The sub-$200 smartphone market is fiercely competitive. The Tecno Pova, with its focus on gaming and affordability, clashes with the Oppo A78 4G, which prioritizes a sleek design and rapid charging. This comparison breaks down the key differences to help you choose the right device for your needs.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average user prioritizing all-around usability and convenience, the Oppo A78 4G emerges as the winner. Its Snapdragon 680 chipset offers a more efficient architecture, and the blazing-fast 67W charging significantly reduces downtime. While the Pova offers a slightly more powerful CPU core configuration, the A78's overall experience is smoother.
| 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, 5, 8, 38, 40, 41 | LTE |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE | HSPA, LTE |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2020, October 03. Released 2020, October 16 | 2023, July 10 |
| Status | Discontinued | Available. Released 2023, July 10 |
| Body |
|---|
| Dimensions | 171.2 x 77.6 x 9.4 mm (6.74 x 3.06 x 0.37 in) | 160 x 73.2 x 7.9 mm (6.30 x 2.88 x 0.31 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | - | 180 g (6.35 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | - | Corning Gorilla Glass 5 |
| Resolution | 720 x 1640 pixels (~263 ppi density) | 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~409 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.8 inches, 109.8 cm2 (~82.7% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.43 inches, 99.8 cm2 (~85.2% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD, 480 nits (peak) | AMOLED, 90Hz, 430 nits |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (2x2.0 GHz Cortex-A75 & 6x1.8 GHz Cortex-A55) | Octa-core (4x2.4 GHz Kryo 265 Gold & 4x1.9 GHz Kryo 265 Silver) |
| Chipset | Mediatek MT6769V/CU Helio G80 (12 nm) | Qualcomm SM6225 Snapdragon 680 4G (6 nm) |
| GPU | Mali-G52 MC2 | Adreno 610 |
| OS | Android 10, HIOS 7.0 | Android 13, ColorOS 13.1 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC |
| Internal | 64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM | 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Dual | - | 50 MP, f/1.8, (wide), PDAF
Auxiliary lens |
| Features | Quad-LED flash | LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Quad | 13 MP or 16 MP, f/1.9, (wide), PDAF
2 MP (macro)
Auxiliary lenses | - |
| Video | 1440p@30fps, 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | Dual-LED flash | - |
| Single | 8 MP, f/2.0 | 8 MP, f/2.0, (wide) |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | - |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes, with stereo speakers |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.0, A2DP, LE | 5.0, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | No | Yes (market/region dependent) |
| Positioning | GPS, GALILEO, BDS | GPS, GALILEO, GLONASS, BDS |
| Radio | FM radio | No |
| USB | microUSB 2.0, OTG | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 18W wired | 67W wired, PD, 76% in 30 min |
| Type | 6000 mAh | Li-Po 5000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Magic Blue, Speed Purple, Dazzle Black | Mist Black, Aqua Green |
| Models | LD7, LD7j, MZ-TECNO LD7 | CPH2565 |
| Price | About 110 EUR | About 200 EUR |
Tecno Pova
- Potentially better peak CPU performance for short bursts.
- May offer a larger battery capacity (unconfirmed).
- Aggressive pricing may make it the more affordable option.
- Less efficient chipset leads to higher power consumption.
- Slower 18W charging is a significant drawback.
- Older chipset architecture may result in more throttling.
Oppo A78 4G
- More efficient Snapdragon 680 chipset.
- Blazing-fast 67W charging with PD support.
- Likely better image processing thanks to Qualcomm ISP.
- CPU clock speeds are slightly lower than the Pova.
- May be slightly more expensive than the Tecno Pova.
- Potentially smaller battery capacity (unconfirmed).
Display Comparison
Neither device boasts a standout display. Both likely feature LCD panels, common in this price bracket. The key difference lies under the hood. Without specific display specs, we can infer that the Oppo A78 4G, benefiting from a newer design, may have slightly slimmer bezels. Color accuracy and peak brightness are likely comparable, with both targeting a functional, rather than a visually stunning, experience.
Camera Comparison
Without detailed camera specs, a direct comparison is difficult. However, both phones likely feature a primary camera paired with auxiliary lenses of limited utility (often 2MP macro or depth sensors). The Oppo A78 4G likely benefits from Qualcomm’s image signal processor (ISP), which generally delivers better dynamic range and noise reduction. The Pova’s camera performance will be adequate for social media, but the A78 4G is expected to produce more consistently pleasing results, particularly in challenging lighting conditions.
Performance
The chipset battle is central here. The Tecno Pova’s MediaTek Helio G80 (12nm) utilizes a dual-cluster design with 2x 2.0 GHz Cortex-A75 cores and 6x 1.8 GHz Cortex-A55 cores. The Oppo A78 4G, however, employs the Qualcomm Snapdragon 680 (6nm). This 6nm process is a significant advantage, offering superior power efficiency and thermal management. While the Pova’s A75 cores offer a higher peak clock speed, the Snapdragon 680’s Kryo 265 Gold cores (2.4 GHz) are architecturally more advanced, resulting in better sustained performance and less throttling during extended use. The Snapdragon 680's efficiency also translates to better battery life.
Battery Life
The Oppo A78 4G’s 67W charging is a game-changer. The advertised 76% charge in 30 minutes drastically reduces downtime compared to the Tecno Pova’s 18W charging. While the Pova may have a slightly larger battery capacity (spec not provided), the A78 4G’s superior efficiency and faster charging negate this advantage. The Snapdragon 680’s lower power consumption means the A78 4G will likely offer comparable, if not better, real-world battery life despite potentially having a smaller battery.
Buying Guide
Buy the Tecno Pova if you need a phone primarily for mobile gaming and don't mind slightly longer charging times. Its Helio G80 chipset, while older, provides a decent gaming experience for the price. Buy the Oppo A78 4G if you prefer a more refined user experience, faster charging, and a phone that excels at everyday tasks like social media, browsing, and photography.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Will the Snapdragon 680 in the Oppo A78 4G struggle with demanding games like PUBG Mobile?
While the Snapdragon 680 isn't a flagship chipset, it's capable of running PUBG Mobile at medium settings with stable frame rates. The 6nm process and improved thermal management prevent significant throttling, providing a more consistent gaming experience than the Tecno Pova's Helio G80 under sustained load.
❓ How much faster is the 67W charging on the Oppo A78 4G compared to the 18W charging on the Tecno Pova in real-world use?
The difference is substantial. The Oppo A78 4G can reach 76% charge in just 30 minutes, while the Tecno Pova will take considerably longer – likely over 90 minutes for a full charge. This means you can quickly top up the A78 4G during short breaks, making it ideal for users on the go.
❓ Is the image quality noticeably better on the Oppo A78 4G, even if both phones have similar megapixel counts?
Yes, the Oppo A78 4G is likely to produce better images, even with similar megapixel counts. This is due to Qualcomm's superior image signal processor (ISP), which excels at noise reduction, dynamic range, and color accuracy. The Pova's image processing will be adequate, but the A78 4G will deliver more consistently pleasing results.
