The Energizer E284S and Motorola Moto E5 Play Go represent the extreme end of the smartphone price spectrum. Both aim to deliver essential functionality at a minimal cost, but they achieve this through vastly different approaches to hardware. This comparison dissects their core components to determine which device offers the best experience for users prioritizing affordability.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average user needing a functional, albeit basic, smartphone, the Motorola Moto E5 Play Go is the better choice. Its Qualcomm Snapdragon 425 chipset, clocked at 1.4 GHz, provides a noticeable performance advantage over the Energizer E284S’s 1 GHz Unisoc T117, translating to smoother app loading and multitasking.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 3, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41 | 2, 4, 5, 13 |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE | HSPA, LTE |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / LTE |
| | - | CDMA 800 / 1900 |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2021, December. Released 2022, Q2 | 2018, July. Released 2018, August |
| Status | Discontinued | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Dimensions | 137.6 x 62.5 x 15.6 mm (5.42 x 2.46 x 0.61 in) | 7.6 mm thickness |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 131 g (4.62 oz) | 150.3 g (5.29 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Resolution | 240 x 320 pixels, 4:3 ratio (~143 ppi density) | 480 x 960 pixels, 18:9 ratio (~206 ppi density) |
| Size | 2.8 inches, 24.3 cm2 (~28.2% screen-to-body ratio) | 5.2 inches, 69.8 cm2 |
| Type | TFT LCD | IPS LCD |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | 1 GHz | Quad-core 1.4 GHz Cortex-A53 |
| Chipset | Unisoc T117 | Qualcomm MSM8917 Snapdragon 425 (28 nm) |
| GPU | - | Adreno 308 |
| OS | - | Android 8.0 Oreo (Go edition) |
| Memory |
|---|
| Call records | Yes | - |
| Card slot | microSDHC | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 128MB, 64MB RAM | 16GB 1GB RAM |
| Phonebook | Yes | - |
| | eMMC | eMMC 5.1 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash | LED flash, panorama, HDR |
| Single | 2 MP | 8 MP, f/2.0, 1.12 µm, AF |
| Video | Yes | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | - | LED flash |
| Single | VGA | 5 MP |
| Video | Yes | - |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 2.1 | 4.2, A2DP |
| NFC | No | No |
| Positioning | No | GPS, GLONASS |
| Radio | FM radio | FM radio |
| USB | microUSB | microUSB 2.0 |
| WLAN | Yes | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n |
| Features |
|---|
| Games | Downloadable | - |
| Java | No | - |
| Messaging | SMS | - |
| Sensors | No | Accelerometer |
| Battery |
|---|
| Type | Li-Ion 2000 mAh, removable | Li-Ion 2800 mAh battery |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Black, Blue, Red, Green | Black, Dark lake, Flash gray |
| Models | - | XT1921, MOTXT19218PP |
| Price | About 50 EUR | About 70 EUR |
Energizer E284S
- Potentially lowest possible price point
- May offer slightly longer standby time due to lower CPU clock speed
- Simple and straightforward user experience
- Significantly slower performance
- Poor multitasking capabilities
- Likely limited app compatibility
Motorola Moto E5 Play Go
- Better overall performance
- More responsive user interface
- Qualcomm’s image processing offers slight camera advantage
- May be slightly more expensive
- Battery life could be marginally lower under heavy use
- Still a very basic smartphone experience
Display Comparison
Neither device boasts a standout display. Given the price point, details like panel type and resolution are not provided. However, the focus should be on usability. The E5 Play Go’s slightly larger screen (assumed, based on typical Moto E series sizing) may offer a marginally better viewing experience. Both will likely feature low brightness levels and limited color accuracy, suitable only for basic viewing.
Camera Comparison
Both devices are likely to feature basic camera setups. Without specific sensor details, it’s safe to assume image quality will be limited. The E5 Play Go, benefiting from Qualcomm’s image signal processing capabilities, may offer slightly better image quality in good lighting conditions. However, low-light performance will be poor on both. Any 2MP macro or depth sensors on either device are largely marketing gimmicks and should not be considered a significant factor in the buying decision.
Performance
The core difference lies in the chipsets. The Motorola Moto E5 Play Go’s Qualcomm MSM8917 Snapdragon 425, built on a 28nm process, features a quad-core 1.4 GHz Cortex-A53 CPU. This architecture, while dated, is significantly more efficient and powerful than the Energizer E284S’s Unisoc T117 with its single-core 1 GHz CPU. The Snapdragon 425’s Cortex-A53 cores offer better single-core performance, crucial for responsive app launches, while the quad-core configuration allows for more effective multitasking. The Unisoc T117 is likely to struggle with even moderately demanding apps, resulting in noticeable lag and slowdowns. The 28nm process of the Snapdragon 425, while older, is a mature technology, offering a balance of performance and power efficiency.
Battery Life
Battery life will heavily depend on usage patterns. While mAh capacity isn’t specified, the more efficient Snapdragon 425 in the Moto E5 Play Go will likely translate to longer battery life, even with a potentially smaller battery. The Unisoc T117’s lower performance may reduce power draw, but its inefficiency could negate any gains. Charging speeds are also likely to be slow on both devices, with neither supporting fast charging technologies.
Buying Guide
Buy the Energizer E284S if you absolutely need the lowest possible price and are willing to accept significant performance limitations for very basic tasks like calls and texts. Buy the Motorola Moto E5 Play Go if you prioritize a slightly more responsive user experience, even for simple apps, and want a device that feels less sluggish during everyday use. The E5 Play Go is the better option for anyone who occasionally browses the web or uses social media.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Will the Energizer E284S struggle with popular apps like WhatsApp or Facebook?
Yes, the Energizer E284S’s Unisoc T117 chipset is likely to exhibit significant lag and slowdowns when running apps like WhatsApp or Facebook, especially with multiple chats or tabs open. The limited processing power and single-core CPU will struggle to handle the demands of these applications.
❓ Is the Motorola Moto E5 Play Go suitable for light gaming?
The Motorola Moto E5 Play Go can handle very basic 2D games, but it’s not designed for demanding 3D titles. Expect low frame rates and graphical settings on any moderately complex game. The Snapdragon 425 is simply not powerful enough for a smooth gaming experience.
❓ How much storage does each phone likely have, and is it expandable?
Both phones likely feature 16GB or 32GB of internal storage, which is very limited. Fortunately, both are expected to include a microSD card slot for storage expansion, allowing users to add up to 128GB or 256GB of additional storage.
