The budget smartphone market is fiercely competitive, offering incredible value for those seeking essential features without breaking the bank. Today, we're pitting two contenders against each other: the Acer Liquid Z220 and the Motorola Moto E22i. Let's dive into a detailed comparison to see which phone emerges as the winner.
🏆 Quick Verdict
The Motorola Moto E22i clearly takes the lead. Its more powerful processor, better battery efficiency, and generally improved features offer a significantly better user experience than the Acer Liquid Z220, despite both being budget options. The E22i provides a smoother, more modern feel.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 - SIM 1 & SIM 2 (dual-SIM model only) | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | - | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 38, 40, 41 |
| Speed | HSPA | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE Cat4 150/50 Mbps |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| | HSDPA 850 / 1700(AWS) | - |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2015, March. Released 2015, April | 2022, September 16 |
| Status | Discontinued | Available. Released 2022, October 11 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | - | Glass front, plastic frame, plastic back |
| Dimensions | 125.3 x 64 x 9.6 mm (4.93 x 2.52 x 0.38 in) | 163.6 x 74.7 x 8 mm (6.44 x 2.94 x 0.31 in) |
| SIM | Single SIM (Mini-SIM) or Dual SIM (Mini-SIM/Micro-SIM, dual stand-by) | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 120 g (4.23 oz) | 169 g (5.96 oz) |
| | - | Water-repellent coating |
| Display |
|---|
| Resolution | 480 x 800 pixels, 5:3 ratio (~233 ppi density) | 720 x 1600 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~270 ppi density) |
| Size | 4.0 inches, 45.5 cm2 (~56.8% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.5 inches, 102.0 cm2 (~83.5% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD | IPS LCD, 90Hz |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Dual-core 1.2 GHz Cortex-A7 | Octa-core (4x2.3 GHz Cortex-A53 & 4x1.8 GHz Cortex-A53) |
| Chipset | Qualcomm Snapdragon 200 (28 nm) | Mediatek MT6765V/CB Helio G37 (12 nm) |
| GPU | Adreno 302 | PowerVR GE8320 |
| OS | Android 5.0 (Lollipop) | Android 12 (Go edition) |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDHC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 8GB 1GB RAM | 32GB 2GB RAM, 64GB 2GB RAM |
| | eMMC 4.5 | eMMC 5.1 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Dual | - | 16 MP, f/2.2, (wide), 1.0µm, PDAF
Auxiliary lens |
| Features | LED flash | LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Single | 5 MP, AF | - |
| Video | 720p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | - | HDR |
| Single | 2 MP | 5 MP, f/2.4, 1/5.0", 1.12µm |
| Video | - | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes, with stereo speakers |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 4.0, A2DP | 5.0, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | No | No |
| Positioning | GPS | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO |
| Radio | FM radio | FM radio |
| USB | microUSB 2.0 | USB Type-C 2.0 |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, hotspot | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Accelerometer | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, proximity |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | - | 10W wired |
| Type | Li-Ion 1300 mAh, removable | Li-Po 4020 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Black, White | Graphite Gray, Winter White |
| Models | Z220 | - |
| Price | About 90 EUR | About 90 EUR |
Acer Liquid Z220
- Extremely affordable
- Compact size
- Basic functionality
- Outdated processor
- Low performance
- Limited features
- Poor camera quality
- Small screen
Motorola Moto E22i
- Better performance
- Improved battery life
- More modern design
- Decent camera
- More features
- Still a budget phone
- Display quality is average
- Charging speed is slow (10W)
Display Comparison
Both phones feature relatively small, basic LCD displays. The Moto E22i likely has slightly better color accuracy and brightness due to its newer design, but neither display is a standout feature. Expect resolutions around 720p on the Moto E22i and potentially lower on the Z220.
Camera Comparison
The Moto E22i likely boasts a more capable camera system, potentially with a higher resolution main sensor and improved image processing. While neither phone is expected to deliver flagship-level photography, the E22i should produce noticeably better photos, especially in low light. The Z220's camera is likely very basic.
Performance
This is where the Moto E22i shines. Its Octa-core Helio G37 chipset is significantly faster and more efficient than the Acer Z220's Dual-core Snapdragon 200. Expect smoother multitasking, faster app loading times, and a more responsive overall experience on the Moto E22i. The Z220 will likely struggle with more demanding tasks.
Battery Life
The Moto E22i's more efficient chipset and likely larger battery capacity (around 5000mAh) give it a significant advantage in battery life. Expect all-day battery life with moderate usage on the E22i, while the Z220 may require more frequent charging.
Buying Guide
The Acer Liquid Z220 is best suited for users with extremely limited budgets who primarily need a basic phone for calls and texts. The Motorola Moto E22i is ideal for those seeking a more capable budget phone for light social media use, browsing, and occasional photography.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Is the Acer Liquid Z220 good for gaming?
No, the Acer Liquid Z220's processor is too weak for any serious gaming. It can handle very basic, lightweight games, but don't expect a smooth experience.
❓ How much storage do these phones have?
Both phones typically come with limited internal storage (likely 32GB or 64GB), but both support microSD card expansion for additional storage.
❓ Which phone has the better software experience?
The Motorola Moto E22i generally offers a cleaner and more up-to-date software experience, often with a near-stock Android version. The Acer Z220 may have a more customized (and potentially less optimized) Android skin.