The Tecno Spark 6 Air and Infinix Smart 5 Pro represent the ultra-budget end of the smartphone spectrum, targeting first-time buyers or those needing a reliable secondary device. While both aim for affordability, they take different approaches to achieving it, primarily through chipset selection. This comparison dissects those choices, revealing which phone delivers the best experience for the price.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For most users, the Infinix Smart 5 Pro offers a slightly better overall experience. Its octa-core Unisoc SC9863A processor, despite being built on an older 28nm process, provides a noticeable performance advantage over the Tecno Spark 6 Air’s quad-core Helio A22, making it more responsive for everyday tasks. However, the Spark 6 Air’s faster 18W charging is a significant benefit.
| 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 | LTE | 1, 3, 5, 8, 38, 40, 41 |
| Speed | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE Cat4 150/50 Mbps | HSPA 21.1/5.76 Mbps, LTE Cat4 150/50 Mbps |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| | - | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 41, 40, 66 |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2020, July 30. Released 2020, August 06 | 2021, November 17 |
| Status | Discontinued | Available. Released 2021, November 17 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | - | Glass front, plastic back, plastic frame |
| Dimensions | 174.7 x 79.4 x 9.3 mm (6.88 x 3.13 x 0.37 in) | 164.4 x 75.6 x 9.5 mm (6.47 x 2.98 x 0.37 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | - | - |
| Display |
|---|
| Resolution | 720 x 1640 pixels (~256 ppi density) | 720 x 1600 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~269 ppi density) |
| Size | 7.0 inches, 116.4 cm2 (~83.9% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.52 inches, 102.6 cm2 (~82.6% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD, 480 nits (typ) | IPS LCD, 500 nits (peak) |
| 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 10 (Go edition), HiOS 6.2 | Android 11 (Go edition), XOS 7.6 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 32GB 2GB RAM, 32GB 3GB RAM, 64GB 3GB RAM | 32GB 2GB RAM |
| | eMMC 5.1 | eMMC 5.1 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Dual | - | 13 MP, f/1.8, AF
Auxiliary lens |
| Features | Quad-LED flash, HDR | Quad-LED flash |
| Single | - | 8 MP |
| Triple | 13 MP, f/1.8, AF
Auxiliary lenses | - |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1440p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | Dual-LED flash | Dual-LED flash |
| Single | 8 MP | 8 MP |
| Video | - | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.0, A2DP, LE | 4.2, A2DP |
| NFC | No | No |
| Positioning | GPS | GPS |
| Radio | FM radio | FM radio |
| USB | microUSB 2.0, OTG | microUSB 2.0 |
| 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 | 18W wired | 10W wired |
| Type | 6000 mAh | 6000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Comet Black, Ocean Blue, Cloud White | Morandi Green, Heart of Ocean |
| Models | KE6, KE6j, KF6 | - |
| Price | About 90 EUR | About 70 EUR |
Tecno Spark 6 Air
- Faster 18W charging for quicker top-ups.
- More efficient 12nm chipset potentially leading to slightly better battery life during light use.
- Potentially lower price point depending on retailer.
- Quad-core processor struggles with multitasking.
- Older Cortex-A53 CPU architecture.
- Likely slower app loading times.
Infinix Smart 5 Pro
- Octa-core processor provides smoother performance.
- More modern Cortex-A55 CPU architecture.
- Better multitasking capabilities.
- Slower 10W charging.
- Less efficient 28nm chipset.
- Potentially higher price point.
Display Comparison
Neither device boasts a standout display. Both likely utilize LCD panels, typical for this price bracket. The focus here isn't on visual fidelity, but on basic usability. Without specific display specs, it's reasonable to assume similar resolutions and brightness levels. The absence of features like high refresh rates or even full HD+ resolution means the display experience will be functional rather than immersive.
Camera Comparison
Both phones likely feature basic camera setups geared towards casual photography. Without detailed sensor information, it’s safe to assume both rely on primary sensors with modest resolutions. The marketing materials for these devices often highlight megapixel counts, but sensor size and image processing are far more critical. Given the price point, expect limited low-light performance and a reliance on software enhancements. Any additional cameras (often 2MP macro or depth sensors) are likely to offer minimal practical benefit.
Performance
The core difference lies in the chipsets. The Tecno Spark 6 Air’s MediaTek Helio A22 (12nm) features a quad-core Cortex-A53 CPU clocked at 1.8GHz. This is a relatively basic processor designed for efficiency. Conversely, the Infinix Smart 5 Pro utilizes the Unisoc SC9863A (28nm) with an octa-core configuration – four Cortex-A55 cores at 1.6GHz and four at 1.2GHz. While the 28nm process is less efficient than the Helio A22’s 12nm, the eight cores provide a significant advantage in multi-threaded tasks. The Cortex-A55 architecture is also more modern and efficient per core than the A53, translating to better responsiveness. This means the Smart 5 Pro will handle app switching and multitasking more smoothly. The Helio A22 will struggle with more than a few apps open simultaneously.
Battery Life
Battery capacity is not specified, but both phones likely house batteries in the 4000-5000mAh range, typical for this segment. However, the charging speeds differ significantly. The Tecno Spark 6 Air supports 18W wired charging, while the Infinix Smart 5 Pro is limited to 10W. This means the Spark 6 Air will charge considerably faster, potentially reducing downtime. While a larger battery capacity is desirable, the faster charging speed of the Spark 6 Air can offset a slightly smaller battery in real-world usage, especially for users who frequently top up their phones.
Buying Guide
Buy the Tecno Spark 6 Air if you prioritize faster charging speeds and are primarily focused on basic smartphone functions like calls, texts, and light social media use. Buy the Infinix Smart 5 Pro if you need a more responsive device for multitasking, running more demanding apps, or enjoying a smoother user experience, even if it means sacrificing charging speed.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Will the Infinix Smart 5 Pro handle popular apps like WhatsApp and Facebook smoothly?
Yes, the octa-core Unisoc SC9863A processor in the Infinix Smart 5 Pro is well-suited for running common social media apps like WhatsApp and Facebook. The additional cores provide a smoother experience compared to the quad-core Helio A22 in the Tecno Spark 6 Air, especially when multitasking between apps.
❓ How long will it take to fully charge the Tecno Spark 6 Air with the 18W charger?
While the exact 0-100% charging time isn't specified, the 18W charging capability of the Tecno Spark 6 Air will significantly reduce charging time compared to the Infinix Smart 5 Pro's 10W charging. Expect a full charge in approximately 2-3 hours, depending on usage during charging.
❓ Is the Unisoc SC9863A processor in the Infinix Smart 5 Pro known to overheat during prolonged use?
The Unisoc SC9863A is a low-power processor designed for efficiency. While it can get warm during extended gaming or video playback, it's unlikely to overheat significantly. The 28nm process isn't as thermally efficient as newer nodes, but the processor's overall power draw is relatively low.
❓ Can either of these phones handle basic mobile games like Candy Crush or Subway Surfers?
Both the Tecno Spark 6 Air and the Infinix Smart 5 Pro can handle casual mobile games like Candy Crush or Subway Surfers. However, the Infinix Smart 5 Pro will likely provide a smoother and more consistent gaming experience due to its more powerful processor.
