Both the HTC Wildfire E star and the alcatel 1L Pro (2021) occupy the ultra-budget smartphone segment, aiming to deliver essential functionality at the lowest possible price. However, beneath the similar price points lie significant differences in processing power, impacting everyday usability and multitasking capabilities. This comparison dissects these differences to determine which device offers the best value.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average user prioritizing responsiveness and multitasking, the alcatel 1L Pro (2021) is the clear winner. Its octa-core Unisoc SC9863A processor provides a substantial performance uplift over the HTC Wildfire E star’s quad-core SC9832E, making it better suited for running multiple apps and handling demanding tasks.
| 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 | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 38, 40, 41 | 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 17, 28, 66 - USA |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE | HSPA 21.1/5.76 Mbps, LTE Cat4 150/50 Mbps |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2023, August 08 | 2021, June 25 |
| Status | Available. Released 2023, August | Available. Released 2021, Q2 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front, plastic back, plastic frame | Glass front, plastic back, plastic frame |
| Dimensions | 164.8 x 76.5 x 9.2 mm (6.49 x 3.01 x 0.36 in) | 156.4 x 74.8 x 9.7 mm (6.16 x 2.94 x 0.38 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | · Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 200 g (7.05 oz) | 190 g (6.70 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 (~81.4% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.1 inches, 91.3 cm2 (~78.1% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD | IPS LCD |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Quad-core 1.4 GHz | Octa-core (4x1.6 GHz Cortex-A55 & 4x1.2 GHz Cortex-A55) |
| Chipset | Unisoc SC9832E (28 nm) | Unisoc SC9863A (28 nm) |
| GPU | Mali-T820 MP1 | IMG8322 |
| OS | Android 12 (Go edition) | Android 11 (Go edition) |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) |
| Internal | 16GB 2GB RAM | 32GB 2GB RAM |
| | - | eMMC 5.1 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Dual | - | 13 MP, f/2.2, 26mm (wide), 1/3.06", 1.12µm, AF
Auxiliary lens |
| Features | LED flash | LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Single | 8 MP, f/2.2, (wide), AF
Auxiliary lens | - |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | - | HDR |
| Single | 5 MP, f/2.2, (wide) | 5 MP, f/2.2, 27mm (wide), 1/5.0", 1.12µm |
| Video | 720p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | - | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 4.2, A2DP | 4.2, A2DP |
| NFC | No | No |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO | GPS |
| Radio | Unspecified | FM radio |
| USB | USB Type-C 2.0 | microUSB 2.0, OTG |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, proximity | Fingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, proximity |
| Battery |
|---|
| Type | Li-Ion 3000 mAh | Li-Ion 3000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Gray | Power Grey, Twilight Blue |
| Price | About 100 EUR | About 110 EUR |
HTC Wildfire E star
- Extremely affordable price point
- Simple and easy-to-use interface
- Potentially longer standby time due to lower power consumption (depending on battery capacity)
- Slow processor struggles with multitasking
- Limited app performance
- Basic camera quality
alcatel 1L Pro (2021)
- Significantly faster processor for smoother multitasking
- More responsive user experience
- Better suited for running multiple apps
- May be slightly more expensive than the HTC Wildfire E star
- Camera performance is still basic
- Battery life may be marginally shorter under heavy load
Display Comparison
Neither device boasts a standout display. Both utilize 28nm chipsets, suggesting similar power constraints impacting display capabilities. Specific display specs (resolution, brightness, panel type) are unavailable, but given the price bracket, expect basic LCD panels. Bezels are likely to be substantial on both, prioritizing cost reduction over aesthetics. Color accuracy is unlikely to be a strong point on either device.
Camera Comparison
Camera performance is likely to be similar and underwhelming on both devices. Without specific sensor details, it’s safe to assume both rely on basic sensors. The presence of a 2MP macro camera on either device is largely a marketing tactic, offering limited practical benefit due to the low resolution and lack of optical image stabilization (OIS). Image processing will likely be minimal, resulting in photos that are acceptable in good lighting conditions but struggle in low light. Focusing on the main sensor’s megapixel count (if available) would be more indicative of potential image quality.
Performance
The core difference lies in the chipset. The alcatel 1L Pro (2021) features the Unisoc SC9863A, an octa-core processor with a combination of 1.6 GHz and 1.2 GHz Cortex-A55 cores. This contrasts sharply with the HTC Wildfire E star’s Unisoc SC9832E, a quad-core processor clocked at 1.4 GHz. The alcatel’s octa-core configuration provides significantly improved multitasking capabilities and responsiveness. While both are based on the 28nm process, the increased core count and higher clock speeds of the SC9863A translate to a demonstrably faster user experience. The Cortex-A55 cores, while entry-level, are more efficient than older architectures, potentially offering slightly better battery life under load.
Battery Life
Battery capacity details are missing for both devices. However, given the low-power chipsets and basic displays, both should offer at least a full day of light usage. Charging wattage is also unknown, but likely to be slow (5W-10W) due to cost constraints. The alcatel 1L Pro’s more efficient processor *could* translate to slightly longer battery life, but the difference is unlikely to be substantial without knowing the actual battery capacities.
Buying Guide
Buy the HTC Wildfire E star if you need a basic, extremely affordable phone primarily for calls, texts, and light app usage. It’s a suitable option for first-time smartphone users or as a simple backup device. Buy the alcatel 1L Pro (2021) if you prefer a smoother, more responsive experience, especially if you intend to run multiple apps simultaneously, browse the web with more tabs open, or engage in light gaming. The extra processing power justifies the potentially slight price premium.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Will the alcatel 1L Pro (2021) be able to run popular social media apps like Facebook and Instagram smoothly?
Yes, the alcatel 1L Pro (2021)'s octa-core processor should handle Facebook and Instagram without significant lag. While it won't offer a flagship-level experience, it will provide a much smoother experience than the quad-core HTC Wildfire E star, especially when switching between apps.
❓ Is the Unisoc SC9863A processor in the alcatel 1L Pro (2021) capable of playing any mobile games?
The Unisoc SC9863A can handle light mobile games, such as puzzle games or simple arcade titles. However, it will struggle with more demanding games like PUBG or Call of Duty. Expect low frame rates and potential stuttering even on lower graphics settings. The HTC Wildfire E star will perform even worse in gaming scenarios.
❓ Does either phone support software updates beyond the initial Android Go edition?
Software update support is limited on both devices. Given their ultra-budget nature, neither HTC nor alcatel are likely to provide extensive long-term software support. Expect at most one major Android version update, if any. Security patches may also be infrequent.
