The sub-$200 smartphone market is fiercely competitive, and the HTC Wildfire E Star and Samsung Galaxy A02 represent two contenders vying for the attention of first-time smartphone buyers or those seeking a reliable secondary device. Both phones utilize 28nm process technology, indicating a focus on cost optimization over cutting-edge efficiency, but subtle differences in chipset architecture and RAM configurations can significantly impact the user experience.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average user prioritizing a slightly smoother experience and potential for future software updates, the Samsung Galaxy A02 is the better choice. Its 1.5GHz Cortex-A53 CPU offers a modest performance edge over the Wildfire E Star’s Unisoc SC9832E, and the availability of 3GB RAM configurations provides a noticeable benefit for multitasking.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 38, 40, 41 | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41 |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE Cat4 150/50 Mbps |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2023, August 08 | 2021, January 27 |
| Status | Available. Released 2023, August | Available. Released 2021, January 27 |
| 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) | 164 x 75.9 x 9.1 mm (6.46 x 2.99 x 0.36 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | · Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 200 g (7.05 oz) | 206 g (7.27 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Resolution | 720 x 1600 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~269 ppi density) | 720 x 1600 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~270 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.52 inches, 102.6 cm2 (~81.4% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.5 inches, 102.0 cm2 (~81.9% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD | PLS LCD |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Quad-core 1.4 GHz | Quad-core 1.5 GHz Cortex-A53 |
| Chipset | Unisoc SC9832E (28 nm) | Mediatek MT6739W (28 nm) |
| GPU | Mali-T820 MP1 | PowerVR GE8100 |
| OS | Android 12 (Go edition) | Android 10, upgradable to Android 11, One UI Core 3.1 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 16GB 2GB RAM | 32GB 2GB RAM, 32GB 3GB RAM, 32GB 4GB RAM, 64GB 3GB RAM |
| | - | eMMC 5.1 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Dual | - | 13 MP, f/1.9, (wide), AF
2 MP (macro) |
| Features | LED flash | LED flash |
| Single | 8 MP, f/2.2, (wide), AF
Auxiliary lens | - |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Single | 5 MP, f/2.2, (wide) | 5 MP, f/2.0 |
| Video | 720p@30fps | - |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | - | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 4.2, A2DP | 5.1, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | No | No |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO | GPS, GLONASS |
| Radio | Unspecified | FM radio |
| USB | USB Type-C 2.0 | microUSB 2.0 |
| 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 | Accelerometer |
| | - | Virtual proximity sensing |
| Battery |
|---|
| Type | Li-Ion 3000 mAh | Li-Po 5000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Gray | Black, Blue |
| Models | - | SM-A022F, SM-A022F/DS, SM-A022M, SM-A022M/DS, SM-A022G, SM-A022G/DS |
| Price | About 100 EUR | € 97.46 |
| SAR EU | - | 0.65 W/kg (head) 1.71 W/kg (body) |
| Pricing |
|---|
| 32GB 2GB RAM | - | $ 149.99 |
| 32GB 3GB RAM | - | $ 129.99 |
| 64GB 3GB RAM | - | $ 199.99 |
| RENEWED | - | £ 113.00 |
HTC Wildfire E star
- Potentially the lowest price point in its class.
- Compact and lightweight design.
- Simple and easy-to-use interface.
- Unisoc SC9832E chipset offers limited performance.
- Likely limited to 2GB of RAM, hindering multitasking.
- Software support may be limited.
Samsung Galaxy A02
- Slightly more powerful Mediatek MT6739W chipset.
- Available with up to 3GB of RAM for improved multitasking.
- Established brand with a wider support network.
- Still a very basic smartphone with limited features.
- Camera performance is likely to be subpar.
- May experience occasional lag with demanding apps.
Display Comparison
Neither device boasts a standout display. Both are likely to feature LCD panels, typical for this price bracket. Specifics like resolution and brightness are not provided, but we can assume both offer basic viewing experiences suitable for casual use. The absence of features like high refresh rates or even full HD resolution means neither phone is ideal for media consumption or gaming. Bezels are expected to be substantial on both devices, maximizing screen real estate within a compact form factor.
Camera Comparison
Camera performance on both devices will be limited. While both likely feature a main camera, details are scarce. The Galaxy A02’s potential for a slightly better image signal processor (ISP) within the Mediatek chipset *could* translate to marginally improved image quality, but don’t expect flagship-level results. The inclusion of a 2MP macro camera on the A02 is largely a marketing gimmick; its low resolution provides minimal detail. Focusing on the primary sensor’s megapixel count (if available) is more indicative of potential image quality.
Performance
The Samsung Galaxy A02’s Mediatek MT6739W, with its quad-core 1.5 GHz Cortex-A53 CPU, holds a slight advantage over the HTC Wildfire E Star’s Unisoc SC9832E (1.4 GHz). While both are based on the older 28nm process, the Cortex-A53 architecture is generally more efficient and capable than the cores found in the Unisoc chip. The A02’s availability with 3GB of RAM, compared to the likely 2GB configuration of the Wildfire E Star, is a significant benefit, allowing for smoother multitasking and reduced app reloading. The lack of GPU details for both devices suggests limited gaming capabilities; expect to be restricted to less demanding titles at low settings.
Battery Life
Battery capacity details are missing for both devices. However, given the low-power chipsets and basic displays, both phones should offer all-day battery life with moderate usage. Charging speeds are also unknown, but likely to be slow, utilizing Micro-USB connectivity. The efficiency gains of the Cortex-A53 in the A02 might translate to slightly longer battery life under similar workloads, but the difference is unlikely to be substantial.
Buying Guide
Buy the HTC Wildfire E Star if you absolutely need the lowest possible price point and are comfortable with a very basic Android experience. It’s suitable for users primarily making calls, sending texts, and occasionally browsing the web. Buy the Samsung Galaxy A02 if you prefer a slightly more responsive user interface, the option for more RAM, and a brand with a more established software support track record, even within the budget segment.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Does the Mediatek MT6739W in the Galaxy A02 tend to overheat during prolonged use?
The MT6739W is a low-power chipset and is unlikely to overheat significantly during typical usage. However, demanding tasks like gaming or prolonged video recording could lead to some thermal throttling, reducing performance slightly. The 28nm process node isn't known for its efficiency, but the chip's overall power draw is low.
❓ Is the 2MP macro camera on the Samsung Galaxy A02 worth using?
Realistically, no. A 2MP macro camera produces images with very low detail and limited dynamic range. It's primarily a marketing feature and won't deliver significant improvements in close-up photography. The primary camera will provide far better results in most scenarios.
❓ Can either of these phones run popular games like PUBG Mobile?
Both phones will struggle to run PUBG Mobile smoothly. The chipsets lack the processing power and dedicated graphics to handle the game at acceptable frame rates. If you attempt to play, you'll likely need to use the lowest graphics settings and still experience significant lag and stuttering.
❓ Which phone is more likely to receive software updates?
Samsung generally provides more consistent software updates, even for its budget devices, compared to HTC. While neither phone is guaranteed to receive major Android version updates, the Galaxy A02 is more likely to receive security patches and minor improvements.
