The HTC Wildfire E and the alcatel 1x (2019) represent the extreme lower end of the smartphone market, often serving as first phones or reliable backups. Both devices aim for affordability, but they achieve this with significantly different internal hardware. This comparison dissects those differences to determine which offers the better experience for users prioritizing essential smartphone functions.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average user seeking a functional, albeit basic, smartphone experience, the HTC Wildfire E emerges as the slightly better choice. Its Unisoc SC9863A chipset, with its octa-core configuration, provides a noticeable performance advantage over the alcatel 1x’s quad-core Mediatek MT6739, translating to smoother multitasking and app loading.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 - 5059A |
| 4G bands | 1, 3, 7, 20, 38, 40 | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 28, 38, 40 - 5008T |
| Speed | HSPA 42.2/11.5 Mbps, LTE Cat4 150/50 Mbps | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE Cat4 150/50 Mbps |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| | - | 1, 3, 7, 8, 20, 28 - 5008Y |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2019, August 15. Released 2019, August 15 | 2019, January. Released 2019, Q1 |
| Status | Discontinued | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front, plastic back, plastic frame | - |
| Dimensions | 147.9 x 71.4 x 8.9 mm (5.82 x 2.81 x 0.35 in) | 146.4 x 68.8 x 8.3 mm (5.76 x 2.71 x 0.33 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | · Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 160 g (5.64 oz) | 130 g (4.59 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Resolution | 720 x 1440 pixels, 18:9 ratio (~295 ppi density) | 720 x 1440 pixels, 18:9 ratio (~293 ppi density) |
| Size | 5.45 inches, 76.7 cm2 (~72.6% screen-to-body ratio) | 5.5 inches, 78.1 cm2 (~77.5% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | TFT LCD | IPS LCD |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (4x1.6 GHz Cortex-A55 & 4x1.2 GHz Cortex-A55) | Quad-core 1.5 GHz Cortex-A53 |
| Chipset | Unisoc SC9863A (28 nm) | Mediatek MT6739 (28 nm) |
| GPU | IMG8322 | PowerVR GE8100 |
| OS | Android 9.0 (Pie) | Android 8.1 (Oreo) |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC | microSDXC |
| Internal | 32GB 2GB RAM | 16GB 2GB RAM |
| | eMMC 5.1 | eMMC 5.1 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Dual | 13 MP, f/2.0, (wide), AF
Auxiliary lens | 13 MP
2 MP |
| Features | LED flash, HDR, panorama | LED flash, HDR |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | HDR | LED flash |
| Single | 5 MP, f/2.8, (wide) | 5 MP |
| Video | 720p@30fps | 720p |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 4.2, A2DP | 4.2, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | No | No |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO | GPS |
| Radio | Unspecified | FM radio |
| USB | microUSB 2.0 | microUSB 2.0 |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (rear-mounted, 5008T only), accelerometer, proximity |
| Battery |
|---|
| Type | Li-Ion 3000 mAh | Li-Ion 3000 mAh, removable |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Black, Gold | Pebble Blue, Pebble Black |
| Models | - | 5008T, 5008Y, 5008U, 5008R, 5008D_EEA, 5008Y_EEA, 5008D |
| Price | About 120 EUR | About 120 EUR |
HTC Wildfire E
- Octa-core processor offers better performance
- More efficient CPU architecture (Cortex-A55)
- Potentially smoother multitasking experience
- Brand reputation is less established than Alcatel
- Camera quality likely similar to Alcatel 1x
alcatel 1x (2019)
- Extremely affordable price point
- Simple and easy-to-use interface
- Alcatel is a well-known brand in budget phones
- Quad-core processor struggles with multitasking
- Older CPU architecture (Cortex-A53)
- Limited performance for modern apps
Display Comparison
Neither device boasts a standout display. Both utilize 28nm chipsets, suggesting similar power constraints impacting display capabilities. While specific display specs (resolution, brightness) are unavailable, the focus here is on the processing power to drive the UI. The Wildfire E’s more capable chipset *could* translate to slightly smoother scrolling and animations, even on a similar panel. Bezels are likely substantial on both, typical of this price bracket.
Camera Comparison
Camera performance on both devices is expected to be minimal. Without specific sensor details, it’s safe to assume both rely on low-resolution sensors. The marketing materials for these phones often highlight megapixel counts without detailing sensor size or quality. The alcatel 1x (2019) is known to include a 2MP macro camera, a feature that provides limited practical benefit due to the small sensor size and lack of optical image stabilization (OIS). The Wildfire E likely offers a similar, basic camera experience, but the more powerful chipset *may* allow for slightly faster image processing.
Performance
The core difference lies in the CPU architecture. The HTC Wildfire E’s Unisoc SC9863A features an octa-core setup with Cortex-A55 cores clocked at 1.6 GHz and 1.2 GHz. This contrasts sharply with the alcatel 1x’s Mediatek MT6739, which employs a quad-core Cortex-A53 processor at 1.5 GHz. While clock speed isn’t everything, the A55 architecture is more efficient than the A53, and the doubling of cores provides a significant advantage in multitasking. The Wildfire E will demonstrably outperform the alcatel 1x in app launch times and handling multiple applications simultaneously. The 28nm process node is shared, meaning thermal throttling isn't a major concern for either device given the low power draw.
Battery Life
Battery capacity details are missing for both devices. However, given their low-power chipsets and basic displays, battery life is unlikely to be a major differentiator. Both phones will likely provide a full day of use with moderate usage (calls, texts, light browsing). Charging wattage is also unknown, but likely falls in the 5W-10W range, resulting in relatively slow charging times. The efficiency gains of the Unisoc SC9863A in the Wildfire E *could* translate to slightly longer battery life under similar usage conditions.
Buying Guide
Buy the HTC Wildfire E if you need a phone capable of handling more than just the most basic tasks, such as light social media browsing and messaging, and appreciate the potential for slightly smoother performance. Buy the alcatel 1x (2019) if your primary need is a very inexpensive device for calls, texts, and minimal app usage, and you prioritize absolute cost savings over performance.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Will the HTC Wildfire E handle popular social media apps like Facebook and Instagram without significant lag?
The HTC Wildfire E’s octa-core processor and Cortex-A55 architecture should provide a reasonably smooth experience with Facebook and Instagram. While it won’t offer the same speed as a flagship device, it’s likely to be significantly more responsive than the alcatel 1x (2019) when running these apps.
❓ Is the alcatel 1x (2019) a good choice for someone who primarily needs a phone for making calls and sending texts?
Yes, the alcatel 1x (2019) is an excellent choice for basic communication. Its quad-core processor is sufficient for handling calls and texts without issue, and its affordability makes it a practical option for users with minimal smartphone needs.
❓ Can either of these phones run multiple apps simultaneously without slowing down?
The HTC Wildfire E is better equipped for multitasking due to its octa-core processor. The alcatel 1x (2019) will likely struggle with more than two apps open at once, experiencing noticeable lag and slowdown.
