The Xiaomi Redmi 8 and Tecno Spark 5 Pro represent the fiercely competitive sub-$150 smartphone market. Both aim to deliver essential smartphone functionality at an accessible price, but they achieve this with different approaches to core hardware, specifically their chipsets. This comparison dissects the Qualcomm Snapdragon 439 and MediaTek Helio A25 to determine which phone offers the better user experience.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average user prioritizing consistent performance and a slightly more established brand reputation, the Xiaomi Redmi 8 emerges as the better choice. While the Tecno Spark 5 Pro offers a comparable feature set, the Snapdragon 439’s marginally higher clock speeds and Qualcomm’s optimization give it a slight edge in everyday tasks and light multitasking.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 - Global | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 20, 38, 40 - Global | LTE |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE Cat4 150/50 Mbps |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| | 1, 3, 5, 8, 40, 41 - India | - |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2019, October 09. Released 2019, October 12 | 2020, July 13. Released 2020, July 13 |
| Status | Discontinued | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 5), plastic back, plastic frame | - |
| Dimensions | 156.5 x 75.4 x 9.4 mm (6.16 x 2.97 x 0.37 in) | 164.7 x 76.3 x 8.8 mm (6.48 x 3.00 x 0.35 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 188 g (6.63 oz) | - |
| | Water-repellent coating | - |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass 5 | - |
| Resolution | 720 x 1520 pixels, 19:9 ratio (~270 ppi density) | 720 x 1600 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~266 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.22 inches, 96.6 cm2 (~81.8% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.6 inches, 105.2 cm2 (~83.7% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD, 400 nits (typ) | IPS LCD |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (4x1.95 GHz Cortex-A53 & 4x1.45 GHz Cortex A53) | Octa-core (4x1.8 GHz Cortex-A53 & 4x1.5 GHz Cortex-A53) |
| Chipset | Qualcomm SDM439 Snapdragon 439 (12 nm) | Mediatek MT6762D Helio A25 (12 nm) |
| GPU | Adreno 505 | PowerVR GE8320 |
| OS | Android 9.0 (Pie), upgradable to Android 10, MIUI 12 | Android 10, HIOS 6.1 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 32GB 3GB RAM, 64GB 4GB RAM | 64GB 3GB RAM, 64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM |
| | eMMC 5.1 | eMMC 5.1 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash, HDR, panorama | Quad-LED flash, panorama, HDR |
| Quad | - | 16 MP, f/1.8, PDAF
2 MP (macro)
Auxiliary lenses |
| Single | 12 MP, f/1.8, 1/2.55", 1.4µm, dual pixel PDAF
Auxiliary lens | - |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | HDR | Dual-LED flash, HDR |
| Single | 8 MP, f/2.0, 1/4.0", 1.12µm | 8 MP, f/2.0, (wide) |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 4.2, A2DP, LE | Yes |
| Infrared port | Yes | - |
| NFC | No | No |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS | GPS |
| Radio | Wireless FM radio (no wired headphones required) | FM radio |
| USB | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG | microUSB 2.0, OTG |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, Wi-Fi Direct | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, proximity |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 18W wired | - |
| Type | Li-Po 5000 mAh, non-removable | 5000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Onyx Black, Ruby Red, Sapphire Blue, Phantom Red | Ice Jadeite, Spark Orange, Seabed Blue, Cloud White |
| Models | M1908C3IC, MZB8255IN, M1908C3IG, M1908C3IH | - |
| Price | About 210 EUR | About 120 EUR |
| SAR | 0.34 W/kg (head) 1.00 W/kg (body) | - |
| SAR EU | 0.23 W/kg (head) 1.48 W/kg (body) | - |
Xiaomi Redmi 8
- Faster 18W charging
- Potentially smoother performance due to Qualcomm optimization
- More established brand reputation
- May be slightly more expensive
- No standout features beyond chipset
Tecno Spark 5 pro
- Potentially lower price point
- Large battery capacity (likely 5000mAh)
- Acceptable performance for basic tasks
- Slower charging speeds
- Helio A25 may struggle with multitasking
- Aggressive image processing
Display Comparison
Neither device boasts a standout display. Both likely utilize LCD panels, common in this price bracket. Without specific brightness or color gamut data, it’s difficult to declare a clear winner. However, the Redmi 8’s brand reputation suggests slightly better color calibration, though this is speculative. Bezels are expected to be substantial on both, reflecting their budget positioning.
Camera Comparison
Without detailed camera specs beyond the presence of multiple sensors, a direct comparison is challenging. Both phones likely feature a primary camera alongside depth and macro sensors. The usefulness of the 2MP macro sensors on both devices is questionable, offering limited detail. Image processing will heavily influence the final result, and Tecno often employs aggressive image sharpening. The Redmi 8’s camera system, benefiting from Qualcomm’s ISP, may offer more natural-looking images, but this is an assumption based on brand tendencies.
Performance
The core difference lies in the chipsets. The Xiaomi Redmi 8 features the Qualcomm Snapdragon 439, an octa-core processor with a split core configuration (4x1.95 GHz Cortex-A53 & 4x1.45 GHz Cortex A53). The Tecno Spark 5 Pro utilizes the MediaTek Helio A25, also an octa-core chip (4x1.8 GHz Cortex-A53 & 4x1.5 GHz Cortex-A53). While both use the Cortex-A53 architecture, the Snapdragon 439’s higher peak clock speeds on its performance cores suggest a slight advantage in single-threaded tasks. The 12nm process node is shared, meaning thermal efficiency is comparable. However, Qualcomm’s software optimization often translates to smoother performance even with similar hardware. The Helio A25 may struggle more with demanding multitasking.
Battery Life
Battery capacity isn’t specified, but both phones likely house around 5000mAh batteries, typical for this segment. The Redmi 8 supports 18W wired charging, a significant advantage over the likely 10W or slower charging on the Spark 5 Pro. This translates to considerably faster charging times, reducing downtime. While a larger battery capacity on the Spark 5 Pro *could* offset the slower charging, the Redmi 8’s 18W charging provides a more tangible benefit for users who frequently need to top up their phones.
Buying Guide
Buy the Xiaomi Redmi 8 if you need a phone that handles daily tasks smoothly and benefits from Qualcomm’s software optimization. It’s ideal for users who prioritize reliability and a slightly more responsive experience. Buy the Tecno Spark 5 Pro if you prefer a phone with a potentially lower price point and are willing to accept slightly less consistent performance in exchange. It’s a good option for very basic smartphone users who primarily focus on calls, messaging, and light social media.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Will the Helio A25 in the Tecno Spark 5 Pro overheat during prolonged gaming sessions?
The Helio A25 is an entry-level chipset and is not designed for intensive gaming. While it can handle casual games, prolonged gaming sessions may lead to thermal throttling, resulting in reduced performance and potential overheating. The Snapdragon 439 in the Redmi 8 is slightly better equipped to handle sustained loads, but neither phone is a gaming powerhouse.
❓ Is the 18W charging on the Redmi 8 a significant advantage in real-world use?
Yes, the 18W charging is a substantial benefit. Compared to the likely 10W charging on the Spark 5 Pro, the Redmi 8 will charge significantly faster. Expect a 0-100% charge in around 2-3 hours with the Redmi 8, versus potentially 4-5 hours with the Spark 5 Pro. This is particularly useful for users who need to quickly top up their battery throughout the day.
❓ How does the software experience differ between the Xiaomi Redmi 8 and Tecno Spark 5 Pro?
The Redmi 8 runs Xiaomi’s MIUI, a heavily customized Android skin known for its features and frequent updates (though often with bloatware). The Spark 5 Pro runs Tecno’s HiOS, which is also customized but generally considered less refined and with a slower update cycle. MIUI’s optimization for the Snapdragon 439 may also contribute to smoother performance.
