Alcatel 3088 vs Nokia 8110 4G: A Detailed Comparison of Budget 4G Feature Phones

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.
Phones Images

🏆 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.

PHONES
Phone Names alcatel 3088 Nokia 8110 4G
Network
2G bandsGSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900GSM 900 / 1800
3G bands-HSDPA 850 / 900 / 2100 - Europe
4G bands1, 3, 7, 8, 20, 281, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20 - Europe
EDGEYes-
GPRSYes-
SpeedHSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE Cat4 150/50 MbpsHSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE Cat4 150/50 Mbps
TechnologyGSM / HSPA / LTEGSM / HSPA / LTE
 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 28, 38, 401, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 38, 39, 40, 41 - MENA/China
Launch
Announced2019. Released 20192018, February 25. Released 2018, April 23
StatusDiscontinuedDiscontinued
Body
Build-Glass front, plastic back, plastic frame
Dimensions125.2 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)
SIMNano-SIM· Micro-SIM· Micro-SIM + Nano-SIM
Weight90 g (3.17 oz)117 g (4.13 oz)
 -Drip protection Flashlight
Display
Resolution240 x 320 pixels, 4:3 ratio (~167 ppi density)240 x 320 pixels, 4:3 ratio (~167 ppi density)
Size2.4 inches, 17.8 cm2 (~28.2% screen-to-body ratio)2.4 inches, 17.8 cm2 (~27.1% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeTFT LCD, 256K colorsTFT
Platform
CPUDual-core (2x1.3 GHz Cortex-A7)Dual-core (2x1.1 GHz Cortex-A7)
ChipsetSpreadtrum SC9820EQualcomm MSM8905 Snapdragon 205 (28 nm)
GPU-Adreno 304
OSKaiOS 2.5.1KaiOS 2.5.1
Memory
Card slotNomicroSDHC (dedicated slot)
Internal4GB 512MB4GB 512MB RAM
 -eMMC 4.5
Main Camera
FeaturesLED flashLED flash
Single2 MP2 MP
Video480pYes
Selfie camera
 -No
Sound
3.5mm jack YesYes
35mm jackYesYes
Loudspeaker YesYes
Comms
Bluetooth4.1, A2DP4.1, A2DP, LE
NFCNoNo
PositioningGPSGPS
RadioFM radioFM radio
USBmicroUSB 2.0microUSB 2.0
WLANWi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, hotspotWi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n
Features
 MP3/MP4/H.263 player Photo viewer Organizer Facebook, Whatsapp, YouTube, Google MapsDownloadable applications Facebook, Gmail, Whatsapp, etc. Audio/Video player
Battery
Music play-Up to 48 h
Stand-byUp to 300 h (2G) / Up to 300 h (3G)Up to 408 h
Talk timeUp to 15 h (2G) / Up to 9 h (3G)Up to 11 h
TypeLi-Ion 1530 mAh batteryLi-Ion 1500 mAh battery
Misc
ColorsBlack, Gray, BlueTraditional Black, Banana Yellow
Models3088X, 3088TTA-1071, TA-1067
PriceAbout 50 EURAbout 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.