The Tecno Spark 7 and Infinix Smart 5 Pro represent the fiercely competitive sub-$150 smartphone market. Both aim to deliver essential smartphone functionality at an accessible price, but they take different approaches to achieving this. The Spark 7 leverages a Mediatek Helio A25, while the Smart 5 Pro opts for a Unisoc SC9863A. This comparison dissects these choices, focusing on how they impact everyday use and overall value.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average user prioritizing consistent performance and a slightly more modern CPU architecture, the Tecno Spark 7 emerges as the better choice. While the Infinix Smart 5 Pro offers 10W charging, the Helio A25’s Cortex-A53 cores, despite being older, provide a more stable experience than the SC9863A’s mix of A55 and A53 cores.
| 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 | 2021, April 09 | 2021, November 17 |
| Status | Available. Released 2021, April 16 | Available. Released 2021, November 17 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | - | Glass front, plastic back, plastic frame |
| Dimensions | 164.8 x 76.1 x 9.5 mm (6.49 x 3.00 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 1600 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~270 ppi density) | 720 x 1600 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~269 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.5 inches, 102.0 cm2 (~81.3% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.52 inches, 102.6 cm2 (~82.6% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD | IPS LCD, 500 nits (peak) |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (4x1.8 GHz Cortex-A53 & 4x1.5 GHz Cortex-A53) | Octa-core (4x1.6 GHz Cortex-A55 & 4x1.2 GHz Cortex-A55) |
| Chipset | Mediatek MT6762D Helio A25 (12 nm) | Unisoc SC9863A (28 nm) |
| GPU | PowerVR GE8320 | IMG8322 |
| OS | Android 11, HIOS 7.5 | Android 11 (Go edition), XOS 7.6 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 32GB 2GB RAM, 64GB 3GB RAM, 64GB 4GB RAM | 32GB 2GB RAM |
| | eMMC 5.1 | eMMC 5.1 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Dual | 16 MP, AF
Secondary unknown camera | 13 MP, f/1.8, AF
Auxiliary lens |
| Features | Quad-LED flash | Quad-LED flash |
| Single | 8 MP | 8 MP |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1440p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | Dual-LED flash | Dual-LED flash |
| Single | 8 MP | 8 MP |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | Yes | 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 | - | 10W wired |
| Type | Market-dependent versions:· 6000 mAh (Global)· 5000 mAh (Africa only) | 6000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Morpheus Blue, Spruce Green, Magnet Black | Morandi Green, Heart of Ocean |
| Models | KF6, KF6j, KF6i, KF6k, PR651h, PR651, PR651E, KF6m, KF6h, KF6n | - |
| Price | About 90 EUR | About 70 EUR |
Tecno Spark 7
- More efficient chipset (12nm)
- Consistent CPU core configuration
- Potentially better sustained performance
- Likely slower charging speeds
- Older CPU architecture (Cortex-A53)
Infinix Smart 5 Pro
- Includes 10W wired charging
- Mix of Cortex-A55 and A53 cores
- Potentially lower price point
- Less efficient chipset (28nm)
- Mixed CPU core configuration may lead to inconsistencies
- Potentially more thermal throttling
Display Comparison
Neither device boasts a standout display. Both likely feature basic LCD panels, and detailed specs like resolution and brightness are unavailable. However, the focus here isn't display quality, but rather the underlying processing power needed to drive it. The Helio A25 in the Spark 7 is generally sufficient for the expected display characteristics of this price bracket, while the Unisoc SC9863A might struggle slightly more with smoother animations and transitions.
Camera Comparison
Detailed camera specifications are lacking for both devices. However, given their price point, it’s safe to assume both rely on basic sensors. The presence of a 2MP macro lens on either device is largely a marketing tactic, offering minimal practical benefit. Image quality will likely be heavily reliant on software processing, and neither phone is expected to excel in low-light conditions. The chipset’s image signal processor (ISP) plays a role, and the Helio A25’s ISP is generally considered more capable than the Unisoc equivalent.
Performance
The core difference lies in the chipsets. The Tecno Spark 7’s Mediatek Helio A25 (12nm) utilizes an octa-core configuration with four Cortex-A53 cores clocked at 1.8GHz and another four at 1.5GHz. The Infinix Smart 5 Pro’s Unisoc SC9863A (28nm) also has an octa-core setup, but mixes Cortex-A55 cores (1.6GHz) with A53 cores (1.2GHz). The 12nm process of the Helio A25 is significantly more efficient than the 28nm process of the Unisoc chip, leading to better thermal management and potentially longer sustained performance. While the A55 cores in the Smart 5 Pro are individually more efficient than the A53, the mixed architecture and larger process node likely result in a less optimized overall experience. The A25’s consistent A53 core configuration provides a more predictable performance baseline.
Battery Life
Battery capacity is not specified for either device, but both likely house batteries in the 4000-5000mAh range, typical for this segment. The Infinix Smart 5 Pro’s inclusion of 10W wired charging is a notable advantage, even if it’s slow by modern standards. The Tecno Spark 7 likely relies on slower charging speeds, potentially 5W or less. This means the Smart 5 Pro will reach a full charge faster, but the Helio A25’s superior power efficiency might translate to slightly longer battery life during typical usage.
Buying Guide
Buy the Tecno Spark 7 if you need a phone for reliable daily tasks like messaging, social media, and light web browsing, and value a more consistent performance profile. Buy the Infinix Smart 5 Pro if you prioritize having a charging capability, even at a slower 10W rate, and are willing to accept potentially more noticeable slowdowns during multitasking or demanding app usage.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Will the Unisoc SC9863A in the Infinix Smart 5 Pro struggle with multitasking?
The Unisoc SC9863A, with its mixed core configuration and larger process node, is more likely to exhibit slowdowns when running multiple apps simultaneously compared to the Tecno Spark 7’s Helio A25. While it can handle basic multitasking, demanding apps or numerous open applications may lead to noticeable lag.
❓ Is the 10W charging on the Infinix Smart 5 Pro significantly faster than the Tecno Spark 7?
While 10W is a relatively slow charging standard, it's still faster than the likely 5W or less charging on the Tecno Spark 7. Expect the Infinix Smart 5 Pro to take around 3-4 hours to fully charge from 0%, while the Spark 7 could take upwards of 5-6 hours.
❓ Which phone is better for playing casual mobile games like Candy Crush or Subway Surfers?
Both phones are capable of running casual games without significant issues. However, the Tecno Spark 7’s Helio A25 is likely to provide a slightly smoother and more consistent gaming experience due to its more efficient architecture and better thermal management.
