The Acer Liquid S272E4 and M220 represent Acer's offerings in the entry-level smartphone market, but they target slightly different users. The S272E4, with its newer Mediatek chipset, aims for a balance of affordability and usability, while the M220, powered by the older Snapdragon 200, prioritizes extreme budget consciousness. This comparison dissects the core differences to help you determine which device best suits your needs.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average user, the Acer Liquid S272E4 is the clear winner. Its Mediatek MT6765X chipset, built on a 12nm process, delivers significantly improved performance and efficiency compared to the Snapdragon 200 in the M220. While the M220 may be cheaper, the S272E4 offers a far more responsive and enjoyable user experience.
| 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 900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 3, 5, 8, 40, 41 | - |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE | HSPA 21.1/5.76 Mbps |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA |
| | - | HSDPA 850 / 1700(AWS) |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2025, March 25 | 2015, March. Released 2015, May |
| Status | Available. Released 2025, May | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 4), plastic back, plastic frame | - |
| Dimensions | 171 x 78.6 x 8.9 mm (6.73 x 3.09 x 0.35 in) | 124.9 x 64 x 9.6 mm (4.92 x 2.52 x 0.38 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Single SIM (Mini-SIM) or Dual SIM (Mini-SIM/Micro-SIM, dual stand-by) |
| Weight | 200 g (7.05 oz) | 119 g (4.20 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass 4 | - |
| Resolution | 720 x 1600 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~260 ppi density) | 480 x 800 pixels, 5:3 ratio (~233 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.75 inches, 110.0 cm2 (~81.8% screen-to-body ratio) | 4.0 inches, 45.5 cm2 (~57.0% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD, 350 nits (typ) | TFT |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (4x2.2 GHz Cortex-A53 & 4x1.8 GHz Cortex-A53) | Dual-core 1.2 GHz Cortex-A7 |
| Chipset | Mediatek MT6765X (12 nm) | Qualcomm MSM8210 Snapdragon 200 (28 nm) |
| GPU | PowerVR GE8320 | Adreno 302 |
| OS | Android 14 | Microsoft Windows Phone 8.1 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) | microSDHC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 64GB 4GB RAM | 4GB 512MB RAM (M220), 8GB 1GB RAM (M220+) |
| | - | eMMC 4.5 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Dual | 20 MP, (wide), AF
0.3 MP | - |
| Features | LED flash | LED flash, panorama |
| Single | - | 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 |
|---|
| Stand-by | - | Up to 200 h |
| Talk time | - | Up to 4 h |
| Type | Li-Ion 5000 mAh | Li-Ion 1300 mAh, removable |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Dark Blue | Mystic Black, Pure White |
| Models | ZL.H01SI.002 | - |
| Price | - | About 80 EUR |
Acer Acerone Liquid S272E4
- Significantly faster processor for smoother performance
- More power-efficient chipset for longer battery life
- Likely benefits from a more modern software experience
- May be slightly more expensive than the M220
- Display specifications are unknown
Acer Liquid M220
- Extremely affordable
- Simple and straightforward user experience
- Acceptable for basic communication tasks
- Very slow processor leading to noticeable lag
- Poor power efficiency resulting in short battery life
- Limited functionality and app compatibility
Display Comparison
Unfortunately, display specifications are not provided for either device. However, given their market positioning, it's reasonable to assume both utilize LCD panels with 720p resolutions. The S272E4 likely benefits from a slightly more modern panel with potentially better color reproduction due to its newer chipset and overall design. Bezels are expected to be substantial on both devices, typical of this price bracket.
Camera Comparison
Camera details are unavailable beyond the devices themselves. Given the price point, both are likely to feature basic camera setups. The S272E4 may have a slight advantage due to the image signal processor (ISP) integrated within the more modern Mediatek chipset, potentially offering better image processing capabilities. However, expect limited low-light performance and overall image quality on both devices. The inclusion of a 2MP macro camera on either device is unlikely to provide a meaningful improvement in image quality.
Performance
The performance gap between these two devices is substantial. The Acerone Liquid S272E4’s Mediatek MT6765X, a 12nm octa-core processor (4x2.2 GHz Cortex-A53 & 4x1.8 GHz Cortex-A53), significantly outperforms the Acer Liquid M220’s Qualcomm MSM8210 Snapdragon 200, a dual-core 1.2 GHz Cortex-A7. The Cortex-A53 cores in the S272E4 are architecturally more advanced than the Cortex-A7 cores in the M220, offering improved instruction set efficiency. Furthermore, the 12nm manufacturing process of the MT6765X is far more efficient than the 28nm process of the Snapdragon 200, resulting in lower power consumption and less heat generation. This translates to smoother multitasking, faster app loading times, and a more responsive overall experience on the S272E4. The octa-core configuration also allows for better parallel processing, benefiting apps optimized for multiple cores.
Battery Life
Battery capacity data is missing for both devices. However, the Snapdragon 200’s 28nm process is notoriously inefficient. This means the M220 will likely drain its battery faster than the S272E4, even with a similar capacity. The Mediatek MT6765X’s 12nm process offers significantly better power efficiency, translating to longer battery life. Charging wattage is also unknown, but the S272E4’s more modern design may support slightly faster charging speeds.
Buying Guide
Buy the Acer Acerone Liquid S272E4 if you need a smartphone capable of handling everyday tasks like social media, web browsing, and light app usage without significant lag. Buy the Acer Liquid M220 if you absolutely prioritize the lowest possible price and only require basic functionality like calls and text messaging, accepting substantial performance limitations.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Will the Acer Liquid M220 struggle with modern apps like WhatsApp or Facebook?
Yes, the Snapdragon 200’s limited processing power and RAM will likely result in significant lag and slow loading times when using modern apps like WhatsApp or Facebook. These apps are increasingly demanding, and the M220 may not be able to handle them effectively.
❓ Is the Acer Acerone Liquid S272E4 suitable for playing mobile games?
The S272E4 can handle casual mobile games, but it's not a gaming powerhouse. The Mediatek MT6765X can run less demanding titles, but expect reduced graphics settings and potential frame rate drops in more graphically intensive games. It's best suited for 2D games and simple 3D titles.
❓ How much of a difference will the 12nm vs 28nm process make in real-world usage?
The difference is substantial. The 12nm process of the MT6765X is significantly more efficient, meaning the S272E4 will consume less power for the same tasks, resulting in longer battery life and less heat generation. The 28nm Snapdragon 200 will drain the battery faster and may throttle performance under sustained load.
