The sub-$150 smartphone market is fiercely competitive. The vivo Y15a and Tecno Spark 8 Pro both aim to deliver essential smartphone functionality at an accessible price point. However, they take distinctly different approaches to achieving this, with the Spark 8 Pro prioritizing performance and charging speed, while the Y15a focuses on a more conservative, efficiency-focused design.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For most users, the Tecno Spark 8 Pro is the better choice. Its Helio G85 chipset provides a noticeable performance uplift over the Y15a’s Helio P35, and the 33W fast charging dramatically reduces downtime. While the Y15a offers a slightly more streamlined experience, the Spark 8 Pro’s advantages are too significant to ignore.
| 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, 8, 28, 38, 40, 41 | 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, November 15 | 2021, December 29 |
| Status | Available. Released 2021, November 15 | Available. Released 2022, January 04 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front, plastic back, plastic frame | Glass front, plastic frame, plastic back |
| Dimensions | 164 x 75.2 x 8.3 mm (6.46 x 2.96 x 0.33 in) | 169 x 76.8 x 8.8 mm (6.65 x 3.02 x 0.35 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 179 g (6.31 oz) | - |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | - | NEG |
| Resolution | 720 x 1600 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~270 ppi density) | 1080 x 2460 pixels (~395 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.51 inches, 102.3 cm2 (~83.0% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.8 inches, 109.8 cm2 (~84.6% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD | IPS LCD, 500 nits (HBM) |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (4x2.3 GHz Cortex-A53 & 4x1.8 GHz Cortex-A53) | Octa-core (2x2.0 GHz Cortex-A75 & 6x1.8 GHz Cortex-A55) |
| Chipset | Mediatek MT6765 Helio P35 (12 nm) | Mediatek MT6769Z Helio G85 (12 nm) |
| GPU | PowerVR GE8320 | Mali-G52 MC2 |
| OS | Android 11, Funtouch 11.1 | Android 11, HIOS 7.6 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 64GB 4GB RAM | 64GB 4GB RAM, 64GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM |
| | eMMC 5.1 | eMMC 5.1 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Dual | 13 MP, f/2.2, 27mm (wide), AF
Auxiliary lens | - |
| Features | LED flash, panorama | Dual-LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Single | 8 MP, f/2.0 | 8 MP, f/2.0, 26mm (wide) |
| Triple | - | 48 MP, f/1.8, (wide), PDAF
Auxiliary lenses |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | - | Dual-LED flash |
| Single | 8 MP, f/2.0 | 8 MP, f/2.0, 26mm (wide) |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.0, A2DP, LE | Yes |
| NFC | No | No |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS | GPS |
| Radio | FM radio | FM radio |
| USB | microUSB 2.0, OTG | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, Wi-Fi Direct | Yes |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, proximity |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 10W wired
5W reverse wired | 33W wired |
| Type | 5000 mAh | 5000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Wave Green, Mystic Blue | Komodo Island, Interstellar Black, Winsor Violet |
| Models | V2134 | KG8, MZ-TECNO KG8, Mobile KG8 |
| Price | About 140 EUR | About 130 EUR |
vivo Y15a
- Potentially longer battery life due to less powerful chipset.
- Simpler, more streamlined software experience (likely).
- Lower price point (likely).
- Significantly slower performance.
- Extremely slow 10W charging.
- Limited gaming capabilities.
Tecno Spark 8 Pro
- Faster and more responsive performance with the Helio G85.
- 33W fast charging dramatically reduces charging time.
- Better gaming capabilities.
- More advanced ISP for potentially better image processing.
- Potentially shorter battery life due to more powerful chipset.
- May be slightly more expensive.
Display Comparison
Neither device boasts a standout display. Both utilize LCD panels, and detailed specifications like resolution and refresh rate are absent from the provided data. However, the focus should be on performance differences. The Y15a’s Helio P35 will have less graphical processing power to drive a higher resolution or refresh rate, making a basic LCD panel a sensible choice. The Spark 8 Pro, with its more capable G85, *could* support a higher resolution or refresh rate in other variants, suggesting a more future-proofed display architecture, even if the base model doesn't fully utilize it.
Camera Comparison
Without detailed camera specs beyond the chipsets, a direct comparison is limited. However, the G85’s integrated image signal processor (ISP) is more advanced than the P35’s, allowing for better image processing, noise reduction, and dynamic range. This doesn’t guarantee better photos, as lens quality and sensor size are also critical, but the Spark 8 Pro has a hardware advantage in this area. The absence of information on sensor sizes suggests both phones likely utilize budget-oriented sensors, prioritizing affordability over image quality.
Performance
The core difference lies in the chipsets. The Tecno Spark 8 Pro’s Mediatek Helio G85 (12nm) is a substantial upgrade over the vivo Y15a’s Helio P35 (12nm). The G85 features a more modern CPU configuration with 2x2.0 GHz Cortex-A75 cores and 6x1.8 GHz Cortex-A55 cores, compared to the P35’s 4x2.3 GHz Cortex-A53 and 4x1.8 GHz Cortex-A53. The A75 cores in the G85 offer significantly better single-core performance, crucial for app launch speeds and responsiveness. The G85 also has a more capable GPU, making it the clear winner for gaming. While both are 12nm chips, the architectural improvements in the G85 translate to a smoother, more enjoyable user experience.
Battery Life
Both phones likely feature similar battery capacities, typical for this price range (around 5000mAh is common). However, the Tecno Spark 8 Pro’s 33W wired charging is a game-changer. The vivo Y15a’s 10W charging is comparatively slow, requiring significantly longer to reach a full charge. The Spark 8 Pro can likely go from 0-100% in under 70 minutes, while the Y15a could take over 3 hours. This difference is crucial for users who need to quickly top up their battery throughout the day. The 5W reverse wired charging on the Y15a is a niche feature unlikely to be heavily used.
Buying Guide
Buy the vivo Y15a if you prioritize absolute simplicity and minimal software overhead, and your usage is limited to basic tasks like calls, texts, and light social media. You’ll appreciate its potentially longer battery life due to the less power-hungry chipset. Buy the Tecno Spark 8 Pro if you want a phone capable of handling moderate gaming, multitasking, and benefit from significantly faster charging, making it ideal for users who are constantly on the go.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Will the Tecno Spark 8 Pro handle popular games like PUBG Mobile or Call of Duty Mobile?
The Helio G85 in the Spark 8 Pro is capable of running PUBG Mobile and Call of Duty Mobile at medium settings with reasonable frame rates. While it won't deliver a flagship-level gaming experience, it's a significant step up from the Y15a's Helio P35, which would struggle with these titles.
❓ How much faster is the 33W charging on the Tecno Spark 8 Pro compared to the vivo Y15a's 10W charging?
The 33W charging on the Spark 8 Pro is *significantly* faster. Expect a full charge in under 70 minutes, whereas the Y15a's 10W charging could take over 3 hours. This difference is crucial for users who need to quickly top up their battery during the day.
❓ Does the difference in chipsets affect everyday tasks like browsing and social media?
Yes, the Helio G85 in the Spark 8 Pro will make everyday tasks feel noticeably smoother and more responsive. App launch times will be faster, multitasking will be less laggy, and scrolling through social media feeds will be more fluid compared to the Y15a.
