Both the Tecno Spark 3 Pro and Motorola Moto E6 Play occupy the ultra-budget smartphone segment, catering to first-time smartphone buyers or those needing a reliable secondary device. However, despite similar price points, they diverge significantly in their core hardware, particularly in their chipsets. This comparison dissects those differences to determine which phone delivers the best experience for the money.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average user prioritizing responsiveness and a slightly smoother experience, the Tecno Spark 3 Pro emerges as the better choice. Its Mediatek Helio A22, built on a 12nm process, offers a performance advantage over the Moto E6 Play’s older, 28nm Mediatek MT6739, despite the clock speed difference.
| 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 | 1, 3, 5, 8, 38, 40, 41 | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 38, 40, 41 |
| Speed | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE Cat4 150/50 Mbps | HSPA, LTE |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| | 3, 7, 20 | - |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2019, April. Released 2019, April | 2019, October. Released 2019, November |
| Status | Discontinued | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | - | Glass front, plastic back, plastic frame |
| Dimensions | 154.3 x 75.5 x 7.9 mm (6.07 x 2.97 x 0.31 in) | 146.5 x 70.9 x 8.3 mm (5.77 x 2.79 x 0.33 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | - | 140 g (4.94 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Resolution | 720 x 1500 pixels (~268 ppi density) | 720 x 1440 pixels, 18:9 ratio (~295 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.2 inches, 96.7 cm2 (~83.0% screen-to-body ratio) | 5.5 inches, 77.0 cm2 (~74.1% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD | IPS LCD |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Quad-core 2.0 GHz Cortex-A53 | Quad-core 1.5 GHz Cortex-A53 |
| Chipset | Mediatek MT6761 Helio A22 (12 nm) | Mediatek MT6739 (28 nm) |
| GPU | PowerVR GE8320 | PowerVR GE8100 |
| OS | Android 9.0 (Pie) | Android 9.0 (Pie) |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSD | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 32GB 2GB RAM | 32GB 2GB RAM |
| | eMMC 5.1 | eMMC 5.1 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Dual | 13 MP, AF
2 MP | - |
| Features | Dual-LED flash | LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Single | - | 13 MP, f/2.2, 1/3.1", 1.12µm, PDAF |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash | HDR |
| Single | 8 MP | 5 MP, f/2.2, 1/5.0", 1.12µm |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.0, A2DP, LE | 4.2, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | No | No |
| Positioning | GPS | GPS, GLONASS |
| Radio | FM radio | FM radio |
| USB | microUSB 2.0, OTG | microUSB 2.0, OTG |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, proximity | Fingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, proximity |
| Battery |
|---|
| Type | Li-Ion 3500 mAh, non-removable | Li-Po 3000 mAh, non-removable |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Midnight Black, Champagne Gold, Nebula Black | Turquoise Blue, Anthracite |
| Models | - | XT2029, XT2029-1 |
| Price | - | About 160 EUR |
| SAR EU | - | 0.55 W/kg (head) 1.78 W/kg (body) |
Tecno Spark 3 Pro
- More efficient chipset (Helio A22)
- Potentially smoother performance
- Better sustained performance due to 12nm process
- May have slightly shorter battery life under heavy load
- Likely similar camera performance to Moto E6 Play
Motorola Moto E6 Play
- Potentially longer battery life during idle use
- Simpler, more basic operation for some users
- Lower price point (potentially)
- Significantly less powerful chipset (MT6739)
- More noticeable lag and slower app loading times
- Higher power consumption per task
Display Comparison
Neither device is expected to boast a high-quality display. Given the market segment, both likely utilize LCD panels with modest resolutions. However, display quality isn't the focus here; the chipset difference is. We can assume both will have similar brightness levels, adequate for indoor use but struggling in direct sunlight.
Camera Comparison
Both phones are likely to feature basic camera setups. Without specific sensor details, it’s safe to assume both will struggle in low-light conditions. The presence of a 2MP macro lens on either device is largely marketing fluff; image quality will be limited. The primary sensor’s size and aperture will be the determining factors, but without that data, it’s difficult to declare a clear winner. Image processing will likely be minimal on both.
Performance
The core difference lies in the chipsets. The Tecno Spark 3 Pro’s Mediatek Helio A22 (12nm) is significantly more efficient than the Motorola Moto E6 Play’s Mediatek MT6739 (28nm). While the MT6739 has a slightly lower clock speed (1.5 GHz vs 2.0 GHz), the 12nm fabrication process of the Helio A22 allows for better power efficiency and sustained performance. This translates to less thermal throttling under load and a more consistent user experience. The A22’s architecture, while still Cortex-A53, benefits from the newer process node. The MT6739, being older, will likely exhibit more lag and slower app loading times.
Battery Life
Battery life is a complex equation. While the Moto E6 Play’s less powerful MT6739 chipset will consume less power during idle use, the Tecno Spark 3 Pro’s more efficient Helio A22 may offset this difference during active use. The actual battery capacity (not provided) will be the biggest determinant. However, the A22’s efficiency suggests the Spark 3 Pro won’t suffer a significant battery life penalty despite its higher performance.
Buying Guide
Buy the Tecno Spark 3 Pro if you need a phone capable of handling basic multitasking, social media, and light app usage with a degree of fluidity. It’s ideal for users who want a slightly more responsive experience. Buy the Motorola Moto E6 Play if your primary needs are limited to calls, texts, and very occasional, simple app use, and you prioritize potentially longer battery life due to the less powerful chipset.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Will the Tecno Spark 3 Pro struggle with popular apps like WhatsApp and Facebook?
While not a powerhouse, the Helio A22 in the Tecno Spark 3 Pro should handle WhatsApp and Facebook without significant issues. Expect some loading times, but the experience should be usable. The Moto E6 Play’s MT6739 will likely be noticeably slower with these apps.
❓ Is the Motorola Moto E6 Play a good choice for someone who primarily uses their phone for calls and texts?
Yes, the Moto E6 Play is well-suited for basic communication. Its less demanding chipset means it will likely have good battery life for calls and texts, and the simpler interface may appeal to users who aren't tech-savvy.
❓ Can either of these phones run modern mobile games?
Neither phone is designed for gaming. While very basic 2D games might be playable at low settings, demanding 3D games will likely be unplayable or suffer from severe lag and low frame rates. The Helio A22 in the Tecno Spark 3 Pro will offer a slightly better experience, but expectations should be kept low.
