The sub-$150 smartphone market is fiercely competitive. Both the Tecno Pouvoir 4 and Xiaomi Redmi 9A Sport aim to deliver essential smartphone functionality at an incredibly accessible price point. This comparison dissects their key differences, focusing on performance, battery life, and overall value to determine which device best suits your needs.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For most users, the Xiaomi Redmi 9A Sport emerges as the slightly better choice. Its Helio G25 chipset, while still entry-level, offers a modest performance uplift over the Pouvoir 4’s Helio A22, particularly in gaming. The inclusion of 10W charging is also a practical advantage, despite being slow by modern standards.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 3, 7, 8, 20, 28 | 1, 3, 5, 8, 40, 41 |
| Speed | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE Cat4 150/50 Mbps | HSPA, LTE |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2020, July 07. Released 2020, July 23 | 2021, September 28 |
| Status | Discontinued | Available. Released 2021, September 28 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front, plastic back, plastic frame | - |
| Dimensions | 174.9 x 79.6 x 9.2 mm (6.89 x 3.13 x 0.36 in) | 164.9 x 77.1 x 9 mm (6.49 x 3.04 x 0.35 in) |
| SIM | Dual SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | - | 194 g (6.84 oz) |
| | - | Water-repellent coating |
| Display |
|---|
| Resolution | 720 x 1640 pixels (~256 ppi density) | 720 x 1600 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~269 ppi density) |
| Size | 7.0 inches, 116.4 cm2 (~83.6% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.53 inches, 102.9 cm2 (~81.0% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD, 480 nits (typ) | IPS LCD, 400 nits (typ) |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core 2.0 GHz Cortex-A53 | Octa-core (4x2.0 GHz Cortex-A53 & 4x1.5 GHz Cortex-A53) |
| Chipset | Mediatek MT6761 Helio A22 (12 nm) | Mediatek MT6762G Helio G25 (12 nm) |
| GPU | PowerVR GE8320 | PowerVR GE8320 |
| OS | Android 10, HIOS 6.0 | Android 10, MIUI 12 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 32GB 3GB RAM | 32GB 2GB RAM, 32GB 3GB RAM |
| | eMMC 5.1 | eMMC 5.1 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | Quad-LED flash | LED flash, HDR |
| Quad | 13 MP, f/1.8, (wide), AF
2 MP (macro)
Auxiliary lenses | - |
| Single | - | 13 MP, f/2.2, 28mm (wide), 1.0µm, PDAF |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30/60fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | Dual-LED flash | HDR |
| Single | 8 MP, f/2.0, 26mm (wide) | 5 MP, f/2.2, (wide), 1.12µm |
| Video | - | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes, with stereo speakers | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.0, A2DP, LE | 5.0, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | No | No |
| Positioning | GPS | GPS, GLONASS, BDS |
| Radio | FM radio | FM radio |
| USB | microUSB 2.0 | microUSB 2.0, OTG |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n, dual-band | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, proximity | Accelerometer, proximity |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | - | 10W wired |
| Type | 6000 mAh | Li-Po 5000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Cosmic Shine, Ice Jadeite, Fascinating Purple | Carbon Black, Coral Green, Metallic Blue |
| Models | LC7, LC7S | - |
| Price | - | About 100 EUR |
Tecno Pouvoir 4
- Potentially lower price point.
- Simple and straightforward user experience.
- Likely large battery capacity (estimated).
- Less powerful Helio A22 chipset.
- No wired charging support.
- Limited camera capabilities.
Xiaomi Redmi 9A Sport
- More capable Helio G25 chipset.
- 10W wired charging support.
- Slightly better gaming performance.
- May be slightly more expensive.
- Still limited camera capabilities.
- Basic display quality.
Display Comparison
Neither device boasts a standout display. Both likely utilize LCD panels, typical for this price bracket. Specifics like resolution and brightness are not provided, but we can assume they are similar – likely 720p+ and adequate for indoor use. The focus here isn't on visual fidelity, but on basic readability. Bezels are expected to be substantial on both models, maximizing screen real estate within a compact form factor.
Camera Comparison
Camera performance on both devices will be limited. Without sensor size or aperture information, it’s difficult to make precise comparisons. However, given the price point, expect basic image quality suitable for social media sharing in good lighting conditions. The presence of multiple cameras (often including a 2MP macro) on both phones is largely marketing fluff; the primary sensor will be the most important factor, and details are missing. Image processing will likely be basic, with limited dynamic range and low-light performance.
Performance
The core difference lies in the chipsets. The Redmi 9A Sport’s MediaTek Helio G25 (MT6762G) is a step up from the Pouvoir 4’s Helio A22 (MT6761). The G25 employs a big.LITTLE architecture with four Cortex-A53 cores clocked at 2.0 GHz and another four at 1.5 GHz. This contrasts with the Pouvoir 4’s uniform octa-core 2.0 GHz Cortex-A53 setup. While both are based on the 12nm process, the G25’s architecture allows for more efficient task allocation, resulting in smoother multitasking and a slightly better gaming experience. The G25 also features a marginally improved GPU, offering a small boost in graphics performance.
Battery Life
Battery capacity is not specified for either device, but both likely house batteries in the 4000-5000 mAh range, common for this segment. The Redmi 9A Sport gains a significant advantage with its 10W wired charging support. The Tecno Pouvoir 4 likely relies solely on micro-USB charging with no fast charging capabilities. This means the Redmi 9A Sport will offer a considerably faster recharge time, even if the battery capacities are identical. For users who rely on their phone throughout the day, this is a crucial consideration.
Buying Guide
Buy the Tecno Pouvoir 4 if your primary need is a basic smartphone for calls, messaging, and light social media use, and you prioritize a potentially lower price. Buy the Xiaomi Redmi 9A Sport if you occasionally play mobile games, value slightly faster performance, and appreciate the convenience of even basic wired charging support. Both phones are targeted at first-time smartphone buyers or those needing a reliable secondary device.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Will the Redmi 9A Sport handle popular games like PUBG Mobile?
The Helio G25 in the Redmi 9A Sport can run PUBG Mobile, but expect to play at the lowest graphics settings and potentially with frame rate drops. It's not designed for demanding gaming, but it offers a playable experience for casual gamers.
❓ How long will it take to fully charge the Redmi 9A Sport with the 10W charger?
With 10W charging, a full charge from 0% will likely take around 3-4 hours. While slow compared to modern fast charging standards, it's a significant improvement over the Tecno Pouvoir 4, which likely lacks any dedicated charging technology.
❓ Is the difference in performance between the Helio A22 and Helio G25 noticeable in everyday tasks?
For basic tasks like browsing, messaging, and social media, the difference will be subtle. However, when multitasking or opening multiple apps, the Redmi 9A Sport’s Helio G25 will feel noticeably smoother and more responsive due to its more efficient architecture.
❓ Can either phone be used for video recording?
Both phones can record video, but the quality will be limited. Expect 720p or 1080p recording at 30fps with limited stabilization and dynamic range. These phones are not ideal for serious video recording.
