Allview targets the ultra-budget segment with both the Viva Home and X4 Soul Mini S. While both devices aim to deliver smartphone functionality at a low price, they differ significantly in their underlying hardware. This comparison dissects those differences, focusing on how the chipset choices impact real-world performance and usability.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For most users, the Allview X4 Soul Mini S offers a slightly better experience due to its more modern, albeit still entry-level, MT6737 chipset. The 28nm process node provides a modest efficiency advantage over the Viva Home’s MT8163, translating to potentially smoother multitasking and app loading. However, the difference is subtle.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | N/A | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 - SIM 1 & SIM 2 |
| 3G bands | N/A | HSDPA 900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | N/A | 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 | 2019, July. Released 2019, July | 2017, June. Released 2017, June |
| Status | Discontinued | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Dimensions | 418.5 x 266.3 x 19.5 mm (16.48 x 10.48 x 0.77 in) | 142 x 72 x 8.4 mm (5.59 x 2.83 x 0.33 in) |
| SIM | No | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 2018.3 g (4.45 lb) | 145 g (5.11 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | - | Scratch-resistant glass |
| Resolution | 1080 x 1920 pixels, 16:9 ratio (~127 ppi density) | 720 x 1280 pixels, 16:9 ratio (~294 ppi density) |
| Size | 17.3 inches, 825.1 cm2 (~74.0% screen-to-body ratio) | 5.0 inches, 68.9 cm2 (~67.4% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD | IPS LCD |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Quad-core 1.5 GHz Cortex-A53 | Quad-core 1.25 GHz Cortex-A53 |
| Chipset | Mediatek MT8163 | Mediatek MT6737 (28 nm) |
| GPU | - | Mali-T720MP2 |
| OS | Android 9.0 (Pie) | Android 7.0 (Nougat) |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) |
| Internal | 32GB 2GB RAM | 16GB 1GB RAM |
| | - | eMMC 5.0 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| No | - |
| Features | - | LED flash, HDR |
| Single | - | 8 MP, AF |
| Video | - | 720p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Single | 2 MP | 8 MP |
| Video | 1080p | - |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 4.0, A2DP | 4.0, A2DP, EDR |
| NFC | No | No |
| Positioning | GPS | GPS |
| Radio | FM radio | FM radio |
| USB | microUSB 2.0, USB | microUSB 2.0 |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Accelerometer | Fingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, proximity |
| Battery |
|---|
| Stand-by | - | Up to 312 h (3G) |
| Talk time | - | Up to 15 h (3G) |
| Type | Li-Po 5000 mAh, non-removable | Li-Po 2500 mAh, non-removable |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Black | Black, Gold, Blue |
| Models | - | X4_Soul_Mini_S_TM |
| Price | About 250 EUR | About 150 EUR |
| SAR EU | - | 1.48 W/kg (head) |
Allview Viva Home
- Potentially lower price point
- Simple and straightforward operation
- Suitable for basic communication tasks
- Older chipset with potentially slower performance
- Likely less efficient power consumption
- Limited multitasking capabilities
Allview X4 Soul Mini S
- More modern chipset with slightly improved efficiency
- Potentially smoother multitasking
- Better GPU performance for basic games
- Slightly higher price
- Still limited by the Cortex-A53 architecture
- Camera quality likely similar to the Viva Home
Display Comparison
Unfortunately, display specifications are unavailable for either device. Given their price point, we can assume both utilize LCD panels with 720p resolution. The absence of information regarding brightness, color gamut coverage, or PWM dimming rates makes a direct comparison impossible. However, the X4 Soul Mini S’s slightly more modern chipset *could* indicate a more refined display driver, potentially leading to better color accuracy, though this is speculative.
Camera Comparison
Camera details are sparse. Both devices likely feature basic camera setups. Without sensor size or aperture information, it’s difficult to assess image quality. The presence of a 2MP macro camera on either device is largely marketing fluff; its utility is limited by the small sensor and lack of optical image stabilization. Image processing will likely be basic on both, relying heavily on software algorithms to enhance photos.
Performance
The core difference lies in the chipsets. The Allview Viva Home’s Mediatek MT8163, featuring a quad-core 1.5 GHz Cortex-A53 CPU, is an older design. The X4 Soul Mini S utilizes the Mediatek MT6737, also a quad-core 1.25 GHz Cortex-A53, but built on a 28nm process. This process node is crucial; 28nm is more mature and generally more power-efficient than the process used for the MT8163 (likely 28nm as well, but older revision). While clock speeds are slightly lower on the MT6737, the improved manufacturing process and potentially more optimized GPU could result in a smoother user experience, especially in graphics-intensive tasks. Neither chipset is suited for demanding games.
Battery Life
Battery capacity is not specified for either device. Given the low-end nature of these phones, we can expect capacities around 2000-3000 mAh. The MT6737’s slightly better power efficiency *could* translate to marginally longer battery life on the X4 Soul Mini S, but this will depend heavily on usage patterns. Charging wattage is also unknown; expect slow charging speeds with the included chargers.
Buying Guide
Buy the Allview Viva Home if your primary need is a basic smartphone for essential tasks like calls, messaging, and light web browsing, and you prioritize the lowest possible price. Buy the Allview X4 Soul Mini S if you anticipate slightly heavier usage – occasional social media, basic gaming, or running multiple apps simultaneously – and are willing to spend a little more for a marginally more responsive experience.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Will the Allview X4 Soul Mini S handle popular social media apps like Facebook and WhatsApp smoothly?
The MT6737 chipset should provide a reasonably smooth experience with Facebook and WhatsApp, but don't expect lightning-fast performance. Multitasking between these apps and others may result in some slowdown. It's sufficient for casual use, but not ideal for heavy social media users.
❓ Is the Allview Viva Home suitable for streaming videos on YouTube?
The Allview Viva Home can stream YouTube videos, but the experience will be limited by the processor and potentially the display resolution. Expect buffering with higher-resolution videos and a generally less fluid playback experience compared to more powerful devices. Lowering the video quality to 480p or 720p is recommended.
❓ Can either of these phones run PUBG Mobile?
While technically possible to *install* PUBG Mobile on either device, the performance will be extremely poor. The MT8163 and MT6737 chipsets lack the processing power and GPU capabilities to run the game at playable frame rates, even on the lowest settings. Expect significant lag and stuttering.
