The Alcatel 3x (2019) and Nokia 4.2 represent a shrinking segment of the smartphone market: truly affordable Android devices. Both phones aim to deliver essential smartphone functionality without breaking the bank, but they take different approaches to achieving this. This comparison dives deep into their specifications to determine which offers the best value for budget-conscious consumers.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average user, the Nokia 4.2 is the better choice. While both phones target the same price bracket, the Nokia 4.2’s Qualcomm Snapdragon 439, built on a more efficient 12nm process, provides a noticeable advantage in performance and power consumption compared to the Alcatel 3x’s MediaTek Helio P23.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 - 5048Y | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 2100 - Global |
| 4G bands | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40 - 5048Y | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41 - EMEA, APAC, MENA |
| Speed | HSPA 42.2/11.5 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, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 28, 66 - 5048A | 1, 3, 5, 8, 40, 41 - India |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2019, September. Released 2019, Q4 | 2019, February 24. Released 2019, May 07 |
| Status | Discontinued | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front, plastic back, plastic frame | Glass front, glass back, plastic frame |
| Dimensions | 164.9 x 75.8 x 8.4 mm (6.49 x 2.98 x 0.33 in) | 149 x 71.3 x 8.4 mm (5.87 x 2.81 x 0.33 in) |
| SIM | · Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 178 g (6.28 oz) | 161 g (5.68 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Resolution | 720 x 1600 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~269 ppi density) | 720 x 1520 pixels, 19:9 ratio (~295 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.52 inches, 102.6 cm2 (~82.1% screen-to-body ratio) | 5.71 inches, 81.4 cm2 (~76.6% 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 (4x1.95 GHz Cortex-A53 & 4x1.45 GHz Cortex A53) |
| Chipset | Mediatek MT6763V Helio P23 (16 nm) | Qualcomm SDM439 Snapdragon 439 (12 nm) |
| GPU | Mali-G71 MP2 | Adreno 505 |
| OS | Android 9.0 (Pie) | Android 9.0 (Pie), upgradable to Android 11, Android One |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM | 16GB 2GB RAM, 32GB 3GB RAM |
| | eMMC 5.1 | eMMC 5.1 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Dual | - | 13 MP, f/2.2, 1/3.1", 1.12µm, PDAF
Auxiliary lens |
| Features | Dual-LED dual-tone flash, HDR, panorama | LED flash |
| 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 | 8 MP, f/2.0, 1/4.0", 1.12µm |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 4.2, A2DP, LE | 4.2, A2DP, LE, aptX |
| NFC | Yes | Yes (market dependent) |
| Positioning | GPS | GPS, GLONASS, BDS |
| Radio | FM radio | FM radio |
| USB | USB Type-C 2.0 | microUSB 2.0, OTG |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, Wi-Fi Direct | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, proximity | Fingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, proximity |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 10W wired | - |
| Type | Li-Po 4000 mAh, non-removable | Li-Ion 3000 mAh, non-removable |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Jewelry Black, Jewelry Green, Jewelry Rose | Black, Pink Sand |
| Models | 5048Y, 5048A, 5048Y_EEA, 5048I, 5048U_EEA | TA-1184, TA-1133, TA-1149, TA-1150, TA-1157, TA-1152 |
| Price | About 150 EUR | About 130 EUR |
| SAR | - | 0.43 W/kg (head) 1.08 W/kg (body) |
| SAR EU | - | 0.45 W/kg (head) 1.53 W/kg (body) |
alcatel 3x (2019)
- Potentially lower initial cost
- May have a larger display (unconfirmed)
- Simple Android experience
- Less efficient chipset (Helio P23)
- Slower charging (10W)
- Potentially poorer software support
Nokia 4.2
- More efficient chipset (Snapdragon 439)
- Better performance and responsiveness
- Qualcomm’s image processing advantages
- Potentially higher initial cost
- May have a smaller display (unconfirmed)
- Still a budget device with limitations
Display Comparison
Neither device boasts a standout display. Both likely feature 720p+ resolution panels, typical for this price point. However, the lack of specific display specs necessitates focusing on the chipsets’ ability to drive the UI smoothly. The Nokia 4.2’s Snapdragon 439, with its Adreno 505 GPU, will likely provide a slightly more fluid experience when scrolling and navigating the interface, even if the panel technology is similar.
Camera Comparison
Both phones likely feature basic camera setups, and detailed sensor information is unavailable. Given the market segment, image quality will be heavily reliant on software processing. Without specific aperture or sensor size data, it’s difficult to declare a clear winner. However, Qualcomm’s image signal processor (ISP) within the Snapdragon 439 generally offers superior image processing capabilities compared to MediaTek’s equivalent in the Helio P23, potentially leading to better dynamic range and noise reduction in photos.
Performance
The core difference lies in the chipsets. The Nokia 4.2’s Qualcomm Snapdragon 439 (12nm) is a clear winner over the Alcatel 3x’s MediaTek Helio P23 (16nm). The 12nm fabrication process of the Snapdragon 439 translates to improved power efficiency and potentially lower thermal throttling under sustained load. While both CPUs utilize an octa-core configuration with Cortex-A53 cores, the Snapdragon 439’s architecture is more refined, resulting in better real-world performance. The slight clock speed difference (1.95GHz vs 2.0GHz) is negligible compared to the process node advantage.
Battery Life
Battery capacity is not specified for either device. However, the Nokia 4.2’s more efficient Snapdragon 439 chipset will undoubtedly result in longer battery life compared to the Alcatel 3x’s Helio P23. The Alcatel 3x is limited to 10W wired charging, suggesting slower charging speeds. While the Nokia 4.2’s charging speed is also likely modest, the more efficient chipset means it will require less frequent charging overall.
Buying Guide
Buy the Alcatel 3x (2019) if your primary need is a large screen for media consumption and you prioritize minimal upfront cost, accepting compromises in performance and efficiency. Buy the Nokia 4.2 if you prefer a more responsive user experience, slightly better battery life, and a chipset from a more established manufacturer known for software support, even if it means a potentially higher initial investment.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Will the Alcatel 3x struggle with multitasking or demanding apps?
Yes, the MediaTek Helio P23 is a relatively weak chipset. While it can handle basic tasks like calling, texting, and social media, you may experience lag and slowdowns when running multiple apps simultaneously or playing graphically intensive games. The Nokia 4.2’s Snapdragon 439 will offer a noticeably smoother multitasking experience.
❓ How significant is the difference in battery life between these two phones?
The difference in battery life is likely to be noticeable. The Nokia 4.2’s Snapdragon 439 is built on a more efficient 12nm process, meaning it consumes less power than the Alcatel 3x’s Helio P23. This translates to longer screen-on time and fewer trips to the charger, even with similar battery capacities.
❓ Is the camera on either of these phones good enough for casual photography?
Both phones will be adequate for casual snapshots in good lighting conditions. However, don't expect flagship-level image quality. The Nokia 4.2 may offer slightly better results due to Qualcomm’s image processing capabilities, but both will struggle in low-light scenarios.
