The sub-$150 smartphone market is fiercely competitive. Both the Tecno Spark 8 and Realme C35 aim to deliver essential features at an accessible price point. However, they take different approaches to achieving this, with the Realme C35 leveraging a newer Unisoc chipset and faster charging, while the Tecno Spark 8 relies on the established Mediatek Helio P22. This comparison will dissect their key differences to help you choose the right device.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For most users, the Realme C35 emerges as the better choice. Its Unisoc Tiger T616 chipset, featuring Cortex-A75 performance cores, provides a noticeable performance uplift over the Tecno Spark 8’s Helio P22, especially in multitasking and demanding applications. The 18W charging is also a significant advantage, mitigating the impact of a potentially similar battery capacity.
| 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, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41 |
| Speed | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE Cat4 150/50 Mbps | HSPA, LTE |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2021, September 02 | 2022, February 10 |
| Status | Available. Released 2021, September 02 | Available. Released 2022, February 14 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front, plastic frame, plastic back | Glass front, plastic frame, plastic back |
| Dimensions | 164.8 x 76.1 x 9.2 mm (6.49 x 3.00 x 0.36 in) | 164.4 x 75.6 x 8.1 mm (6.47 x 2.98 x 0.32 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 200 g (7.05 oz) | 189 g (6.67 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | - | Panda Glass |
| Resolution | 720 x 1600 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~269 ppi density) | 1080 x 2408 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~401 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.52 inches, 102.6 cm2 (~81.8% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.6 inches, 104.4 cm2 (~84.0% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD, 480 nits (typ) | IPS LCD, 480 nits (typ), 600 nits (HBM) |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core 2.0 GHz Cortex-A53 | Octa-core (2x2.0 GHz Cortex-A75 & 6x1.8 GHz Cortex-A55) |
| Chipset | Mediatek MT6762 Helio P22 (12 nm) | Unisoc Tiger T616 (12 nm) |
| GPU | PowerVR GE8320 | Mali-G57 MP1 |
| OS | Android 11 (Go edition), HIOS 7.6 | Android 11, Realme UI 2.0 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 32GB 3GB RAM, 64GB 2GB RAM, 64GB 4GB RAM | 64GB 4GB RAM, 64GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM |
| | eMMC 5.1 | UFS 2.2 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Dual | 16 MP, f/1.8, 27mm (wide), AF
Secondary unknown camera | - |
| Features | Quad-LED flash | LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Single | 8 MP, f/2.0, 26mm (wide) | 8 MP, f/2.0, 26mm (wide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm |
| Triple | - | 50 MP, f/1.8, 26mm (wide), 1/2.76", 0.64µm, PDAF
2 MP (macro)
Auxiliary lens |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | Dual-LED flash | HDR |
| Single | 8 MP, f/2.0, 26mm (wide) | 8 MP, f/2.0, 26mm (wide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 720p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | Yes | 5.0, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | No | Yes (market/region dependent) |
| Positioning | GPS | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS |
| Radio | FM radio | FM radio |
| USB | microUSB 2.0, OTG | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG |
| WLAN | Yes | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, proximity | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 10W wired | 18W wired |
| Type | 5000 mAh | 5000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Turquoise Cyan, Atlantic Blue, Iris Purple | Glowing Black, Glowing Green |
| Models | KG6, KG6k, MZ-TECNO KG6k | RMX3511 |
| Price | About 90 EUR | £ 129.99 / ₹ 7,999 |
| SAR | - | 1.19 W/kg (head) 1.13 W/kg (body) |
Tecno Spark 8
- Proven Mediatek Helio P22 chipset
- Potentially lower price point
- Reliable for basic smartphone tasks
- Older chipset architecture
- Slower 10W charging
- Less capable performance for multitasking
Realme C35
- More powerful Unisoc Tiger T616 chipset
- Faster 18W wired charging
- Improved multitasking and app responsiveness
- Unisoc chipset may have less software optimization
- Potentially slightly higher price
Display Comparison
Neither device boasts a standout display. Both utilize 12nm chipsets, suggesting similar power constraints impacting display capabilities. While specific display specs (resolution, panel type) are missing, the focus here is on performance. The Realme C35’s potential for slightly better graphics processing could translate to a marginally smoother UI experience, but this is speculative without detailed display data.
Camera Comparison
Without detailed camera specifications beyond the presence of cameras, a direct comparison is difficult. However, the Realme C35’s chipset likely offers a more capable image signal processor (ISP), potentially leading to better image processing and noise reduction. The Tecno Spark 8’s Helio P22 ISP is older and less sophisticated. It’s reasonable to assume the Realme C35 will deliver slightly better image quality, particularly in low-light conditions, even with similar sensor sizes (which are unknown).
Performance
The core difference lies in the chipsets. The Realme C35’s Unisoc Tiger T616 utilizes a hybrid core configuration – 2x2.0 GHz Cortex-A75 and 6x1.8 GHz Cortex-A55 – offering a significant architectural advantage over the Tecno Spark 8’s all-Cortex-A53 Helio P22. The A75 cores provide a substantial boost in single-core performance, crucial for app launch speeds and responsiveness. While both are 12nm, the newer architecture of the Unisoc chip translates to better efficiency and performance per watt. This means the Realme C35 will handle multitasking and moderately demanding apps with greater ease.
Battery Life
Both devices likely feature similar battery capacities, typical for this price segment. However, the Realme C35’s 18W wired charging is a clear advantage over the Tecno Spark 8’s 10W charging. This translates to significantly faster charging times, reducing downtime and improving overall usability. While a larger mAh rating on the Tecno Spark 8 *could* offset the slower charging, the convenience of faster charging on the Realme C35 is a compelling benefit.
Buying Guide
Buy the Tecno Spark 8 if your primary need is a basic, reliable smartphone for essential tasks like calls, messaging, and light social media use, and you prioritize a proven, if older, chipset. Buy the Realme C35 if you value smoother performance for multitasking, occasional gaming, and faster charging, even if it means opting for a less-established chipset brand.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Will the Realme C35 handle popular games like PUBG Mobile smoothly?
While not a dedicated gaming phone, the Realme C35’s Unisoc Tiger T616 chipset, with its Cortex-A75 cores, offers a noticeable performance improvement over the Tecno Spark 8. You can expect playable frame rates at medium settings, but demanding graphics settings may cause stuttering. The Tecno Spark 8 will likely struggle with consistent performance in PUBG Mobile.
❓ Is the difference in charging speed between 10W and 18W really that noticeable?
Yes, the difference is substantial. 18W charging on the Realme C35 will significantly reduce the time it takes to fully charge the device compared to the Tecno Spark 8’s 10W charging. Expect a 0-100% charge to take roughly 2-3 hours on the Realme C35 versus 4-5 hours on the Tecno Spark 8.
❓ Which phone is better for someone who primarily uses WhatsApp and Facebook?
Both phones will handle WhatsApp and Facebook without issue. However, the Realme C35’s smoother performance will provide a more responsive experience when switching between apps and browsing social media feeds. The Tecno Spark 8 will function adequately, but may exhibit slight lag during multitasking.
