The sub-$150 smartphone market is fiercely competitive. Both the Xiaomi Redmi A1+ and the Tecno Spark 10C aim to deliver essential smartphone functionality at an incredibly accessible price point. However, they take different approaches to achieving this, with the Spark 10C prioritizing processing power and faster charging, while the Redmi A1+ focuses on a streamlined experience. This comparison dissects their key differences to help you choose the right device.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For most users, the Tecno Spark 10C is the better choice. Its Unisoc T606 chipset, featuring an octa-core configuration, provides a significantly more responsive experience than the Redmi A1+'s quad-core Helio A22. The 18W charging also offers a substantial convenience advantage, making the Spark 10C a more practical daily driver.
| 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, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41 | LTE |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE | HSPA, LTE |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2022, September 23 | 2023, March 23 |
| Status | Available. Released 2022, September 23 | Available. Released 2023, March 29 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | - | Glass front, plastic frame, plastic back |
| Dimensions | 164.9 x 76.8 x 9.1 mm (6.49 x 3.02 x 0.36 in) | 163.9 x 75.5 x 8.5 mm (6.45 x 2.97 x 0.33 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 192 g (6.77 oz) | - |
| Display |
|---|
| Resolution | 720 x 1600 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~269 ppi density) | 720 x 1612 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~267 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.52 inches, 102.6 cm2 (~81.0% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.6 inches, 104.6 cm2 (~84.6% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD, 400 nits (typ) | IPS LCD, 90Hz |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Quad-core 2.0 GHz Cortex-A53 | Octa-core (2x1.6 GHz Cortex-A75 & 6x1.6 GHz Cortex-A55) |
| Chipset | Mediatek MT6761 Helio A22 (12 nm) | Unisoc T606 (12 nm) |
| GPU | PowerVR GE8320 | Mali-G57 MP1 |
| OS | Android 12 (Go edition), MIUI 12 | Android 12, HIOS 8.6 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 32GB 2GB RAM, 32GB 3GB RAM | 64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Dual | - | 16 MP, (wide), PDAF
0.08 MP, (depth) |
| Features | Dual-LED flash, HDR | Dual-LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Single | 8 MP, f/2.0, (wide)
Auxiliary lens | 16 MP, (wide), PDAF
Auxiliary lens |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | - | Dual-LED flash |
| Single | 5 MP, f/2.2 | 8 MP, (wide) |
| 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, BDS | GPS |
| Radio | FM radio | FM radio |
| USB | microUSB 2.0 | USB Type-C 2.0 |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, proximity, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 10W wired | 18W wired |
| Type | Li-Po 5000 mAh | 5000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Light Green, Light Blue, Black | Black, Blue, Green |
| Models | 220733SFG | KI5k, KI5m |
| Price | About 80 EUR | ₹ 9,990 |
| SAR | 1.00 W/kg (head) 1.10 W/kg (body) | - |
| SAR EU | 0.91 W/kg (head) 1.00 W/kg (body) | - |
Xiaomi Redmi A1+
- Simple, uncluttered software experience
- Potentially slightly longer battery life due to less powerful processor
- Established brand reputation
- Significantly slower processor performance
- Slow 10W charging
- Limited multitasking capabilities
Tecno Spark 10C
- Faster and more responsive processor (Unisoc T606)
- Faster 18W charging
- Better suited for multitasking and streaming
- Software experience may be less refined than Xiaomi's MIUI
- Potentially slightly shorter battery life
- Less established brand recognition
Display Comparison
Neither device boasts a standout display. Both are likely utilizing LCD panels, typical for this price bracket. While specific resolution and brightness data are unavailable, the focus here isn't on visual fidelity. The Redmi A1+’s display size is 6.52 inches, while the Tecno Spark 10C has a 6.56 inch display. The slightly larger screen on the Tecno Spark 10C may offer a marginally more immersive viewing experience, but the difference is minimal. Bezels are expected to be substantial on both devices, reflecting their budget nature.
Camera Comparison
Camera performance is likely to be similar on both devices, with both relying on basic sensor setups. Without specific sensor size or aperture information, it's difficult to make a definitive judgment. However, the focus should be on expectations: both phones will deliver acceptable photos in good lighting conditions, but image quality will degrade rapidly in low light. The inclusion of a 2MP macro camera on both devices is largely a marketing tactic, offering limited practical benefit due to the low resolution and lack of optical image stabilization.
Performance
This is where the Tecno Spark 10C pulls ahead decisively. The Unisoc T606 is an octa-core processor (2x1.6 GHz Cortex-A75 & 6x1.6 GHz Cortex-A55) built on a 12nm process, offering a substantial performance uplift over the Redmi A1+'s MediaTek Helio A22 (quad-core 2.0 GHz Cortex-A53, also 12nm). The A75 cores in the T606 provide significantly better single-core performance, crucial for app launch speeds and general responsiveness. While both chips are 12nm, the architectural advantage of the T606 translates to a smoother user experience, especially when multitasking. The Redmi A1+ will struggle with more demanding applications.
Battery Life
Both phones feature similar battery capacities, likely around 5000mAh, common in this segment. However, the Tecno Spark 10C’s 18W wired charging is a significant advantage over the Redmi A1+'s 10W charging. This translates to a much faster 0-100% charge time, reducing downtime and increasing usability. While the Redmi A1+ may offer slightly longer battery life due to the less powerful processor, the convenience of faster charging on the Spark 10C outweighs this benefit for most users.
Buying Guide
Buy the Xiaomi Redmi A1+ if you prioritize simplicity and a minimal software experience, and your usage is limited to very basic tasks like calls, texts, and light social media. Buy the Tecno Spark 10C if you need a phone capable of handling multitasking, streaming video, and occasional gaming without significant lag, and if faster charging is a priority for your on-the-go lifestyle.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Will the Tecno Spark 10C struggle with popular apps like WhatsApp and Facebook?
No, the Unisoc T606 processor in the Tecno Spark 10C is more than capable of handling everyday apps like WhatsApp, Facebook, and Instagram. It provides a smoother and more responsive experience compared to the Redmi A1+'s Helio A22, even when multitasking between these applications.
❓ How long does it realistically take to fully charge the Redmi A1+ with the 10W charger?
With the 10W charger, the Redmi A1+ will likely take around 3-4 hours to fully charge from 0% to 100%. This is significantly slower than the Tecno Spark 10C's 18W charging, which can reduce charging time to approximately 2-2.5 hours.
❓ Is the Tecno Spark 10C a good option for playing mobile games?
The Tecno Spark 10C can handle casual mobile games, but it's not designed for demanding titles. You'll likely need to lower graphics settings to achieve playable frame rates in more intensive games. The Redmi A1+ will struggle even more with gaming due to its weaker processor.
❓ Does either phone support fast software updates?
Neither Xiaomi nor Tecno are known for providing extensive software update support on their entry-level devices. Expect limited updates, primarily security patches, and don't anticipate major Android version upgrades.
