Looking for an affordable smartphone? The Tecno Spark Go 2020 and Spark 8C are popular contenders in the budget segment. But which one offers the best value for your money? This comprehensive comparison dives deep into their specs, performance, and features to help you decide.
🏆 Quick Verdict
The Tecno Spark 8C emerges as the clear winner. Its octa-core processor and improved CPU architecture provide a noticeable performance boost over the Spark Go 2020's quad-core setup. While both offer decent battery life, the 8C's enhancements make it the better choice for most users.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 3, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41 | LTE |
| Speed | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE Cat4 150/50 Mbps | HSPA 21.1/5.76 Mbps, LTE |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2020, September 01. Released 2020, September 07 | 2022, January 31 |
| Status | Discontinued | Available. Released 2022, February |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | - | Glass front, plastic frame, plastic back |
| Dimensions | 165.6 x 76.3 x 9.1 mm (6.52 x 3.00 x 0.36 in) | 164.6 x 76 x 9 mm (6.48 x 2.99 x 0.35 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | - | - |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass 3 | - |
| Resolution | 720 x 1600 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~269 ppi density) | 720 x 1612 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~267 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.52 inches, 102.6 cm2 (~81.2% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.6 inches, 104.6 cm2 (~83.7% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD | IPS LCD, 90Hz |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Quad-core 1.8 GHz Cortex-A53 | Octa-core (2x1.6 GHz Cortex-A75 & 6x1.6 GHz Cortex-A55) |
| Chipset | Mediatek MT6761D Helio A20 (12 nm) | Unisoc T606 (12 nm) |
| GPU | PowerVR GE8320 | Mali-G57 MP1 |
| OS | Android 10 (Go edition), HIOS 6.2 | Android 11 (Go edition), HiOS 7.6 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC | microSDXC |
| Internal | 32GB 2GB RAM | 64GB 2GB RAM, 64GB 3GB RAM, 64GB 4GB RAM |
| | eMMC 5.1 | eMMC 5.1 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Dual | 13 MP, f/1.8, AF
Auxiliary lens | 13 MP, f/1.8, 27mm (wide)
Auxiliary lens |
| Features | Dual-LED flash, panorama, HDR | Dual-LED lash, HDR |
| Single | - | 8 MP |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash | LED flash |
| Single | 8 MP, f/2.0 | 8 MP |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 4.2, A2DP | Yes |
| NFC | No | Yes (market/region dependent) |
| Positioning | GPS | GPS |
| Radio | FM radio | FM radio |
| USB | microUSB 2.0 | microUSB 2.0, OTG |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n | Yes |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, proximity | Fingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, proximity |
| Battery |
|---|
| Type | 5000 mAh | 5000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Ice Jadeite, Aqua Blue, Sky Black | Turquoise, Magnet Black, Iris Purple, Diamond Gray |
| Models | KE5S | KG5k, KG5j, KG5n, MZ-TECNO KG5k |
| Price | About 80 EUR | - |
Tecno Spark Go 2020
- Excellent battery life
- Very affordable
- Large display
- Slow performance
- Basic camera
- Outdated processor
Tecno Spark 8C
- Improved performance
- Better camera
- More modern design
- Faster processor
- Slightly more expensive
- Battery life not significantly better than Go 2020
Display Comparison
Both phones feature large displays, typically around 6.5 inches, with HD+ resolution. The Spark 8C often boasts a slightly improved panel with better color accuracy and brightness, though both are adequate for everyday use. Expect similar viewing angles and overall display quality, but the 8C might offer a marginally better visual experience.
Camera Comparison
The Spark 8C generally features a more versatile camera system, often including a higher resolution main sensor and additional lenses (like a depth sensor). While both phones offer decent image quality in good lighting conditions, the 8C typically captures more detail and offers better low-light performance. Expect improved video recording capabilities on the 8C as well.
Performance
This is where the Spark 8C shines. The Unisoc T606's octa-core architecture, including Cortex-A75 cores, provides significantly better performance than the Spark Go 2020's Helio A20 quad-core processor. Expect smoother multitasking, faster app loading times, and improved gaming performance on the 8C. The Spark Go 2020 will handle basic tasks adequately, but will struggle with more demanding applications.
Battery Life
Both phones typically feature large batteries, often around 5000mAh, providing all-day battery life for moderate usage. While the Spark Go 2020 might have a slight edge in pure battery endurance due to its less demanding processor, the 8C's optimizations often result in comparable real-world battery performance.
Buying Guide
The Tecno Spark Go 2020 is a good option for users on an extremely tight budget who prioritize basic functionality and long battery life. The Tecno Spark 8C is ideal for those seeking a smoother user experience, better performance for multitasking and gaming, and a slightly more modern feature set, even within a budget.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Is the Tecno Spark 8C worth the extra money compared to the Spark Go 2020?
Yes, the Spark 8C's improved performance and camera make it a worthwhile upgrade, especially if you plan to use your phone for more than just basic tasks.
❓ Which phone is better for gaming?
The Tecno Spark 8C is significantly better for gaming due to its more powerful processor and GPU.