The Acer Liquid S272E4 and M330 represent Acer's offerings in the entry-level smartphone market, but they diverge significantly in their core hardware. The S272E4, with its newer Mediatek chipset, aims for a balance of performance and efficiency, while the M330 relies on the older, more power-constrained Snapdragon 210. This comparison dissects these differences to determine which device delivers the best user experience for the price.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average user prioritizing responsiveness and multitasking, the Acer Liquid S272E4 is the clear winner. Its Mediatek MT6765X chipset, despite its age, offers a substantial performance uplift over the Snapdragon 210 in the M330, making everyday tasks smoother and more enjoyable. The M330 is only suitable for extremely basic use cases.
| 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 4), plastic back, plastic frame | - |
| Dimensions | 171 x 78.6 x 8.9 mm (6.73 x 3.09 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 | 200 g (7.05 oz) | 142 g (5.01 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass 4 | - |
| Resolution | 720 x 1600 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~260 ppi density) | 480 x 854 pixels, 16:9 ratio (~218 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.75 inches, 110.0 cm2 (~81.8% 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 (4x2.2 GHz Cortex-A53 & 4x1.8 GHz Cortex-A53) | Quad-core 1.0 GHz Cortex-A7 |
| Chipset | Mediatek MT6765X (12 nm) | Qualcomm MSM8909 Snapdragon 210 (28 nm) |
| GPU | PowerVR GE8320 | Adreno 304 |
| OS | Android 14 | Microsoft Windows 10 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 64GB 4GB RAM | 8GB 1GB RAM |
| | - | eMMC 4.5 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Dual | 20 MP, (wide), AF
0.3 MP | - |
| Features | LED flash | LED flash |
| Single | - | 5 MP, AF |
| Video | 1080p | Yes |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Single | 5 MP | 5 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 |
|---|
| Browser | - | HTML |
| Sensors | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, proximity | Accelerometer, proximity |
| Battery |
|---|
| Type | Li-Ion 5000 mAh | Li-Ion 2000 mAh, removable |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Dark Blue | Mystic Black, Pure White |
| Models | ZL.H01SI.002 | - |
Acer Acerone Liquid S272E4
- Significantly faster processor for smoother multitasking.
- More efficient chipset for longer battery life.
- Likely better camera performance due to a more advanced ISP.
- Potentially more future-proof due to newer hardware.
- May be slightly more expensive than the M330.
- Still an entry-level device with limitations.
Acer Liquid M330
- Lowest possible price point.
- Extremely basic functionality for minimal users.
- Simple and easy to use.
- Potentially very lightweight.
- Very slow processor leading to significant lag.
- Poor battery life due to inefficient chipset.
- Low-quality camera performance.
- Limited multitasking capabilities.
Display Comparison
Neither device's display specifications are provided, so a direct comparison is impossible. However, given the M330's older chipset and target market, it likely features a lower resolution and less color accurate panel than the S272E4. Expect the S272E4 to offer a more visually pleasing experience, even if both displays are likely IPS LCDs. Bezels are also likely to be larger on the M330 due to its age.
Camera Comparison
Without specific camera specs, it's safe to assume both phones feature basic camera setups. The S272E4, being a slightly newer device, likely has a more capable main sensor and potentially better image processing algorithms. The Snapdragon 210's ISP (Image Signal Processor) is less advanced than the one found in the MT6765X, resulting in lower quality photos and videos on the M330. Any 'macro' or 'depth' sensors on either device are likely to be of very low resolution and offer minimal benefit.
Performance
The core difference lies in the chipsets. The Acer Liquid S272E4’s Mediatek MT6765X (12nm) features an octa-core CPU (4x2.2 GHz Cortex-A53 & 4x1.8 GHz Cortex-A53), while the Acer Liquid M330 is powered by the Qualcomm MSM8909 Snapdragon 210 (28nm) with a quad-core 1.0 GHz Cortex-A7. The 12nm process node of the MT6765X is significantly more efficient than the 28nm node of the Snapdragon 210, leading to better battery life and reduced heat generation. Furthermore, the Cortex-A53 cores in the S272E4 are architecturally superior to the Cortex-A7 cores in the M330, offering improved performance per clock cycle. The eight cores versus four also provide a substantial multitasking advantage for the S272E4.
Battery Life
Battery capacity isn't specified for either device. However, the Snapdragon 210's inefficiency means the M330 will likely drain its battery faster than the S272E4, even with a similar capacity. The 12nm process of the MT6765X contributes to significantly lower power consumption. Charging wattage is also unknown, but the S272E4 is likely to support faster charging due to its more modern chipset.
Buying Guide
Buy the Acer Liquid S272E4 if you need a phone capable of handling social media, light gaming, and basic productivity apps without significant lag. It's the better choice for users who want a more future-proof device, even within the budget segment. Buy the Acer Liquid M330 if you absolutely require the lowest possible price point and only intend to use the phone for calls, texts, and very occasional, simple tasks. It's a device for minimalists or as a temporary backup.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Will the Acer Liquid S272E4 be able to run popular social media apps like Facebook and Instagram smoothly?
Yes, the Mediatek MT6765X chipset in the S272E4 is capable of running social media apps without significant lag. The octa-core CPU and improved architecture compared to the Snapdragon 210 provide a much smoother experience for everyday tasks like browsing and app usage.
❓ Is the Acer Liquid M330 suitable for playing mobile games?
The Acer Liquid M330 is not well-suited for gaming. The Snapdragon 210's limited processing power and graphics capabilities will result in very low frame rates and a poor gaming experience, even with less demanding titles. It's best to avoid gaming on this device.
❓ How much of a difference will the 12nm vs 28nm process node make in real-world battery life?
The difference is substantial. The 12nm process used in the MT6765X is significantly more efficient, meaning it consumes less power for the same level of performance. This translates to noticeably longer battery life on the S272E4 compared to the M330, even if both phones have similar battery capacities. Expect several extra hours of usage on the S272E4.
