The budget smartphone market is fiercely competitive, with brands constantly vying for attention. Today, we're pitting two popular contenders against each other: the Tecno Spark 10 and the Infinix Hot 30i. Both promise impressive features at an affordable price, but which one truly delivers?
🏆 Quick Verdict
The Infinix Hot 30i edges out the Tecno Spark 10 thanks to its slightly more powerful CPU core configuration and potentially better software optimization. While both offer solid value, the Hot 30i's performance advantage makes it the preferred choice for smoother multitasking and gaming.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | LTE | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41 |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE | HSPA, LTE |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2023, March 23 | 2023, March 31 |
| Status | Available. Released 2023, April | Available. Released 2023, March 31 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front, plastic frame, plastic back | Glass front, plastic frame, plastic back |
| Dimensions | 163.9 x 75.4 x 8.4 mm (6.45 x 2.97 x 0.33 in) | 164 x 75.8 x 8.4 mm (6.46 x 2.98 x 0.33 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | - | 191 g (6.74 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Resolution | 720 x 1612 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~267 ppi density) | 720 x 1612 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~269 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.6 inches, 104.6 cm2 (~84.7% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.56 inches, 103.4 cm2 (~83.2% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD, 90Hz | IPS LCD, 90Hz, 500 nits (peak) |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (4x2.3 GHz Cortex-A53 & 4x1.7 GHz Cortex-A53) | Octa-core (2x1.6 GHz Cortex-A75 & 6x1.6 GHz Cortex-A55) |
| Chipset | Mediatek MT6765 Helio G37 (12 nm) | Unisoc T606 (12 nm) |
| GPU | PowerVR GE8320 | Mali-G57 MP1 |
| OS | Android 13, HIOS 12 | Android 12, XOS 10.6 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM | 64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM |
| | - | UFS 2.2 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Dual | 50 MP, (wide), 0.7µm, PDAF
0.08 MP, (depth) | 13 MP, f/1.9, (wide), AF
0.08 MP, (depth) |
| Features | Dual-LED flash, HDR, panorama | Dual-LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Single | 50 MP, (wide), 0.7µm, PDAF
Auxiliary lens | 13 MP, f/1.9, (wide), 1/3.07", AF
Auxiliary lens |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | Dual-LED flash | Dual-LED flash |
| Single | 8 MP, (wide) | 8 MP, f/2.0, (wide), 1/3.94" |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | Yes | Yes |
| NFC | Yes | Yes (Hot 30i NFC only) |
| Positioning | GPS | GPS |
| Radio | FM radio | FM radio |
| USB | USB Type-C 2.0 | 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 (side-mounted), accelerometer, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, proximity, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 18W wired | 18W wired |
| Type | 5000 mAh | 5000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Black, Blue, White, Skin Orange | Mirror Black, Glacier Blue, Diamond White, Marigold |
| Models | KI5q | X669, X669D |
| Price | € 151.38 / ₹ 9,899 | - |
Tecno Spark 10
- Clean and intuitive UI
- Reliable everyday performance
- Decent camera for the price
- Good battery life
- Less powerful chipset compared to Hot 30i
- Average low-light camera performance
- Plastic build quality
Infinix Hot 30i
- More powerful CPU cores for better performance
- Potentially better software optimization
- Feature-rich software experience
- Good battery life
- UI might be a bit cluttered
- Camera performance can be inconsistent
- Plastic build quality
Display Comparison
Both phones likely feature similar LCD displays, probably around 6.6 inches with a 720p+ resolution. Expect decent viewing angles and brightness for the price, but don't anticipate flagship-level color accuracy or sharpness. The Tecno Spark 10 might have a slightly more refined display panel based on Tecno's usual quality control.
Camera Comparison
Camera performance is often a mixed bag in this price range. Both phones likely feature a primary 50MP camera, supplemented by depth and macro sensors. Image quality will depend heavily on software processing. Expect decent daytime shots, but low-light performance will likely be average. The Tecno Spark 10 might have slightly better image processing due to Tecno's experience in this segment.
Performance
Here's where the differences become more apparent. The Infinix Hot 30i's Unisoc T606 boasts two Cortex-A75 cores, which are higher-performance cores compared to the Spark 10's Cortex-A53 cores. While both have eight cores, the Hot 30i's architecture should translate to snappier performance in demanding tasks. The Spark 10's Helio G37 is still capable, but it's geared more towards efficiency than raw power.
Battery Life
Both devices offer a large 5000mAh battery, promising all-day battery life. Charging speeds are identical at 18W, so expect around 2-3 hours to fully charge. Battery optimization will be key to real-world performance.
Buying Guide
The Tecno Spark 10 is ideal for users prioritizing a clean UI and a reliable, everyday experience. The Infinix Hot 30i is a better fit for those who want a bit more performance for gaming or demanding apps, and appreciate a slightly more feature-rich experience.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Which phone is better for gaming?
The Infinix Hot 30i is generally better for gaming due to its more powerful CPU cores. However, both phones will struggle with demanding titles at high settings.
❓ What is the difference between the chipsets?
The Infinix Hot 30i uses a Unisoc T606 with two Cortex-A75 cores, while the Tecno Spark 10 uses a Mediatek Helio G37 with Cortex-A53 cores. The A75 cores offer better performance for demanding tasks.
