Looking for an affordable Android phone? The Alcatel Idol 2 and Huawei P9 Lite Mini are both contenders in the budget smartphone market. But which one offers the best value for your money? This comprehensive comparison will help you decide.
🏆 Quick Verdict
The Alcatel Idol 2 is the clear winner, boasting a significantly more powerful processor, more RAM options, and faster charging. While the Huawei P9 Lite Mini is a decent budget option, the Idol 2's superior performance makes it the better choice for most users.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 - SIM 1 & SIM 2 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 17, 20, 28, 32, 38, 40, 41, 66 | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20 |
| Speed | HSPA 21.1/5.76 Mbps | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE Cat4 150/50 Mbps |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2014, February. Released 2014, Q2 | 2017, August. Released 2017, September |
| Status | Discontinued | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | - | Glass front, aluminum back, aluminum frame |
| Dimensions | 136 x 70 x 7.3 mm (5.35 x 2.76 x 0.29 in) | 143.5 x 71 x 8.1 mm (5.65 x 2.80 x 0.32 in) |
| SIM | Single SIM or Dual SIM (dual stand-by) | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 128 g (4.52 oz) | 145 g (5.11 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass 5 | - |
| Resolution | 540 x 960 pixels, 16:9 ratio (~220 ppi density) | 720 x 1280 pixels, 16:9 ratio (~294 ppi density) |
| Size | 5.0 inches, 68.9 cm2 (~72.4% screen-to-body ratio) | 5.0 inches, 68.9 cm2 (~67.6% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD | IPS LCD |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Quad-core 1.3 GHz | Quad-core 1.4 GHz Cortex-A53 |
| Chipset | Qualcomm SM7150 Snapdragon 732G (8 nm) | Qualcomm MSM8917 Snapdragon 425 (28 nm) |
| GPU | Adreno 618 | Adreno 308 |
| OS | Android 4.2 (Jelly Bean), upgradable to 4.4 (KitKat) | Android 7.0 (Nougat), EMUI 5.1 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDHC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC |
| Internal | 8GB 1GB RAM (SS), 16GB 1GB RAM (DS) | 16GB 2GB RAM |
| | - | eMMC 5.1 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash, panorama, HDR | LED flash |
| Single | 8 MP, AF | 13 MP, AF |
| Triple | 64 MP, f/1.8, 26mm (wide), 1/1.97", 0.7µm, PDAF
8 MP, f/2.2, 119˚ (ultrawide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm
5 MP, f/2.4, (macro), AF | - |
| Video | Yes | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | HDR, panorama | - |
| Single | 2 MP | 5 MP |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 4.0, A2DP | v4.1, A2DP, LE |
| Infrared port | Yes | - |
| NFC | Yes | No |
| Positioning | GPS | GPS, GLONASS |
| Radio | No | FM radio |
| USB | microUSB 2.0 | microUSB 2.0 |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, Wi-Fi Direct, DLNA, hotspot | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Accelerometer, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, proximity |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 33W wired | - |
| Stand-by | Up to 550 h (2G) / Up to 600 h (3G) | - |
| Talk time | Up to 15 h (2G) / Up to 10 h (3G) | - |
| Type | Li-Ion 2000 mAh, non-removable | Li-Ion 3020 mAh, non-removable |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Slate, Chocolate, White, Hot pink | Silver, black, gold |
| Models | 6037Y, 6037K | SLA-L02, SLA-L22, SLA-L03, SLA-L23 |
| Price | About 200 EUR | About 150 EUR |
| SAR | 1.07 W/kg (head) 0.82 W/kg (body) | - |
| SAR EU | 0.60 W/kg (head) 0.95 W/kg (body) | - |
| Pricing |
|---|
| 128GB 6GB RAM | $ 279.50 | - |
| 128GB 8GB RAM | $ 309.99 | - |
| 64GB 6GB RAM | Rp 3,650,000 | - |
| Tests |
|---|
| Battery life |
Endurance rating 100h
| - |
| Camera |
Photo / Video | - |
| Display |
Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal) | - |
| Loudspeaker |
-24.2 LUFS (Very good)
| - |
| Performance |
AnTuTu: 290172 (v8), 294251 (v9)
GeekBench: 1796 (v5.1)
GFXBench: 17fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) | - |
alcatel Idol 2
- Significantly faster processor
- More RAM options
- Faster charging (33W)
- Potentially better camera
- Excellent battery life (100h endurance)
- Design may be less premium
- Specific display details are missing
Huawei P9 lite mini
- Lower price point
- Compact size (likely)
- Simple and easy to use
- Slow processor
- Limited RAM
- Slower charging
- Likely inferior camera
- Shorter battery life
Display Comparison
The Alcatel Idol 2 likely has a superior display, although specific resolution and size details are missing. The 'Infinite' contrast ratio claim suggests a vibrant picture. The Huawei P9 Lite Mini's display is likely standard for its price range, offering adequate but not exceptional visuals.
Camera Comparison
Camera details are sparse for both phones. However, given the chipset differences, the Alcatel Idol 2 likely has a more capable camera system, potentially offering better image quality and features. Both likely offer standard camera functionality.
Performance
The Alcatel Idol 2's Snapdragon 732G chipset is a substantial upgrade over the Huawei P9 Lite Mini's Snapdragon 425. Expect significantly faster app loading, smoother multitasking, and better gaming performance on the Idol 2. The P9 Lite Mini will handle basic tasks, but may struggle with more demanding applications.
Battery Life
The Alcatel Idol 2 boasts an impressive endurance rating of 100 hours, suggesting excellent battery life. The Huawei P9 Lite Mini's battery capacity is likely smaller, resulting in shorter battery life compared to the Idol 2.
Buying Guide
The Alcatel Idol 2 is ideal for users who prioritize performance and a modern chipset. The Huawei P9 Lite Mini is a better fit for those on an extremely tight budget who primarily need basic smartphone functionality and aren't concerned with demanding apps or games.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Is the Alcatel Idol 2 worth the extra cost?
Yes, the significant performance upgrade and better battery life make the Alcatel Idol 2 a worthwhile investment, especially if you plan to use demanding apps or games.
❓ Can the Huawei P9 Lite Mini handle everyday tasks?
Yes, the Huawei P9 Lite Mini can handle basic tasks like calling, texting, and browsing the web, but it may struggle with more demanding applications.