The Tecno Spark 4 Lite and Motorola Moto E6i represent the extreme end of the smartphone price spectrum. Both aim to deliver basic functionality at an incredibly low cost, but they take different approaches to achieving this. The Spark 4 Lite prioritizes a newer, albeit less powerful, process node, while the Moto E6i opts for a higher core count. This comparison dissects these choices to determine which phone offers the best value.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average user prioritizing multi-tasking and a slightly smoother experience, the Motorola Moto E6i is the better choice. Its octa-core processor, despite being built on an older 28nm process, provides a noticeable performance advantage over the Tecno Spark 4 Lite’s quad-core Helio A22. However, the Spark 4 Lite’s more efficient chipset may offer slightly better battery longevity under light use.
| 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 | 1, 3, 5, 8, 38, 40, 41 | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 19, 28, 66 |
| Speed | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE Cat4 150/50 Mbps | HSPA, LTE |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2019, December. Released 2019, December | 2021, February 11 |
| Status | Discontinued | Available. Released 2021, February 11 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front, plastic back, plastic frame | Glass front, plastic back, plastic frame |
| Dimensions | 166.7 x 75.8 x 8.4 mm (6.56 x 2.98 x 0.33 in) | 155.6 x 73 x 8.5 mm (6.13 x 2.87 x 0.33 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | - | 160 g (5.64 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Resolution | 720 x 1600 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~269 ppi density) | 720 x 1560 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~282 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.52 inches, 102.6 cm2 (~81.2% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.1 inches, 91.3 cm2 (~80.4% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD | IPS LCD |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Quad-core 1.8 GHz Cortex-A53 | Octa-core (4x1.6 GHz Cortex-A55 & 4x1.2 GHz Cortex-A55) |
| Chipset | Mediatek MT6761 Helio A22 (12 nm) | Unisoc SC9863A (28 nm) |
| GPU | PowerVR GE8320 | IMG8322 |
| OS | Android 9.0 (Pie), HIOS 5.5 | Android 10 (Go edition) |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) |
| Internal | 32GB 2GB RAM | 32GB 2GB RAM |
| | eMMC 5.1 | eMMC 5.1 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Dual | - | 13 MP, f/2.2, 26mm (wide), 1/3.1", 1.12µm, PDAF
Auxiliary lens |
| Features | LED flash, HDR, panorama | LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Single | 8 MP, AF | - |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash, HDR | - |
| Single | 8 MP, f/2.0 | 5 MP, f/2.2, 27mm (wide), 1.12µm |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 4.2, A2DP, LE | 4.2, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | No | No |
| Positioning | GPS | GPS, GLONASS |
| Radio | FM radio | Unspecified |
| USB | microUSB 2.0 | 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 |
|---|
| Charging | - | 10W wired |
| Type | 4000 mAh | Li-Ion 3000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Midnight Black, Vacation Blue, Hillier Purple | Titanium Gray, Pink |
| Models | KC8S | XT2053-5 |
| Price | - | About 170 EUR |
Tecno Spark 4 Lite
- Potentially better battery life due to efficient chipset.
- More modern process node (12nm).
- Lower cost (likely).
- Quad-core processor feels sluggish in modern use.
- Older CPU architecture (Cortex-A53).
Motorola Moto E6i
- Octa-core processor offers smoother multitasking.
- More modern CPU architecture (Cortex-A55).
- 10W wired charging included.
- Less efficient 28nm process.
- Potentially shorter battery life under heavy use.
Display Comparison
Neither device boasts a standout display. Details regarding panel type, resolution, and brightness are unavailable, suggesting both utilize basic LCD panels common in this price bracket. The focus here is clearly on cost reduction, meaning users should expect limited viewing angles and color accuracy. Bezels are likely 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. Details regarding sensor size and image processing are scarce, but given the price point, expectations should be tempered. Both phones likely feature a primary camera alongside basic auxiliary lenses (potentially a depth sensor or macro lens). The image quality will be acceptable for casual snapshots in good lighting conditions, but struggles in low light are inevitable. Focusing on megapixel counts alone is misleading; image processing and sensor size are far more critical, and information on these is unavailable.
Performance
The core difference lies in the chipsets. The Tecno Spark 4 Lite’s MediaTek Helio A22, fabricated on a 12nm process, emphasizes power efficiency. However, its quad-core Cortex-A53 configuration is showing its age. The Motorola Moto E6i’s Unisoc SC9863A, built on a less efficient 28nm process, compensates with an octa-core setup (4x1.6 GHz Cortex-A55 & 4x1.2 GHz Cortex-A55). The Cortex-A55 cores are more modern and efficient than the A53, and the increased core count will translate to better performance in multi-threaded tasks and app switching. While the 28nm process will generate more heat, the E6i’s thermal design is likely sufficient for its intended use case. The E6i’s CPU architecture provides a clear advantage in everyday responsiveness.
Battery Life
Battery capacity details are missing for both devices. However, the Tecno Spark 4 Lite’s more efficient Helio A22 chipset, built on a 12nm process, suggests it may offer slightly longer battery life under light usage scenarios. The Motorola Moto E6i includes 10W wired charging, a standard offering in this segment. Without knowing the battery capacity of either device, it’s difficult to estimate 0-100% charging times, but both will likely take several hours.
Buying Guide
Buy the Tecno Spark 4 Lite if you need a phone for extremely basic tasks – calls, texts, and occasional light browsing – and prioritize potential battery life. It’s ideal for first-time smartphone users or as a reliable backup device. Buy the Motorola Moto E6i if you prefer a phone capable of handling a few more apps simultaneously, enjoy occasional social media scrolling, and value a more responsive user interface, even if it means slightly reduced battery endurance.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Will the Unisoc SC9863A in the Moto E6i struggle with popular apps like WhatsApp and Facebook?
While the Unisoc SC9863A isn't a powerhouse, it should handle apps like WhatsApp and Facebook without significant issues. The octa-core configuration provides enough processing power for these commonly used applications, offering a smoother experience than the quad-core Helio A22 in the Tecno Spark 4 Lite.
❓ Is the 10W charging on the Moto E6i slow compared to other smartphones?
Yes, 10W charging is relatively slow by today's standards. However, it's typical for smartphones in this ultra-budget segment. Expect a full charge to take several hours. The focus at this price point is on functionality, not rapid charging speeds.
❓ Can either of these phones handle basic mobile gaming?
Both phones can handle very basic 2D games. However, demanding 3D games will likely be unplayable or suffer from significant lag. The Moto E6i’s processor has a slight edge, but neither phone is designed for gaming.
