The sub-$150 smartphone market is fiercely competitive. Both the HTC Wildfire E Star and the Xiaomi Redmi 9A Sport aim to deliver essential smartphone functionality at an incredibly accessible price point. However, they take different approaches to achieving this, with significant differences in chipset architecture and processing power. This comparison will dissect those differences to determine which device offers the best value for budget-conscious consumers.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average user prioritizing responsiveness and multitasking, the Xiaomi Redmi 9A Sport is the clear winner. Its MediaTek Helio G25 chipset, with its octa-core configuration and 12nm process, provides a noticeable performance advantage over the HTC Wildfire E Star’s quad-core Unisoc SC9832E. While the Wildfire E Star may offer slightly better software simplicity, the Redmi 9A Sport’s superior processing power justifies the choice.
| 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, 8, 40, 41 |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE | HSPA, LTE |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2023, August 08 | 2021, September 28 |
| Status | Available. Released 2023, August | Available. Released 2021, September 28 |
| 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) | 164.9 x 77.1 x 9 mm (6.49 x 3.04 x 0.35 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 200 g (7.05 oz) | 194 g (6.84 oz) |
| | - | Water-repellent coating |
| Display |
|---|
| Resolution | 720 x 1600 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~269 ppi density) | 720 x 1600 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~269 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.52 inches, 102.6 cm2 (~81.4% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.53 inches, 102.9 cm2 (~81.0% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD | IPS LCD, 400 nits (typ) |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Quad-core 1.4 GHz | Octa-core (4x2.0 GHz Cortex-A53 & 4x1.5 GHz Cortex-A53) |
| Chipset | Unisoc SC9832E (28 nm) | Mediatek MT6762G Helio G25 (12 nm) |
| GPU | Mali-T820 MP1 | PowerVR GE8320 |
| OS | Android 12 (Go edition) | Android 10, MIUI 12 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 16GB 2GB RAM | 32GB 2GB RAM, 32GB 3GB RAM |
| | - | eMMC 5.1 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash | LED flash, HDR |
| Single | 8 MP, f/2.2, (wide), AF
Auxiliary lens | 13 MP, f/2.2, 28mm (wide), 1.0µm, PDAF |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30/60fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | - | HDR |
| Single | 5 MP, f/2.2, (wide) | 5 MP, f/2.2, (wide), 1.12µm |
| 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, GLONASS, BDS |
| 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 a/b/g/n, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, proximity | Accelerometer, proximity |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | - | 10W wired |
| Type | Li-Ion 3000 mAh | Li-Po 5000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Gray | Carbon Black, Coral Green, Metallic Blue |
| Price | About 100 EUR | About 100 EUR |
HTC Wildfire E star
- Potentially cleaner Android software experience
- Simple and straightforward user interface
- May be more readily available in certain regions
- Significantly weaker processor performance
- Older 28nm chipset technology
- Limited multitasking capabilities
Xiaomi Redmi 9A Sport
- More powerful octa-core processor
- More efficient 12nm chipset
- Better performance for multitasking and gaming
- Xiaomi’s MIUI software can be resource-intensive
- 10W charging is relatively slow
- Potential for bloatware
Display Comparison
Neither device boasts a standout display. Both are likely to feature LCD panels, typical for this price bracket. However, the lack of detailed display specifications necessitates a focus on the chipset's ability to drive the UI smoothly. The Redmi 9A Sport’s more powerful GPU will likely result in a more fluid user interface, even if the resolution and panel quality are similar. Bezels are expected to be substantial on both devices, reflecting their budget nature.
Camera Comparison
Camera performance is likely to be similar, with both devices featuring basic camera setups. Given the price point, expect a primary sensor accompanied by a depth or macro lens of limited utility. The Redmi 9A Sport may have a slight edge due to MediaTek’s image signal processor (ISP) offering potentially better image processing algorithms, but the difference will be marginal. Focusing on the primary sensor’s megapixel count is misleading; sensor size and image processing quality are far more important, and neither device provides this information.
Performance
The performance gap is the most significant differentiator. The Unisoc SC9832E in the Wildfire E Star is a quad-core processor built on a 28nm process, a relatively older and less efficient technology. In contrast, the Redmi 9A Sport’s MediaTek Helio G25 utilizes an octa-core configuration (4x2.0 GHz Cortex-A53 & 4x1.5 GHz Cortex-A53) and a more modern 12nm process. This translates to significantly improved multi-tasking capabilities and smoother performance in demanding applications. The Helio G25’s architecture allows for better sustained performance, reducing lag and stuttering during everyday use. While neither is a gaming powerhouse, the Redmi 9A Sport will handle less demanding titles with greater ease.
Battery Life
Battery life will depend heavily on usage patterns. While the exact battery capacity isn't specified, both devices likely house batteries in the 4000-5000 mAh range. The Redmi 9A Sport’s 10W wired charging is a standard offering in this segment. However, the Helio G25’s improved efficiency, stemming from the 12nm process, could translate to slightly longer battery life despite the charging speed being identical. The older 28nm process of the Unisoc chip in the Wildfire E Star will likely consume more power under load.
Buying Guide
Buy the HTC Wildfire E Star if you need a supremely basic smartphone for calls, texts, and light app usage, and prefer a potentially cleaner Android experience. You'll be sacrificing performance for simplicity. Buy the Xiaomi Redmi 9A Sport if you prefer a phone capable of handling more demanding tasks like social media browsing, light gaming, and running multiple apps simultaneously. The Redmi 9A Sport offers a more versatile experience, even if it means navigating Xiaomi’s MIUI software.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Will the Redmi 9A Sport struggle with popular apps like Facebook and WhatsApp?
While not a flagship, the Helio G25 in the Redmi 9A Sport is capable of running Facebook and WhatsApp smoothly. You might experience occasional slowdowns with many apps open simultaneously, but for typical social media usage, it should be sufficient. The Wildfire E Star’s weaker processor may exhibit more noticeable lag.
❓ Is the 10W charging on the Redmi 9A Sport slow compared to other phones?
Yes, 10W charging is relatively slow by today’s standards. Expect a full charge to take around 2-3 hours. However, this is typical for phones in this price range. The focus at this price point is on affordability, not fast charging technology.
❓ Can the Redmi 9A Sport handle basic mobile games like PUBG Mobile?
The Redmi 9A Sport can run PUBG Mobile, but you’ll need to lower the graphics settings to the lowest possible levels and accept a lower frame rate. It’s not designed for intensive gaming, but it can provide a playable experience for casual gamers. The Wildfire E Star will struggle significantly with PUBG Mobile.
❓ Does the HTC Wildfire E Star receive regular software updates?
HTC’s software update track record is inconsistent. It’s unlikely the Wildfire E Star will receive frequent or long-term software support. The Redmi 9A Sport, while running MIUI, generally receives more consistent updates from Xiaomi, though the longevity of support remains limited.
