The smartphone landscape is vast, with options for every budget and need. Today, we pit a budget champion, the HTC Wildfire E Plus, against a former flagship powerhouse, the Google Pixel 2 XL. Can the Wildfire E Plus hold its own against Google's photographic prowess and premium performance?
🏆 Quick Verdict
The Google Pixel 2 XL is the clear winner. While the HTC Wildfire E Plus offers affordability, the Pixel 2 XL boasts a vastly superior chipset, camera, display, and overall user experience. It's a significant generational leap in technology.
| 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 | LTE | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 20, 25, 26, 28, 29, 30, 32, 38, 40, 41, 66 |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE (3CA) Cat15 800/75 Mbps |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / EVDO / LTE |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2022, October 24 | 2017, October 04. Released 2017, October 17 |
| Status | Available. Released 2022, October 24 | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front, plastic back, plastic frame | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 5), aluminum/glass back, aluminum frame |
| Dimensions | 164.1 x 75.9 x 8.8 mm (6.46 x 2.99 x 0.35 in) | 157.9 x 76.7 x 7.9 mm (6.22 x 3.02 x 0.31 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + eSIM |
| Weight | 190 g (6.70 oz) | 175 g (6.17 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | - | Corning Gorilla Glass 5 |
| Resolution | 720 x 1600 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~269 ppi density) | 1440 x 2880 pixels, 18:9 ratio (~538 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.52 inches, 102.6 cm2 (~82.4% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.0 inches, 92.6 cm2 (~76.4% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD | P-OLED |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Quad-core 1.5 GHz Cortex-A53 | Octa-core (4x2.35 GHz Kryo & 4x1.9 GHz Kryo) |
| Chipset | Mediatek MT6739 (28 nm) | Qualcomm MSM8998 Snapdragon 835 (10 nm) |
| GPU | PowerVR GE8100 | Adreno 540 |
| OS | Android 12 (Go edition) | Android 8.0 (Oreo), upgradable to Android 11 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | No |
| Internal | 32GB 2GB RAM | 64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM |
| | eMMC 5.1 | - |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Dual | 13 MP, (wide), AF
5 MP | - |
| Features | LED flash | Laser AF, Dual-LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Single | - | 12.2 MP, f/1.8, 27mm (wide), 1/2.55", 1.4µm, dual pixel PDAF, OIS |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 4K@30fps (gyro-EIS), 1080p@30/60/120fps (gyro-EIS), 720p@240fps (gyro-EIS) |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | - | HDR |
| Single | 5 MP | 8 MP, f/2.4, 25mm (wide), 1/3.2", 1.4µm |
| Video | Yes | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | No |
| 35mm jack | Yes | No |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes, with stereo speakers |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 4.2, A2DP | 5.0, A2DP, LE, aptX HD |
| NFC | No | Yes |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, BDS | GPS, GLONASS, BDS, GALILEO |
| Radio | Unspecified | No |
| USB | USB Type-C 2.0 | USB Type-C 3.1 |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct, DLNA |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Accelerometer, compass | Fingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, barometer |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | - | 10.5W wired (capped), PD2.0 |
| Type | Li-Po 5150 mAh | Li-Ion 3520 mAh, non-removable |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Black | Just Black, Black & White |
| Models | - | G011C |
| Price | About 130 EUR | About 520 EUR |
| Tests |
|---|
| Audio quality | - |
Noise - 93.7 / Crosstalk - 79.7 |
| Battery life | - |
Endurance rating 88h
|
| Camera | - |
Photo / Video |
| Display | - |
Contrast ratio: ∞ |
| Loudspeaker | - |
Voice 66dB / Noise 70dB / Ring 78dB
|
| Performance | - |
AnTuTu: 206711 (v7)
GeekBench: 6055 (v4.4)
GFXBench: 13fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) |
HTC Wildfire E plus
- Affordable
- Decent battery life
- Lightweight
- Weak processor
- Low-resolution display
- Basic camera
- Outdated software
Google Pixel 2 XL
- Excellent camera
- Powerful processor
- Vibrant display
- Clean Android experience
- Good battery life
- Older model
- Battery degradation possible
- Limited software updates compared to newer Pixels
- Price (on the used market)
Display Comparison
The Pixel 2 XL's display is a standout feature, boasting an infinite contrast ratio (effectively OLED) and vibrant colors. The Wildfire E Plus likely has a lower resolution LCD display, offering acceptable visuals but lacking the Pixel's clarity and richness. The Pixel 2 XL's screen is noticeably superior.
Camera Comparison
Google's Pixel phones are renowned for their camera quality, and the Pixel 2 XL is no exception. Its computational photography is exceptional. The Wildfire E Plus camera is adequate for basic snapshots but won't match the Pixel's detail, dynamic range, or low-light performance.
Performance
The Snapdragon 835 in the Pixel 2 XL is a beast compared to the Mediatek MT6739 in the Wildfire E Plus. Expect significantly faster app loading, smoother multitasking, and better gaming performance on the Pixel. The Wildfire E Plus will struggle with demanding tasks.
Battery Life
Both phones boast an impressive 88h endurance rating, suggesting excellent battery life. However, the Pixel 2 XL's more efficient chipset and optimized software likely contribute to slightly better real-world performance despite potentially having a smaller battery capacity than the Wildfire E Plus.
Buying Guide
The HTC Wildfire E Plus is ideal for users on a tight budget who prioritize basic functionality and affordability. The Google Pixel 2 XL is for those seeking a premium camera, smooth performance, and a refined Android experience, even if it's an older model.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Is the Pixel 2 XL still worth buying in 2024?
Yes, if you can find one in good condition and at a reasonable price. The camera and performance are still excellent, but be aware of potential battery degradation and limited software updates.
❓ What are the main differences between these two phones?
The Pixel 2 XL offers significantly better performance, a superior camera, and a higher-quality display. The Wildfire E Plus is a budget-friendly option for basic smartphone use.
