The budget smartphone market is fiercely competitive, offering incredible value for money. Two contenders vying for your attention are the Tecno Spark 8C and the Xiaomi Redmi 10C. Both promise a lot, but which one delivers the best overall experience? Let's dive in and find out.
🏆 Quick Verdict
The Xiaomi Redmi 10C edges out the Tecno Spark 8C thanks to its more efficient Snapdragon 680 chipset, faster charging, and generally smoother performance. While the Spark 8C offers a competitive price, the Redmi 10C provides a more refined and future-proof experience.
| 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, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41 |
| Speed | HSPA 21.1/5.76 Mbps, LTE | HSPA, LTE |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2022, January 31 | 2022, March 21 |
| Status | Available. Released 2022, February | Available. Released 2022, March 23 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front, plastic frame, plastic back | - |
| Dimensions | 164.6 x 76 x 9 mm (6.48 x 2.99 x 0.35 in) | 169.6 x 76.6 x 8.3 mm (6.68 x 3.02 x 0.33 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | - | 190 g (6.70 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | - | Corning Gorilla Glass |
| Resolution | 720 x 1612 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~267 ppi density) | 720 x 1650 pixels (~268 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.6 inches, 104.6 cm2 (~83.7% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.71 inches, 106.5 cm2 (~82.0% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD, 90Hz | IPS LCD |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (2x1.6 GHz Cortex-A75 & 6x1.6 GHz Cortex-A55) | Octa-core (4x2.4 GHz Kryo 265 Gold & 4x1.9 GHz Kryo 265 Silver) |
| Chipset | Unisoc T606 (12 nm) | Qualcomm SM6225 Snapdragon 680 4G (6 nm) |
| GPU | Mali-G57 MP1 | Adreno 610 |
| OS | Android 11 (Go edition), HiOS 7.6 | Android 11, MIUI 13 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 64GB 2GB RAM, 64GB 3GB RAM, 64GB 4GB RAM | 64GB 3GB RAM, 64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 3GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM |
| | eMMC 5.1 | UFS 2.2 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Dual | 13 MP, f/1.8, 27mm (wide)
Auxiliary lens | 50 MP, f/1.8, 26mm (wide), PDAF
Auxiliary lens |
| Features | Dual-LED lash, HDR | LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Single | 8 MP | 5 MP, f/2.2 |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash | - |
| Single | 8 MP | 5 MP, f/2.2 |
| Video | - | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | Yes | 5.0, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | Yes (market/region dependent) | Yes (market/region dependent) |
| Positioning | GPS | GPS, GLONASS, BDS, GALILEO |
| 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, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, proximity | Fingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, proximity |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | - | 18W wired |
| Type | 5000 mAh | Li-Po 5000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Turquoise, Magnet Black, Iris Purple, Diamond Gray | Graphite Gray, Ocean Blue, Mint Green |
| Models | KG5k, KG5j, KG5n, MZ-TECNO KG5k | 220333QAG, 220333QBI, 220333QNY, 220333QL |
| Price | - | £ 99.00 / € 109.86 |
| SAR | - | 0.96 W/kg (head) 1.02 W/kg (body) |
| SAR EU | - | 0.57 W/kg (head) 0.96 W/kg (body) |
Tecno Spark 8C
- Very affordable
- Decent battery life
- Large display
- Sluggish performance
- Slow charging
- Mediocre camera
Xiaomi Redmi 10C
- Better performance (Snapdragon 680)
- Faster charging (18W)
- Improved camera quality
- More efficient chipset
- Slightly more expensive
- HD+ display (not FHD+)
- Basic design
Display Comparison
Both phones feature a 6.5-inch HD+ display, offering decent viewing angles and color reproduction for everyday use. However, the Redmi 10C's display might have slightly better brightness and color accuracy due to Xiaomi's generally better display calibration. The Spark 8C's display is adequate but may appear a bit less vibrant.
Camera Comparison
The Redmi 10C typically features a 50MP main camera, offering improved image quality, especially in well-lit conditions. The Spark 8C's camera is generally acceptable, but struggles more in low light. Both phones offer basic features like portrait mode and HDR.
Performance
This is where the Redmi 10C shines. The Snapdragon 680 is significantly more powerful and efficient than the Unisoc T606. Expect smoother multitasking, faster app loading times, and better gaming performance on the Redmi 10C. The Spark 8C can feel sluggish at times, especially with demanding apps.
Battery Life
Both phones pack a 5000mAh battery, promising all-day battery life. However, the Redmi 10C's more efficient chipset allows it to last slightly longer on a single charge. The Redmi 10C also supports 18W fast charging, a significant advantage over the Spark 8C's slower charging speeds.
Buying Guide
The Tecno Spark 8C is a good choice for users prioritizing an extremely budget-friendly option and basic functionality. The Xiaomi Redmi 10C is ideal for those seeking better performance, faster charging, and a more reliable overall experience, even if it means spending a little more.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Which phone is better for gaming?
The Xiaomi Redmi 10C is significantly better for gaming due to its more powerful Snapdragon 680 chipset.
❓ Does the Tecno Spark 8C have 5G?
No, neither the Tecno Spark 8C nor the Xiaomi Redmi 10C support 5G connectivity. They are both 4G devices.
❓ Which phone has more RAM?
Both phones are typically available in configurations with 3GB or 4GB of RAM. Check the specific model you are purchasing.
❓ What is the storage capacity of each phone?
Both phones usually offer 32GB or 64GB of internal storage, expandable via microSD card.
