The Hot 12 Play is one of the latest budget smartphones that recently became available in Kenya. The device succeeds the Hot 10 Play and packs a solid technical profile at an equally enticing price tag.
On the other hand, TECNO’s Spark 8P is another awesome entry-level handset that is quickly becoming a crowd favorite among young users in the country.
Both smartphones are quite good and each excels impressively in their respective core highlights. Today, we’ve made a comparison review to determine which of the two is the best buy alongside offering an overall better user experience.
Unique Selling Proposition
Both handsets come with some unique highlights worth noting. The Infinix Hot 12 Play is mostly performance-based with a great chipset, a large battery, and a 90Hz display. The Spark 8P, on the contrary, is camera-centric with a 50MP main lens and showcases a gorgeous stylish design.
Technical Profile Comparison
Design
| Specifications | Infinix Hot 12 Play | TECNO Spark 8P |
|---|---|---|
| Size | 170.47 x 77.60 x 8.32mm | 165.4 x 76 x 8.8mm |
The Infinix Hot 12 Play packs a trendy design profile featuring a glossy rear cover that is both shiny and dazzling to look at. In contrast, the Spark 8P is equally as elegant with a sleek body encased by a beautiful linear texture rear cover.
Both look awesome, however, in terms of design, I think the Spark 8P does a better job compared to the Hot 12 Play. It’s sleeker, smarter, and just incredible to look at.
Display
| Specifications | Infinix Hot 12 Play | TECNO Spark 8P |
|---|---|---|
| Display Size | 6.82 inches | 6.6 inches |
| Display Resolution | 720 x 1612 pixels | 1080 x 2408 pixels |
| Display Resolution Density | 271 PPI | 400 PPI |
| Display Type | IPS LCD | IPS PLS |
When it comes to the display, both phones have their strengths and weaknesses. For example, the Hot 12 Play is larger compared to the Spark 8P, making it a better option for more screen view real estate.
However, it brings a lower 720p resolution compared to the Spark 8P’s 1080p. Additionally, the Infinix Hot 12 Play packs a centered punch hole panel supporting a 90Hz refresh rate while the Spark 8P maintains the standard 60Hz rate and sports a drop notch.
Although, it does compensate with a better screen resolution density compared to the Hot 12 Play. Display-wise, it all boils down to the consumer to sort of “Pick their poison” and choose which panel suits them best.
Camera
| Specifications | Infinix Hot 12 Play | TECNO Spark 8P |
|---|---|---|
| Rear Camera | 13+2MP | 50+2MP |
| Selfie Camera | 8MP | 8MP |
| Flash | Quad LED | Dual LED |
Hands down, the Spark 8P wins the camera segment against the Hot 12 Play. Alongside being its major highlight, it sports a 50MP AI main camera paired ideally with a 2MP portrait lens and AI depth sensor.
Contrastingly, the Infinix Hot 12 Play packs a 13MP main lens accompanied by a 2MP AI lens. Quite low, but understandable since it’s a performance-centric device.
Performance
| Specifications | Infinix Hot 12 Play | TECNO Spark 8P |
|---|---|---|
| Operating System | Android 11 | Android 11 |
| RAM | 4GB-7GB | 4 GB |
| Internal Memory | 128GB | 64/128 GB |
| Micro SD | Yes, up to 128GB | Yes, up to 128 GB |
Both handsets come equipped with MediaTek’s Helio G35 chipset that each clock at 2.3Ghz and run on Android 11. However, the difference sets in the other key performance specs, that reign the Infinix Hot 12 Play dominant.
For starters, in terms of memory, it comes with a larger storage capacity (128GB) compared to the Spark 8P’s 64GB. Not to mention it’s added extended RAM tech expandable to 7GB while the TECNO Spark 8P caps at 4GB of memory.
Add this to Infinix’s installed proprietary engines and toolkits like XArena and Dar-link engine, and you have a gaming smartphone that completely obliterates the competition.
Battery
| Specifications | Infinix Hot 12 Play | TECNO Spark 8P |
|---|---|---|
| Battery Capacity | Li-Po 6000 mAh | Li-Po 5000 mAh |
| Charging Speed | 10w | 10w |
In terms of energy matters, the Infinix Hot 12 Play features a bigger battery than the TECNO Spark 8P. In fact, it’s one of the biggest batteries around. So, if you are big on longer-lasting smartphones, the Hot 12 Play is definitely worth a look.
Commentary
Both the TECNO Spark 8P and the Infinix Hot 12 Play are quite decent smartphones and it’s rather challenging to choose which one is better. They both offer some similarities and simultaneously differ here and there.
Nonetheless, as I said, both devices have their strengths and weaknesses and are best suited to serve their specific customer base. The Infinix Hot 12 Play will appease the gaming crowd who have too little time for snaps while playing PUBG.
The Spark 8P, on the other hand, although a bit pricey, will delightfully amuse camera enthusiasts who enjoy taking pictures all day and don’t mind their smartphones looking gorgeous as they do.
Related; Infinix Hot 12 Play: Unboxing and First Impressions
Overall, the Infinix Hot 12 Play slightly edges the Spark 8P and is the best buy in terms of battery, performance, and affordability. You can read more about the Hot 12 Play as well as the Spark 8P in our in-depth reviews and Unboxing articles to get more insights on the smartphones.
Check out; TECNO Spark 8P: Unboxing and First Impressions
Alfred Gitonga is a passionate tech news writer with a deep interest in smartphones and related technologies. He is a staff writer at Mobitrends.co.ke.
