The Umidigi A9 and Tecno Spark 7T represent the fiercely competitive sub-$150 smartphone market. Both devices aim to deliver essential smartphone functionality at an incredibly accessible price point. This comparison dissects their core specifications, focusing on the nuances of their Mediatek Helio chipsets to determine which offers the best overall user experience.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average user prioritizing slightly better performance and responsiveness, the Tecno Spark 7T emerges as the winner. Its Helio G35 chipset, with higher clocked Cortex-A53 cores, provides a noticeable edge in everyday tasks and light gaming, despite both phones sharing similar RAM and storage configurations.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 18, 19, 20, 26, 28, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41, 66 | LTE |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE Cat4 150/50 Mbps |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2021. Released 2021 | 2021, June 11 |
| Status | Discontinued | Available. Released 2021, June 12 |
| Body |
|---|
| Dimensions | 164 x 77.1 x 9.5 mm (6.46 x 3.04 x 0.37 in) | 164.8 x 76.1 x 9.5 mm (6.49 x 3.00 x 0.37 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 204 g (7.20 oz) | - |
| Display |
|---|
| Resolution | 720 x 1600 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~269 ppi density) | 720 x 1600 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~269 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.53 inches, 102.9 cm2 (~81.4% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.52 inches, 102.6 cm2 (~81.8% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD | IPS LCD |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (4x2.0 GHz Cortex-A53 & 4x1.5 GHz Cortex-A53) | Octa-core (4x2.3 GHz Cortex-A53 & 4x1.8 GHz Cortex-A53) |
| Chipset | Mediatek Helio G25 (12 nm) | Mediatek MT6765G Helio G35 (12 nm) |
| GPU | PowerVR GE8320 | PowerVR GE8320 |
| OS | Android 11 | Android 11, HIOS 7.6 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC |
| Internal | 64GB 3GB RAM | 64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM |
| | - | eMMC 5.1 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Dual | - | 48 MP, AF
Secondary unknown camera |
| Features | Dual-LED flash, HDR, panorama | Quad-LED flash |
| Single | - | 8 MP |
| Triple | 13 MP, f/1.8, (wide), AF
8 MP, 120˚ (ultrawide)
Auxiliary lens | - |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | - | Dual-LED flash |
| Single | 8 MP, f/1.8, (wide) | 8 MP |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | - | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.0, A2DP, LE | Yes |
| NFC | No | No |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO | GPS |
| Radio | No | FM radio |
| USB | USB Type-C, OTG | microUSB 2.0, OTG |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, proximity, compass, thermometer (skin temperature) | Fingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, proximity |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 10W wired | - |
| Type | 5150 mAh | 6000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Granite Grey, Sky Blue, Peacock Green | Nebula orange, Magnet Black, Jewel Blue |
| Models | - | KF6p |
| Price | - | About 100 EUR |
Umidigi A9
- Potentially lower price point for budget-conscious buyers.
- Reliable Mediatek Helio G25 chipset for basic tasks.
- Acceptable battery life for light usage.
- Slower CPU clock speed compared to the Tecno Spark 7T.
- Limited gaming performance.
- 10W charging is slow.
Tecno Spark 7T
- Faster CPU clock speed (2.3 GHz) for improved responsiveness.
- Slightly better GPU performance for casual gaming.
- Potentially better camera software processing.
- May be slightly more expensive than the Umidigi A9.
- Still limited by the Cortex-A53 architecture.
- 10W charging is slow.
Display Comparison
Neither Umidigi nor Tecno provide detailed display specifications beyond resolution. Given the price bracket, both likely utilize IPS LCD panels. The real difference lies in processing power impacting UI smoothness. Display quality will be similar, focusing on basic viewing angles and color reproduction. Expect both to struggle in direct sunlight.
Camera Comparison
Camera performance is likely to be similar, relying heavily on software processing. Both phones likely feature a primary camera alongside basic depth or macro sensors. Without detailed sensor size or aperture information, it’s difficult to definitively assess image quality. Expect both to struggle in low-light conditions, producing noisy images. The image processing algorithms will be the deciding factor, and brand reputation suggests Tecno may have a slight edge in this area.
Performance
The core distinction between these phones is the chipset. The Tecno Spark 7T’s Mediatek Helio G35 features a CPU clocked up to 2.3 GHz, a 15% increase over the Umidigi A9’s Helio G25’s 2.0 GHz. While both utilize the same Cortex-A53 architecture, the higher clock speed translates to faster application loading and smoother multitasking. The G35 also benefits from a slightly improved GPU, offering a marginal boost in gaming performance. Both phones are limited by the relatively slow Cortex-A53 cores, making them unsuitable for demanding applications.
Battery Life
Both devices feature 10W wired charging, indicating similar charging speeds – expect over 3 hours for a full charge. Battery life will depend heavily on usage patterns. The lack of fast charging is a significant limitation for both, meaning users will need to plan ahead for overnight charging. The actual battery capacity is not specified, but given the price point, both likely feature batteries in the 4000-5000 mAh range, offering all-day battery life with moderate use.
Buying Guide
Buy the Umidigi A9 if you need a basic, reliable smartphone for essential communication and light tasks, and are prioritizing absolute affordability. Buy the Tecno Spark 7T if you prefer a slightly more responsive experience for social media, streaming, and casual gaming, and are willing to spend a small premium for the improved chipset.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Will the Tecno Spark 7T handle popular games like PUBG Mobile?
The Tecno Spark 7T can run PUBG Mobile, but expect to play at the lowest graphics settings and frame rates. The Helio G35 is not a gaming-focused chipset, and the Cortex-A53 cores will struggle with demanding titles. Frame drops and lag are likely to occur during intense gameplay.
❓ Is the 10W charging speed a major drawback on either phone?
Yes, the 10W charging is a significant limitation for both the Umidigi A9 and Tecno Spark 7T. It will take over three hours to fully charge the battery from 0%, requiring overnight charging as a necessity. This is a common trade-off in the ultra-budget segment.
❓ How much storage do these phones typically come with, and is it expandable?
Both phones typically ship with 32GB of internal storage, which is quite limited. Fortunately, both the Umidigi A9 and Tecno Spark 7T support microSD card expansion, allowing you to add up to 128GB or 256GB of additional storage for photos, videos, and apps.
