The Tecno Spark 9T and Samsung Galaxy A13 represent the fiercely competitive sub-$150 smartphone market. Both aim to deliver essential features at an accessible price, but key differences in chipset and charging capabilities dictate which phone is better suited for specific users. This comparison dives deep into the specs to reveal the true winner.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For most users, the Samsung Galaxy A13 (SM-A137) is the better choice. While the Tecno Spark 9T offers a comparable experience in some areas, the A13’s Helio G80 chipset provides a noticeable performance boost, and its 15W charging is significantly faster than the Spark 9T’s 10W implementation.
| 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, LTE | HSPA, LTE |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2022, June 20 | 2022, June |
| Status | Available. Released 2022, July | Available. Released 2022, July |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | - | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 5), plastic frame, plastic back |
| Dimensions | 164.3 x 75.6 x 8.7 mm (6.47 x 2.98 x 0.34 in) | 165.1 x 76.4 x 8.8 mm (6.5 x 3.01 x 0.35 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | · Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | - | 195 g (6.88 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | - | Corning Gorilla Glass 5 |
| Resolution | 720 x 1600 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~266 ppi density) | 1080 x 2408 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~400 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.6 inches, 105.2 cm2 (~84.7% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.6 inches, 104.9 cm2 (~83.2% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD, 90Hz | PLS LCD |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (4x2.3 GHz Cortex-A53 & 4x1.8 GHz Cortex-A53) | Octa-core (2x2.0 GHz Cortex-A75 & 6x1.8 GHz Cortex-A55) |
| Chipset | Mediatek MT6765V/CB Helio G37 (12 nm) | Mediatek MT6769V/CU Helio G80 (12 nm) |
| GPU | PowerVR GE8320 | Mali-G52 MC2 |
| OS | Android 12, HIOS 8.6 | Android 12, upgradable to Android 14, One UI 6.1 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM | 32GB 3GB RAM, 32GB 4GB RAM, 64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM |
| | - | eMMC 5.1 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | Quad-LED flash, HDR | LED flash, panorama, HDR |
| Quad | - | 50 MP, f/1.8, (wide), PDAF
5 MP, f/2.2, 123˚ (ultrawide), 1/5.0", 1.12µm
2 MP (macro)
Auxiliary lens |
| Single | 32 MP, (wide) | 8 MP, f/2.2, (wide) |
| Triple | 13 MP, f/1.9, 27mm (wide), AF
Auxiliary lenses | - |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | Dual-LED flash | - |
| Single | 32 MP, (wide) | 8 MP, f/2.2, (wide) |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | Yes | 5.2, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | No | Yes |
| Positioning | GPS | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS |
| Radio | FM radio | No |
| 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 (side-mounted), accelerometer, compass |
| | - | Virtual proximity sensing |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 10W wired | 15W wired |
| Type | 5000 mAh | Li-Po 5000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Quantum Black, Burano Blue, Particle Silver, Vitality Green | Black, White, Blue |
| Models | KH6 | SM-A137F, SM-A137F/DSN, SM-A137F/DS |
| Price | About 180 EUR | About 180 EUR |
| SAR EU | - | 0.35 W/kg (head) 1.22 W/kg (body) |
Tecno Spark 9T
- Potentially lower price point
- Large 5000mAh battery for all-day use
- Decent for basic smartphone tasks
- Slower Helio G37 chipset
- Slow 10W charging
- Likely less refined software experience
Samsung Galaxy A13 (SM-A137)
- Faster Helio G80 chipset for smoother performance
- Faster 15W charging
- Samsung’s established brand and software support
- Slightly higher price
- Battery life comparable to the Spark 9T despite faster charging
- May include bloatware
Display Comparison
Neither device boasts a standout display. Both likely utilize LCD panels, common in this price bracket. The focus here isn't on visual fidelity, but on usability. While specific display specs (resolution, brightness) are missing, the A13’s slightly larger screen size (typically 6.6 inches vs the Spark 9T’s 6.56 inches) may offer a more immersive experience. Bezels are expected to be substantial on both, impacting screen-to-body ratio.
Camera Comparison
Camera performance is likely similar, relying heavily on software processing. Both phones likely feature a primary camera around 13-50MP, but the sensor size and lens aperture are critical details missing from the provided data. The A13’s image processing algorithms, benefiting from Samsung’s experience, may produce slightly more refined images. The presence of 2MP macro/depth sensors on both is largely marketing fluff; their image quality is typically poor. Focus should be on the main sensor’s capabilities, which are unfortunately unknown without further specs.
Performance
The core difference lies in the chipsets. The Samsung Galaxy A13’s Mediatek Helio G80 (MT6769V/CU) is a clear upgrade over the Tecno Spark 9T’s Helio G37 (MT6765V/CB). The G80 features a more modern CPU configuration with 2x2.0 GHz Cortex-A75 cores and 6x1.8 GHz Cortex-A55 cores, compared to the G37’s 4x2.3 GHz Cortex-A53 and 4x1.8 GHz Cortex-A53. This translates to snappier app launches and smoother multitasking. The A75 cores in the G80 provide a significant performance advantage in CPU-intensive tasks. While both are 12nm chips, the architectural improvements in the G80 are substantial. Users who play casual games or frequently switch between apps will benefit from the A13’s superior processing power.
Battery Life
Both phones likely house batteries around 5000mAh, offering all-day battery life for moderate usage. However, the Samsung Galaxy A13’s 15W wired charging is a significant advantage over the Tecno Spark 9T’s 10W charging. This means the A13 will recharge much faster, reducing downtime. A full charge on the Spark 9T could take upwards of 3 hours, while the A13 could achieve a full charge in around 2 hours, a crucial benefit for users who rely heavily on their phones throughout the day.
Buying Guide
Buy the Tecno Spark 9T if you prioritize a slightly lower initial cost and are a very light user who primarily needs a phone for basic communication and social media. Buy the Samsung Galaxy A13 (SM-A137) if you value smoother multitasking, slightly better gaming performance, and faster charging speeds, even if it means spending a bit more upfront.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Is the Mediatek Helio G80 in the Samsung Galaxy A13 capable of playing PUBG Mobile?
Yes, the Helio G80 can run PUBG Mobile, but likely at medium graphics settings and frame rates to maintain a stable experience. The G80’s CPU and GPU are sufficient for the game, but don’t expect high-end performance. The Tecno Spark 9T’s G37 would struggle more with consistent frame rates.
❓ How long will it take to fully charge the Tecno Spark 9T with its 10W charger?
Given the likely 5000mAh battery capacity and 10W charging, a full charge from 0% to 100% on the Tecno Spark 9T will likely take between 2.5 to 3.5 hours. This is considerably slower than the Samsung Galaxy A13’s 15W charging.
❓ Does the Samsung Galaxy A13 have a dedicated microSD card slot for storage expansion?
Yes, the Samsung Galaxy A13 (SM-A137) includes a dedicated microSD card slot, allowing you to expand the storage capacity beyond the internal storage options. This is a valuable feature for users who store a lot of photos, videos, or apps.
