The Allview City+ and X4 Soul Vision represent different approaches to the budget smartphone market. The City+ aims for affordability with a simpler processor, while the X4 Soul Vision attempts to offer a more modern experience with an octa-core chipset. This comparison dissects their key differences to determine which device delivers the best value for your money.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average user prioritizing basic functionality like calls, messaging, and light web browsing, the Allview City+ offers a functional experience at a likely lower price point. However, the Allview X4 Soul Vision is the clear winner for anyone needing improved multitasking, smoother app performance, and a more future-proofed platform thanks to its Mediatek MT6750 chipset.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | N/A | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | - | HSDPA 900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | - | 1, 3, 7, 20, 38 |
| EDGE | No | - |
| GPRS | No | - |
| Speed | - | HSPA 21.1/5.76 Mbps, LTE (2CA) Cat6 300/50 Mbps |
| Technology | No cellular connectivity | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2013, August. Released 2013, August | 2017, September. Released 2017, September |
| Status | Discontinued | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Dimensions | 192.5 x 122 x 7.9 mm (7.58 x 4.80 x 0.31 in) | 153.1 x 75.6 x 10.3 mm (6.03 x 2.98 x 0.41 in) |
| SIM | No | Nano-SIM + Micro-SIM |
| Weight | 289 g (10.19 oz) | 202 g (7.13 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Resolution | 600 x 1024 pixels, 16:9 ratio (~170 ppi density) | 1080 x 1920 pixels, 16:9 ratio (~401 ppi density) |
| Size | 7.0 inches, 137.9 cm2 (~58.7% screen-to-body ratio) | 5.5 inches, 83.4 cm2 (~72.0% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD | IPS LCD |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Dual-core 1.5 GHz Cortex-A9 | Octa-core (4x1.5 GHz Cortex-A53 & 4x1.0 GHz Cortex-A53) |
| Chipset | - | Mediatek MT6750 (28 nm) |
| GPU | Mali-400 | Mali-T860MP2 |
| 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 |
| | - | eMMC 5.1 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | - | LED flash, HDR |
| Single | VGA | 13 MP, 1/3.1", 1.12µm, PDAF |
| Video | Yes | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | - | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | Yes | 4.0, A2DP, EDR, LE |
| 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 a/b/g/n |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Accelerometer | Fingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass |
| | - | Laser projector |
| Battery |
|---|
| Stand-by | Up to 250 h | - |
| Talk time | Up to 4 h | - |
| Type | Li-Po 3000 mAh, non-removable | Li-Po 4000 mAh, non-removable |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | White, Black | Dark Blue |
| Price | About 80 EUR | - |
| SAR EU | - | 0.76 W/kg (head) |
Allview City+
- Likely the most affordable option
- Simple and easy to use interface
- Potentially longer standby time due to simpler processor
- Significantly slower performance
- Limited multitasking capabilities
- Outdated processor architecture
Allview X4 Soul Vision
- Faster and more responsive performance
- Better multitasking capabilities
- More future-proofed processor
- Likely more expensive than the City+
- Potential for slightly shorter battery life (depending on battery capacity)
- MT6750 may exhibit thermal throttling under sustained load
Display Comparison
Unfortunately, display specifications are unavailable for either device. However, given their market segment, it's reasonable to assume both utilize LCD panels. The X4 Soul Vision's chipset suggests a potential for a higher resolution display, but without concrete data, this remains speculative. Bezels are likely substantial on both, reflecting their budget nature. Color accuracy is expected to be standard for this price range, prioritizing cost over calibration.
Camera Comparison
Camera details are sparse. It's safe to assume both devices feature basic camera setups. Without sensor size or aperture information, a direct comparison is difficult. However, the X4 Soul Vision's more powerful chipset likely enables more sophisticated image processing algorithms, potentially resulting in better image quality in favorable lighting conditions. Any 2MP macro cameras present on either device should be considered largely for marketing purposes, offering minimal practical benefit.
Performance
The core difference lies in the processors. The Allview City+ features a dual-core 1.5 GHz Cortex-A9, an older architecture primarily focused on power efficiency. The Allview X4 Soul Vision boasts the Mediatek MT6750, an octa-core processor with a heterogeneous architecture – four cores running at 1.5 GHz (Cortex-A53) and four at 1.0 GHz (Cortex-A53). This configuration allows for better multitasking and handling of more demanding applications. The Cortex-A53 cores, while not high-end, represent a significant architectural leap over the Cortex-A9, offering improved instructions per clock cycle. The 28nm process node of the MT6750 also contributes to better power efficiency compared to the likely larger node used in the City+. Users will experience noticeably faster app loading times and smoother scrolling on the X4 Soul Vision.
Battery Life
Battery capacity is unknown for both devices. However, the MT6750's improved power efficiency in the X4 Soul Vision could translate to longer battery life despite potentially having a similar or even smaller battery capacity compared to the City+. Charging wattage is also unspecified, but the X4 Soul Vision's chipset may support faster charging protocols, leading to quicker 0-100% charge times.
Buying Guide
Buy the Allview City+ if you need a simple, extremely affordable smartphone for essential tasks and aren't concerned with demanding applications or future software updates. Buy the Allview X4 Soul Vision if you prefer a more responsive user experience, plan to use multiple apps simultaneously, or anticipate needing a device that can handle more complex tasks like moderate gaming or video streaming.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Will the Allview X4 Soul Vision struggle with popular apps like Facebook or WhatsApp?
While the MT6750 isn't a flagship processor, it's significantly more capable than the Cortex-A9 in the City+. It should handle Facebook and WhatsApp without major issues, though extremely heavy usage with many background processes might cause some slowdown. The X4 Soul Vision offers a much smoother experience for these common apps.
❓ Is the Allview City+ suitable for playing mobile games?
The Allview City+ is not well-suited for gaming. Its dual-core processor and older architecture will struggle with even basic 3D games. Expect low frame rates, stuttering, and potentially long loading times. The X4 Soul Vision, while not a gaming powerhouse, will provide a far more playable experience, especially with less demanding titles.
❓ Does the Mediatek MT6750 in the X4 Soul Vision get hot during extended use?
The MT6750 is known to exhibit some thermal throttling under sustained heavy load, such as prolonged gaming or video recording. While it won't likely overheat to the point of being unusable, performance may decrease slightly after extended use to manage temperatures. The City+'s simpler processor is less prone to throttling, but also offers significantly less performance to begin with.
