Apple iPhone 14 vs Tecno Spark 10 5G - Detailed Phone Comparison

Detailed Comparison

Specification

General

Launch Date September 16, 2022 April 7, 2023
Release Year 2022 2023

Physical

Volume 81.81 cm³ 104.26 cm³
Screen Size to Weight Ratio 3.55 "/g N/A
Weight 172 g 0 g
Height 146.7 mm 164.4 mm
Width 71.5 mm 75.5 mm
Thickness 7.8 mm 8.4 mm
Foldable Design No No
Available Colors
  • Red
  • Yellow
  • Blue
  • Purple
  • Starlight
  • Midnight
  • Black
  • Blue
  • White

Display

Screen Size 6.1 " 6.6 "
Resolution 1170 x 2532 720 x 1612
Aspect Ratio 19.5:9 20:9
Screen-to-Body Ratio 87.1 % 84.3 %
Pixel Density 460 PPI 267 PPI
Refresh Rate N/A 90 Hz
Typical Brightness N/A N/A
HBM Brightness 800 nits N/A
Peak Brightness 1200 nits N/A

Hardware

Battery Capacity per Screen Area 88.12 mAh/in² 114.78 mAh/in²
Battery Density 40.08 mAh/cm³ 47.96 mAh/cm³
Battery Capacity 3279 mAh 5000 mAh
NFC Support Yes No
Chipset Apple A15 Bionic (5 nm) Mediatek Dimensity 6020 (7 nm)
CPU Hexa-core (2x3.23 GHz Avalanche + 4x1.82 GHz Blizzard) Octa-core (2x2.2 GHz Cortex-A76 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55)
GPU Apple GPU (5-core graphics) Mali-G57 MC2

Connectivity

USB Version 2.0 2.0
OTG Support 1
DisplayPort
DisplayPort Version N/A N/A
USB Features Lightning 2.0 USB Type-C 2.0, OTG

Software

Operating System iOS Android
Initial OS Version 16 13
Maximum OS Version 18

Comparison Summary

Alright, let's dive deep into this matchup between the Apple iPhone 14 and the Tecno Spark 10 5G. It’s a classic David versus Goliath scenario, and as always, the devil is in the details, so let's get technical.

1. Specifications Breakdown

Here's a detailed look at how these two phones stack up, focusing on what these specs mean for you:

FeatureApple iPhone 14Tecno Spark 10 5GReal-World Implications
Design
Dimensions146.7 × 71.5 × 7.8 mm164.4 × 75.5 × 8.4 mmThe Tecno is noticeably larger and thicker, impacting pocketability and single-hand use.
Weight172g0gThe iPhone is light and feels premium; the Tecno's weight is missing, which is a red flag.
FoldableStandardStandardBoth are traditional smartphones.
Display
Size6.1"6.6"Tecno offers more screen real estate, great for media consumption.
Resolution1170x2532720x1612iPhone's display is significantly sharper; noticeable pixelation on the Tecno.
PPI460267The iPhone’s screen looks much crisper and more detailed.
TechnologyOLEDIPS LCDiPhone offers superior contrast, deeper blacks, and better viewing angles.
Refresh Rate60Hz90HzTecno has a slightly smoother scrolling experience.
Brightness1200 nits0 nitsiPhone is much more readable outdoors in sunlight, especially on a bright day.
Performance
ChipsetApple A15 Bionic (5 nm)Mediatek Dimensity 6020 (7 nm)The iPhone’s chip is significantly more powerful and energy-efficient.
Antutu Score1,324,887331,000iPhone offers vastly superior app performance and gaming capabilities.
GPUApple GPU (5-core)Mali-G57 MC2iPhone's GPU is more powerful, handling graphics-intensive tasks with ease.
Battery Life
Capacity3279 mAh5000 mAhTecno has a much bigger battery, which should translate to longer battery life.
Charging18W Fast Charging, Li-Ion18W Fast Charging, Li-PolymerBoth support similar wired fast charging; the iPhone also has wireless charging.
FeaturesMagSafe wireless charging 15W, Qi magnetic fast wireless charging 7.5W, Not official mAh valueNon-removableThe iPhone has wireless charging options; the Tecno does not.
Camera
Standard Camera12MP, f/1.5, 1/1.66", 1.90µm pixels50MP, f/1.6, pixel size is not providedTecno has more megapixels, but the iPhone's larger sensor and pixel size usually provide better low-light performance.
Selfie Camera12MP, f/1.98MP, f/1.8iPhone has slightly more megapixels, Tecno a wider aperture.
Wide Angle Lens12MP, f/2.4, 1/2.55"NoneiPhone offers an ultra-wide-angle perspective for more versatile shots.
Macro LensNone2MP, f/2.4Tecno has a macro lens for close-up shots, which the iPhone doesn’t have.
VideoUp to 4K HDR1080p@30fpsiPhone offers higher resolution video recording.
DXOMark ScoresMobile: 133, Selfie: 144Not availableiPhone's camera is rated much higher, which means better photo and video quality in general.
FeaturesOptical Stabilization, RAW, Night ModeDigital image stabilizationiPhone has optical image stabilization and night mode which will lead to better photos in most situations.
Software
OSiOS 16 (upgradeable to 18)Android 13iOS is known for its seamless experience and longer software support, Android is more open and customizable.
Connectivity
Wi-Fi802.11a, b, g, n, ac, WiFi 6 (802.11ax), MiMO802.11a, b, g, n, ac, Wi-Fi Direct, Wi-Fi DisplayiPhone supports Wi-Fi 6 for faster, more efficient connections.
Bluetooth5.3 LE, A2DP, LE, AAC5.1 LE, A2DP, LE, APT-x, LDAC, SBC, AACiPhone has the newer Bluetooth version, Tecno has more audio codec support.
SIMNano SIM + eSIMDual Nano SIMiPhone offers the convenience of eSIM and dual SIM use; the Tecno does not offer eSIM.
Storage & Audio
Internal Storage128/256/512 GB256 GBiPhone provides more storage variants.
RAM6 GB8 GBTecno has more RAM, which may be beneficial for multitasking.
Expandable StorageNoNoNeither phone allows for storage expansion.
Audio QualityDolby Atmos, DTS, Noise cancellationBasic audio featuresiPhone offers premium audio features.
Security
Security FeaturesBasic security featuresSide-mounted Fingerprint sensorTecno offers a fingerprint sensor for biometric security.
Build Quality
ProtectionScreen Protection unknownScreen Protection unknownNo information about screen protection.
Sensors
SensorsAccelerometer, Gyroscope, Proximity, BarometerFingerprint, Accelerometer, Gyroscope, ProximityiPhone includes a barometer and the Tecno includes a Fingerprint sensor for biometric security.

2. Key Insights

Apple iPhone 14 Strengths:

  • Superior Display: OLED technology, much higher resolution, and significantly better brightness. The screen is a key differentiator.
  • Dominant Performance: The A15 Bionic chip is a powerhouse, offering blazing-fast performance and efficiency.
  • Better Camera System: Though the megapixel count is lower, the iPhone’s camera with its larger sensor, wider aperture, image processing, and DXOMark scores translates into significantly better overall picture and video quality.
  • Premium Ecosystem: iOS offers a smoother, more secure, and tightly integrated user experience, especially if you are already invested in Apple products.
  • Wireless Charging: Magsafe and Qi wireless charging add convenience.
  • Better Audio Quality: Features Dolby Atmos, Digital Plus, DTS/DTS X and a noise-cancelling microphone
  • Future Proof: The iPhone gets long-term software support.

Tecno Spark 10 5G Strengths:

  • Larger Display: Ideal for media consumption and users who prefer bigger screens.
  • Bigger Battery: Should last longer between charges due to the larger capacity.
  • Higher Refresh Rate: 90Hz display offers smoother scrolling.
  • More RAM: 8GB of RAM is beneficial for multitasking.
  • Macro Lens: The inclusion of a macro lens gives added creative versatility.
  • Budget Friendly: This is likely a much more budget-friendly device for the price-conscious shopper.

Trade-offs and Limitations:

  • Tecno:
    • The lower screen resolution and IPS LCD display are a clear downgrade, especially if you have used higher-end devices.
    • The Mediatek Dimensity chipset is adequate for everyday tasks, but far less powerful, and therefore not as future-proof as the A15 Bionic.
    • Camera quality is likely subpar compared to the iPhone, especially in challenging conditions.
    • The absence of wireless charging.
  • iPhone:
    • The battery capacity is smaller.
    • It has a smaller display.
    • You miss out on the 90Hz refresh rate, although in real-world usage, the iPhone's display is smoother.
    • It has higher price tag than its competitor.
    • It lacks the additional macro camera.

3. User Profiles and Recommendations

Apple iPhone 14 is Best For:

  • Tech Enthusiasts: Those who prioritize performance, display quality, and ecosystem integration.
  • Content Creators: Individuals who demand a top-tier camera and robust video recording capabilities.
  • Power Users: People who use their phones heavily for multitasking, gaming, and resource-intensive apps.
  • Those in the Apple Ecosystem: Users already invested in other Apple products will appreciate the seamless integration.

Tecno Spark 10 5G is Best For:

  • Budget-Conscious Users: Individuals looking for an affordable 5G phone that covers the basics.
  • Media Consumers: Those who primarily use their phone for watching videos and browsing content.
  • Users Who Prioritize Battery Life: People who value long battery life and don't need maximum performance.
  • Users Who Like A Larger Screen: Those who prefer having a lot of screen real estate.

4. Buying Decision Framework

Here are three practical questions to help you decide:

  1. What do you prioritize more: screen quality or battery life? If screen quality is more important, the iPhone 14 is the way to go. If you value longer battery life, the Tecno Spark 10 5G has a larger battery and may be more suitable.
  2. What is your budget? The iPhone is a premium device, likely costing significantly more. If budget is a constraint, the Tecno is the sensible option.
  3. How important are camera and performance? If you need high-quality photos and the best possible performance for gaming, and the other apps, the iPhone is the clear winner. If your camera needs are very basic and performance isn't a key factor, then the Tecno may suffice.

Scenario-Based Recommendations:

  • Scenario 1: Social Media Influencer: Choose the iPhone 14. The high-quality camera, video capabilities, and reliable performance are crucial for content creation.
  • Scenario 2: Casual User on a Budget: Choose the Tecno Spark 10 5G. It offers adequate performance, a large screen, and long battery life at a lower price.
  • Scenario 3: Gamer and Heavy App User: Choose the iPhone 14. Its vastly superior chipset and GPU provide a much better gaming experience.

Which would I choose and why?

For me, it’s the Apple iPhone 14, hands down. While I appreciate the larger screen and bigger battery on the Tecno, the sheer gulf in performance, display quality, camera capabilities, and overall polish puts the iPhone in a different league.

As a tech journalist, I am always pushing the boundaries of what is possible, which means I would rather carry something that offers the best experience when I try out new apps and games. The iPhone is just so much better that even if the price difference was greater, I would still be inclined to choose the iPhone.

The iPhone’s A15 Bionic chip ensures longevity, and combined with iOS, it offers a very fluid experience. The stunning display is essential for someone who consumes content, and the quality of the camera is unparalleled, and essential for taking great photos and recording high quality video.

While the Tecno offers a larger battery, it is also heavier and thicker. All things considered, the iPhone is a device that I would prefer to carry around with me. If I needed a backup phone, I would look towards the Tecno, but for my primary phone, the iPhone is the choice.

Alex Griffin
Alex Griffin

Technology analyst specializing in mobile devices and consumer electronics.

Core Expertise

  • Mobile technology analysis
  • Consumer electronics evaluation
  • Technical specification interpretation
  • User experience insights

Professional Mission Empowering readers to make informed technology decisions by transforming intricate specifications into understandable, practical guidance.

Demystifying technology, one device at a time.