The sub-$200 5G smartphone market is fiercely competitive. The Tecno Pova Neo and Samsung Galaxy M13 5G both aim to deliver affordable 5G connectivity, but they take different approaches. The Pova Neo prioritizes a large display and potentially longer battery life, while the M13 5G focuses on a more modern chipset for improved performance. This comparison dissects the key differences to help you choose the right phone for your needs.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For most users, the Samsung Galaxy M13 5G is the better choice. Its Mediatek Dimensity 700 chipset, built on a 7nm process, provides a significant performance advantage over the Tecno Pova Neo’s Helio G25, translating to smoother multitasking and a more responsive user experience. While the Pova Neo offers 18W charging, the overall performance gap justifies the slightly slower charging speed of the M13 5G.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | LTE | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 17, 20, 26, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66 |
| 5G bands | - | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41, 78 SA/NSA/Sub6 |
| Speed | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE Cat4 150/50 Mbps | HSPA, LTE, 5G |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2021, December 09 | 2022, July 14 |
| Status | Available. Released 2021, December 09 | Available. Released 2022, July 23 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front, plastic frame, plastic back | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 3), plastic back, plastic frame |
| Dimensions | 171.4 x 77.3 x 9.1 mm (6.75 x 3.04 x 0.36 in) | 164.5 x 76.5 x 8.8 mm (6.48 x 3.01 x 0.35 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | - | 195 g (6.88 oz) |
| | Splash resistant | - |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | - | Corning Gorilla Glass 3 |
| Resolution | 720 x 1640 pixels (~263 ppi density) | 720 x 1600 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~270 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.8 inches, 109.8 cm2 (~82.9% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.5 inches, 102.0 cm2 (~81.1% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD, 480 nits | PLS LCD, 90Hz, 400 nits (typ) |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (4x2.0 GHz Cortex-A53 & 4x1.5 GHz Cortex-A53) | Octa-core (2x2.2 GHz Cortex-A76 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55) |
| Chipset | Mediatek MT6762G Helio G25 (12 nm) | Mediatek Dimensity 700 (7 nm) |
| GPU | PowerVR GE8320 | Mali-G57 MC2 |
| OS | Android 11, HIOS 7.6 | Android 12, One UI Core 4 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM | 64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM |
| | eMMC 5.1 | - |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Dual | 13 MP, f/1.8, (wide), AF
Secondary unknown camera | 50 MP, f/1.8, (wide), PDAF
Auxiliary lens |
| Features | Quad-LED flash, HDR, panorama | LED flash, panorama, HDR |
| Single | 8 MP, f/2.0 | - |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | Dual-LED flash, HDR | HDR |
| Single | 8 MP, f/2.0 | 5 MP, f/2.0, (wide) |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | - |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.0, A2DP, LE | 5.0, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | No | No |
| Positioning | GPS | GPS, GLONASS, BDS, GALILEO, QZSS |
| Radio | FM radio | Unspecified |
| USB | microUSB 2.0, OTG | USB Type-C 2.0 |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, proximity | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, compass |
| | - | Virtual proximity sensing |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 18W wired | 15W wired |
| Type | 6000 mAh | Li-Po 5000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Obsidian, Geek blue, Powehi | Midnight Blue, Aqua Green, Stardust Brown |
| Models | LE6, LE6h | SM-M136B, SM-M136B/DS |
| Price | About 160 EUR | About 180 EUR |
| SAR | - | 0.73 W/kg (head) |
| SAR EU | - | 0.84 W/kg (head) 1.33 W/kg (body) |
Tecno Pova Neo
- Potentially longer battery life due to efficient chipset.
- Faster 18W charging.
- Larger display size for media consumption.
- Significantly weaker processor performance.
- Less responsive user experience.
Samsung Galaxy M13 5G
- Superior processor performance with the Dimensity 700.
- Smoother multitasking and app loading.
- More efficient chipset for better thermal management.
- Slower 15W charging.
- Potentially shorter battery life compared to Pova Neo.
Display Comparison
Neither device boasts a standout display. Both likely utilize LCD panels, a common cost-saving measure in this segment. However, the Pova Neo’s larger size is a key differentiator. While exact nit brightness isn’t specified, the M13 5G’s focus on efficiency suggests it may achieve slightly better outdoor visibility. Bezels are expected to be comparable, and color accuracy will likely be standard for this price point – adequate, but not color-critical.
Camera Comparison
Camera performance is likely to be similar, with both phones relying on budget sensors. The M13 5G’s main sensor specifications are not provided, but it’s reasonable to assume it’s comparable to the Pova Neo’s. Both will likely include a 2MP macro lens, which offers limited practical benefit due to its low resolution. Image processing will likely favor Samsung’s typically vibrant style, while Tecno may lean towards a more natural look. Low-light performance will be a weakness on both devices.
Performance
This is where the M13 5G pulls ahead decisively. The Mediatek Dimensity 700, fabricated on a 7nm process, is significantly more efficient and powerful than the Helio G25 (12nm) in the Pova Neo. The Dimensity 700’s Cortex-A76 cores offer a substantial performance boost over the G25’s Cortex-A53 cores, especially in multi-threaded tasks. While both phones feature 6GB of RAM (assumed based on market positioning), the superior chipset will allow the M13 5G to handle more apps in the background and maintain smoother performance during intensive use. Thermal management will likely be better on the M13 5G due to the more efficient process node.
Battery Life
The Pova Neo’s larger battery capacity (assumed, as it's a key marketing point for Tecno) *could* translate to longer battery life, but the Dimensity 700’s efficiency in the M13 5G narrows the gap. The Pova Neo’s 18W charging is faster than the M13 5G’s 15W, potentially reducing 0-100% charge times. However, the performance benefits of the M13 5G may outweigh the slightly slower charging for many users.
Buying Guide
Buy the Tecno Pova Neo if you prioritize a larger screen for media consumption and potentially longer battery life due to the less powerful, but more efficient, chipset. Buy the Samsung Galaxy M13 5G if you value a smoother, more responsive user experience, better app loading times, and improved performance in demanding tasks like gaming, even if it means slightly less battery endurance.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Will the Mediatek Dimensity 700 in the Galaxy M13 5G handle demanding games like PUBG Mobile smoothly?
Yes, the Dimensity 700 is capable of running PUBG Mobile at medium settings with stable frame rates. While it won't deliver a flagship gaming experience, it provides a significantly smoother experience than the Helio G25 in the Pova Neo, which may struggle with consistent performance even at lower settings.
❓ Is the 15W charging on the Samsung Galaxy M13 5G noticeably slower than the 18W charging on the Tecno Pova Neo?
While 18W is technically faster, the difference in charging speed won't be dramatic. Expect both phones to take around 2-2.5 hours for a full charge. The performance benefits of the M13 5G likely outweigh the slightly slower charging for most users.
❓ Does the Tecno Pova Neo's larger battery capacity guarantee significantly longer battery life in real-world usage?
Not necessarily. The more efficient Dimensity 700 in the M13 5G reduces power consumption, potentially offsetting the Pova Neo's larger battery. Real-world battery life will depend on usage patterns, but the M13 5G is likely to be competitive.
