The Energizer E3 and Alcatel 1L (2021) represent the absolute bottom end of the smartphone market, targeting users prioritizing affordability above all else. Both devices aim to provide basic smartphone functionality at the lowest possible price point, but significant differences in their underlying hardware dictate which one delivers a more usable experience.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average user needing a functional, if basic, smartphone, the Alcatel 1L (2021) is the better choice. Its Mediatek Helio A20 chipset, built on a 12nm process, provides a noticeable performance advantage over the Energizer E3’s Spreadtrum SC6531E, resulting in smoother app loading and multitasking.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | - | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | - | 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 17, 28, 66 - USA |
| 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, January 12 |
| Status | Discontinued | Available. Released 2021, April 26 |
| 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) | 155.9 x 74.5 x 9.9 mm (6.14 x 2.93 x 0.39 in) |
| SIM | Dual SIM (Mini-SIM) | · Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 70 g (2.47 oz) | 179 g (6.31 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Resolution | 128 x 160 pixels (~116 ppi density) | 720 x 1560 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~282 ppi density) |
| Size | 1.77 inches, 9.9 cm2 (~18.0% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.1 inches, 91.3 cm2 (~78.6% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | TFT LCD, 256K colors | IPS LCD |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | - | Quad-core 1.8 GHz Cortex-A53 |
| Chipset | Spreadtrum SC6531E | Mediatek MT6761D Helio A20 (12 nm) |
| GPU | - | PowerVR GE8320 |
| OS | - | Android 11 (Go edition) |
| Memory |
|---|
| Call records | Yes | - |
| Card slot | microSD | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) |
| Internal | - | 32GB 2GB RAM |
| Phonebook | Yes | - |
| | - | eMMC 5.1 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Dual | - | 13 MP, f/1.9, 27mm (wide), 1/3.06", 1.12µm, AF
2 MP (macro) |
| Features | - | LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Single | QVGA | - |
| Video | Yes | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | - | HDR |
| Single | QVGA | 5 MP, f/2.2, 27mm (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 | 5.0, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | No | No |
| Positioning | No | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS |
| Radio | FM radio | FM radio |
| USB | microUSB | microUSB 2.0, OTG |
| WLAN | No | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features |
|---|
| Games | No | - |
| Java | No | - |
| Messaging | SMS | - |
| Sensors | - | Fingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, proximity |
| Battery |
|---|
| Type | Li-Ion 1000 mAh battery | Li-Ion 3000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Black, Gray, Blue, White, Green, Brown, Yellow | Power Grey, Twilight Blue |
| Models | - | 4063F, 4063T |
| Price | About 10 EUR | About 110 EUR |
Energizer E3
- Potentially longer battery life due to less powerful chipset
- May be slightly cheaper than the Alcatel 1L
- Simple and straightforward user experience
- Significantly slower performance than the Alcatel 1L
- Older chipset architecture
- Likely limited software support
alcatel 1L (2021)
- More responsive performance thanks to the Helio A20
- More efficient 12nm chipset
- Slightly better multitasking capabilities
- Potentially shorter battery life than the Energizer E3
- May be slightly more expensive
- Still limited by low RAM capacity
Display Comparison
Neither device is expected to offer a stellar display experience. Given the price point, both likely utilize LCD panels with modest resolutions. The absence of detailed display specifications necessitates relying on market segment expectations; both will likely feature low brightness levels and limited color accuracy. Bezels are expected to be substantial on both devices, maximizing screen real estate within a compact form factor. PWM dimming rates are unknown, but given the target market, optimization for flicker-sensitive users is unlikely.
Camera Comparison
Camera performance on both devices will be extremely limited. Both are likely to feature basic sensors, and image quality will suffer in anything less than ideal lighting conditions. The presence of a 2MP macro camera on either device is largely a marketing gimmick, offering minimal practical benefit. Without specific sensor details, it’s difficult to make a definitive comparison, but the Alcatel 1L’s slightly more powerful chipset *may* allow for marginally faster image processing, but this is unlikely to be significant. Expect heavily compressed images with limited detail.
Performance
The core difference lies in the chipsets. The Alcatel 1L (2021) utilizes the Mediatek MT6761D Helio A20, a quad-core processor built on a more efficient 12nm process. This translates to better power efficiency and, crucially, a performance uplift compared to the Energizer E3’s Spreadtrum SC6531E. While neither chipset is designed for demanding tasks, the Helio A20’s Cortex-A53 cores clocked at 1.8 GHz will handle basic app loading and multitasking more smoothly. The SC6531E’s architecture is older and less efficient, resulting in a noticeably slower user experience. RAM configurations are unknown for both, but are likely to be minimal (1GB-2GB), further limiting multitasking capabilities.
Battery Life
Battery capacity is unknown for both devices. However, the Energizer E3, with its less powerful Spreadtrum SC6531E chipset, *may* offer slightly longer battery life on a single charge. The 12nm process of the Helio A20 in the Alcatel 1L is more efficient, but the increased processing power will draw more current. Charging wattage is also unknown for both, but is likely to be very slow, requiring several hours to fully charge from 0-100%.
Buying Guide
Buy the Energizer E3 if your primary need is a very basic phone for calls and texts, and you prioritize potentially longer battery life due to the less powerful chipset. Buy the Alcatel 1L (2021) if you want a slightly more responsive experience for light social media use, web browsing, and basic app functionality, and are willing to accept potentially slightly shorter battery life.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Will the Alcatel 1L (2021) be able to run popular social media apps like Facebook and WhatsApp smoothly?
The Alcatel 1L (2021)'s Mediatek Helio A20 chipset should be capable of running Facebook and WhatsApp, but expect some lag when loading the apps or scrolling through feeds. It's not designed for heavy multitasking, so running multiple apps simultaneously will likely result in a sluggish experience.
❓ Is the Spreadtrum SC6531E in the Energizer E3 sufficient for basic phone calls and texting?
Yes, the Spreadtrum SC6531E is perfectly adequate for making phone calls and sending text messages. These are core functions that require minimal processing power, and the E3 will handle them without issue. However, attempting anything beyond basic communication will likely be frustrating.
❓ How long will it take to fully charge either the Energizer E3 or the Alcatel 1L (2021)?
Given the likely low charging wattage (likely 5W or less) on both devices, expect a full charge from 0-100% to take several hours – potentially 4-6 hours or even longer. Neither phone supports fast charging technologies.
