The Tecno Pop 8 and Honor X5 Plus represent the fiercely competitive sub-$150 smartphone market. Both devices aim to deliver essential smartphone functionality at an incredibly accessible price point. However, they achieve this with different chipsets and subtle design choices, making a direct comparison crucial for budget-conscious buyers.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average user prioritizing consistent performance in everyday tasks, the Honor X5 Plus edges out the Tecno Pop 8. Its MediaTek Helio G36, while not a powerhouse, offers a more responsive experience due to its higher clocked Cortex-A53 cores, despite both phones sharing a 12nm process.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | LTE | LTE |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE | HSPA, LTE |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2023, October 30 | 2023, August 16 |
| Status | Available. Released 2023, November | Available. Released 2023, August |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front, plastic back, plastic frame | - |
| Dimensions | 163.7 x 75.6 x 8.6 mm (6.44 x 2.98 x 0.34 in) | 163.3 x 75.1 x 8.4 mm (6.43 x 2.96 x 0.33 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | - | 188 g (6.63 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Resolution | 720 x 1612 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~267 ppi density) | 720 x 1612 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~269 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.6 inches, 104.6 cm2 (~84.6% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.56 inches, 103.4 cm2 (~84.3% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD, 90Hz | TFT LCD, 90Hz |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (2x1.6 GHz Cortex-A75 & 6x1.6 GHz Cortex-A55) | Octa-core (4x2.2 GHz Cortex-A53 & 4x1.6 GHz Cortex-A53) |
| Chipset | Unisoc T606 (12 nm) | Mediatek Helio G36 (12 nm) |
| GPU | Mali-G57 MP1 | PowerVR GE8320 |
| OS | Android 13 (Go edition) | Android 13, MagicOS 7.1 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC | microSDXC |
| Internal | 64GB 2GB RAM, 64GB 3GB RAM, 64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM | 64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Dual | - | 50 MP, f/1.8, (wide), PDAF
Auxiliary lens |
| Features | Dual-LED flash, HDR | LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Single | 13 MP, f/1.8, (wide), 1.12µm, AF
Auxiliary lens | - |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | Dual-LED flash | - |
| Single | 8 MP | 5 MP, f/2.2, (wide) |
| Video | Yes | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes, with dual speakers | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | Yes | 5.1, A2DP, LE, aptX HD |
| NFC | No | Yes (market/region dependent) |
| Positioning | GPS | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS |
| Radio | FM radio | Unspecified |
| USB | USB Type-C, OTG | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG |
| WLAN | Yes | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, proximity |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 10W wired | 10W wired |
| Type | 5000 mAh | Li-Po 5200 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Mystery White, Alpenglow Gold, Magic Skin, Gravity Black | Cyan Lake, Midnight Black |
| Models | BG6h, BG6i | WOD-LX1, WOD-LX2, WOD-LX3 |
| Price | - | About 100 EUR |
Tecno Pop 8
- Potentially lower price point
- Unisoc T606's A75 cores *could* offer better sustained performance in specific tasks
- Likely similar battery life to the Honor X5 Plus
- Generally slower performance compared to the Helio G36
- Unisoc chipsets often receive less software support
Honor X5 Plus
- More responsive user experience due to higher clocked cores
- MediaTek Helio G36 offers slightly better image processing
- Potentially wider software support from Honor
- May be slightly more expensive than the Tecno Pop 8
- 10W charging is slow
Display Comparison
Neither Tecno nor Honor provide detailed display specifications beyond resolution. Given the price point, both likely utilize IPS LCD panels. The absence of information regarding peak brightness, color gamut coverage, or PWM dimming rates suggests a focus on cost reduction. Bezels are expected to be substantial on both devices, impacting the overall screen-to-body ratio. Color accuracy will likely be standard for this segment, prioritizing power efficiency over fidelity.
Camera Comparison
Detailed camera specifications are scarce. Both phones likely feature a primary camera and potentially a secondary depth or macro sensor. Without knowing sensor sizes or lens apertures, a direct comparison is difficult. However, the image processing capabilities of the MediaTek Helio G36 are generally considered slightly more refined than those of the Unisoc T606, potentially resulting in marginally better image quality in favorable lighting conditions. The inclusion of a 2MP macro camera on either device is largely a marketing tactic, offering limited practical benefit due to the low resolution and lack of optical image stabilization.
Performance
The core difference lies in the chipset: the Tecno Pop 8 utilizes the Unisoc T606, featuring a dual-cluster configuration with 2x 1.6 GHz Cortex-A75 cores and 6x 1.6 GHz Cortex-A55 cores. The Honor X5 Plus employs the MediaTek Helio G36, with a quad-core setup of 4x 2.2 GHz Cortex-A53 cores and another quad-core of 4x 1.6 GHz Cortex-A53 cores. While both are 12nm chips, the Helio G36’s higher clocked A53 cores provide a noticeable advantage in single-core performance, translating to snappier app launches and smoother scrolling. The T606’s A75 cores *should* offer better sustained performance, but the overall system responsiveness favors the Honor device. Both are paired with limited RAM (likely 2-4GB), further emphasizing the importance of efficient chipset architecture.
Battery Life
Both the Tecno Pop 8 and Honor X5 Plus feature 10W wired charging, indicating a similar charging experience – expect approximately 2-3 hours for a full charge. Battery capacity is not specified, but given the target market, both likely house batteries in the 5000mAh range. The efficiency of the MediaTek Helio G36 might offer a slight edge in battery life, but real-world usage will depend heavily on individual usage patterns and network conditions. The 10W charging speed is a significant limitation for users accustomed to faster charging technologies.
Buying Guide
Buy the Tecno Pop 8 if you need a basic, reliable smartphone for essential communication and light social media use, and prioritize a potentially lower price. Buy the Honor X5 Plus if you prefer a slightly more responsive user experience for multitasking and app loading, and are willing to spend a little more for the incremental performance gain. Both are suitable for first-time smartphone users or as a secondary device.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Will the Honor X5 Plus handle popular apps like WhatsApp and Facebook smoothly?
Yes, the MediaTek Helio G36 is capable of running apps like WhatsApp and Facebook without significant lag. While it won't offer a high-end experience, it provides a functional and usable experience for these common applications. Expect some slowdown with multiple apps open simultaneously.
❓ Is the 10W charging speed on either phone a major drawback?
Yes, 10W charging is significantly slower than the fast charging options available on more expensive smartphones. Expect a full charge to take around 2-3 hours. This is acceptable for overnight charging, but inconvenient if you need a quick power boost.
❓ Can the Tecno Pop 8 or Honor X5 Plus play PUBG Mobile?
PUBG Mobile is likely playable on both devices, but only at the lowest graphics settings and frame rates. Expect significant frame drops and a less-than-ideal gaming experience. These phones are not designed for demanding games.
❓ How much storage do these phones typically come with, and is it expandable?
Both phones typically ship with 32GB or 64GB of internal storage. Crucially, both support microSD card expansion, allowing you to add up to 512GB or 1TB of additional storage for photos, videos, and apps. This is essential given the limited base storage.
