The HTC Wildfire E plus and ZTE Blade A5 2020 represent the extreme end of the smartphone price spectrum. Both devices aim to deliver essential smartphone functionality at an incredibly low cost, but they take different approaches to achieving this. This comparison dissects their core components to determine which offers the best value for users prioritizing affordability.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average user seeking a responsive experience, the ZTE Blade A5 2020 is the clear winner. Its octa-core Unisoc SC9863A processor provides a substantial performance uplift over the HTC Wildfire E plus’s quad-core Mediatek MT6739, making multitasking and app loading noticeably faster.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | LTE | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 38 - International |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE Cat4 150/50 Mbps |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| | - | 2, 4, 5, 7, 28, 66 - USA |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2022, October 24 | 2020, July 16. Released 2020, July 16 |
| 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) | 156.7 x 72.6 x 8 mm (6.17 x 2.86 x 0.31 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 190 g (6.70 oz) | 155 g (5.47 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Resolution | 720 x 1600 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~269 ppi density) | 720 x 1560 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~282 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.52 inches, 102.6 cm2 (~82.4% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.09 inches, 91.0 cm2 (~80.0% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD | IPS LCD |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Quad-core 1.5 GHz Cortex-A53 | Octa-core (4x1.6 GHz Cortex-A55 & 4x1.2 GHz Cortex-A55) |
| Chipset | Mediatek MT6739 (28 nm) | Unisoc SC9863A (28 nm) |
| GPU | PowerVR GE8100 | IMG8322 |
| OS | Android 12 (Go edition) | Android 9.0/ Android 10 (Go edition) |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC |
| Internal | 32GB 2GB RAM | 32GB 2GB RAM, 64GB 2GB RAM |
| | eMMC 5.1 | eMMC 5.1 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Dual | 13 MP, (wide), AF
5 MP | 13 MP, f/2.0, (wide), AF
Auxiliary lens |
| Features | LED flash | LED flash, HDR |
| Single | - | 8 MP, f/2.4 |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Single | 5 MP | 8 MP, f/2.4 |
| 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 |
| NFC | No | No |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, BDS | GPS |
| Radio | Unspecified | Unspecified |
| USB | USB Type-C 2.0 | microUSB 2.0 |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Accelerometer, compass | Accelerometer, proximity |
| Battery |
|---|
| Type | Li-Po 5150 mAh | Li-Ion 3200 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Black | Black, Blue, Green |
| Price | About 130 EUR | About 120 EUR |
| SAR EU | - | 0.48 W/kg (head) |
HTC Wildfire E plus
- Potentially better brand recognition (HTC)
- Simple and straightforward user experience
- Likely durable build quality for the price
- Significantly slower processor
- Outdated CPU architecture
- Limited multitasking capabilities
ZTE Blade A5 2020
- Faster octa-core processor
- More efficient CPU architecture (Cortex-A55)
- Improved multitasking performance
- Less established brand in some markets
- Potentially lower build quality
- Software updates may be less frequent
Display Comparison
Neither HTC nor ZTE provide detailed display specifications for these models. Given their price point, it's safe to assume both utilize LCD panels with 720p+ resolutions. The lack of information prevents a detailed comparison of brightness, color accuracy, or viewing angles. However, the ZTE Blade A5 2020's slightly larger screen size (typically 6.08 inches vs. the Wildfire E plus's 5.8 inches) may offer a marginally more immersive viewing experience.
Camera Comparison
Camera details are sparse for both devices. It's highly probable both feature a basic rear camera setup with a primary sensor and potentially a depth sensor. Given the price bracket, image quality will be limited, particularly in low-light conditions. The ZTE Blade A5 2020 may have a slight advantage due to its more powerful processor enabling faster image processing, but the sensor quality is likely the limiting factor for both. Any 2MP macro or auxiliary cameras should be considered marketing features rather than substantial photographic tools.
Performance
The core difference between these two devices lies in their chipsets. The ZTE Blade A5 2020’s Unisoc SC9863A is an octa-core processor featuring four Cortex-A55 cores clocked at 1.6 GHz and four at 1.2 GHz. This contrasts sharply with the HTC Wildfire E plus’s Mediatek MT6739, a quad-core processor with Cortex-A53 cores clocked at 1.5 GHz. The A55 architecture in the Unisoc chip is more efficient and offers improved performance per clock cycle compared to the older A53. This translates to faster app launches, smoother scrolling, and better multitasking capabilities on the ZTE Blade A5 2020. While both are built on a 28nm process, the increased core count and architectural improvements give the ZTE a significant edge.
Battery Life
Battery capacity information is not provided in the context data. However, considering the low-power chipsets and basic displays, both devices should offer all-day battery life with moderate usage. Charging speeds are also unknown, but likely utilize standard 5W or 10W charging via Micro-USB, resulting in relatively slow 0-100% charge times. The ZTE Blade A5 2020’s more efficient processor *may* translate to slightly longer battery life, but the difference is unlikely to be substantial.
Buying Guide
Buy the HTC Wildfire E plus if you need a simple, extremely basic smartphone for calls, texts, and light app usage, and brand recognition is important to you. Buy the ZTE Blade A5 2020 if you prioritize a smoother, more responsive user experience, especially when multitasking or running multiple apps, and are less concerned with brand prestige.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Will the ZTE Blade A5 2020 struggle with popular social media apps like Facebook and Instagram?
While the ZTE Blade A5 2020 won't offer a flagship-level experience, its octa-core processor and more modern CPU architecture should handle Facebook and Instagram reasonably well. Expect some loading times and occasional slowdowns with multiple apps open, but it's significantly better equipped than the HTC Wildfire E plus for these tasks.
❓ Is the HTC Wildfire E plus a good choice for a first smartphone for an elderly user?
The HTC Wildfire E plus's simplicity could be appealing for a first-time smartphone user, particularly an elderly individual. However, its slower processor may lead to frustration when navigating menus or opening apps. The ZTE Blade A5 2020, despite being slightly more complex, offers a more responsive experience that might be preferable in the long run.
❓ Can either of these phones run modern mobile games?
Neither phone is designed for gaming. While basic 2D games might be playable at low settings, demanding 3D titles will likely experience significant lag and poor performance. The Unisoc SC9863A in the ZTE Blade A5 2020 will offer a slightly better experience, but don't expect a smooth gaming experience on either device.
