Acer's budget smartphone lineup offers choices, but the Acerone Liquid S272E4 and Liquid Zest Plus represent significantly different approaches to value. The S272E4, with its newer Mediatek chipset, aims for improved performance, while the Zest Plus focuses on basic functionality and potentially longer-term software support given its simpler hardware. This comparison dissects these differences to determine which phone best suits your needs.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average user prioritizing responsiveness and future-proofing, the Acerone Liquid S272E4 is the clear winner. Its Mediatek MT6765X chipset offers a substantial performance uplift over the Zest Plus’s MT6735, making it better suited for multitasking and modern app usage. However, the Zest Plus’s 10W charging is a welcome addition, albeit slow.
| 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 | 2016, April. Released 2016, July |
| 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) | 154 x 77 x 10 mm (6.06 x 3.03 x 0.39 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Single SIM (Micro-SIM) or Dual SIM (Micro-SIM, dual stand-by) |
| Weight | 200 g (7.05 oz) | - |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass 4 | - |
| Resolution | 720 x 1600 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~260 ppi density) | 720 x 1280 pixels, 16:9 ratio (~267 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.75 inches, 110.0 cm2 (~81.8% screen-to-body ratio) | 5.5 inches, 83.4 cm2 (~70.3% 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 1.3 GHz Cortex-A53 |
| Chipset | Mediatek MT6765X (12 nm) | Mediatek MT6735 (28 nm) |
| GPU | PowerVR GE8320 | Mali-T720MP2 |
| OS | Android 14 | Android 6.0 (Marshmallow) |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 64GB 4GB RAM | 16GB 2GB RAM |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Dual | 20 MP, (wide), AF
0.3 MP | - |
| Features | LED flash | Laser AF, LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Single | - | 13 MP, PDAF |
| Video | 1080p | 1080p@30fps |
| 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 |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, proximity | Accelerometer, proximity, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | - | 10W wired |
| Type | Li-Ion 5000 mAh | Li-Ion 5000 mAh, non-removable |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Dark Blue | Blue, White |
| Models | ZL.H01SI.002 | - |
| Price | - | About 200 EUR |
Acer Acerone Liquid S272E4
- Significantly faster processor for smoother multitasking.
- More efficient chipset for potentially better battery life.
- Likely to receive more software updates due to newer hardware.
- Charging specifications are unknown.
- Display details are unavailable, potentially offering no advantage.
Acer Liquid Zest Plus
- Includes 10W wired charging.
- Potentially lower price point.
- Simpler hardware may translate to longer-term software support.
- Significantly slower processor, impacting performance.
- Less efficient chipset, potentially leading to shorter battery life.
- Limited performance for modern apps and multitasking.
Display Comparison
Unfortunately, detailed display specifications are unavailable for either device. However, given their market positioning, it's reasonable to assume both utilize LCD panels. The Acerone Liquid S272E4, being a slightly newer model, *may* benefit from improved color accuracy or viewing angles, but this is speculative. Bezels are likely to be substantial on both devices, reflecting their budget nature. Without specific nit brightness data, it's difficult to assess outdoor visibility.
Camera Comparison
Camera details are sparse for both devices. It's safe to assume both feature basic camera setups geared towards casual photography. Without sensor size or aperture information, a direct comparison is difficult. However, the newer chipset in the Acerone Liquid S272E4 *may* offer slightly improved image processing capabilities. Any 2MP macro or depth sensors on either device should be considered marketing features rather than significant photographic assets.
Performance
The core difference lies in the chipsets. The Acerone Liquid S272E4’s Mediatek MT6765X (12nm) is a significant upgrade over the Liquid Zest Plus’s MT6735 (28nm). The MT6765X features an octa-core CPU (4x2.2 GHz Cortex-A53 & 4x1.8 GHz Cortex-A53) compared to the Zest Plus’s quad-core 1.3 GHz Cortex-A53. The 12nm process node of the MT6765X is far more efficient, leading to better thermal management and potentially sustained performance. The Zest Plus will struggle with demanding tasks and multitasking, while the S272E4 offers a noticeably smoother experience. The MT6765X also benefits from a more modern GPU, improving graphics performance.
Battery Life
Battery capacity is not specified for either device. However, the Liquid Zest Plus includes 10W wired charging, a feature absent from the Acerone Liquid S272E4’s specifications. While 10W is slow by modern standards, it provides a charging solution. The more efficient MT6765X in the S272E4 *could* offset a potentially smaller battery capacity, but this is dependent on usage patterns. Users prioritizing quick top-ups will favor the Zest Plus, while those who can charge overnight may not find the slower charging a significant drawback.
Buying Guide
Buy the Acerone Liquid S272E4 if you need a phone capable of handling more demanding apps, smoother multitasking, and potentially longer software support due to its more modern chipset. Buy the Acer Liquid Zest Plus if you prioritize simplicity, a potentially lower price point, and are content with basic smartphone functionality – primarily calls, texts, and light social media use. The Zest Plus is best for users who prioritize a functional device over performance.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Will the Acerone Liquid S272E4 handle popular games like PUBG Mobile?
While the MT6765X is an entry-level chipset, it's capable of running PUBG Mobile at lower settings. Expect frame rate dips during intense action, and don't anticipate a high-graphics experience. The Liquid Zest Plus’s MT6735 would struggle significantly with this title.
❓ Is the 10W charging on the Liquid Zest Plus slow compared to other phones?
Yes, 10W charging is considerably slower than the 18W, 33W, or even 65W charging found on many modern smartphones. Expect a full charge to take several hours. However, for overnight charging or infrequent top-ups, it may be sufficient.
❓ Which phone is better for someone who primarily uses WhatsApp and makes calls?
The Acer Liquid Zest Plus is perfectly adequate for basic communication tasks like WhatsApp and phone calls. Its simpler hardware is sufficient for these functions, and the 10W charging is a bonus. The Acerone Liquid S272E4 offers more performance than needed for these tasks, representing an unnecessary expense.
