Released in 2019, the Huawei P Smart Z and alcatel 3x represent competing approaches to the budget smartphone market. The alcatel 3x aimed for affordability, while the P Smart Z attempted to deliver a more premium experience with a focus on design and processing power. This comparison dissects their key differences to determine which device offers the best value today.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average user, the Huawei P Smart Z is the superior choice. Its Kirin 710F chipset provides a noticeable performance boost over the alcatel 3x’s Helio P23, translating to smoother multitasking and a better gaming experience. While both phones offer similar battery capacities, the P Smart Z’s more efficient chipset contributes to longer real-world usage.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 - 5048Y | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40 - 5048Y | 1, 3, 7, 8, 20 |
| Speed | HSPA 42.2/11.5 Mbps, LTE Cat4 150/50 Mbps | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE (2CA) Cat12 600/50 Mbps |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 28, 66 - 5048A | - |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2019, September. Released 2019, Q4 | 2019, May. Released 2019, June |
| Status | Discontinued | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front, plastic back, plastic frame | Glass front, plastic back, plastic frame |
| Dimensions | 164.9 x 75.8 x 8.4 mm (6.49 x 2.98 x 0.33 in) | 163.5 x 77.3 x 8.8 mm (6.44 x 3.04 x 0.35 in) |
| SIM | · Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | · Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 178 g (6.28 oz) | 196.8 g (6.95 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Resolution | 720 x 1600 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~269 ppi density) | 1080 x 2340 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~391 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.52 inches, 102.6 cm2 (~82.1% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.59 inches, 106.6 cm2 (~84.3% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD | IPS LCD |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (4x2.0 GHz Cortex-A53 & 4x1.5 GHz Cortex-A53) | Octa-core (4x2.2 GHz Cortex-A73 & 4x1.7 GHz Cortex-A53) |
| Chipset | Mediatek MT6763V Helio P23 (16 nm) | Kirin 710F (12 nm) |
| GPU | Mali-G71 MP2 | Mali-G51 MP4 |
| OS | Android 9.0 (Pie) | Android 9.0 (Pie), upgradable to Android 10, EMUI 12 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) |
| Internal | 64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM | 64GB 4GB RAM |
| | eMMC 5.1 | eMMC 5.1 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Dual | - | 16 MP, f/1.8, PDAF
Auxiliary lens |
| Features | Dual-LED dual-tone flash, HDR, panorama | LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Triple | 16 MP, f/1.8, 27mm (wide), 1/2.8", 1.12µm, PDAF
8 MP, f/2.2, 17mm (ultrawide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm
Auxiliary lens | - |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Single | 8 MP, f/2.0, 25mm (wide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm | Motorized pop-up 16 MP, f/2.0 |
| Video | 1080p@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 | Yes | Yes (market/region dependent) |
| Positioning | GPS | GPS, GLONASS, BDS |
| Radio | FM radio | FM radio |
| USB | USB Type-C 2.0 | USB Type-C 2.0 |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, Wi-Fi Direct | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, proximity | Fingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 10W wired | - |
| Type | Li-Po 4000 mAh, non-removable | Li-Po 4000 mAh, non-removable |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Jewelry Black, Jewelry Green, Jewelry Rose | Emerald Green, Midnight Black, Sapphire Blue |
| Models | 5048Y, 5048A, 5048Y_EEA, 5048I, 5048U_EEA | STK-LX1 |
| Price | About 150 EUR | About 280 EUR |
alcatel 3x (2019)
- Extremely affordable price point.
- Simple and straightforward user experience.
- Potentially more readily available in some markets.
- Significantly weaker performance compared to the P Smart Z.
- Less efficient chipset leading to shorter battery life.
- Limited upgrade path and software support.
Huawei P Smart Z
- Superior performance thanks to the Kirin 710F chipset.
- More power-efficient processor for longer battery life.
- Likely better camera image processing capabilities.
- Potentially slightly higher price than the alcatel 3x.
- Software support may be limited due to Huawei’s situation.
- May be harder to find in some regions.
Display Comparison
Neither device boasts a standout display. Both likely feature LCD panels, common for this price point in 2019. However, details like resolution and brightness are missing. The P Smart Z’s larger target market suggests a potentially larger screen size, which could be beneficial for media consumption. The absence of information on PWM dimming rates makes it impossible to assess potential eye strain for sensitive users.
Camera Comparison
Without detailed camera specs beyond the chipsets, a direct comparison is limited. However, the Kirin 710F typically includes a more advanced Image Signal Processor (ISP) than the Helio P23. This suggests the P Smart Z will likely produce images with better dynamic range and noise reduction, particularly in low-light conditions. The prevalence of 2MP macro/depth sensors on both devices suggests these are largely marketing features and won’t significantly impact image quality. The main sensor quality will be the determining factor, but data is unavailable.
Performance
The core difference lies in the chipsets. The Huawei P Smart Z’s Kirin 710F, fabricated on a 12nm process, is a significant upgrade over the alcatel 3x’s Mediatek Helio P23 (16nm). The Kirin 710F utilizes more modern CPU cores – 4x2.2 GHz Cortex-A73 versus the alcatel’s 4x2.0 GHz Cortex-A53. This architectural difference translates to approximately 20-30% faster single-core performance, crucial for app launch times and general responsiveness. The P Smart Z will handle multitasking and demanding apps with greater ease. While both are octa-core, the A73 cores in the Kirin 710F are substantially more powerful than the A53 cores in the Helio P23.
Battery Life
Both devices likely feature similar battery capacities, typical for budget phones of the era (around 3000-4000 mAh). However, the Kirin 710F’s 12nm process is more power-efficient than the Helio P23’s 16nm process. This means the P Smart Z will likely achieve longer battery life on a single charge, despite potentially having similar capacity. The alcatel 3x is limited to 10W wired charging, while the P Smart Z’s charging speed is unknown but likely similar or slightly faster, offering a marginal advantage.
Buying Guide
Buy the alcatel 3x (2019) if you prioritize extreme affordability and a simple, no-frills smartphone experience. It’s a viable option for basic communication and light tasks. Buy the Huawei P Smart Z if you prefer a more responsive user interface, better performance for social media and casual gaming, and a more modern design, even if it means spending slightly more.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Will the Huawei P Smart Z handle popular games like PUBG Mobile smoothly?
The Kirin 710F is capable of running PUBG Mobile at medium settings with reasonable frame rates. While it won't deliver a flagship gaming experience, it's significantly better equipped than the alcatel 3x’s Helio P23, which would likely struggle with consistent performance.
❓ Is the software experience on the Huawei P Smart Z significantly different from stock Android?
The P Smart Z runs on Huawei’s EMUI skin, which is heavily customized compared to stock Android. It includes features like gesture navigation and a different app drawer layout. While EMUI has improved over time, some users may prefer the cleaner experience of stock Android found on some alcatel devices.
❓ How does the Helio P23 in the alcatel 3x perform with multiple apps open simultaneously?
The Helio P23 struggles with multitasking. Opening several apps can lead to noticeable slowdowns and app reloading, impacting the overall user experience. The 4x A53 cores are less efficient at handling concurrent tasks compared to the A73 cores in the P Smart Z.
