The Alcatel Pixi 4 (6) and Samsung Galaxy Grand Prime Plus represent a bygone era of ultra-affordable smartphones. Both devices aimed to deliver basic functionality at the lowest possible price point, but they achieved this with different hardware approaches. This comparison dissects those differences to determine which offers the better experience for users seeking a simple, inexpensive mobile solution.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average user prioritizing slightly smoother performance and a more recognizable brand, the Samsung Galaxy Grand Prime Plus is the better choice. Its Mediatek MT6737T chipset, clocked at 1.4 GHz, provides a noticeable performance uplift over the Alcatel Pixi 4 (6)'s Snapdragon 210, despite both being built on a 28nm process.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 - SIM 1 & SIM 2 (optional) | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 - SIM 1 & SIM 2 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 3, 7, 8, 20, 28 | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20 |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE Cat4 150/50 Mbps | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE Cat4 150/50 Mbps |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2016, January. Released 2016, June | 2016, November. Released 2016, November |
| Status | Discontinued | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | - | Glass front, plastic back, plastic frame |
| Dimensions | 165 x 83.8 x 8.3 mm (6.50 x 3.30 x 0.33 in) | 144.8 x 72.1 x 8.9 mm (5.70 x 2.84 x 0.35 in) |
| SIM | Micro-SIM | Hybrid Dual SIM (Micro-SIM, dual stand-by) |
| Weight | - | 160 g (5.64 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Resolution | 720 x 1280 pixels, 16:9 ratio (~245 ppi density) | 540 x 960 pixels, 16:9 ratio (~220 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.0 inches, 99.2 cm2 (~71.8% screen-to-body ratio) | 5.0 inches, 68.9 cm2 (~66.0% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD | PLS LCD |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Quad-core 1.1 GHz Cortex-A7 | Quad-core 1.4 GHz Cortex-A53 |
| Chipset | Qualcomm MSM8909 Snapdragon 210 (28 nm) | Mediatek MT6737T (28 nm) |
| GPU | Adreno 304 | Mali-T720MP2 |
| OS | Android 5.1 (Lollipop), upgradable to 6.0.1 (Marshmallow) | Android 6.0 (Marshmallow) |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDHC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) |
| Internal | 8GB 1GB RAM, 16GB 1.5GB RAM | 8GB 1.5GB RAM, 16GB 1.5GB RAM |
| | eMMC 4.5 | eMMC 5.0 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash, HDR, panorama | LED flash |
| Single | 8 MP, AF | 8 MP, f/2.2, AF |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 720p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash | LED flash |
| Single | 5 MP | 5 MP, f/2.2, 28mm (wide) |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 4.1, A2DP | 4.2, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | No | No |
| Positioning | GPS | GPS, GLONASS |
| Radio | FM radio | FM radio, RDS, recording |
| USB | microUSB 2.0 | microUSB 2.0, OTG |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, Wi-Fi Direct, hotspot | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Accelerometer, proximity, compass (optional) | Accelerometer, proximity |
| Battery |
|---|
| Music play | - | Up to 59 h |
| Stand-by | Up to 650 h (2G) / Up to 650 h (3G) | - |
| Talk time | Up to 26 h (2G) / Up to 15 h (3G) | Up to 12 h (3G) |
| Type | Li-Ion 2580 mAh, removable | Li-Ion 2600 mAh, removable |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Black, Silver, Red, Green, Purple | Black, Gold, Silver |
| Models | 8050D, 9001X, 5098O, 5098S | SM-G532F |
| Price | About 100 EUR | About 140 EUR |
| SAR EU | - | 0.53 W/kg (head) 1.27 W/kg (body) |
alcatel Pixi 4 (6)
- Potentially lower price point
- Simple and straightforward user experience
- Compact size (likely)
- Significantly slower performance
- Outdated processor architecture
- Limited software support
Samsung Galaxy Grand Prime Plus
- More powerful processor
- Better multitasking capabilities
- More recognizable brand
- Potentially better camera image processing
- May be slightly more expensive
- Still limited by its age and hardware
- Large bezels
Display Comparison
Neither device boasts a particularly impressive display. Both likely utilize LCD panels, typical for this price bracket. Without specific resolution or brightness data, it's difficult to definitively declare a winner. However, Samsung generally employs better color calibration even on its budget devices, suggesting a potentially more pleasant viewing experience on the Grand Prime Plus. Bezels are expected to be substantial on both, reflecting their age and target market.
Camera Comparison
Camera performance on both devices is expected to be limited. Without sensor size or aperture information, it’s difficult to make a precise comparison. However, Samsung’s image processing algorithms are generally more refined, potentially resulting in slightly better photos in good lighting conditions. The inclusion of a 2MP macro camera on either device is largely a marketing gimmick, offering minimal practical benefit due to the low resolution and lack of optical image stabilization.
Performance
The core difference lies in the chipsets. The Samsung Galaxy Grand Prime Plus’s Mediatek MT6737T, with its quad-core Cortex-A53 processors clocked at 1.4 GHz, offers a clear advantage over the Alcatel Pixi 4 (6)’s Qualcomm MSM8909 Snapdragon 210 and its 1.1 GHz Cortex-A7 cores. The Cortex-A53 architecture is significantly more efficient and capable than the older Cortex-A7. While both are 28nm chips, the higher clock speed and more modern architecture of the MT6737T translate to faster app loading times and smoother multitasking. The Snapdragon 210 will struggle with even moderately demanding applications.
Battery Life
Battery life will heavily depend on usage patterns. Without knowing the battery capacity of either device, it’s challenging to predict which will last longer. However, the more efficient Mediatek MT6737T in the Grand Prime Plus will likely consume less power during typical use, potentially offsetting a smaller battery capacity if present. Charging speeds are also likely to be slow on both, given the lack of fast charging support.
Buying Guide
Buy the Alcatel Pixi 4 (6) if you absolutely need the lowest possible price and are willing to accept significantly slower performance for basic tasks like web browsing and messaging. Buy the Samsung Galaxy Grand Prime Plus if you prefer a slightly more responsive user experience, a more established brand reputation, and potentially better software support, even if it comes at a small price premium.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Will the Mediatek MT6737T in the Grand Prime Plus struggle with modern apps?
While an improvement over the Snapdragon 210, the MT6737T is still a relatively old processor. Expect noticeable slowdowns with demanding apps like modern social media platforms or graphically intensive games. It's best suited for basic tasks like calling, texting, and light web browsing.
❓ Is the Alcatel Pixi 4 (6) suitable for streaming videos?
Streaming video on the Alcatel Pixi 4 (6) is possible, but the experience will likely be choppy and frustrating. The Snapdragon 210 lacks the processing power to decode high-resolution video smoothly. Lowering the video quality to 360p or 480p may improve playback, but the visual quality will be significantly reduced.
❓ Can either of these phones run popular games like PUBG Mobile?
Running PUBG Mobile on either device is not recommended. The Snapdragon 210 will be completely unable to handle the game, while the MT6737T might allow for extremely low-setting gameplay with significant frame rate drops and lag. The experience will be far from enjoyable.
