The budget smartphone market is fiercely competitive, and the Tecno Spark 8 Pro and Infinix Hot 12 Play are two contenders vying for your attention. Both offer compelling features at affordable prices, but which one truly delivers the best experience? Let's dive into a detailed comparison to help you make an informed decision.
🏆 Quick Verdict
The Tecno Spark 8 Pro takes the win thanks to its significantly faster Helio G85 chipset and 33W fast charging. While the Infinix Hot 12 Play boasts a larger battery, the Spark 8 Pro's overall performance and charging speed make it the more appealing choice for most users.
| 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, LTE |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| | - | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41 |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2021, December 29 | 2022, May 23 |
| Status | Available. Released 2022, January 04 | Available. Released 2022, May 30 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front, plastic frame, plastic back | Glass front, plastic back, plastic frame |
| Dimensions | 169 x 76.8 x 8.8 mm (6.65 x 3.02 x 0.35 in) | 171 x 78 x 8.9 mm (6.73 x 3.07 x 0.35 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | - | 209 g (7.37 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | NEG | - |
| Resolution | 1080 x 2460 pixels (~395 ppi density) | 720 x 1612 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~259 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.8 inches, 109.8 cm2 (~84.6% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.82 inches, 111.7 cm2 (~83.8% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD, 500 nits (HBM) | IPS LCD, 90Hz |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (2x2.0 GHz Cortex-A75 & 6x1.8 GHz Cortex-A55) | Octa-core (4x2.3 GHz Cortex-A53 & 4x1.8 GHz Cortex-A53) - X6816Octa-core (2x1.8 GHz Cortex-A75 & 6x1.8 GHz Cortex-A55) - X6816C |
| Chipset | Mediatek MT6769Z Helio G85 (12 nm) | Mediatek MT6765V/CB Helio G37 (12 nm) - X6816Unisoc T610 (12 nm) - X6816C |
| GPU | Mali-G52 MC2 | PowerVR GE8320 - X6816Mali-G52 MP2 - X6816C |
| OS | Android 11, HIOS 7.6 | Android 11, XOS 10 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 64GB 4GB RAM, 64GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM | 64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM |
| | eMMC 5.1 | eMMC 5.1 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Dual | - | 13 MP, f/1.8, (wide), 1/3.1", 1.12µm, AF
Auxiliary lens |
| Features | Dual-LED flash, HDR, panorama | Dual-LED flash, panorama, HDR |
| Single | 8 MP, f/2.0, 26mm (wide) | 8 MP |
| Triple | 48 MP, f/1.8, (wide), PDAF
Auxiliary lenses | - |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | Dual-LED flash | Dual-LED flash |
| Single | 8 MP, f/2.0, 26mm (wide) | 8 MP |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | Yes | Yes |
| NFC | No | No |
| Positioning | GPS | GPS |
| Radio | FM radio | FM radio |
| USB | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG |
| WLAN | Yes | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, proximity | Fingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, proximity, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 33W wired | 10W wired |
| Type | 5000 mAh | 6000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Komodo Island, Interstellar Black, Winsor Violet | Racing Black, Horizon Blue, Daylight Green, Champagne Gold |
| Models | KG8, MZ-TECNO KG8, Mobile KG8 | X6816C, X6816 |
| Price | About 130 EUR | About 60 EUR |
Tecno Spark 8 Pro
- Faster Processor (Helio G85)
- 90Hz Display
- 33W Fast Charging
- Slightly better camera (potentially)
- Smaller Battery than Hot 12 Play
- Build quality may not be premium
Infinix Hot 12 Play
- Larger Battery Capacity (6000mAh)
- Affordable Price
- Decent Battery Life
- Slower Processor (Helio G37/Unisoc T610)
- 60Hz Display
- Slow 10W Charging
Display Comparison
Both phones feature large displays, typically around 6.6 inches, with HD+ resolution. The Tecno Spark 8 Pro often has a slightly higher refresh rate (90Hz vs 60Hz on the Hot 12 Play), resulting in smoother scrolling and animations. However, both displays are adequate for media consumption, though not exceptional in terms of color accuracy or brightness.
Camera Comparison
Camera performance is generally comparable, with both phones offering a multi-lens setup including a primary sensor, depth sensor, and macro lens. The Tecno Spark 8 Pro often has a slightly higher resolution primary sensor, potentially leading to more detailed images in good lighting conditions. Low-light performance is likely to be similar on both devices.
Performance
This is where the Tecno Spark 8 Pro shines. The Helio G85 chipset is considerably more powerful than the Helio G37/Unisoc T610 found in the Infinix Hot 12 Play. Expect noticeably faster app loading times, smoother multitasking, and better gaming performance on the Spark 8 Pro. The Hot 12 Play will handle basic tasks fine, but will struggle with more demanding applications.
Battery Life
The Infinix Hot 12 Play typically features a larger battery capacity (often 6000mAh) compared to the Tecno Spark 8 Pro (typically around 5000mAh). This translates to longer battery life on the Hot 12 Play, potentially lasting a full day or even longer with moderate usage. However, the Tecno Spark 8 Pro's 33W fast charging significantly reduces charging times.
Buying Guide
The Tecno Spark 8 Pro is ideal for users who prioritize performance and faster charging, even on a budget. It's great for light gaming and multitasking. The Infinix Hot 12 Play is a better fit for users who prioritize battery life above all else and are less concerned with raw processing power. It's perfect for basic tasks and extended usage between charges.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Which phone is better for gaming?
The Tecno Spark 8 Pro is significantly better for gaming due to its more powerful processor.
❓ Which phone has better battery life?
The Infinix Hot 12 Play generally offers longer battery life thanks to its larger battery capacity.
❓ Does the Tecno Spark 8 Pro support fast charging?
Yes, the Tecno Spark 8 Pro supports 33W fast charging, which is much faster than the Infinix Hot 12 Play's 10W charging.
❓ Which phone is more affordable?
The Infinix Hot 12 Play is typically the more affordable option, though prices can vary.
