The ultra-budget smartphone market is fiercely competitive. Both the Cubot A30 and the Alcatel 1B (2022) aim to deliver essential smartphone functionality at incredibly low price points. However, significant differences in their core hardware – specifically the chipset – dictate vastly different user experiences. This comparison will dissect those differences, helping you determine which device best suits your needs.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average user prioritizing responsiveness and longevity, the Cubot A30 is the clear winner. Its Unisoc Tiger T616 chipset, featuring a mix of Cortex-A75 and A55 cores, provides a significantly more fluid experience than the Alcatel 1B’s aging Helio A22. The A30’s superior endurance, boasting 52:43h of usage, further solidifies its position.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 17, 20, 28, 41 | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41 - 5031D, 5031G |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE | HSPA 42.2/11.1 Mbps, LTE Cat4 150/50 Mbps |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| | - | 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 26, 28, 38, 40, 66 - 5031A, 5041J |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2024 | 2022, May 31 |
| Status | Available. Released 2024 | Available. Released 2022, May 31 |
| Body |
|---|
| Dimensions | 170.4 x 77.5 x 9.6 mm (6.71 x 3.05 x 0.38 in) | 146.7 x 71.9 x 10 mm (5.78 x 2.83 x 0.39 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | · Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 216 g (7.62 oz) | 172 g (6.07 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | Mohs level 6 | - |
| Resolution | 720 x 1600 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~260 ppi density) | 720 x 1440 pixels, 18:9 ratio (~293 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.75 inches, 110.0 cm2 (~83.3% screen-to-body ratio) | 5.5 inches, 78.1 cm2 (~74.0% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD, 90Hz | TFT LCD |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (2x2.0 GHz Cortex-A75 & 6x1.8 GHz Cortex-A55) | Quad-core 2.0 GHz Cortex-A53 |
| Chipset | Unisoc Tiger T616 (12 nm) | Mediatek MT6761 Helio A22 (12 nm) |
| GPU | Mali-G57 MP1 | PowerVR GE8300 |
| OS | Android 14 | Android 11 (Go edition) |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 128GB 6GB RAM | 32GB 2GB RAM |
| | - | eMMC 5.1 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash | LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Single | 48 MP, (wide), PDAF
Auxiliary lens | 8 MP, f/2.0, 25 mm (wide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm, AF |
| Video | Yes | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Single | 16 MP | 5 MP, f/2.2, 24 mm (wide), 1/5.0", 1.12µm |
| Video | Yes | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | - | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.0, A2DP, LE | 5.0, A2DP |
| NFC | No | No |
| Positioning | GPS, GALILEO, GLONASS, BDS | GPS |
| Radio | Unspecified | FM radio |
| USB | USB Type-C, OTG | microUSB 2.0 |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Accelerometer, proximity | Accelerometer |
| Battery |
|---|
| Type | 5100 mAh | Li-Ion 3000 mAh battery, removable |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Gray, Pink | Prime Black, Atlantic Blue |
| Models | - | 5031D, 5031G, 5031A, 5031J |
| Price | - | About 100 EUR |
| EU LABEL |
|---|
| Battery | 52:43h endurance, 800 cycles | - |
| Energy | Class B | - |
| Free fall | Class A (270 falls) | - |
| Repairability | Class B | - |
Cubot A30
- Significantly faster processor (Unisoc T616)
- Exceptional battery life (52:43h endurance)
- Longer battery lifespan (800 charge cycles)
- Likely basic display quality
- Camera performance likely average
alcatel 1B (2022)
- Extremely affordable price point
- Decent battery life for basic usage
- Compact and lightweight design (likely)
- Slow processor (Helio A22)
- Limited multitasking capabilities
- Potentially outdated software
Display Comparison
Neither device boasts a standout display. Both utilize 12nm chipsets, suggesting similar power constraints impacting display capabilities. While specific display specs are unavailable, the focus here is on performance, not visual fidelity. Expect basic LCD panels with adequate, but not exceptional, viewing angles and color reproduction. The Alcatel 1B's display is likely optimized for maximum power efficiency, potentially at the expense of brightness.
Camera Comparison
Camera performance is likely to be similar on both devices, given their budget nature. Both will likely feature a primary camera and potentially a secondary depth sensor. Without specific sensor details, it’s safe to assume image quality will be adequate in good lighting conditions but struggle in low light. The presence 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 chipset. The Cubot A30’s Unisoc Tiger T616 is a modern octa-core processor with a heterogeneous architecture – two Cortex-A75 cores for performance and six Cortex-A55 cores for efficiency. This contrasts sharply with the Alcatel 1B’s MediaTek Helio A22, a quad-core processor utilizing only the less powerful Cortex-A53 cores. The A75 cores in the A30 provide a substantial performance uplift in CPU-intensive tasks, resulting in faster app loading times and smoother multitasking. The T616’s 12nm process node is comparable to the A22’s, but the architectural advantages are undeniable.
Battery Life
The Cubot A30 shines in battery endurance, offering a remarkable 52:43 hours of usage. While the Alcatel 1B’s battery capacity is unknown, the less powerful Helio A22 chipset likely contributes to reasonable battery life, but it won’t match the A30’s longevity. The A30 also boasts 800 charge cycles, indicating a longer lifespan before significant battery degradation. This makes the A30 a better choice for users who heavily rely on their phone throughout the day.
Buying Guide
Buy the Cubot A30 if you need a phone capable of handling everyday tasks like social media, light web browsing, and video playback without frustrating lag. It’s ideal for users who value battery life and want a device that won’t feel obsolete after a few months. Buy the Alcatel 1B (2022) if your primary need is a very basic, extremely affordable phone for calls, texts, and minimal app usage. It’s best suited for those on a severely restricted budget or as a temporary device.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Will the Unisoc Tiger T616 in the Cubot A30 handle popular apps like WhatsApp and Facebook smoothly?
Yes, the Unisoc Tiger T616’s octa-core architecture, including the Cortex-A75 cores, provides ample processing power for smooth operation of common social media apps like WhatsApp and Facebook. You should experience minimal lag or slowdown during everyday use.
❓ Is the Alcatel 1B (2022) suitable for playing mobile games?
The Alcatel 1B’s MediaTek Helio A22 is not well-suited for gaming. While it can handle very basic 2D games, more demanding titles will likely experience significant lag and frame rate drops. The processor simply lacks the graphical horsepower to provide a playable gaming experience.
❓ How long will the Cubot A30's battery last with moderate usage (calls, texts, some browsing)?
With moderate usage, the Cubot A30’s 52:43h endurance translates to easily lasting a full day, and potentially two days, on a single charge. This makes it an excellent choice for users who don't want to worry about constantly recharging their phone.
