The HTC Wildfire E plus and Nokia 3.4 represent two approaches to the ultra-budget smartphone market. The Wildfire E plus, leveraging an older Mediatek chipset, aims for extreme affordability, while the Nokia 3.4, powered by a Qualcomm Snapdragon 460, attempts to deliver a more modern experience. This comparison dissects their key differences to determine which phone offers the best value.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For most users, the Nokia 3.4 is the superior choice. Its Qualcomm Snapdragon 460 chipset, built on an 11nm process, provides a substantial performance advantage over the HTC Wildfire E plus’s Mediatek MT6739. While both phones target the budget segment, the Nokia 3.4 offers a smoother, more responsive user experience.
| 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, 17, 13, 28, 66 |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE | HSPA, LTE |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2022, October 24 | 2020, September 22. Released 2020, October 26 |
| Status | Available. Released 2022, October 24 | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front, plastic back, plastic frame | - |
| Dimensions | 164.1 x 75.9 x 8.8 mm (6.46 x 2.99 x 0.35 in) | 161 x 76 x 8.7 mm (6.34 x 2.99 x 0.34 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | · Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 190 g (6.70 oz) | 180 g (6.35 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Resolution | 720 x 1600 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~269 ppi density) | 720 x 1560 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~269 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.52 inches, 102.6 cm2 (~82.4% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.39 inches, 100.2 cm2 (~81.9% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD | IPS LCD, 400 nits (typ) |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Quad-core 1.5 GHz Cortex-A53 | Octa-core (4x1.8 GHz Cortex-A73 & 4x1.8 GHz Cortex-A53) |
| Chipset | Mediatek MT6739 (28 nm) | Qualcomm SM4250 Snapdragon 460 (11 nm) |
| GPU | PowerVR GE8100 | Adreno 610 |
| OS | Android 12 (Go edition) | Android 10, upgradable to Android 11 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 32GB 2GB RAM | 32GB 3GB RAM, 64GB 3GB RAM, 64GB 4GB RAM |
| | eMMC 5.1 | eMMC 5.1 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Dual | 13 MP, (wide), AF
5 MP | - |
| Features | LED flash | LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Triple | - | 13 MP, (wide), PDAF
5 MP, (ultrawide)
Auxiliary lens |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Single | 5 MP | 8 MP, (wide) |
| Video | Yes | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 4.2, A2DP | 4.2, A2DP, aptX |
| NFC | No | Yes (market/region dependent) |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, BDS | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS |
| Radio | Unspecified | FM radio |
| USB | USB Type-C 2.0 | USB Type-C 2.0 |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Accelerometer, compass | Fingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | - | 10W wired |
| Type | Li-Po 5150 mAh | Li-Po 4000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Black | Fjord, Dusk, Charcoal |
| Models | - | TA-1288, TA-1285, TA-1283 |
| Price | About 130 EUR | About 100 EUR |
| SAR | - | 0.83 W/kg (head) 1.05 W/kg (body) |
| SAR EU | - | 0.36 W/kg (head) 1.56 W/kg (body) |
HTC Wildfire E plus
- Potentially lower price point
- Functional for basic smartphone tasks
- May run Android Go Edition for optimized performance on limited hardware
- Significantly slower processor
- Less efficient chipset
- Likely limited software support
Nokia 3.4
- Faster and more efficient Snapdragon 460 processor
- Better multitasking capabilities
- Improved camera image processing
- 10W wired charging
- Slightly higher price
- 10W charging is relatively slow
- May still struggle with demanding games
Display Comparison
Neither HTC nor Nokia provide display specifications beyond resolution. However, given the price points, both likely utilize LCD panels. The key difference lies in the underlying processing power to drive the display; the Snapdragon 460 in the Nokia 3.4 will handle graphics and animations more efficiently. The Wildfire E plus’s older chipset may exhibit more noticeable lag when scrolling or transitioning between apps.
Camera Comparison
Without detailed camera specs, a direct comparison is difficult. However, both phones likely feature basic camera setups geared towards casual photography. The Nokia 3.4 benefits from the Snapdragon 460’s image signal processor (ISP), which offers superior image processing capabilities compared to the Mediatek MT6739’s ISP. This means better dynamic range, noise reduction, and overall image quality on the Nokia 3.4, even with similar sensor resolutions. Expect the Wildfire E plus to produce noticeably softer and less detailed images.
Performance
The performance gap is the most significant differentiator. The Nokia 3.4’s Qualcomm Snapdragon 460, with its octa-core configuration (4x1.8 GHz Cortex-A73 & 4x1.8 GHz Cortex-A53), dramatically outperforms the HTC Wildfire E plus’s quad-core 1.5 GHz Cortex-A53 processor. The Snapdragon 460’s 11nm fabrication process is also more efficient, leading to better thermal management and sustained performance. This translates to faster app loading times, smoother multitasking, and a more responsive overall experience on the Nokia 3.4. The Wildfire E plus will struggle with demanding applications and even moderate multitasking.
Battery Life
Battery capacity isn't specified for either device. However, the Nokia 3.4’s 10W wired charging is a notable feature, while the Wildfire E plus’s charging speed is unknown. The Snapdragon 460’s improved power efficiency will likely contribute to longer battery life on the Nokia 3.4, even if the battery capacities are similar. The 10W charging, while slow by modern standards, will provide a predictable recharge time for the Nokia 3.4.
Buying Guide
Buy the HTC Wildfire E plus if your primary need is a functional smartphone for basic tasks like calls, texts, and light social media, and you are operating on an extremely limited budget. Buy the Nokia 3.4 if you prioritize a more fluid user experience, occasional multitasking, and a chipset that will likely receive longer software support, even if it means spending a bit more.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Will the Nokia 3.4 struggle with popular games like PUBG Mobile?
While the Snapdragon 460 can handle some gaming, PUBG Mobile will likely require low graphics settings and may still experience occasional frame drops. The HTC Wildfire E plus would struggle significantly more, making it a less viable option for gaming.
❓ Does the Nokia 3.4 receive regular software updates?
Nokia is known for providing relatively consistent software updates, even for its budget devices. The Wildfire E plus, given its age and HTC's track record, is less likely to receive frequent or long-term software support.
❓ Is the difference in performance between the two phones noticeable in everyday use?
Yes, the difference is quite noticeable. The Nokia 3.4 will feel significantly smoother and more responsive when opening apps, browsing the web, and multitasking. The Wildfire E plus will exhibit more lag and slowdowns.
❓ Which phone is better for someone who primarily uses their phone for calls and texts?
Both phones are adequate for basic communication. However, the Nokia 3.4’s better chipset and potential for longer software support make it a slightly more future-proof choice, even for simple tasks.
