The Energizer E24 and Lava Z2 Max represent the extreme end of the smartphone price spectrum, targeting users prioritizing affordability above all else. Both devices aim to deliver essential smartphone functionality without breaking the bank, but they achieve this with significantly different hardware approaches. This comparison dissects those differences to determine which phone offers the best value for the money.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average user needing a basic, reliable smartphone for calls, texts, and light app usage, the Lava Z2 Max edges out the Energizer E24. Its quad-core 1.8 GHz CPU provides a noticeable performance advantage over the Spreadtrum SC6531E, resulting in a smoother user experience, despite both phones lacking advanced features.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | - | HSDPA 900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | - | 1, 3, 5, 8, 40, 41 |
| EDGE | No | - |
| GPRS | Yes | - |
| Speed | - | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE Cat4 150/50 Mbps |
| Technology | GSM | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2021, April. Released 2021, April | 2021, May 11 |
| Status | Discontinued | Available. Released 2021, May 11 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | - | Glass front, plastic back, plastic frame |
| Dimensions | 125.3 x 54 x 14.5 mm (4.93 x 2.13 x 0.57 in) | 174.7 x 78.6 x 9.1 mm (6.88 x 3.09 x 0.36 in) |
| SIM | Dual SIM (Mini-SIM, Micro-SIM) | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 105 g (3.70 oz) | 216 g (7.62 oz) |
| | Flashlight | - |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | - | Corning Gorilla Glass 3 |
| Resolution | 240 x 320 pixels, 4:3 ratio (~167 ppi density) | 720 x 1640 pixels (~256 ppi density) |
| Size | 2.4 inches, 17.8 cm2 (~26.4% screen-to-body ratio) | 7.0 inches, 116.4 cm2 (~84.7% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | TFT LCD, 256K colors | IPS LCD |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | - | Quad-core 1.8 GHz |
| Chipset | Spreadtrum SC6531E | - |
| OS | - | Android 10 (Go edition) |
| Memory |
|---|
| Call records | Yes | - |
| Card slot | microSD | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | - | 32GB 2GB RAM |
| Phonebook | Yes | - |
| | - | eMMC 5.1 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Dual | - | 13 MP, f/1.9, (wide), 1/3.0", 1.12µm, AF
Auxiliary lens |
| Features | LED flash | LED flash |
| Single | QVGA | 8 MP, f/2.0, (wide), 1.12µm |
| Video | Yes | 720p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Single | QVGA | 8 MP, f/2.0, (wide), 1.12µm |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 2.1 | 5.0, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | No | No |
| Positioning | No | GPS |
| Radio | FM radio | FM radio |
| USB | microUSB | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG |
| WLAN | No | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features |
|---|
| Games | No | - |
| Java | No | - |
| Messaging | SMS | - |
| Sensors | - | Accelerometer |
| Battery |
|---|
| Type | Li-Ion 1900 mAh battery | Li-Po 6000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Black, Gray, Blue, White, Green, Brown, Yellow | Stroked Blue, Stroked Cyan |
| Models | - | LS0001 |
| Price | About 20 EUR | About 90 EUR |
Energizer E24
- Potentially longer battery life due to efficient chipset
- Lower price point (likely)
- Simple and easy to use for basic tasks
- Significantly slower performance
- Limited multitasking capabilities
- Poor camera quality (expected)
Lava Z2 Max
- Faster CPU for smoother performance
- More responsive user experience
- Better for basic social media and messaging
- Shorter battery life (likely)
- May be slightly more expensive
- Still limited by low RAM (expected)
Display Comparison
Neither Energizer nor Lava provide display specifications beyond size. Given the price point, both likely utilize LCD panels with modest resolutions (likely 720p+). The absence of details suggests neither phone prioritizes display quality. Expect basic viewing angles and color reproduction. The lack of information prevents a direct comparison of brightness or color accuracy.
Camera Comparison
Camera details are sparse for both devices. It’s safe to assume both feature basic camera setups geared towards casual snapshots. Without sensor size, aperture, or image processing details, a meaningful comparison is impossible. The inclusion of a 2MP macro camera on either device is largely marketing fluff; its image quality will be severely limited. Expect subpar low-light performance from both.
Performance
The core difference lies in the processing power. The Energizer E24 utilizes the Spreadtrum SC6531E, a chipset designed for ultra-low-cost devices. This is a quad-core processor, but its architecture and clock speed are significantly lower than the Lava Z2 Max’s quad-core 1.8 GHz CPU. The Lava Z2 Max’s higher clock speed translates to faster app loading times and smoother multitasking, even if the core count is the same. The SC6531E will likely struggle with even moderately demanding apps. RAM specifications are also absent, but both will likely feature limited RAM (2GB or less), further impacting multitasking capabilities. The Lava Z2 Max’s CPU is the clear winner here.
Battery Life
Battery capacity is not specified for either device. However, the Energizer E24’s less powerful Spreadtrum SC6531E chipset *should* result in better battery life, as it consumes less power during operation. The Lava Z2 Max, with its faster CPU, will likely drain the battery more quickly under similar usage. Charging wattage is also unknown, so 0-100% times are impossible to estimate. The E24’s efficiency gives it a potential edge in longevity.
Buying Guide
Buy the Energizer E24 if you need a phone primarily for emergency communication and basic tasks, and prioritize a potentially longer-lasting battery due to the less power-hungry chipset. Buy the Lava Z2 Max if you prefer a slightly more responsive experience for everyday tasks like browsing social media or using messaging apps, and are willing to potentially sacrifice some battery life for that performance boost.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Will the Lava Z2 Max be able to run popular social media apps like Facebook and WhatsApp smoothly?
The Lava Z2 Max’s 1.8 GHz quad-core CPU should handle Facebook and WhatsApp reasonably well, offering a smoother experience than the Energizer E24. However, expect some lag when switching between apps or loading media, especially with multiple apps running simultaneously. It's sufficient for basic usage but won't provide a flagship-level experience.
❓ Is the Energizer E24 a good choice for someone who primarily needs a phone for making calls and sending texts?
Yes, the Energizer E24 is a suitable option for users who prioritize basic communication. Its less powerful chipset consumes less battery, potentially providing longer talk time and standby time. If your primary needs are calls and texts, the E24’s simplicity and efficiency are advantageous.
❓ Can either of these phones handle mobile gaming?
Neither the Energizer E24 nor the Lava Z2 Max are suitable for mobile gaming beyond very simple, 2D games. The Spreadtrum SC6531E and the 1.8 GHz quad-core CPU lack the processing power and graphics capabilities to run modern 3D games at playable frame rates. Expect significant lag and stuttering.