The Tecno Spark 6 and Motorola Moto G Power (2021) represent compelling options in the sub-$200 smartphone market. While both prioritize affordability and long battery life, they diverge significantly in their core processing power. This comparison dissects these differences, helping you determine which device best suits your needs.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average user prioritizing consistent performance and a slightly more refined software experience, the Motorola Moto G Power (2021) is the better choice. Its Snapdragon 662 chipset, built on an 11nm process, offers a more efficient and stable experience than the Tecno Spark 6’s Helio G70, despite the latter’s faster clock speeds on some cores.
| 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, 12, 13, 14, 17, 25, 26, 29, 30, 38, 41, 66, 71 |
| Speed | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE Cat4 150/50 Mbps | HSPA, LTE |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / EVDO / LTE |
| | - | CDMA2000 1xEV-DO |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2020, September 25. Released 2020, September 25 | 2021, January 08 |
| Status | Discontinued | Available. Released 2021, January 14 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | - | Glass front, plastic back, plastic frame |
| Dimensions | 170.8 x 77.3 x 9.2 mm (6.72 x 3.04 x 0.36 in) | 165.3 x 75.9 x 9.5 mm (6.51 x 2.99 x 0.37 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM |
| Weight | - | 206.5 g (7.30 oz) |
| | - | Water-repellent coating |
| Display |
|---|
| Resolution | 720 x 1640 pixels (~263 ppi density) | 720 x 1600 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~266 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.8 inches, 109.8 cm2 (~83.2% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.6 inches, 105.2 cm2 (~83.8% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD, 480 nits (typ) | IPS LCD |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (2x2.0 GHz Cortex-A75 & 6x1.7 GHz Cortex-A55) | Octa-core (4x2.0 GHz Kryo 260 Gold & 4x1.8 GHz Kryo 260 Silver) |
| Chipset | Mediatek MT6769V/CB Helio G70 (12 nm) | Qualcomm SM6115 Snapdragon 662 (11 nm) |
| GPU | Mali-G52 2EEMC2 | Adreno 610 |
| OS | Android 10, HIOS 7.0 | Android 10 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM | 32GB 3GB RAM, 64GB 4GB RAM |
| | eMMC 5.1 | eMMC 5.1 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | Quad-LED flash, panorama, HDR | LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Quad | 16 MP, AF
2 MP (macro)
Auxiliary lenses | - |
| Triple | - | 48 MP, f/1.7, (wide), 1/2.0", 0.8µm, PDAF
2 MP (macro)
Auxiliary lens |
| Video | 1440p@30fps | 1080p@30/60fps, gyro-EIS |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | Dual-LED flash, HDR | HDR |
| Single | 8 MP | 8 MP, f/2.0, 1.12µm |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps, gyro-EIS |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | Yes | 5.0, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | No | No |
| Positioning | GPS | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO |
| Radio | FM radio | FM radio |
| USB | microUSB 2.0, OTG | USB Type-C 2.0 |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, proximity | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, barometer |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 18W wired | 15W wired |
| Type | 5000 mAh | Li-Po 5000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Ocean Blue, Comet Black, Dynamic Orabge, Misty Violet | Flash Gray, Polar Silver |
| Models | KE7 | - |
| Price | About 110 EUR | About 60 EUR |
Tecno Spark 6
- Faster wired charging (18W vs 15W)
- Potentially longer peak performance due to A75 cores
- May offer slightly more screen-on time in light usage scenarios
- Less efficient chipset (Helio G70, 12nm)
- Potential for more thermal throttling under sustained load
- Likely less refined software experience
Motorola Moto G Power (2021)
- More efficient chipset (Snapdragon 662, 11nm)
- Smoother overall performance and app switching
- Generally better image processing capabilities
- Stronger brand reputation for software updates
- Slower wired charging (15W vs 18W)
- Potentially slightly shorter peak performance compared to the Spark 6
- May require more frequent charging in heavy usage
Display Comparison
Neither device boasts a standout display. Both likely utilize LCD panels, common in this price bracket. The key difference lies under the hood: processing power impacts UI smoothness. While neither spec sheet details refresh rates or peak brightness, the Snapdragon 662’s more efficient GPU can contribute to a more fluid visual experience, even on a similar panel. Bezels are expected to be substantial on both, reflecting their budget positioning.
Camera Comparison
Both phones likely feature a multi-camera setup, but details beyond the main sensors are scarce. The focus should be on the primary sensor’s quality, as auxiliary lenses (often 2MP macro or depth sensors) add little value. Without specific sensor size or aperture information, it’s difficult to declare a clear winner. However, Qualcomm’s image signal processor (ISP) within the Snapdragon 662 generally offers superior image processing capabilities, potentially resulting in better dynamic range and noise reduction compared to the MediaTek equivalent in the Spark 6.
Performance
The core battleground is the chipset. The Tecno Spark 6’s MediaTek Helio G70 (12nm) features a dual-cluster configuration with two Cortex-A75 cores clocked at 2.0 GHz and six Cortex-A55 cores at 1.7 GHz. The Motorola Moto G Power (2021) utilizes the Qualcomm Snapdragon 662 (11nm) with four Kryo 260 Gold cores at 2.0 GHz and four Kryo 260 Silver cores at 1.8 GHz. The Snapdragon 662’s 11nm process gives it an efficiency advantage, meaning less heat generation and potentially less throttling during sustained workloads. While the G70’s A75 cores offer higher peak performance, the 662’s architecture is generally more balanced and optimized for everyday tasks. This translates to a smoother experience in app switching and multitasking.
Battery Life
The Motorola Moto G Power (2021) is named appropriately, prioritizing battery life. While the exact capacity isn't provided, Motorola is known for large batteries in this series. The Tecno Spark 6’s battery capacity is also not specified, but the less efficient Helio G70 will likely require more frequent charging. The Moto G Power’s 15W charging is slower than the Spark 6’s 18W, but the more efficient chipset means it may not need to be topped up as often. The real-world impact is a longer usable time between charges for the Moto G Power, despite the slower charging speed.
Buying Guide
Buy the Tecno Spark 6 if you frequently engage in light multitasking, social media browsing, and casual gaming, and prioritize maximizing screen-on time above all else. Its Helio G70, while less efficient, can handle these tasks adequately. Buy the Motorola Moto G Power (2021) if you value smoother app switching, more responsive gaming, and a generally more polished user experience, even if it means slightly less extreme battery life. The Snapdragon 662 provides a more consistent and reliable performance profile.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Will the Tecno Spark 6 struggle with demanding games like PUBG Mobile?
The Helio G70 can run PUBG Mobile, but likely at lower graphics settings and frame rates to maintain a stable experience. Expect some frame drops and potential overheating during extended gaming sessions. The Snapdragon 662 in the Moto G Power will provide a smoother and more consistent gaming experience.
❓ How significant is the difference in charging speed between 15W and 18W?
While 18W charging on the Tecno Spark 6 is technically faster, the difference in real-world charging time isn't massive. Expect a roughly 15-20 minute difference for a full charge. The Moto G Power’s more efficient chipset means you may not need to charge as frequently, mitigating the slower charging speed.
❓ Does the Motorola Moto G Power (2021) receive regular software updates?
Motorola’s update track record is generally better than Tecno’s. While not as frequent as updates from Google or Samsung, the Moto G Power (2021) is more likely to receive security patches and potentially one major Android version update compared to the Tecno Spark 6.
