If you’ve got 4K or less, you can add the Infinix SMART 8 and itel S23 on your list of affordable buys this month.
Unlike in the mid-range and flagship markets, the price tag is no longer the biggest deal in the entry-level tier. This tier already has the cheapest, so the battle is the value for your money.
Here, we pit two affordable models – the Infinix SMART and itel S23 – both kings of their tier. Read on which smartphone is the better bang for your buck.
Quick Specs Rundown
| Tech Specs | Infinix SMART 8 | itel S23 |
| Display | 6.6 inches | 6.6 inches |
| Processor | Unisoc T606 | Unisoc T606 |
| Memory | 3GB | 4GB |
| Storage | 64GB | 128GB |
| Main camera | 13MP | 50MP |
The two seem to have similar specs but itel S23 got a few upsides over Infinix SMART 8. So, is it the winner? Not yet.
Display
Both Infinix SMART 8 and itel S23 sport a 6.6-inch IPS LCD display. Their resolution is also the same at 720p, though that gives some extra juice for the day in exchange for immersive visuals. Even their refresh rate is up to 90Hz for smoother scrolling and visual experience.
What’s totally different, display-wise, between these two is the design. Infinix SMART 8 has the refreshing punch hole, compared to the waterdrop notch on itel S23. But don’t expect more because both phones have a large chin and slightly thick bezels.
Design
Some users care a lot about a phone’s design. Infinix SMART 8 and itel S23 bear the same smooth edges and button layout. However, the camera module on both is distinct.
You may like the squircle camera island on Infinix SMART 8, despite how much space it occupies. It looks straightforward and imposing, thanks to the squircle line and ring LED flash.
On the other hand, itel S23 may appeal to those who like circular camera islands. The phone’s back side looks spacious and neat as the cameras don’t occupy much of the area.
Design is subjective. That said, it’s better to get a good look at these two in person and feel each, particularly the grip.
Performance
Both handsets are powered by Unisoc T606, which is an entry-level processor. It’s also an old chipset released in September 2021 via a 12-nanometer process. Still, this chipset scored 242,105 on AnTuTu 10 capable of daily tasks and light gaming.
Yet Infinix SMART 8 and itel S23 may perform differently because of their respective configuration. Unlike the former, the latter has more memory at 4GB of RAM. Even just 1GB of RAM difference is significant in terms of performance, especially in loading apps and switching between them.
Another thing worth noting is the bigger storage of itel S23 at 128GB, whereas Infinix SMART 8 only has 64GB. Although these two support storage expansion, itel S23 is ready to install lots of apps and games from the get-go.
Camera at a Glance
Since these two are entry-level smartphones, don’t expect their cameras to be powerful. They are enough for daily captures and social media posts.
Anyway, the Infinix SMART 8 features a 13MP main camera while itel S23 has 50MP. The megapixel affects the resolution but imaging processing is what matters in the end.
If there’s any plus here, that’s on Infinix SMART 8 having a dual flash – one ring and one standard. These should let the phone’s sensors get more details in dark scenarios.
Battery
Power is a common edge of many entry-level phones today. Both Infinix SMART 8 and itel S23 are equipped with 5000mAh battery. Combine that with 720p display and an entry-level processor, expect long battery life throughout the day. Depending on your usage, you may go “low-bat” before these two do.
Unfortunately, the tradeoff for that massive battery unit is the fast-charging rate of 10w. The upside is the phones won’t heat up much compared to a phone that charges extremely fast.
Pricing
Among the factors, the price tag is the ultimate deciding factor and these two have a difference.
Infinix SMART 8 has a suggested retail price of ₱3,599 while itel S23 has an SRP of ₱4,299. Don’t be surprised since the latter has more RAM and storage space.
However, they are often on sale that get their prices close. As of writing, Infinix SMART 8 only costs ₱3,299 (8% off) and itel S23 only costs ₱3,999 (7%). These are subject to change though.
The Infinix SMART 8 is a budget-friendly smartphone designed for those who want a refreshed look and visual enjoyment, thanks to the punch hole and Dynamic Bar. This feature pops out of the punch hole to show you important notifications.
The itel S23 is a budget-friendly handset for individuals who prefer performance and multitasking over anything else. It’s also prepared to take on apps and games out of the box, thanks to its large storage capacity.
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