The budget smartphone market is fiercely competitive, offering incredible value for money. Today, we're pitting two contenders against each other: the Umidigi F1 and the Tecno Pova Neo 2. Both promise a lot for their price point, but which one delivers the better overall experience?
🏆 Quick Verdict
The Tecno Pova Neo 2 edges out the Umidigi F1 thanks to its slightly more modern chipset and generally better gaming performance. While both offer solid value, the Pova Neo 2's smoother experience makes it the preferred choice for most users, especially those prioritizing gaming.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 - SIM 1 & SIM 2 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 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, 25, 26, 28, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41 | LTE |
| Speed | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE-A (2CA) Cat13 600/50 Mbps | HSPA, LTE |
| Technology | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / EVDO / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| | CDMA2000 1xEV-DO | - |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2018, December | 2022, September 26 |
| Status | Available. Released 2019, January | Available. Released 2022, October 03 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | - | Glass front, plastic frame, plastic back |
| Dimensions | 156.7 x 74.3 x 8.8 mm (6.17 x 2.93 x 0.35 in) | 170.9 x 77.8 x 9.6 mm (6.73 x 3.06 x 0.38 in) |
| SIM | Hybrid Dual SIM (Nano-SIM, dual stand-by) | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 186 g (6.56 oz) | - |
| Display |
|---|
| Resolution | 1080 x 2340 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~409 ppi density) | 720 x 1640 pixels (~263 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.3 inches, 97.4 cm2 (~83.7% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.82 inches, 110.5 cm2 (~83.1% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD | IPS LCD, 90Hz |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (4x2.0 GHz Cortex-A73 & 4x2.0 GHz Cortex-A53) | Octa-core (2x2.0 GHz Cortex-A75 & 6x1.8 GHz Cortex-A55) |
| Chipset | Mediatek MT6771 Helio P60 (12 nm) | Mediatek MT6769Z Helio G85 (12 nm) |
| GPU | Mali-G72 MP3 | Mali-G52 MC2 |
| OS | Android 9.0 (Pie) | Android 12, HIOS 8.6 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 128GB 4GB RAM | 64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM |
| | eMMC 5.1 | - |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Dual | 16 MP, f/1.7, 1/2.8", 1.12µm, PDAF
8 MP | 16 MP, (wide), AF
Secondary unknown camera |
| Features | Dual-LED dual-tone flash, HDR, panorama | Dual-LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Single | - | 8 MP |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | HDR | LED flash |
| Single | 16 MP, f/2.2, 26mm (wide), 1/3.06", 1.0µm | 8 MP |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | Yes |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | - | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 4.1, A2DP, LE | Yes |
| NFC | Yes | Yes (LG6n only) |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS | GPS, GLONASS |
| Radio | FM radio | FM radio |
| USB | USB Type-C 2.0 | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n, Wi-Fi Direct | Yes |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, proximity, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 18W wired | 18W wired |
| Type | Li-Ion 5150 mAh, non-removable | 7000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Black, Red, Gold | Uranolite Gray, Virtual Blue, Orange Magma |
| Models | - | LG6n |
| Price | About 200 EUR | About 240 EUR |
Umidigi F1
- Potentially better camera image processing
- Clean software experience
- Large battery life
- Older chipset
- Lower gaming performance
- May lack a high refresh rate display
Tecno Pova Neo 2
- More modern chipset (Helio G85)
- Better gaming performance
- Potentially higher refresh rate display
- Responsive user experience
- Camera might be slightly inferior in some conditions
- Tecno's software can be a bit cluttered
Display Comparison
Both phones likely feature large, LCD displays around 6.5-6.7 inches with a standard 720p or 1080p resolution. The Umidigi F1 might have slightly better color accuracy, but the Tecno Pova Neo 2 could offer a higher refresh rate (90Hz is common in this price range) for smoother scrolling and animations. Expect similar brightness levels.
Camera Comparison
Camera specs are often similar in this price range. Both likely feature a primary 48MP sensor, along with ultrawide and depth sensors. The Umidigi F1 *might* have slightly better image processing in certain scenarios, but the Tecno Pova Neo 2's newer chipset could offer better HDR capabilities. Video recording will likely be limited to 1080p at 30fps on both.
Performance
The Tecno Pova Neo 2's Helio G85 chipset holds a clear advantage over the Umidigi F1's Helio P60. The G85's Cortex-A75 cores provide a boost in single-core performance, and the GPU is generally more capable for gaming. The F1 will handle everyday tasks adequately, but the Pova Neo 2 will feel snappier and handle more demanding games better.
Battery Life
Both phones boast large batteries (likely 6000mAh or larger) offering excellent battery life. Expect a full day of use, and potentially two days for lighter users. Charging speeds are identical at 18W wired, so charging times will be comparable.
Buying Guide
The Umidigi F1 is a good choice for users prioritizing a clean software experience and potentially slightly better camera performance in certain lighting conditions. The Tecno Pova Neo 2 is ideal for gamers and those who want a more responsive and modern chipset for everyday tasks and smoother gaming.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Which phone is better for gaming?
The Tecno Pova Neo 2 is significantly better for gaming due to its more powerful Helio G85 chipset and potentially higher refresh rate display.
❓ Does either phone have 5G connectivity?
No, neither the Umidigi F1 nor the Tecno Pova Neo 2 support 5G. They are both 4G LTE devices.
