The sub-$150 smartphone market is fiercely competitive, and the Tecno Pop 8 and Motorola Moto G14 are two contenders vying for dominance. Both rely on Unisoc chipsets to deliver an affordable Android experience, but key differences in CPU clock speeds and charging capabilities create distinct user experiences. This comparison dissects these nuances to determine which device offers the best value.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For most users, the Motorola Moto G14 emerges as the better choice. Its faster Unisoc Tiger T616 chipset and 15W (or 20W in India) charging provide a noticeably smoother experience and quicker top-ups, justifying the slight price premium over the Tecno Pop 8.
| 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 | 1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41 |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE | HSPA, LTE |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2023, October 30 | 2023, August 01 |
| Status | Available. Released 2023, November | Available. Released 2023, August 08 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front, plastic back, plastic frame | Glass front (Panda glass), plastic frame, plastic back |
| Dimensions | 163.7 x 75.6 x 8.6 mm (6.44 x 2.98 x 0.34 in) | 161.5 x 73.8 x 8 mm (6.36 x 2.91 x 0.31 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | - | 177 g (6.24 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | - | Panda glass |
| Resolution | 720 x 1612 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~267 ppi density) | 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~405 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.6 inches, 104.6 cm2 (~84.6% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.5 inches, 102.0 cm2 (~85.6% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD, 90Hz | IPS LCD |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (2x1.6 GHz Cortex-A75 & 6x1.6 GHz Cortex-A55) | Octa-core (2x2.0 GHz Cortex-A75 & 6x1.8 GHz Cortex-A55) |
| Chipset | Unisoc T606 (12 nm) | Unisoc Tiger T616 (12 nm) |
| GPU | Mali-G57 MP1 | Mali-G57 MP1 |
| OS | Android 13 (Go edition) | Android 13, planned upgrade to Android 14 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 64GB 2GB RAM, 64GB 3GB RAM, 64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM | 128GB 4GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Dual | - | 50 MP, f/1.8, (wide), 0.64µm, PDAF
2 MP (macro) |
| 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 | 8 MP, f/2.0, (wide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm |
| Video | Yes | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes, with dual speakers | Yes, with stereo speakers |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | Yes | 5.0, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | No | Yes (market/region dependent) |
| Positioning | GPS | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO |
| Radio | FM radio | FM radio |
| USB | USB Type-C, OTG | USB Type-C 2.0 |
| WLAN | Yes | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass (market/region dependent) |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 10W wired | 15W wired
20W wired (India) |
| Type | 5000 mAh | Li-Po 5000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Mystery White, Alpenglow Gold, Magic Skin, Gravity Black | Steel Gray, Sky Blue, Butter Cream, Pale Lilac |
| Models | BG6h, BG6i | PAYF0010IN |
| Price | - | $ 190.00 / £ 89.99 / € 149.90 |
Tecno Pop 8
- Lowest possible price point
- Functional for basic smartphone tasks
- Decent battery life
- Slow processor
- Slow charging (10W)
- Likely limited software updates
Motorola Moto G14
- Faster processor for smoother performance
- Faster charging (15W/20W)
- Potentially better camera quality
- Slightly higher price
- Still a budget device with limitations
- Software update support may be limited
Display Comparison
Neither device boasts a standout display. Both likely utilize LCD panels, common in this price bracket. While specific brightness data is unavailable, the focus here isn't on visual fidelity. Bezels are expected to be noticeable on both, and color accuracy will likely be standard for budget phones. The real difference lies elsewhere.
Camera Comparison
Camera performance is likely to be comparable, with both phones relying on budget sensors. Without specific sensor size or aperture information, it’s difficult to make definitive claims. However, the inclusion of a 50MP main sensor on the Moto G14 (based on market trends) suggests a potential edge in image detail compared to the Pop 8, which may feature a lower resolution sensor. The presence of 2MP macro/depth sensors on both devices is largely marketing fluff and shouldn’t heavily influence purchasing decisions. Image processing will likely be basic on both, prioritizing speed over advanced features.
Performance
The Motorola Moto G14’s Unisoc Tiger T616 offers a clear performance advantage over the Tecno Pop 8’s Unisoc T606. The T616 features a slightly higher CPU clock speed – 2.0 GHz Cortex-A75 cores versus 1.6 GHz on the T606 – and faster Cortex-A55 cores at 1.8 GHz compared to 1.6 GHz. This translates to snappier app launches and smoother multitasking. While both are 12nm chips, the clock speed difference is significant for everyday use. The GPU performance will also be incrementally better on the Moto G14, allowing for slightly improved gaming experiences, though neither phone is a gaming powerhouse. RAM configurations are likely similar, but the chipset is the key differentiator.
Battery Life
Both phones likely feature around 5000mAh batteries, providing all-day battery life for moderate usage. However, the Motorola Moto G14’s 15W (or 20W in India) charging significantly outperforms the Tecno Pop 8’s 10W charging. This means the Moto G14 can replenish its battery much faster, reducing downtime. A full charge on the Pop 8 could take upwards of 3 hours, while the Moto G14 could achieve a full charge in around 2 hours or less, depending on the region.
Buying Guide
Buy the Tecno Pop 8 if your primary need is absolute affordability and you prioritize a functional smartphone for basic tasks like calls, messaging, and light social media. Buy the Motorola Moto G14 if you value a more responsive user experience, faster charging, and a slightly more powerful processor for handling multiple apps or occasional gaming.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Will the Unisoc Tiger T616 in the Moto G14 handle popular apps like WhatsApp and Facebook smoothly?
Yes, the Unisoc Tiger T616 is more than capable of handling everyday apps like WhatsApp, Facebook, and web browsing without significant lag. The higher clock speeds and improved architecture compared to the T606 in the Pop 8 provide a noticeably smoother experience, especially when multitasking.
❓ How long will it take to fully charge the Tecno Pop 8 with its 10W charging?
Expect a full charge from 0% to 100% on the Tecno Pop 8 to take approximately 3 to 4 hours with the included 10W charger. This is significantly slower than the Moto G14, which supports 15W (or 20W in India) charging.
❓ Is the Motorola Moto G14 a good option for light gaming?
The Moto G14 can handle light gaming, such as casual puzzle games or older titles, at lower settings. However, demanding games will likely experience frame drops and require reduced graphics settings. The Unisoc Tiger T616 offers a slight advantage over the Pop 8’s T606, but neither phone is designed for intensive gaming.
❓ What about software updates for these phones?
Software update support is typically limited on phones in this price range. Expect at least one major Android update, but ongoing security patches may be infrequent. Motorola generally offers slightly better software support than Tecno, but don't expect the same level of commitment as higher-end brands.
