The sub-$150 smartphone market is fiercely competitive. Both the Umidigi G3 Plus and the Tecno Spark 10 Pro aim to deliver a compelling experience without breaking the bank. This comparison dives deep into their specifications, focusing on performance, display quality, and battery life to determine which device offers the best value.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For most users, the Tecno Spark 10 Pro emerges as the better choice. Its Mediatek Helio G88 chipset provides a noticeable performance uplift over the Umidigi G3 Plus’s Unisoc T606, and the 18W charging is a significant convenience, despite both phones sharing the same 131-hour endurance rating.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | 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, 17, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66 | LTE |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE | HSPA, LTE |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2023 | 2023, March 06 |
| Status | Available. Released 2023 | Available. Released 2023, March 22 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | - | Glass front, plastic frame, glass back |
| Dimensions | 163.9 x 75.7 x 8.8 mm (6.45 x 2.98 x 0.35 in) | 168.4 x 76.2 x 8.4 mm (6.63 x 3.00 x 0.33 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 192 g (6.77 oz) | 208 g (7.34 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Resolution | 720 x 1600 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~269 ppi density) | 1080 x 2460 pixels (~396 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.52 inches, 102.6 cm2 (~82.7% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.8 inches, 109.3 cm2 (~85.1% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD | IPS LCD, 90Hz |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (2x1.6 GHz Cortex-A75 & 6x1.6 GHz Cortex-A55) | Octa-core (2x2.0 GHz Cortex-A75 & 6x1.8 GHz Cortex-A55) |
| Chipset | Unisoc T606 (12 nm) | Mediatek MT6769H Helio G88 (12 nm) |
| GPU | Mali-G57 MP1 | Mali-G52 MC2 |
| OS | Android 13 | Android 13, HIOS 12.6 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 128GB 4GB RAM | 128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Dual | 16 MP, f/2.2, (wide), AF
Auxiliary lens | 50 MP, f/1.6, (wide), PDAF
0.08 MP, (depth) |
| Features | Dual-LED flash, HDR, panorama | Dual-LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Single | - | 50 MP, f/1.6, (wide), PDAF
Auxiliary lens |
| Triple | - | 50 MP, f/1.6, (wide), PDAF
other unspecified cameras |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1440p@30fps, 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | - | Dual-LED flash |
| Single | 8 MP, f/2.2, (wide) | 32 MP, (wide) |
| Video | 720p@30fps | 1440p@30fps, 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | - | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.0, A2DP, LE | 5.3, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | No | Yes |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO | GPS |
| Radio | No | FM radio |
| USB | USB Type-C, OTG | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, proximity, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 10W wired | 18W wired |
| Type | 5150 mAh | 5000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Graphite Black, Dark Green, Lavender Purple | Starry Black, Pearl White |
| Models | - | KI7 |
| Price | - | £ 245.74 |
| Tests |
|---|
| Battery life | - |
Endurance rating 131h
|
| Camera | - |
Photo / Video |
| Display | - |
Contrast ratio: 1991:1 (nominal) |
| Loudspeaker | - |
-29.2 LUFS (Average)
|
| Performance | - |
AnTuTu: 249938 (v9)
GeekBench: 1358 (v5.1), 1376 (v6)
GFXBench: 8.1fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) |
Umidigi G3 Plus
- Potentially lower price point
- Functional for basic smartphone tasks
- Acceptable battery endurance
- Slower processor
- Slower charging speed
- Limited performance for gaming
Tecno Spark 10 Pro
- Faster processor for smoother performance
- Faster 18W charging
- Brighter display for better visibility
- May be slightly more expensive
- Camera performance likely similar to Umidigi
- Still a budget device with inherent limitations
Display Comparison
The Tecno Spark 10 Pro boasts a measured peak brightness of 521 nits, a substantial advantage over what we'd expect from the Umidigi G3 Plus, which lacks published brightness data. Both displays share a 1991:1 contrast ratio, suggesting similar black levels and color depth. However, the higher brightness of the Tecno Spark 10 Pro translates to better visibility outdoors and a more vibrant viewing experience. The lack of information regarding panel type (IPS vs. VA) for the Umidigi G3 Plus makes a definitive comparison of viewing angles difficult.
Camera Comparison
Both devices list 'Photo / Video' capabilities, but lack specific details regarding sensor size or megapixel count. This suggests both are targeting a similar entry-level camera experience. The absence of information regarding Optical Image Stabilization (OIS) on either device indicates reliance on software processing for image stabilization. Given the price point, image quality will likely be acceptable in good lighting conditions, but will suffer in low-light scenarios. The usefulness of any included macro cameras (often 2MP) on either device is questionable.
Performance
The Tecno Spark 10 Pro’s Mediatek Helio G88 chipset, with its 2x2.0 GHz Cortex-A75 cores, offers a clear performance advantage over the Umidigi G3 Plus’s Unisoc T606 (2x1.6 GHz Cortex-A75). While both are 12nm chips, the G88’s higher clock speeds and slightly more efficient architecture result in snappier app loading and smoother multitasking. The G88 also features a more capable GPU, making it better suited for light gaming. The Umidigi G3 Plus will handle basic tasks, but will likely struggle with demanding applications.
Battery Life
Interestingly, both the Umidigi G3 Plus and the Tecno Spark 10 Pro share an identical endurance rating of 131 hours. However, this doesn't tell the whole story. The Tecno Spark 10 Pro supports 18W wired charging, significantly faster than the Umidigi G3 Plus’s 10W charging. This means the Tecno Spark 10 Pro can replenish its battery much more quickly, minimizing downtime, even if the overall battery life is comparable.
Buying Guide
Buy the Umidigi G3 Plus if your primary need is a basic, functional smartphone for essential tasks like calling, texting, and light social media use, and you prioritize absolute affordability. Buy the Tecno Spark 10 Pro if you want a more responsive experience for casual gaming, streaming video, and taking photos, and you value faster charging speeds for minimizing downtime.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Is the Mediatek Helio G88 in the Tecno Spark 10 Pro capable of running popular games like PUBG Mobile?
The Helio G88 can run PUBG Mobile, but expect to play at medium settings to maintain a stable frame rate. It's not a gaming powerhouse, but it's significantly more capable than the Unisoc T606 in the Umidigi G3 Plus for gaming purposes.
❓ How long does it realistically take to fully charge the Tecno Spark 10 Pro with the 18W charger?
While the Tecno Spark 10 Pro supports 18W charging, the actual charging time will vary depending on the charger used and the phone's current battery level. Expect a full charge from 0% to take approximately 2-2.5 hours with a compatible 18W charger.
❓ Does the Umidigi G3 Plus support software updates, and for how long?
Umidigi's update track record is inconsistent. While they do provide updates, the frequency and duration of support are typically shorter than more established brands like Tecno. Expect limited software updates for the G3 Plus.
❓ What type of USB port do both phones use?
Both the Umidigi G3 Plus and Tecno Spark 10 Pro utilize a USB-C port for charging and data transfer, which is a welcome feature at this price point.
