The HTC Wildfire E star and Nokia C200 represent the extreme end of the smartphone price spectrum. Both aim to deliver basic smartphone functionality at an incredibly low cost, but they achieve this with significantly different hardware. This comparison dissects their key specifications to determine which offers the best value for users prioritizing affordability.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average user seeking a functional, albeit basic, smartphone experience, the Nokia C200 is the better choice. Its Mediatek Helio A22 chipset, fabricated on a more efficient 12nm process, delivers a noticeable performance advantage over the HTC Wildfire E star’s Unisoc SC9832E, despite both being quad-core CPUs.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 |
| 4G bands | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 38, 40, 41 | 2, 4, 5, 12, 13, 41, 66, 71 |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE | HSPA, LTE (2CA) |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2023, August 08 | 2022, January 05 |
| Status | Available. Released 2023, August | Available. Released 2022, Q2 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | 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) | 156.5 x 73.1 x 8.8 mm (6.16 x 2.88 x 0.35 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 200 g (7.05 oz) | 172.5 g (6.10 oz) |
| | - | Splash protection |
| 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) | 6.09 inches, 91.0 cm2 (~79.6% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD | IPS LCD |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Quad-core 1.4 GHz | Quad-core 2.0 GHz Cortex-A53 |
| Chipset | Unisoc SC9832E (28 nm) | Mediatek MT6761 Helio A22 (12 nm) |
| GPU | Mali-T820 MP1 | PowerVR GE8320 |
| OS | Android 12 (Go edition) | Android 12 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 16GB 2GB RAM | 32GB 3GB RAM |
| | - | eMMC 5.1 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash | LED flash |
| Single | 8 MP, f/2.2, (wide), AF
Auxiliary lens | 13 MP, AF |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Single | 5 MP, f/2.2, (wide) | 8 MP |
| Video | 720p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | - | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 4.2, A2DP | 5.0, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | No | No |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO | GPS |
| Radio | Unspecified | FM radio |
| USB | USB Type-C 2.0 | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n/ac |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, proximity | Accelerometer, proximity, barometer |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | - | 10W wired |
| Type | Li-Ion 3000 mAh | Li-Ion 4000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Gray | Meteor Black |
| Models | - | TA-1437, TA-1510 |
| Price | About 100 EUR | About 60 EUR |
| SAR | - | 1.11 W/kg (head) 1.33 W/kg (body) |
HTC Wildfire E star
- Potentially lower price point than the Nokia C200.
- Compact and lightweight design (likely).
- Basic smartphone functionality for essential tasks.
- Significantly slower processor compared to the Nokia C200.
- Less efficient 28nm chipset.
- Limited multitasking capabilities.
Nokia C200
- More powerful and efficient Mediatek Helio A22 chipset.
- 12nm fabrication process for better power management.
- Faster app loading and smoother multitasking.
- 10W wired charging.
- Still a very basic smartphone experience.
- Camera performance will be limited.
- May be slightly more expensive than the HTC Wildfire E star.
Display Comparison
Neither device boasts a standout display. Details regarding panel type, resolution, and brightness are scarce for both, typical of this price bracket. However, the lack of information suggests both utilize basic LCD panels. The focus here isn't on visual fidelity, but on basic readability. Bezels are likely substantial on both devices, maximizing screen real estate within their compact form factors.
Camera Comparison
Camera performance on both devices will be limited. Details are sparse, but it’s safe to assume both feature basic sensors. Focusing on megapixel counts alone is misleading at this price point. Image quality will heavily rely on software processing, and both are likely to produce acceptable results only in ideal lighting conditions. Any claims of advanced features like HDR or night mode should be viewed with skepticism. The Nokia C200's camera system is likely to be marginally better due to the more capable chipset handling image processing.
Performance
The core difference lies in the chipsets. The Nokia C200’s Mediatek Helio A22, built on a 12nm process, offers a clear advantage over the HTC Wildfire E star’s Unisoc SC9832E (28nm). The 12nm process inherently provides better power efficiency and allows for higher clock speeds – the Helio A22 reaches 2.0 GHz compared to the SC9832E’s 1.4 GHz. While both are Cortex-A53 based quad-cores, the higher clock speed and more efficient fabrication process translate to snappier app launches and smoother multitasking on the Nokia C200. The Unisoc chip will likely struggle with even moderately demanding applications.
Battery Life
Battery capacity details are unavailable for the HTC Wildfire E star. The Nokia C200 supports 10W wired charging, a standard for this segment. While neither device will offer exceptional battery life, the more efficient Helio A22 chipset in the Nokia C200 will likely contribute to slightly longer usage times between charges. The lack of fast charging on either device means a full charge will take several hours.
Buying Guide
Buy the HTC Wildfire E star if you absolutely need the lowest possible upfront cost and are willing to accept significantly slower performance and limited multitasking capabilities. Buy the Nokia C200 if you prioritize a slightly smoother user experience, faster app loading times, and a more modern chipset architecture, even if it means spending a little more.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Will the Nokia C200 struggle with popular social media apps like Facebook and WhatsApp?
While the Helio A22 can run these apps, expect some lag and slower loading times, especially with multiple apps open simultaneously. It's sufficient for basic usage, but power users may find it frustrating.
❓ Is the Unisoc SC9832E chipset known for overheating issues?
The Unisoc SC9832E is a low-power chipset and is unlikely to cause significant overheating. However, its limited performance means it will be working harder to complete tasks, potentially leading to noticeable warmth during prolonged use.
❓ Can either of these phones play PUBG Mobile?
Playing PUBG Mobile on either device is not recommended. The processors lack the power to run the game smoothly, even at the lowest settings. Expect significant lag and a poor gaming experience.
❓ What type of storage do these phones use, and is it expandable?
Details regarding storage type (eMMC vs. UFS) and expandability are unavailable. However, given the price point, it's likely both devices utilize eMMC storage and may offer microSD card support for storage expansion.
