The Energizer E3 and Alcatel 1B (2020) represent the absolute bottom end of the smartphone market. Both aim to deliver basic smartphone functionality at the lowest possible price point. However, significant differences in their underlying hardware – specifically the chipsets – dictate their real-world performance and suitability for different users. This comparison dissects those differences to help you make an informed decision.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average user prioritizing basic functionality like calls, texts, and light social media, the Alcatel 1B (2020) offers a slightly better experience thanks to the Qualcomm Snapdragon 215. Its Cortex-A53 cores and 28nm process provide a noticeable performance edge over the Spreadtrum SC6531E in the Energizer E3, despite both being entry-level.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | - | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | - | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28 |
| 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 | 2020, January. Released 2020, May |
| Status | Discontinued | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | - | Glass front, plastic back, plastic frame |
| Dimensions | 113.9 x 48 x 14 mm (4.48 x 1.89 x 0.55 in) | 146.1 x 71.6 x 9.9 mm (5.75 x 2.82 x 0.39 in) |
| SIM | Dual SIM (Mini-SIM) | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 70 g (2.47 oz) | 168 g (5.93 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Resolution | 128 x 160 pixels (~116 ppi density) | 720 x 1440 pixels, 18:9 ratio (~293 ppi density) |
| Size | 1.77 inches, 9.9 cm2 (~18.0% screen-to-body ratio) | 5.5 inches, 78.1 cm2 (~74.6% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | TFT LCD, 256K colors | IPS LCD |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | - | Quad-core 1.3 GHz Cortex-A53 |
| Chipset | Spreadtrum SC6531E | Qualcomm QM215 Snapdragon 215 (28 nm) |
| GPU | - | Adreno 308 |
| OS | - | Android 10 (Go edition) |
| Memory |
|---|
| Call records | Yes | - |
| Card slot | microSD | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | - | 16GB 2GB RAM, 32GB 2GB RAM |
| Phonebook | Yes | - |
| | - | eMMC 5.1 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | - | LED flash, HDR |
| Single | QVGA | 8 MP, f/2.0, (wide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm, AF |
| Video | Yes | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Single | QVGA | 5 MP, f/2.2, (wide), 1/5.0", 1.12µm |
| Video | - | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 2.1 | 4.2, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | No | No |
| Positioning | No | GPS |
| Radio | FM radio | FM radio |
| USB | microUSB | microUSB 2.0 |
| WLAN | No | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features |
|---|
| Games | No | - |
| Java | No | - |
| Messaging | SMS | - |
| Sensors | - | Accelerometer, proximity |
| Battery |
|---|
| Type | Li-Ion 1000 mAh battery | Li-Ion 3000 mAh battery |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Black, Gray, Blue, White, Green, Brown, Yellow | Prime Black, Pine Green |
| Models | - | 5002A, 5002D, 5002F, 5002I, 5002M, 5002X, 5002S, 5002R, 5002D_EEA, 5002H_EEA, 5002H, 5002B, 5002C, 5002W, 5002H_TR |
| Price | About 10 EUR | About 80 EUR |
Energizer E3
- Potentially the lowest price available
- Basic smartphone functionality
- May include features not found on the Alcatel 1B (depending on regional variants)
- Significantly weaker performance than the Alcatel 1B
- Likely a lower-quality display
- Poor camera performance
alcatel 1B (2020)
- Better performance thanks to the Snapdragon 215
- More efficient chipset for potentially longer battery life
- Qualcomm's image processing may offer a slight camera advantage
- Still a very basic smartphone experience
- Limited storage and RAM
- Low-resolution display
Display Comparison
Neither device is expected to boast a high-quality display. Specifications are unavailable for the Energizer E3's display, suggesting a very basic panel. The Alcatel 1B (2020) also lacks detailed display specs, but given its price point, it likely features a low-resolution LCD. The absence of information on brightness, color accuracy, or refresh rates indicates both displays are designed for minimal cost, prioritizing functionality over visual fidelity. Bezels are likely to be substantial on both devices.
Camera Comparison
Camera performance on both devices will be extremely limited. Details are scarce, but both are likely to feature basic sensors. Focusing on megapixel counts alone is misleading at this price point. Image quality will be heavily reliant on software processing, and results are expected to be subpar, especially in low-light conditions. Any claims of advanced features like HDR or scene recognition should be viewed with skepticism. The Alcatel 1B (2020) *might* have a slight edge due to Qualcomm's image signal processing capabilities, but the difference will be minimal.
Performance
The core difference lies in the chipsets. The Alcatel 1B (2020) utilizes the Qualcomm Snapdragon 215 (28nm) with a quad-core 1.3 GHz Cortex-A53 CPU. This represents a more modern architecture than the Spreadtrum SC6531E found in the Energizer E3. While the Snapdragon 215 is still an entry-level chip, the Cortex-A53 cores offer better single-core performance and efficiency compared to the architecture likely used in the SC6531E. The 28nm process node of the Snapdragon 215 also contributes to better thermal management, potentially reducing throttling during sustained use. The Energizer E3's chipset is likely to struggle with even moderately demanding tasks.
Battery Life
Battery capacity details are unavailable for both devices. However, given their target market, both likely feature batteries around 2000-3000 mAh. The Snapdragon 215's improved efficiency *could* translate to slightly longer battery life for the Alcatel 1B (2020), but usage patterns will be the dominant factor. Charging speeds are also likely to be slow on both devices, with standard micro-USB charging being the norm. Expect several hours for a full charge.
Buying Guide
Buy the Energizer E3 if you absolutely need the lowest possible price and are willing to accept significant performance limitations. It's suitable for users who primarily need a device for emergency calls and very basic tasks. Buy the Alcatel 1B (2020) if you want a slightly more responsive experience for everyday tasks like browsing, messaging, and using basic apps. The Snapdragon 215 provides a more fluid, albeit still limited, user experience.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Will the Alcatel 1B (2020) be able to run popular social media apps like Facebook and WhatsApp smoothly?
The Alcatel 1B (2020) with its Snapdragon 215 chipset should be able to run Facebook and WhatsApp, but don't expect a fluid experience. Expect some lag when scrolling through feeds or loading images. These apps are relatively lightweight, but the limited RAM and processing power will be noticeable. Closing other apps beforehand will help improve performance.
❓ Is the Energizer E3 suitable for a first-time smartphone user who only needs basic calling and texting?
The Energizer E3 *can* function as a basic calling and texting device, but its performance is likely to be sluggish even for these core functions. The Spreadtrum SC6531E is a very limited chipset. If the user can afford a small price increase, the Alcatel 1B (2020) offers a significantly better experience, even for basic tasks.
❓ Can either of these phones handle mobile gaming?
Mobile gaming on either device is not recommended. The Snapdragon 215 in the Alcatel 1B (2020) might handle very simple 2D games, but even those will likely experience significant lag. The Energizer E3's chipset is even less capable and will struggle with almost all mobile games.
