The Allview City+ and P9 Energy Lite (2017) represent different approaches to the budget smartphone market. The City+ relies on a simpler, older dual-core processor, while the P9 Energy Lite attempts to offer more modern performance with an octa-core Mediatek chipset. This comparison dissects the key differences to help you determine which device best suits your needs.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average user prioritizing multitasking and responsiveness, the Allview P9 Energy Lite (2017) is the clear winner. Its octa-core processor provides a significantly smoother experience than the City+'s dual-core setup, despite the older manufacturing process. However, the City+ might suffice for very basic tasks.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | N/A | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 - SIM 1 & SIM 2 |
| 3G bands | - | HSDPA 900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | - | 1, 3, 7, 20, 38 |
| EDGE | No | - |
| GPRS | No | - |
| Speed | - | HSPA 21.1/5.76 Mbps, LTE Cat4 150/50 Mbps |
| Technology | No cellular connectivity | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2013, August. Released 2013, August | 2017, June. Released 2017, June |
| Status | Discontinued | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Dimensions | 192.5 x 122 x 7.9 mm (7.58 x 4.80 x 0.31 in) | 148.7 x 72.4 x 9.1 mm (5.85 x 2.85 x 0.36 in) |
| SIM | No | Nano-SIM + Micro-SIM |
| Weight | 289 g (10.19 oz) | 161 g (5.68 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Resolution | 600 x 1024 pixels, 16:9 ratio (~170 ppi density) | 720 x 1280 pixels, 16:9 ratio (~282 ppi density) |
| Size | 7.0 inches, 137.9 cm2 (~58.7% screen-to-body ratio) | 5.2 inches, 74.5 cm2 (~69.2% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD | IPS LCD |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Dual-core 1.5 GHz Cortex-A9 | Octa-core 1.3 GHz Cortex-A53 |
| Chipset | - | Mediatek MT6753 (28 nm) |
| GPU | Mali-400 | Mali-T720 |
| OS | Android 4.1 (Jelly Bean) | Android 7.0 (Nougat) |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDHC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) |
| Internal | 8GB 512MB RAM | 32GB 3GB RAM |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | - | LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Single | VGA | 13 MP, AF |
| Video | Yes | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | - | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | Yes | 4.0, A2DP, EDR |
| NFC | No | No |
| Positioning | - | GPS |
| Radio | No | FM radio |
| USB | microUSB 2.0, OTG | microUSB 2.0 |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Accelerometer | Fingerprint (front-mounted), accelerometer, proximity |
| Battery |
|---|
| Stand-by | Up to 250 h | Up to 286 h |
| Talk time | Up to 4 h | Up to 16 h |
| Type | Li-Po 3000 mAh, non-removable | Li-Po 4000 mAh, non-removable |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | White, Black | Black, Gold |
| Price | About 80 EUR | - |
| SAR EU | - | 0.72 W/kg (head) |
Allview City+
- Potentially lower price point due to older hardware.
- Simpler design may appeal to some users.
- May be more readily available in certain regions.
- Significantly slower performance compared to the P9 Energy Lite.
- Limited multitasking capabilities.
- Likely outdated software support.
Allview P9 Energy Lite (2017)
- Octa-core processor provides a smoother user experience.
- Better multitasking capabilities.
- More responsive app performance.
- 28nm process node may result in slightly higher power consumption.
- Potentially higher price compared to the City+.
- Software support may be limited.
Display Comparison
Display specifications are not provided for either device. Given their market segment, it's reasonable to assume both utilize LCD panels with resolutions around 480x854 or similar. The City+ likely has smaller bezels due to its simpler design. Color accuracy and brightness are likely to be similar, and relatively low, on both devices. Without specific data, a clear winner cannot be determined.
Camera Comparison
Camera details are absent. Considering the target market, both phones likely feature basic camera sensors. Without knowing the megapixel count or aperture, it's difficult to make a direct comparison. It's probable that both devices struggle in low-light conditions and offer limited image quality. Any claims of advanced features like HDR or image stabilization are unlikely to be significant.
Performance
The core difference lies in the processors. The Allview City+ features a dual-core 1.5 GHz Cortex-A9, an older architecture known for its single-threaded performance but limited multitasking capabilities. The P9 Energy Lite (2017) boasts a Mediatek MT6753 with an octa-core 1.3 GHz Cortex-A53. While the clock speed is lower, the Cortex-A53 architecture, combined with eight cores, offers significantly improved multi-core performance. This translates to smoother app switching, faster web browsing, and a more responsive user interface. The MT6753's 28nm process node is less efficient than modern chips, but the performance gains outweigh this drawback in this price bracket.
Battery Life
Battery capacity is not specified for either device. However, the P9 Energy Lite's chipset, while more powerful, is also manufactured on a less efficient 28nm process. This could lead to slightly higher power consumption. Without knowing the battery sizes, it's impossible to definitively say which phone offers better battery life. Charging wattage is also unknown, making it difficult to estimate 0-100% charge times.
Buying Guide
Buy the Allview City+ if you need a phone for extremely basic tasks like calls, texts, and light web browsing, and are on the absolute tightest budget. Buy the Allview P9 Energy Lite (2017) if you prefer a more responsive experience for social media, occasional gaming, and smoother app switching, even if it means spending a bit more.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Will the Allview P9 Energy Lite (2017) struggle with modern apps?
While the Mediatek MT6753 is an older chipset, its octa-core Cortex-A53 architecture provides enough processing power for basic social media apps, web browsing, and light gaming. However, demanding games or resource-intensive applications may experience lag or slowdowns.
❓ Is the Allview City+ suitable for someone who primarily makes calls and sends texts?
Yes, the Allview City+ is perfectly adequate for basic communication tasks like calls and texts. Its dual-core processor is sufficient for these functions, and its simplicity may be appealing to users who prioritize ease of use over advanced features.
❓ Can either phone handle video playback smoothly?
The P9 Energy Lite is more likely to handle video playback smoothly, particularly higher-resolution videos, due to its more powerful processor. The City+ may struggle with 720p or 1080p videos, resulting in stuttering or dropped frames.