The Alcatel 3088 and Nokia 8110 4G represent a resurgence in demand for simple, reliable 4G feature phones. Both devices cater to users seeking basic connectivity without the complexities – and costs – of a smartphone. This comparison dissects their core components to determine which offers the best experience for the price.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average user prioritizing slightly better processing power for basic apps and potential future software updates, the Alcatel 3088 emerges as the winner. Its Spreadtrum SC9820E chipset, while still entry-level, offers a marginal performance advantage over the Nokia 8110 4G’s Snapdragon 205.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 900 / 1800 |
| 3G bands | - | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 2100 - Europe |
| 4G bands | 1, 3, 7, 8, 20, 28 | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20 - Europe |
| EDGE | Yes | - |
| GPRS | Yes | - |
| Speed | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE Cat4 150/50 Mbps | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE Cat4 150/50 Mbps |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 28, 38, 40 | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 38, 39, 40, 41 - MENA/China |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2019. Released 2019 | 2018, February 25. Released 2018, April 23 |
| Status | Discontinued | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | - | Glass front, plastic back, plastic frame |
| Dimensions | 125.2 x 50.5 x 12.8 mm (4.93 x 1.99 x 0.50 in) | 133.5 x 49.3 x 14.9 mm (5.26 x 1.94 x 0.59 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM | · Micro-SIM· Micro-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 90 g (3.17 oz) | 117 g (4.13 oz) |
| | - | Drip protection
Flashlight |
| Display |
|---|
| Resolution | 240 x 320 pixels, 4:3 ratio (~167 ppi density) | 240 x 320 pixels, 4:3 ratio (~167 ppi density) |
| Size | 2.4 inches, 17.8 cm2 (~28.2% screen-to-body ratio) | 2.4 inches, 17.8 cm2 (~27.1% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | TFT LCD, 256K colors | TFT |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Dual-core (2x1.3 GHz Cortex-A7) | Dual-core (2x1.1 GHz Cortex-A7) |
| Chipset | Spreadtrum SC9820E | Qualcomm MSM8905 Snapdragon 205 (28 nm) |
| GPU | - | Adreno 304 |
| OS | KaiOS 2.5.1 | KaiOS 2.5.1 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | No | microSDHC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 4GB 512MB | 4GB 512MB RAM |
| | - | eMMC 4.5 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash | LED flash |
| Single | 2 MP | 2 MP |
| Video | 480p | Yes |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 4.1, A2DP | 4.1, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | No | No |
| Positioning | GPS | GPS |
| Radio | FM radio | FM radio |
| USB | microUSB 2.0 | microUSB 2.0 |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, hotspot | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n |
| Features |
|---|
| | MP3/MP4/H.263 player
Photo viewer
Organizer
Facebook, Whatsapp, YouTube, Google Maps | Downloadable applications Facebook, Gmail, Whatsapp, etc.
Audio/Video player |
| Battery |
|---|
| Music play | - | Up to 48 h |
| Stand-by | Up to 300 h (2G) / Up to 300 h (3G) | Up to 408 h |
| Talk time | Up to 15 h (2G) / Up to 9 h (3G) | Up to 11 h |
| Type | Li-Ion 1530 mAh battery | Li-Ion 1500 mAh battery |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Black, Gray, Blue | Traditional Black, Banana Yellow |
| Models | 3088X, 3088T | TA-1071, TA-1067 |
| Price | About 50 EUR | About 140 EUR |
| SAR | - | 1.16 W/kg (head) 1.18 W/kg (body) |
| SAR EU | - | 0.95 W/kg (head) 1.48 W/kg (body) |
alcatel 3088
- Slightly faster processor (1.3 GHz vs 1.1 GHz)
- Potentially more future-proof chipset
- Likely lower price point
- Less established brand recognition
- Potentially less refined software experience
Nokia 8110 4G
- Iconic and recognizable design
- Strong brand reputation for reliability
- Potentially better long-term software support
- Slower processor (1.1 GHz)
- Older chipset technology
- Potentially higher price
Display Comparison
Neither device boasts a standout display. Both are likely to feature low-resolution color screens typical of feature phones. However, the lack of detailed display specifications necessitates focusing on the chipset's ability to drive the UI smoothly. The Alcatel 3088’s slightly faster CPU *could* translate to marginally quicker screen refreshes, but this is unlikely to be noticeable in everyday use.
Camera Comparison
Both phones are equipped with basic cameras primarily for capturing simple snapshots. Detailed camera specifications are unavailable, but given the target market, image quality is unlikely to be a deciding factor. Expect low-resolution sensors and limited features. Focusing on camera performance would be misleading without concrete data.
Performance
The core difference lies in the chipsets. The Alcatel 3088 utilizes the Spreadtrum SC9820E, featuring a dual-core 1.3 GHz Cortex-A7 CPU. The Nokia 8110 4G employs the Qualcomm MSM8905 Snapdragon 205, also a dual-core Cortex-A7, but clocked at 1.1 GHz. While both are based on the same ARM architecture, the 200 MHz clock speed difference and the Spreadtrum chipset’s newer design *suggest* a slight performance edge for the Alcatel 3088 in tasks like loading web pages or running basic apps. The Snapdragon 205, manufactured on a 28nm process, benefits from Qualcomm’s optimization, potentially offering better power efficiency, but the difference is likely minimal.
Battery Life
Battery capacity details are missing for both devices. However, feature phones generally excel in battery life due to their low-power components and simple operating systems. The Snapdragon 205’s 28nm manufacturing process *could* contribute to slightly better power efficiency, potentially extending battery life on the Nokia 8110 4G, but this is speculative without specific mAh ratings and usage patterns.
Buying Guide
Buy the Alcatel 3088 if you need a slightly more responsive experience for basic web browsing or app usage, and value a potentially more future-proof chipset. Buy the Nokia 8110 4G if you prioritize brand recognition, a more refined industrial design (the iconic banana shape), and potentially better long-term software support from Nokia, despite the older chipset.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Will the Alcatel 3088 handle WhatsApp reliably?
While both phones can run basic apps like WhatsApp, the Alcatel 3088’s slightly faster processor and chipset *may* provide a smoother experience, especially when handling media or multiple chats. However, performance will still be limited compared to a smartphone.
❓ Is the Nokia 8110 4G likely to receive software updates?
Nokia has a relatively good track record of providing software updates for its feature phones, even older models. While major feature additions are unlikely, security patches and bug fixes are possible, offering a degree of long-term support not always found in this segment.
❓ Can either phone connect to Wi-Fi?
Yes, both the Alcatel 3088 and Nokia 8110 4G support Wi-Fi connectivity, allowing users to connect to wireless networks for data access and reduce mobile data usage.