook and Instagram smoothly?
Yes, the Unisoc SC9863A is generally capable of running popular social media apps like Facebook and Instagram without significant lag. While it won't offer a high-end experience, it provides a usable and responsive experience for these core applications.
❓ How does the lack of specific specifications for the Tecno Pop 5S impact its usability compared to the Infinix Smart 5 Pro?
The absence of detailed specs for the Tecno Pop 5S suggests it targets an even more basic user. The Infinix Smart 5 Pro’s known chipset and features provide a more predictable and generally better user experience, especially for those wanting to do more than just make calls and send texts.
❓ Can the Infinix Smart 5 Pro handle video playback from YouTube or other streaming services?
The Infinix Smart 5 Pro can handle video playback from YouTube and other streaming services, but performance will be limited to lower resolutions (e.g., 480p or 720p) for smoother playback. Higher resolutions may experience buffering or stuttering due to the chipset's limitations.