The budget smartphone market is fiercely competitive, and the Tecno Spark 9 Pro and Infinix Hot 30i are two strong contenders. Both offer compelling features at an affordable price, but which one truly comes out on top? This comprehensive comparison will break down their strengths and weaknesses to help you make an informed decision.
🏆 Quick Verdict
The Tecno Spark 9 Pro edges out the Infinix Hot 30i thanks to its more powerful Helio G85 chipset, resulting in smoother performance for gaming and demanding apps. While both offer decent battery life and cameras, the Spark 9 Pro's processing advantage makes it the slightly better overall choice.
| 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, LTE | HSPA, LTE |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2022, June 02 | 2023, March 31 |
| Status | Available. Released 2022, July | Available. Released 2023, March 31 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front, plastic frame, plastic back | Glass front, plastic frame, plastic back |
| Dimensions | 164.2 x 75.6 x 8.4 mm (6.46 x 2.98 x 0.33 in) | 164 x 75.8 x 8.4 mm (6.46 x 2.98 x 0.33 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | - | 191 g (6.74 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Resolution | 1080 x 2408 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~403 ppi density) | 720 x 1612 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~269 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.6 inches, 103.4 cm2 (~83.3% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.56 inches, 103.4 cm2 (~83.2% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD | IPS LCD, 90Hz, 500 nits (peak) |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (2x2.0 GHz Cortex-A75 & 6x1.8 GHz Cortex-A55) | Octa-core (2x1.6 GHz Cortex-A75 & 6x1.6 GHz Cortex-A55) |
| Chipset | Mediatek MT6769Z Helio G85 (12 nm) | Unisoc T606 (12 nm) |
| GPU | Mali-G52 MC2 | Mali-G57 MP1 |
| OS | Android 12, HIOS 8.6 | Android 12, XOS 10.6 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM | 64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM |
| | - | UFS 2.2 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Dual | - | 13 MP, f/1.9, (wide), AF
0.08 MP, (depth) |
| Features | Dual-LED flash, HDR, panorama | Dual-LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Single | 32 MP, (wide) | 13 MP, f/1.9, (wide), 1/3.07", AF
Auxiliary lens |
| Triple | 50 MP, f/1.6, 27mm (wide), PDAF
Auxiliary lenses | - |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | Dual-LED flash | Dual-LED flash |
| Single | 32 MP, (wide) | 8 MP, f/2.0, (wide), 1/3.94" |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | Yes | Yes |
| NFC | Yes (KH7n only) | Yes (Hot 30i NFC only) |
| 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 |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, proximity | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, proximity, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 18W wired | 18W wired |
| Type | 5000 mAh | 5000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Quantum Black, Burano Blue, Glacier White, Hacker Storm, Sport Edition, Kyanite Blue | Mirror Black, Glacier Blue, Diamond White, Marigold |
| Models | KH7, KH7n | X669, X669D |
Tecno Spark 9 Pro
- More powerful chipset (Helio G85)
- Potentially better gaming performance
- Likely slightly better image processing
- Good value for money
- Software experience can be inconsistent
- Design may not appeal to everyone
Infinix Hot 30i
- Potentially more optimized software
- Sleek design
- Good battery life
- Less powerful chipset (Unisoc T606)
- Slower performance for demanding tasks
- May struggle with intensive gaming
Display Comparison
Both phones likely feature similar display technology (likely IPS LCD) and resolution (likely FHD+). The Spark 9 Pro might have a slightly brighter display, but this is speculative without specific brightness measurements. Screen size is likely around 6.6 inches for both.
Camera Comparison
Both phones likely feature a multi-lens camera system, potentially including a 50MP main sensor. Image quality will depend heavily on software processing. The Spark 9 Pro's more powerful processor *could* allow for slightly better image processing, but real-world results will vary. Expect similar selfie camera performance.
Performance
The Mediatek Helio G85 in the Tecno Spark 9 Pro is significantly more powerful than the Unisoc T606 in the Infinix Hot 30i. Expect noticeably faster app loading times, smoother multitasking, and better gaming performance on the Spark 9 Pro. The G85's GPU is also superior.
Battery Life
Both phones offer 18W charging and likely have a battery capacity around 5000mAh. Battery life should be comparable, providing a full day of moderate use.
Buying Guide
The Tecno Spark 9 Pro is ideal for users who prioritize performance and gaming. If you're looking for a phone that can handle multitasking and more demanding applications without significant lag, the Spark 9 Pro is a solid pick. The Infinix Hot 30i is a good option for users who prioritize a slightly more streamlined experience and potentially better software optimization, and are less concerned with raw processing power.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Which phone is better for gaming?
The Tecno Spark 9 Pro is the better choice for gaming due to its more powerful Helio G85 chipset.
❓ Does the Infinix Hot 30i have a better camera?
While both have similar camera hardware, the Tecno Spark 9 Pro's processor *could* allow for slightly better image processing, but results will vary.
❓ Which phone has better battery life?
Both phones offer comparable battery life, likely lasting a full day with moderate use.
❓ Which phone is easier to use?
The Infinix Hot 30i may offer a slightly more streamlined and optimized software experience, but this is subjective.