The Tecno Spark Power 2 and Realme Narzo 20A represent compelling options in the ultra-budget smartphone segment. While both aim to deliver essential features at a low price, they take different approaches to achieving this. The Spark Power 2 prioritizes battery life and fast charging, while the Narzo 20A leans on Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 665 for a more refined, if less power-hungry, experience. This comparison dissects these choices to determine which device best suits your needs.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average user prioritizing consistent performance and a smoother user experience, the Realme Narzo 20A is the better choice. Its Snapdragon 665, built on an 11nm process, offers a noticeable advantage over the Tecno Spark Power 2’s Helio P22, despite the latter’s faster charging. The Narzo 20A provides a more responsive daily driver.
| 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 | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 38, 40, 41 | 1, 3, 5, 8, 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 | 2020, June 17. Released 2020, June 23 | 2020, September 21. Released 2020, September 30 |
| Status | Discontinued | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front, plastic back, plastic frame | - |
| Dimensions | 174.9 x 79.6 x 9.2 mm (6.89 x 3.13 x 0.36 in) | 164.4 x 75.4 x 8.9 mm (6.47 x 2.97 x 0.35 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 220 g (7.76 oz) | 195 g (6.88 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | - | Corning Gorilla Glass 3 |
| Resolution | 720 x 1640 pixels (~256 ppi density) | 720 x 1600 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~270 ppi density) |
| Size | 7.0 inches, 116.4 cm2 (~83.6% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.5 inches, 102.0 cm2 (~82.3% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD, 480 nits (typ) | IPS LCD, 480 nits (peak) |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core 2.0 GHz Cortex-A53 | Octa-core (4x2.0 GHz Kryo 260 Gold & 4x1.8 GHz Kryo 260 Silver) |
| Chipset | Mediatek MT6762 Helio P22 (12 nm) | Qualcomm SDM665 Snapdragon 665 (11 nm) |
| GPU | PowerVR GE8320 | Adreno 610 |
| OS | Android 10, HIOS 6.1 | Android 10, Realme UI |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 64GB 4GB RAM | 32GB 3GB RAM, 64GB 4GB RAM |
| | eMMC 5.1 | eMMC 5.1 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | Quad-LED flash, panorama, HDR | LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Quad | 16 MP, f/1.8, 27mm (wide), AF
5 MP, 115˚ (ultrawide)
2 MP (macro)
Auxiliary lens | - |
| Triple | - | 12 MP, f/1.8, 28mm (wide), 1/2.8", 1.25µm, PDAF
Auxiliary lens |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps, 480p@120fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | Dual-LED flash, HDR | HDR, panorama |
| Single | 16 MP, f/2.0, 27mm (wide) | 8 MP, f/2.0, 26mm (wide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes, with stereo speakers | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.0, A2DP, LE | 4.2, A2DP |
| NFC | No | No |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS | GPS, GLONASS |
| Radio | FM radio | FM radio |
| USB | microUSB 2.0, OTG | microUSB 2.0, OTG |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n/ac | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, proximity | Fingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, proximity, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 18W wired, 50% in 60 min | 10W wired |
| Type | 6000 mAh | 5000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Ice Jadeite, Misty Grey, Fascinating Purple | Glory Silver, Victory Blue |
| Models | LC8 | RMX2050 |
| Price | About 120 EUR | About 100 EUR |
| SAR | 0.85 W/kg (head) 0.80 W/kg (body) | 1.18 W/kg (head) 0.63 W/kg (body) |
Tecno Spark Power 2
- Faster 18W charging significantly reduces downtime.
- Potentially larger battery capacity for extended usage.
- Aggressive pricing for battery-focused users.
- Less powerful Helio P22 chipset results in slower performance.
- Less efficient chipset may lead to higher power consumption during intensive tasks.
- Likely less refined software experience.
Realme Narzo 20A
- More efficient Snapdragon 665 chipset delivers smoother performance.
- Better thermal management reduces throttling.
- Potentially better image processing thanks to the ISP.
- Slower 10W charging takes longer to replenish the battery.
- May have a smaller battery capacity compared to the Spark Power 2.
- Potentially higher price point.
Display Comparison
Neither device boasts a standout display. Both likely feature LCD panels, typical for this price point. The key difference lies under the hood. While specific display specs are unavailable, the Realme Narzo 20A’s chipset has a slightly more capable ISP, potentially leading to better image processing for display output. However, without knowing the panel characteristics (brightness, color gamut), it’s difficult to declare a clear winner. Bezels are expected to be substantial on both devices.
Camera Comparison
Camera performance is likely similar in real-world usage, given the focus on cost reduction in both devices. Both will likely feature a primary camera and multiple secondary sensors of limited utility. Without specific sensor details, it’s difficult to assess image quality. However, the Snapdragon 665’s more advanced ISP in the Narzo 20A *could* offer slightly better image processing, particularly in low-light conditions. Expect both to struggle with dynamic range and detail in challenging lighting scenarios. The inclusion of 2MP macro/depth sensors on both devices is largely for marketing purposes and won’t significantly impact image quality.
Performance
The core of the difference lies in the chipsets. The Realme Narzo 20A’s Qualcomm Snapdragon 665 (11nm) is architecturally superior to the Tecno Spark Power 2’s MediaTek Helio P22 (12nm). The Snapdragon 665 utilizes a Kryo CPU architecture with a mix of performance and efficiency cores (4x2.0 GHz Kryo 260 Gold & 4x1.8 GHz Kryo 260 Silver), offering a more balanced approach. The Helio P22’s Cortex-A53 cores, while octa-core, are less efficient and deliver lower peak performance. This translates to smoother multitasking and a more responsive app experience on the Narzo 20A, particularly noticeable when switching between applications. The 11nm process node of the Snapdragon 665 also contributes to better thermal efficiency, reducing the likelihood of throttling during sustained workloads.
Battery Life
The Tecno Spark Power 2 aims to impress with its battery endurance. While the exact capacity isn’t specified, it’s positioned as a ‘power’ device. The Realme Narzo 20A’s battery capacity is also not specified, but the Snapdragon 665’s superior efficiency means it will likely offer comparable real-world battery life despite potentially having a smaller capacity. The key differentiator is charging speed: the Spark Power 2 supports 18W wired charging, claiming 50% charge in 60 minutes, while the Narzo 20A is limited to 10W. This makes the Spark Power 2 the clear winner for users who prioritize quick top-ups.
Buying Guide
Buy the Tecno Spark Power 2 if you absolutely need maximum battery life and the fastest possible charging in this price bracket. Its 18W charging is a significant advantage for those who frequently find themselves away from a power outlet. Buy the Realme Narzo 20A if you value a more responsive user interface, slightly better gaming performance, and a more efficient chipset, even if it means sacrificing some charging speed and overall battery capacity.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Will the Helio P22 in the Tecno Spark Power 2 struggle with demanding games like PUBG Mobile?
Yes, the Helio P22 is a relatively weak chipset. While PUBG Mobile may be playable at low settings, expect significant frame drops and stuttering, especially during intense action. The Narzo 20A’s Snapdragon 665 will provide a noticeably smoother gaming experience, even if it still requires lowering graphics settings.
❓ Is the 10W charging on the Realme Narzo 20A painfully slow in 2024?
Compared to modern fast charging standards, 10W is indeed slow. A full charge will take over 3 hours. However, the Snapdragon 665’s efficiency means you won’t need to charge as frequently, and overnight charging is a viable option. The Tecno Spark Power 2’s 18W charging is a clear advantage if you need quick top-ups throughout the day.
❓ How does the software experience differ between the Tecno Spark Power 2 and Realme Narzo 20A?
Realme UI, based on Android, is generally considered more polished and feature-rich than Tecno’s HiOS. Realme offers faster software updates and a cleaner user interface. HiOS often includes pre-installed bloatware and can feel less refined.
