The sub-$150 smartphone market is fiercely competitive. The Tecno Pop 8 and Samsung Galaxy A05s represent two compelling options, but cater to slightly different priorities. The Pop 8 aims for affordability, while the A05s attempts to balance cost with Samsung’s brand recognition and a more efficient chipset.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For most users, the Samsung Galaxy A05s is the better choice. Its Snapdragon 680 chipset, built on a 6nm process, delivers significantly improved performance and efficiency compared to the Tecno Pop 8’s Unisoc T606. The A05s also boasts faster 25W charging and a brighter, higher-contrast display.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | LTE | 1, 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, September 25 |
| Status | Available. Released 2023, November | Available. Released 2023, October 18 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front, plastic back, plastic frame | 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) | 168 x 77.8 x 8.8 mm (6.61 x 3.06 x 0.35 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | · Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | - | 194 g (6.84 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Resolution | 720 x 1612 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~267 ppi density) | 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~393 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.6 inches, 104.6 cm2 (~84.6% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.7 inches, 108.4 cm2 (~82.9% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD, 90Hz | PLS LCD, 90Hz |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (2x1.6 GHz Cortex-A75 & 6x1.6 GHz Cortex-A55) | Octa-core (4x2.4 GHz Kryo 265 Gold & 4x1.9 GHz Kryo 265 Silver) |
| Chipset | Unisoc T606 (12 nm) | Qualcomm SM6225 Snapdragon 680 4G (6 nm) |
| GPU | Mali-G57 MP1 | Adreno 610 |
| OS | Android 13 (Go edition) | Android 13, up to 2 major Android upgrades, One UI 7 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 64GB 2GB RAM, 64GB 3GB RAM, 64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM | 64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | Dual-LED flash, HDR | LED flash |
| Single | 13 MP, f/1.8, (wide), 1.12µm, AF
Auxiliary lens | - |
| Triple | - | 50 MP, f/1.8, (wide), 1/2.8", 0.64µm, AF
2 MP (macro)
Auxiliary lens |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30/60fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | Dual-LED flash | - |
| Single | 8 MP | 13 MP, f/2.0, (wide), 1/3.X", 1.12µm |
| Video | Yes | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes, with dual speakers | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | Yes | 5.1, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | No | Yes (market/region dependent) |
| Positioning | GPS | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS, QZSS |
| Radio | FM radio | Unspecified |
| USB | USB Type-C, OTG | USB Type-C 2.0 |
| 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 | 25W wired |
| Type | 5000 mAh | Li-Po 5000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Mystery White, Alpenglow Gold, Magic Skin, Gravity Black | Black, Silver, Light Green, Violet |
| Models | BG6h, BG6i | SM-A057F, SM-A057F/DS, SM-A057M, SM-A057M/DS, SM-A057G/DSN, SM-A057G |
| Price | - | $ 134.00 / C$ 146.99 / £ 83.94 / € 100.99 |
| SAR EU | - | 0.58 W/kg (head) 1.31 W/kg (body) |
Tecno Pop 8
- Lowest possible price point
- Functional for basic communication
- Potentially longer software support (Tecno's HiOS)
- Significantly weaker performance
- Slower charging speed
- Likely lower display quality
Samsung Galaxy A05s
- More powerful Snapdragon 680 chipset
- Faster 25W charging
- Brighter and higher contrast display
- Slightly higher price
- Samsung's One UI can be resource intensive
- May include pre-installed bloatware
Display Comparison
The Samsung Galaxy A05s features a display measured at 468 nits of peak brightness and a 1418:1 contrast ratio, offering a noticeably more vibrant and readable experience, especially outdoors. While the Tecno Pop 8’s display specifications are not provided, it’s reasonable to assume it will fall short of these figures given the price difference. The higher contrast ratio on the A05s translates to deeper blacks and more impactful colors. The lack of detailed display specs for the Pop 8 suggests a focus on cost reduction over visual fidelity.
Camera Comparison
Both phones feature cameras, but detailed specifications are limited. The Samsung Galaxy A05s likely benefits from Qualcomm’s image signal processing (ISP), which generally delivers better dynamic range and noise reduction. Without knowing the sensor sizes or apertures on the Tecno Pop 8, it’s difficult to make a direct comparison. However, given the overall cost focus, it’s probable the A05s offers a more consistent and higher-quality camera experience. The prevalence of low-resolution auxiliary cameras on budget phones suggests avoiding expectations for significant macro or depth-sensing capabilities on either device.
Performance
The core difference lies in the chipsets. The Samsung Galaxy A05s utilizes the Qualcomm Snapdragon 680 (6nm), featuring a Kryo CPU configuration with 4x2.4 GHz Gold cores and 4x1.9 GHz Silver cores. This contrasts with the Tecno Pop 8’s Unisoc T606 (12nm), which employs a 2x1.6 GHz Cortex-A75 and 6x1.6 GHz Cortex-A55 configuration. The 6nm fabrication process of the Snapdragon 680 is significantly more efficient, leading to better thermal management and sustained performance. The A05s’ CPU architecture also provides a performance advantage, particularly in demanding applications. The Unisoc T606, while capable for basic tasks, will likely struggle with multitasking and more intensive apps.
Battery Life
The Samsung Galaxy A05s boasts a significant advantage in charging speed with 25W wired charging, allowing for quicker top-ups. While the Tecno Pop 8 only supports 10W charging. The A05s also achieved an active use score of 11:32h, demonstrating solid battery life. While the Pop 8’s battery capacity isn’t specified, the slower charging speed suggests a potentially smaller battery or less efficient power management. The faster charging of the A05s is a practical benefit for users who need to quickly replenish their battery throughout the day.
Buying Guide
Buy the Tecno Pop 8 if your absolute priority is the lowest possible price and you primarily need a phone for basic communication and light tasks. Buy the Samsung Galaxy A05s if you value smoother performance for social media, streaming, and occasional gaming, alongside a more refined display experience and faster charging capabilities.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Will the Snapdragon 680 in the A05s handle popular games like PUBG Mobile?
The Snapdragon 680 is capable of running PUBG Mobile, but likely at medium settings to maintain a stable frame rate. Expect some frame drops during intense action. The Unisoc T606 in the Pop 8 will struggle with PUBG Mobile, even at the lowest settings.
❓ How much bloatware comes pre-installed on the Samsung Galaxy A05s?
Samsung phones often include pre-installed apps, but the amount varies by region. Expect to find some Samsung apps and potentially carrier-specific apps. Many of these can be uninstalled or disabled, freeing up storage space and reducing system resource usage.
❓ Is the 10W charging on the Tecno Pop 8 painfully slow?
Yes, 10W charging is significantly slower than the 25W charging on the A05s. A full charge will take considerably longer, potentially several hours. This is a major drawback for users who need to quickly top up their battery.
❓ Does the Samsung Galaxy A05s support software updates for a long period?
Samsung typically provides 2 years of OS updates and 4 years of security updates for its A-series devices. However, the A05s being a budget model might receive fewer updates than higher-end Samsung phones. Tecno's HiOS update schedule is less predictable.
