Right now, TECNO and Infinix are just improving. Without sacrificing quality, they have consistently produced low-cost phones! They surely want to dominate the market for budget cellphones in the Philippines!
They just unveiled the TECNO POVA 5 game phone in addition to the outstanding Infinix NOTE 30 4G, which is ranked highly on our list of the best smartphones. When they have these two top-notch budget kings on their side, it is challenging to decide between the two of them. So let us to help you!
A short preview of specs can be seen below:
| Specs | TECNO POVA 5 | Infinix NOTE 30 4G |
| CPU | Mediatek Helio G99 | Mediatek Helio G99 |
| RAM | 8GB | 8GB |
| STORAGE | 128/256GB | 128/256GB |
| DISPLAY | 6.78 in 1080p IPS LCD 120Hz | 6.78 in 1080p IPS LCD 120Hz |
| CAMERA | 50 + 0.08MP rear camera / 8MP front | 64 + 2MP rear + QVGA cam / 16MP front |
| OS | Android 13, HiOS 13 | Android 13, XOS 13 |
| BATTERY | 6000mAh Li-Po 45W | 5000mAh Li-Po 45W |
| USB | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG |
| PRICE | ₱7,999 | ₱7,999 |
Display
As you can see, the two phones have the same displays.
In terms of overall quality, both displays are good for the price range. They are both bright and clear, and they have good viewing angles.
Below is a table detailing the specific display specs of each device which is literally just the same:
| Feature | Itel S23 4G | Itel A60s |
|---|---|---|
| Display size | 6.78 inches | 6.78 inches |
| Display resolution | 1080 x 2460 pixels | 1080 x 2460 pixels |
| Display type | IPS LCD | IPS LCD |
| Refresh rate | 120Hz | 120Hz |
| Pixels per inch (PPI) | 396 | 396 |
| Aspect ratio | 20:9 | 20:9 |
| Screen-to-body ratio | ~84.5% | ~84.5% |
Camera
For the camera comparison, let us start with TECNO POVA 5’s camera first:
The TECNO POVA 5 has a surprisingly good camera for a budget phone. The main 50MP AI camera takes bright and clear photos in well-lit conditions. The phone isn’t really marketed as a camera phone but the image quality produced by the phone is quite decent to say the least and the features in the phone’s camera app is quite helpful to produce decent images.
It suffers heavily in low-light conditions however.
Now unto the Infinix NOTE 30 4G’s camera:
The main camera takes decent photos in good lighting conditions. The dynamic range is good, and colors are accurate. However, detail can be a bit soft in some cases.
Also, the camera struggles in low-light conditions – noise is visible, and colors can be washed out. The camera does a great job but it is highly recommended to have good lighting conditions.
Its night mode is also good enough, respectable, but there is nothing special going on for it.
| Feature | TECNO POVA 5 | Infinix NOTE 30 4G |
|---|---|---|
| Rear camera | 50 MP, (wide), PDAF 0.08 MP, (depth) Dual LED flash | 64 MP, f/1.7, (wide), 1/2″, 0.7µm, PDAF 2 MP, f/2.4, (depth) QVGA Quad-LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Front camera | 8 MP LED flash | 16 MP, f/2.0, (wide) LED flash, HDR |
| Video recording | 1440p@30fps, 1080p@30fps (main) 1080p@30fps (front) | 1440p@30fps, 1080p@30/60fps (main) 1080p@30fps (front) |
| Night mode | Yes | Yes |
| Portrait mode | Yes | Yes |
| Bokeh effect | Yes | Yes |
| LED flash | Yes | Yes |
The picture quality on both phones is nearly identical, especially in low-light situations, but we’ll give the Infinix NOTE 30 4G the edge because it offers more camera capabilities and better camera hardware than the TECNO POVA 5, which is primarily focused on gaming.
Performance
Both literally have the same processor and storage options. They are both powered by a relative decent Mediatek Helio G99.
The Helio G99 octa-core CPU is great for everyday workloads and provides a respectable gaming experience. This is already an excellent value for a phone at this price range, especially when combined with a lot of storage—8GB RAM and 128/256GB ROM.
Nevertheless, the TECNO POVA 5 is better optimized as seen by its AnTuTu benchmark score of 409,416 compared to the Infinix NOTE 30 4G’s score of just over 374,000.
Click here to read our review of the TECNO POVA 5 and here to read our review of the Infinix NOTE 30 4G for the phones.
Operating System
For the OS, let us start with the TECNO POVA 5.
The phone is equipped with Android 13 based HiOS 13. It is quite snappy especially when coupled with the 120Hz refresh rate and albeit smothered by various bloatware, we have an easy time scrolling and exploring the interface. TECNO’s software optimization is on point here, allowing for a hassle-free experience, making it good for casual users and gamers alike.
For the Infinix NOTE 30 4G,
Infinix has its own XOS Android skin, which has undergone several iterations over the years. XOS is now up to version 13, and that’s what the NOTE 30 is running, along with the latest Android 13 core underneath.
XOS is chock-full of features and options. Perhaps even overwhelmingly so but the thing is, bloatware is abundant, and Infinix has included quite a few of its own apps and third-party ones, often with overlapping feature sets.
The important thing to note is that XOS 13 works smoothly, with no hiccups or stutters, despite the influx of apps. So Infinix has done its job pretty well on that front.
Given that TECNO and Infinix are siblings, it is typically difficult to distinguish between the two phones’ user interfaces. What matters is that both phones offer quick and snappy user interfaces that are excellent for both gamers and casual users.
Price
The price of the TECNO POVA 5 and the Infinix NOTE 30 4G is as follows:
| Phone | Price |
|---|---|
| TECNO POVA 5 | ₱7,999 (8GB RAM + 128GB storage) |
| Infinix NOTE 30 4G | ₱7,999 (8GB RAM + 128GB storage) |
Conclusion
If you have read this comparison article right through the end, then you already know the answer, the conclusion to this conundrum: both phones are literally almost just the same with just a single difference, their cameras. The TECNO POVA 5 is a gaming-oriented phone hence it is more suited for gaming, whilst the Infinix NOTE 30 4G is more of an all-arounder phone hence the superior set of cameras. Therefore, the Infinix NOTE 30 4G is a fantastic option if you’re a casual user looking for a phone that can do practically anything. If you’re a gamer, go for the TECNO POVA 5.
