The Acer Acerone Liquid S162E4 and Liquid Z320 represent Acer's offerings in the ultra-budget smartphone segment. While both aim to provide essential smartphone functionality at a low price point, they differ significantly in their internal hardware, particularly in their chipsets. This comparison will dissect those differences to determine which device offers the best value for users prioritizing performance and longevity.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average user, the Acer Acerone Liquid S162E4 is the clear winner. Its Mediatek MT6765 chipset, with its octa-core CPU, delivers substantially more processing power than the Liquid Z320’s Snapdragon 210. This translates to a smoother user experience, better multitasking, and improved app responsiveness, justifying a potential price premium.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 - SIM 1 & SIM 2 (dual-SIM model only) |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 2100 | HSDPA |
| 4G bands | 1, 3, 5, 8, 40, 41 | - |
| EDGE | - | Yes |
| GPRS | - | Yes |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2025, March 25 | 2015, September. Released 2015, November |
| Status | Available. Released 2025, May | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 5), plastic back, plastic frame | - |
| Dimensions | 165.4 x 76.9 x 9 mm (6.51 x 3.03 x 0.35 in) | 136 x 66.5 x 9.6 mm (5.35 x 2.62 x 0.38 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Single SIM (Micro-SIM) or Dual SIM (Micro-SIM, dual stand-by) |
| Weight | 210 g (7.41 oz) | 142 g (5.01 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass 5 | - |
| Resolution | 720 x 1600 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~269 ppi density) | 480 x 854 pixels, 16:9 ratio (~218 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.52 inches, 102.6 cm2 (~80.7% screen-to-body ratio) | 4.5 inches, 55.8 cm2 (~61.7% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD, 350 nits (typ) | IPS LCD |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (4x2.3 GHz Cortex-A53 & 4x1.8 GHz Cortex-A53) | Quad-core 1.0 GHz Cortex-A7 |
| Chipset | Mediatek MT6765 (12 nm) | Qualcomm MSM8909 Snapdragon 210 (28 nm) |
| GPU | PowerVR GE8320 | Adreno 304 |
| OS | Android 14 | Android 5.1 (Lollipop) |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 64GB 4GB RAM | 8GB 1GB RAM |
| | - | eMMC 4.5 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash | LED flash |
| Single | 16 MP, (wide), AF | 5 MP, AF |
| Video | 1080p | Yes |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Single | 5 MP | 2 MP |
| Video | Yes | - |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | - | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.0, A2DP | 4.0, A2DP |
| Infrared port | Yes | - |
| NFC | No | No |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS | GPS |
| Radio | FM radio | FM radio |
| USB | USB Type-C 2.0 | microUSB 2.0 |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, hotspot |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, proximity | Accelerometer, proximity |
| Battery |
|---|
| Type | Li-Ion 5000 mAh | Li-Po 2000 mAh, removable |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Blue | Pure White |
| Models | ZL.H01SI.001 | - |
| Price | - | About 90 EUR |
Acer Acerone Liquid S162E4
- Significantly faster processor for smoother performance
- More power-efficient chipset for potentially longer battery life
- Better equipped for future software updates
- May be slightly more expensive than the Z320
- Specific display and camera specs are unknown
Acer Liquid Z320
- Lower price point for budget-conscious buyers
- Simple and straightforward user experience
- Adequate for basic communication tasks
- Slow processor struggles with modern apps
- Less power-efficient chipset leads to shorter battery life
- Limited potential for future software updates
Display Comparison
Neither Acer provides display specifications beyond size. However, given the target market, both likely utilize LCD panels. The difference in processing power suggests the S162E4 could potentially drive a higher resolution display more smoothly. The Z320’s older chipset may struggle with even basic UI animations on a higher resolution panel. Expect both to have similar color accuracy, leaning towards the standard sRGB color space.
Camera Comparison
Without specific camera sensor details, it’s difficult to make a definitive comparison. However, the S162E4’s more powerful chipset allows for more sophisticated image processing algorithms, potentially resulting in better image quality, especially in low-light conditions. It’s reasonable to assume the S162E4 has a more capable main camera sensor, even if the megapixel count is similar. The Z320’s limited processing power will likely result in slower image capture and less effective noise reduction.
Performance
The core difference lies in the chipsets. The Acerone S162E4’s Mediatek MT6765 (12nm) features an octa-core CPU comprised of four Cortex-A53 cores clocked at 2.3 GHz and another four at 1.8 GHz. This contrasts sharply with the Liquid Z320’s Qualcomm MSM8909 Snapdragon 210 (28nm) which has a quad-core 1.0 GHz Cortex-A7 CPU. The MT6765’s newer architecture and higher clock speeds provide a significant performance advantage. The 12nm process node of the MT6765 also offers improved power efficiency compared to the Z320’s 28nm node, potentially leading to better battery life under load. The Z320 will struggle with modern app demands, while the S162E4 will offer a more fluid experience.
Battery Life
Battery capacity is not specified for either device. However, the Snapdragon 210’s 28nm process is less efficient than the MT6765’s 12nm process. This means the Z320 will likely consume more power for the same tasks, potentially resulting in shorter battery life despite a potentially larger battery capacity. The S162E4’s chipset will allow for more efficient background task management, further contributing to better battery endurance.
Buying Guide
Buy the Acer Acerone Liquid S162E4 if you need a phone capable of handling more demanding apps, occasional gaming, and future software updates without significant performance degradation. Buy the Acer Liquid Z320 if you prioritize absolute affordability and only require basic smartphone functionality like calls, texts, and light web browsing, and are willing to accept a slower, less responsive experience.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Will the Acerone Liquid S162E4 handle popular social media apps like Facebook and Instagram smoothly?
Yes, the Mediatek MT6765 chipset in the S162E4 is significantly more capable than the Snapdragon 210 in the Z320. It should handle Facebook, Instagram, and similar apps without noticeable lag or stuttering, providing a much smoother user experience.
❓ Is the Snapdragon 210 in the Liquid Z320 sufficient for basic web browsing and email?
While the Snapdragon 210 can handle basic web browsing and email, the experience will be noticeably slower and less responsive compared to the S162E4. Expect longer page loading times and occasional delays when switching between apps. It's adequate for very light use, but not ideal for frequent browsing.
❓ Can either of these phones run modern mobile games?
The Acerone Liquid S162E4 is the only viable option for gaming. While it won't run demanding titles at high settings, it can handle less graphically intensive games. The Liquid Z320’s Snapdragon 210 is simply too underpowered for most modern mobile games.
❓ What kind of software updates can I expect on the Liquid Z320?
Given the age and positioning of the Liquid Z320, software update support is likely to be limited. Expect minimal security patches, if any, and it's unlikely to receive major Android version updates. The Acerone S162E4, while still a budget device, has a better chance of receiving at least some security updates due to its newer chipset.
