Hi there, today we’re diving into a head-to-head matchup between two processors that are currently powering a lot of budget Android phones: the Unisoc T7250 vs Helio G81. Both are 4G chips, both target the entry-to-budget range, and both are likely to end up in phones retailing under ₦170K ($120).
But as we all know, not all cheap processors are created equal. Let’s take a look at the numbers and, more importantly, the real-world implications.
The Unisoc T7250 was announced in 2025 and it is a rebranded Unisoc T615. It was designed to replace the aging T610 and compete with the likes of the Helio G80 and Helio G85. It’s already shipping inside phones like the Redmi A5 4G, and it has one job: give the entry level some much-needed performance juice without raising costs.
The MediaTek Helio G81 is a rehash of the old G80/G85 series from MediaTek. In fact, it’s so similar that it should honestly be called the “G80.2.” That said, it’s still a capable chip in the right context. You’ll find it in phones like the Poco C75, Infinix Smart 9, Infinix Hot 50i, Tecno Spark 30c etc. where the marketing team will tell you it’s built for gamers. Spoiler alert: it’s not.
Unisoc T7250 vs Helio G81 Full Specs
| Feature | Unisoc T7250 | MediaTek Helio G81 |
|---|---|---|
| CPU |
|
|
| GPU | Mali-G57 MP1 @ 850MHz | Mali-G52 MP2 @ 1000MHz |
| Process Node | 12nm | 12nm |
| AnTuTu | 263,913 | 258,068 |
| GeekBench | 420/1454 | 420/1391 |
| RAM | LPDDR4X | LPDDR4X |
| Storage | eMMC 5.1 | eMMC 5.1 |
| Display | 1080p @120Hz | 1080p @90Hz |
| Camera | Up to 32MP | Up to 50MP |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Comms | 4G LTE Cat 7, WiFi 5, BT 5.0 | 4G LTE Cat 7, WiFi 5, BT 5.0 |
Performance
Let’s start with the CPU. Both SoCs are equipped with the 2x Cortex-A75 for their big cores and 6x Cortex-A55 for efficiency. However, the G81 is clocked slightly higher on both. That should give it a speed edge, but surprisingly, the T7250 actually does slightly better on AnTuTu v10—scoring around 263K versus the G81’s 258K.
Why? Possibly because the T7250 may be better optimized. It’s newer, has a more balanced power curve, and it doesn’t overheat as much under sustained load.
When it comes to the GPU, it’s a split. The G81 has the Mali-G52 MP2, while the T7250 goes with a single-core Mali-G57. On paper, the G81 looks better for gaming, but in practice, both will struggle with anything more demanding than Subway Surfers or Dream League Soccer. You might get away with Call of Duty Mobile, Free Fire, PUBG etc. on the G81, but it’ll have to be on medium settings.
RAM and storage are the same across the board—LPDDR4X and eMMC 5.1—so there’s no advantage either way there.
🖥️ Display and UI Smoothness
This one is easily a tie. Both SoCs support up to 120Hz refresh rate on 1080p screens. However this spec is only useful, if it is well utilized by the OEM.
If you’re buying a phone and care about smoother scrolling and animations (especially on Android Go), both SoCs would do the job fine.
📸 Camera & Video
This is where the Helio G81 scores some easy points. It supports up to 50MP main cameras, while the T7250 stops at 32MP. Does that mean the G81 gives you better photos? Not necessarily. A lot depends on the image sensor, software optimization, and even how good the ISP (image signal processor) is.
Both can shoot 1080p@30fps video. No 60fps. No 4K. Let’s not kid ourselves—these are budget-level SoCs. They’ll get the job done for TikTok, Snapchat, or the occasional food photo. That’s it.
🌐 Connectivity and Features
Same story here: 4G LTE, WiFi 5, and Bluetooth 5.0. No 5G. No WiFi 6. And don’t expect premium features like UFS storage or AV1 codec support either.
🧠 So which should you choose?
If you’ve read this far, the answer should be clear:
- If you’re going for raw performance, better UI fluidity, and more responsive daily usage: either of this two would do fine.
- If you’re into photography and want higher megapixels, or maybe think dual-core GPU gives you better gaming (even if it doesn’t): the Helio G81 might tempt you.
But personally? I’d say it is entirely up to you.
Both SoCs are quite balanced—and this shows that Unisoc is learning from past mistakes. If you spot the T7250 in a Redmi A-series or a low-end Realme, that’s probably the better buy because it would be the more affordable option.
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