Celkon caters to the entry-level smartphone market, and the A900 and Q500 Millennium Ultra represent two distinct approaches within that segment. The A900 is a basic, affordable option, while the Q500 attempts to offer a more modern experience with a quad-core processor. This comparison dissects the key differences to help you determine which device best suits your needs.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average user prioritizing responsiveness and multitasking, the Celkon Q500 Millennium Ultra is the clear winner. Its Broadcom BCM23550 chipset and quad-core 1.2 GHz CPU provide a substantial performance boost over the A900’s single-core 1.0 GHz processor, making it a more future-proof and enjoyable daily driver.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 900 / 1800 - SIM 1 & SIM 2 | GSM 900 / 1800 - SIM 1 & SIM 2 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 2100 | HSDPA 2100 |
| Speed | HSPA | HSPA |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA | GSM / HSPA |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2012, November. Released 2012, November | 2014. Released 2014 |
| Status | Discontinued | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Dimensions | 152.8 x 81.7 x 10.2 mm (6.02 x 3.22 x 0.40 in) | 145.6 x 71.8 x 8 mm (5.73 x 2.83 x 0.31 in) |
| SIM | Dual SIM (Mini-SIM) | Dual SIM |
| Weight | 185 g (6.53 oz) | 149 g (5.26 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Resolution | 480 x 800 pixels, 5:3 ratio (~187 ppi density) | 720 x 1280 pixels, 16:9 ratio (~294 ppi density) |
| Size | 5.0 inches, 71.2 cm2 (~57.0% screen-to-body ratio) | 5.0 inches, 68.9 cm2 (~65.9% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | TFT | IPS LCD |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | 1.0 GHz | Quad-core 1.2 GHz |
| Chipset | - | Broadcom BCM23550 |
| OS | Android 2.3.6 (Gingerbread) | Android 4.4.2 (KitKat) |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDHC (dedicated slot) | microSDHC |
| Internal | - | 16GB 2GB RAM |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | - | LED flash |
| Single | 5 MP | 8 MP, AF |
| Video | Yes | Yes |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Single | Yes | 2 MP |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | Yes | 4.0, A2DP |
| NFC | No | No |
| Positioning | GPS | GPS |
| Radio | FM radio | FM radio |
| USB | microUSB 2.0 | microUSB 2.0 |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, hotspot |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Accelerometer | Accelerometer, proximity |
| | MP3/WAV/eAAC player
MP4/H.264 player
Document viewer
Photo viewer/editor | - |
| Battery |
|---|
| Stand-by | Up to 350 h | Up to 200 h (3G) |
| Talk time | Up to 8 h 20 min | Up to 5 h (3G) |
| Type | Li-Ion 2000 mAh battery | Li-Ion 2500 mAh battery |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Black | White |
| Price | About 120 EUR | About 120 EUR |
Celkon A900
- Extremely affordable
- Simple and easy to use
- Potentially longer battery life (due to lower power consumption)
- Very slow performance
- Limited multitasking capabilities
- Outdated hardware
Celkon Q500 Millennium Ultra
- Significantly faster performance
- Quad-core processor enables multitasking
- More responsive user experience
- Likely slightly shorter battery life (due to higher power consumption)
- May be slightly more expensive than the A900
Display Comparison
Unfortunately, display specifications are unavailable for either device. Given their market positioning, it’s reasonable to assume both utilize low-resolution LCD panels. The Q500’s more powerful chipset *could* translate to better graphics processing for display-related tasks, but without knowing the panel technology or resolution, a direct comparison is impossible. Bezels are likely substantial on both models, typical of this price point.
Camera Comparison
Camera details are sparse for both devices. It’s safe to assume both feature basic camera sensors, likely with limited low-light performance. Without knowing sensor sizes or apertures, it’s difficult to assess image quality. The Q500’s more powerful processor *might* offer slightly faster image processing, but the underlying sensor quality will be the primary determinant of photo and video quality. Any claims of advanced features on either device should be viewed with skepticism.
Performance
The core difference lies in the processing power. The Celkon A900’s 1.0 GHz CPU is significantly outmatched by the Celkon Q500 Millennium Ultra’s Broadcom BCM23550 chipset featuring a quad-core 1.2 GHz CPU. This isn’t just a clock speed difference; the quad-core architecture allows for true multitasking, handling multiple apps simultaneously without significant slowdown. The BCM23550 likely includes a more capable GPU, improving performance in basic games and video playback. The A900 will struggle with anything beyond the most basic applications.
Battery Life
Battery capacity is not specified for either device. Given the lower processing demands of the A900, it may offer slightly longer battery life on a single charge, despite potentially having a smaller capacity. However, the Q500’s more efficient chipset could offset this difference. Charging wattage is also unknown; both devices likely support slow charging via micro-USB, typical for this market segment.
Buying Guide
Buy the Celkon A900 if you need a bare-bones smartphone for essential tasks like calls and texts, and your budget is extremely limited. It’s a suitable option for first-time smartphone users or as a temporary device. Buy the Celkon Q500 Millennium Ultra if you prefer a smoother, more responsive experience for basic app usage, social media, and light web browsing. The quad-core processor offers a noticeable improvement in overall usability.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Will the Celkon Q500 Millennium Ultra be able to run popular social media apps like Facebook and WhatsApp smoothly?
Yes, the quad-core processor and 1.2 GHz clock speed of the Q500 should provide a reasonably smooth experience with Facebook, WhatsApp, and similar social media applications. While it won't be a flagship-level experience, it will be significantly better than the A900, which may struggle with these apps.
❓ Is the Broadcom BCM23550 chipset known for overheating or throttling under load?
The Broadcom BCM23550 is an entry-level chipset, and while it's not known for *severe* overheating, it's not designed for sustained high performance. Prolonged gaming or demanding tasks may lead to some throttling to prevent overheating, but this is typical for processors in this price range. The A900, with its simpler processor, is less likely to throttle, but also less capable of handling demanding tasks in the first place.
❓ Can I expect to play modern mobile games on either of these phones?
Modern, graphically intensive games will likely be unplayable or run very poorly on both devices. The A900 is particularly ill-equipped for gaming. The Q500 might handle simpler 2D games or older titles, but don't expect a good experience with popular games like PUBG or Call of Duty Mobile.
