Acer's budget smartphone lineup often presents a trade-off between newer features and established reliability. The Acerone Liquid S162E4 and Liquid Z530S represent this dichotomy, with the S162E4 boasting a more modern, albeit still entry-level, chipset against the Z530S's older but proven platform. This comparison dissects the core differences to help you determine which device best suits your needs.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For most users, the Acerone Liquid S162E4 is the better choice. Its Mediatek MT6765 chipset, built on a 12nm process, offers a significant performance advantage over the Z530S’s 28nm MT6753, translating to snappier app loading and smoother multitasking, despite both utilizing Cortex-A53 cores.
| 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 | LTE |
| EDGE | - | Yes |
| GPRS | - | Yes |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE | HSPA, LTE |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| 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) | 144 x 70.3 x 8.9 mm (5.67 x 2.77 x 0.35 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Single SIM (Micro-SIM) or Dual SIM (Micro-SIM, dual stand-by) |
| Weight | 210 g (7.41 oz) | 145 g (5.11 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass 5 | - |
| Resolution | 720 x 1600 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~269 ppi density) | 720 x 1280 pixels, 16:9 ratio (~294 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.52 inches, 102.6 cm2 (~80.7% screen-to-body ratio) | 5.0 inches, 68.9 cm2 (~68.1% 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) | Octa-core 1.3 GHz Cortex-A53 |
| Chipset | Mediatek MT6765 (12 nm) | Mediatek MT6753 (28 nm) |
| GPU | PowerVR GE8320 | Mali-T720MP3 |
| OS | Android 14 | Android 5.1 (Lollipop) |
| Memory |
|---|
| Call records | - | 30 dialed, 30 received, 30 missed calls |
| Card slot | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 64GB 4GB RAM | 32GB 3GB RAM |
| Phonebook | - | Yes, Photo call |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash | LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Single | 16 MP, (wide), AF | 8 MP, AF |
| Video | 1080p | Yes |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Single | 5 MP | 8 MP |
| Video | Yes | - |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | - | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Alert types | - | Vibration; Downloadable polyphonic, MP3 ringtones |
| 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 |
|---|
| Browser | - | WAP 2.0/xHTML, HTML (Opera v8.5) |
| Games | - | Yes |
| Java | - | Yes, MIDP 2.0 |
| Messaging | - | SMS, MMS, Email |
| Sensors | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, proximity | Accelerometer, proximity |
| Battery |
|---|
| Stand-by | - | Up to 150 h |
| Talk time | - | Up to 4 h |
| Type | Li-Ion 5000 mAh | Li-Ion 2420 mAh, removable |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Blue | Black, White |
| Models | ZL.H01SI.001 | - |
| Price | - | About 60 EUR |
| SAR | - | 1.41 W/kg (head) 0.25 W/kg (body) |
Acer Acerone Liquid S162E4
- More powerful and efficient MT6765 chipset
- Likely improved software support due to newer release
- Potentially better camera image processing
- May be slightly more expensive than the Z530S
- Specific display specs are unknown
Acer Liquid Z530S
- Potentially lower price point
- Established platform with known reliability
- May have a longer track record of software updates (though likely limited)
- Older and less efficient MT6753 chipset
- Slower performance in all tasks
- Higher power consumption
Display Comparison
Unfortunately, display specifications are not provided for either device. However, given their market positioning, it's reasonable to assume both utilize IPS LCD panels. The Z530S, being an older model, may have lower peak brightness and narrower color gamut coverage. The S162E4, while likely still budget-focused, may benefit from slight improvements in panel quality due to newer manufacturing techniques.
Camera Comparison
Without detailed camera specifications, a direct comparison is difficult. However, it’s safe to assume both phones feature basic camera setups geared towards casual photography. The S162E4, being a newer device, *may* incorporate slightly improved image processing algorithms. The presence of a larger sensor (if any) in the S162E4 would further enhance image quality, particularly in low-light conditions. It's likely both phones include a standard rear camera and a front-facing camera for selfies and video calls.
Performance
The core difference lies in the chipsets. The Acerone S162E4’s Mediatek MT6765 (12nm) is a clear upgrade over the Z530S’s MT6753 (28nm). The 12nm fabrication process allows for higher transistor density and improved power efficiency. While both CPUs feature an octa-core configuration using Cortex-A53 cores, the S162E4’s higher clock speeds (2.3 GHz vs 1.3 GHz) and more efficient process node will result in noticeably faster performance in CPU-bound tasks. The GPU within the MT6765 will also provide a better graphics experience, though neither phone is designed for high-end gaming. The larger process node of the MT6753 will likely result in more heat generation under load, potentially leading to thermal throttling.
Battery Life
Battery capacity data is unavailable for either device. However, the MT6765’s improved power efficiency should translate to longer battery life on the Acerone S162E4, even if the battery capacity is similar to the Z530S. The 28nm MT6753 is inherently less efficient, meaning it will consume more power for the same tasks. Charging wattage is also unknown, but a newer device like the S162E4 might support faster charging technologies, reducing the time to fully recharge the battery.
Buying Guide
Buy the Acerone Liquid S162E4 if you prioritize responsiveness and future-proofing, even within the budget segment. It’s ideal for users who frequently switch between apps or engage in light gaming. Buy the Acer Liquid Z530S if you value a potentially longer track record of software support and are primarily focused on basic communication tasks like calls, texts, and light social media browsing, and are less concerned with demanding performance.
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 more than capable of handling social media apps without significant lag. The increased processing power and efficiency compared to the Z530S’s MT6753 will provide a smoother and more responsive experience when browsing feeds, posting updates, and watching videos.
❓ Is the difference in performance between the MT6765 and MT6753 noticeable for everyday tasks like calling and texting?
For basic tasks like calling and texting, the difference may not be immediately apparent. However, the S162E4 will feel snappier when opening apps, switching between them, and navigating the user interface. The MT6753 in the Z530S may exhibit slight delays in these scenarios.
❓ Does the Acerone Liquid S162E4 support 4G LTE connectivity for faster data speeds?
Yes, the Mediatek MT6765 chipset includes integrated 4G LTE connectivity, allowing for faster download and upload speeds on compatible networks. The Z530S’s MT6753 also supports 4G LTE, but the S162E4 may offer improved modem performance for better signal reception and data throughput.
