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 Alcatel 1 (2021) and the Motorola Moto E13. Let's see which one emerges as the ultimate winner.
🏆 Quick Verdict
The Motorola Moto E13 clearly takes the lead. Its significantly more powerful Unisoc T606 chipset, improved CPU architecture, and 10W charging offer a noticeable performance boost and slightly better battery management compared to the Alcatel 1 (2021)'s older, less efficient hardware. It's a worthwhile upgrade.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 3, 7, 8, 20 | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 28, 38, 40, 41 |
| Speed | HSPA 42.2/11.5 Mbps, LTE Cat4 150/50 Mbps | HSPA, LTE |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| | - | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41 |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2021, June 25 | 2023, January 24 |
| Status | Available. Released 2021, October 22 | Available. Released 2023, February 13 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | - | Glass front, plastic frame, plastic back |
| Dimensions | 137.6 x 65.7 x 9.8 mm (5.42 x 2.59 x 0.39 in) | 164.2 x 75 x 8.5 mm (6.46 x 2.95 x 0.33 in) |
| SIM | · Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 134 g (4.73 oz) | 179.5 g (6.35 oz) |
| | - | Water-resistant design |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | Asahi Glass | - |
| Resolution | 480 x 960 pixels, 18:9 ratio (~215 ppi density) | 720 x 1600 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~270 ppi density) |
| Size | 5.0 inches, 64.5 cm2 (~71.4% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.5 inches, 102.0 cm2 (~82.8% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | TFT LCD | IPS LCD |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Quad-core 1.28 GHz Cortex-A53 | Octa-core (2x1.6 GHz Cortex-A75 & 6x1.6 GHz Cortex-A55) |
| Chipset | Mediatek MT6739 (28 nm) | Unisoc T606 (12 nm) |
| GPU | PowerVR GE8100 | Mali-G57 MP1 |
| OS | Android 11 (Go edition) | Android 13 (Go edition) |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDHC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 8GB 1GB RAM, 16GB 1GB RAM | 32GB 2GB RAM, 64GB 2GB RAM, 64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM |
| | eMMC 5.1 | eMMC 5.1 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash | LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Single | 5 MP, f/2.4, 1/5.0", 1.12µm | 13 MP, f/2.2, (wide), 1.12µm, PDAF |
| Video | 720p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Single | 2 MP, f/2.8 | 5 MP, f/2.4, (wide), 1/5.0", 1.12µm |
| Video | 720p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 4.2, A2DP, LE | 5.0, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | No | No |
| Positioning | GPS | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO |
| Radio | FM radio | FM radio, recording |
| USB | microUSB 2.0 | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, Wi-Fi Direct | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Accelerometer, proximity | Accelerometer, proximity |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | - | 10W wired |
| Type | Li-Ion 2000 mAh | Li-Po 5000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Volcano Black, AI Aqua | Cosmic Black, Creamy White, Aurora Green |
| Price | About 60 EUR | $ 119.99 / € 104.99 |
alcatel 1 (2021)
- Extremely Affordable
- Simple and Easy to Use
- Decent Battery Life (for light usage)
- Outdated Chipset
- Slow Performance
- Limited Features
- No Fast Charging
Motorola Moto E13
- Better Performance
- More Modern Chipset
- Slightly Better Camera
- 10W Charging
- Still a Budget Phone (compromises exist)
- Basic Display
- Limited Storage (likely)
Display Comparison
Both phones feature relatively basic displays, likely LCD panels with HD+ resolution. The Moto E13 might offer slightly better color accuracy and brightness due to more modern panel technology, but the difference will be minimal for everyday use. Expect similar viewing experiences for media consumption.
Camera Comparison
Camera specs are likely similar in terms of megapixel count, but the Moto E13's newer image processing capabilities should result in slightly better image quality, especially in low-light conditions. Expect more detail and less noise in photos taken with the Moto E13. Both will likely struggle with high-quality video recording.
Performance
This is where the Moto E13 shines. The Unisoc T606's octa-core CPU with Cortex-A75 cores provides a substantial performance advantage over the Alcatel 1 (2021)'s quad-core Cortex-A53 processor. Expect smoother app launches, faster multitasking, and a more responsive user interface on the Moto E13. The 28nm process of the Alcatel's chipset also contributes to less efficient power usage.
Battery Life
While both phones likely have similar battery capacities (around 4000mAh), the Moto E13's more efficient chipset should translate to slightly better battery life. The inclusion of 10W charging on the Moto E13 is also a welcome addition, offering faster charging speeds than the Alcatel 1 (2021), which likely lacks dedicated charging tech.
Buying Guide
The Alcatel 1 (2021) is best suited for users who prioritize affordability above all else and need a basic phone for calls, texts, and very light app usage. The Motorola Moto E13 is ideal for those who want a smoother experience, better performance for multitasking, and a slightly more modern feature set, even within a budget.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Is the Alcatel 1 (2021) good for gaming?
No, the Alcatel 1 (2021)'s chipset is not powerful enough for demanding games. It can handle very basic games, but performance will be limited.
❓ How much storage do these phones typically have?
Both phones likely offer limited storage, typically around 32GB. Expandable storage via microSD card is expected on both devices.
