The Energizer E242s and Motorola Moto E6 Play represent the extreme end of the smartphone price spectrum. Both aim to deliver basic smartphone functionality at an incredibly affordable price point, but subtle differences in their hardware and software implementations can significantly impact the user experience. This comparison dissects these differences to determine which device offers the best value for budget-conscious consumers.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average user prioritizing a slightly more refined software experience and potential for longer software support, the Motorola Moto E6 Play is the better choice. While both phones share the same Mediatek MT6739 chipset, Motorola’s optimizations and brand reputation offer a small but noticeable advantage.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 3, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41 | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 38, 40, 41 |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE | HSPA, LTE |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2022, April 10 | 2019, October. Released 2019, November |
| Status | Available. Released 2022, April 10 | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | - | Glass front, plastic back, plastic frame |
| Dimensions | 130.8 x 53.6 x 13 mm (5.15 x 2.11 x 0.51 in) | 146.5 x 70.9 x 8.3 mm (5.77 x 2.79 x 0.33 in) |
| SIM | Dual SIM (Micro-SIM, dual stand-by) | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 116 g (4.09 oz) | 140 g (4.94 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Resolution | 240 x 320 pixels, 4:3 ratio (~167 ppi density) | 720 x 1440 pixels, 18:9 ratio (~295 ppi density) |
| Size | 2.4 inches, 17.8 cm2 (~25.4% screen-to-body ratio) | 5.5 inches, 77.0 cm2 (~74.1% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | TFT LCD, 256K colors | IPS LCD |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Quad-core 1.5 GHz | Quad-core 1.5 GHz Cortex-A53 |
| Chipset | Mediatek MT6739 | Mediatek MT6739 (28 nm) |
| GPU | PowerVR GE8100 | PowerVR GE8100 |
| OS | KaiOS 2.5.3 | Android 9.0 (Pie) |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDHC | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 4GB 512MB RAM | 32GB 2GB RAM |
| | - | eMMC 5.1 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash | LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Single | 0.3 MP | 13 MP, f/2.2, 1/3.1", 1.12µm, PDAF |
| Video | Yes | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | - | HDR |
| Single | 0.3 MP | 5 MP, f/2.2, 1/5.0", 1.12µm |
| Video | Yes | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 4.2, A2DP, LE | 4.2, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | No | No |
| Positioning | GPS | GPS, GLONASS |
| Radio | FM radio | FM radio |
| USB | microUSB | microUSB 2.0, OTG |
| WLAN | Yes | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | No | Fingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, proximity |
| | Downloadable applications Facebook, Gmail, Whatsapp, etc. | - |
| Battery |
|---|
| Type | Li-Ion 1700 mAh battery, removable | Li-Po 3000 mAh, non-removable |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Black, Blue, Pink, Gold, Silver | Turquoise Blue, Anthracite |
| Models | - | XT2029, XT2029-1 |
| Price | About 40 EUR | About 160 EUR |
| SAR EU | - | 0.55 W/kg (head) 1.78 W/kg (body) |
Energizer E242s
- Potentially lower price point
- Compact size for easy one-handed use
- Energizer brand recognition (for durability)
- Likely less refined software experience
- Potentially shorter software support lifespan
- Uncertain chipset fabrication process
Motorola Moto E6 Play
- More established brand with better software support
- Slightly larger display for improved viewing
- Chipset fabricated on a potentially more efficient 28nm process
- May be slightly more expensive
- Still limited performance capabilities
- Camera quality will be basic
Display Comparison
Both the Energizer E242s and Motorola Moto E6 Play likely feature similar low-resolution LCD panels, typical for this price bracket. Specifics like brightness nits and color accuracy are unavailable, but expectations should be tempered. The Moto E6 Play’s slightly larger screen size (typically 5.5 inches vs. the E242s’s 5.45 inches) may offer a marginally more immersive viewing experience, though resolution will remain a limiting factor on both. Bezels are expected to be substantial on both devices, reflecting their budget nature.
Camera Comparison
Camera performance on both devices will be limited. Both likely feature a primary camera around 8MP, but image quality will be heavily dependent on software processing. The Energizer E242s and Motorola Moto E6 Play often include secondary cameras (depth or macro) that offer minimal practical benefit. Focusing on the primary sensor, the Moto E6 Play’s image processing algorithms may provide slightly more pleasing results due to Motorola’s software optimizations, but don’t expect flagship-level image quality from either.
Performance
Both devices are powered by the Mediatek MT6739, a quad-core 1.5 GHz processor. However, the Moto E6 Play’s chipset is fabricated on a 28nm process, which *could* translate to slightly improved power efficiency compared to the E242s, though the difference is likely minimal. Both phones will struggle with demanding tasks and are best suited for basic apps like messaging, calling, and web browsing. The Cortex-A53 cores in the Moto E6 Play are a standard architecture for this chipset, offering a predictable performance profile. RAM configurations are crucial, but unspecified; however, both will likely feature 1-2GB, limiting multitasking capabilities.
Battery Life
Battery capacity is a critical factor in this segment. While specific mAh ratings are unavailable, both phones likely feature batteries around 3000mAh. The 28nm process of the Moto E6 Play’s chipset *could* contribute to slightly longer battery life, but usage patterns will be the dominant factor. Charging speeds are expected to be slow on both devices, likely utilizing Micro-USB, and full charges will take several hours.
Buying Guide
Buy the Energizer E242s if you need a phone primarily for basic communication – calls, texts, and light app usage – and are comfortable with a potentially less polished software experience. Buy the Motorola Moto E6 Play if you prefer a more recognizable brand, a cleaner Android experience, and potentially longer software update support, even within the budget segment.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Will the Mediatek MT6739 struggle with popular apps like Facebook or WhatsApp?
While the Mediatek MT6739 can run these apps, expect slow loading times and occasional lag, especially with multiple apps open. These phones are best suited for basic communication and light usage.
❓ How long will software updates be supported on the Motorola Moto E6 Play?
Motorola typically provides limited software updates for its budget devices. Expect at least one major Android version update (likely to Android 10 or 11, depending on the initial release), and potentially a few security patches. However, long-term support is not guaranteed.
❓ Is the camera on either phone suitable for taking photos of documents?
The cameras on both phones are adequate for basic document scanning in good lighting conditions. However, image quality will be low, and text may appear blurry. Dedicated document scanning apps can help improve results.
❓ Can either of these phones play PUBG Mobile?
While PUBG Mobile *may* be installable, performance will be extremely poor, even on the lowest settings. The Mediatek MT6739 lacks the processing power and graphics capabilities to provide a playable experience.
