The HTC Wildfire E and LG Stylo 5 represent two distinct approaches to the ultra-budget smartphone market. The Wildfire E focuses on a streamlined experience with a newer, albeit less powerful, chipset, while the Stylo 5 prioritizes features like faster charging and a display optimized for outdoor visibility. This comparison dissects their key differences to determine which device offers the best value.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average user prioritizing longevity and convenience, the LG Stylo 5 is the better choice. Its 20W charging and impressive 79-hour endurance rating outweigh the Wildfire E’s slightly newer processor, especially considering the similar real-world performance levels.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 |
| 4G bands | 1, 3, 7, 20, 38, 40 | 2, 4, 5, 12, 14, 29, 30, 66 |
| Speed | HSPA 42.2/11.5 Mbps, LTE Cat4 150/50 Mbps | HSPA, LTE |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2019, August 15. Released 2019, August 15 | 2019, June. Released 2019, June |
| Status | Discontinued | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front, plastic back, plastic frame | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 5), aluminum back, aluminum frame |
| Dimensions | 147.9 x 71.4 x 8.9 mm (5.82 x 2.81 x 0.35 in) | 160 x 77.7 x 8.4 mm (6.30 x 3.06 x 0.33 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 160 g (5.64 oz) | 179 g (6.31 oz) |
| | - | Stylus |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | - | Corning Gorilla Glass 5 |
| Resolution | 720 x 1440 pixels, 18:9 ratio (~295 ppi density) | 1080 x 2160 pixels, 18:9 ratio (~390 ppi density) |
| Size | 5.45 inches, 76.7 cm2 (~72.6% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.2 inches, 99.2 cm2 (~79.8% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | TFT LCD | IPS LCD |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (4x1.6 GHz Cortex-A55 & 4x1.2 GHz Cortex-A55) | Octa-core 1.8 GHz Cortex-A53 |
| Chipset | Unisoc SC9863A (28 nm) | Qualcomm SDM450 Snapdragon 450 (14 nm) |
| GPU | IMG8322 | Adreno 506 |
| OS | Android 9.0 (Pie) | Android 9.0 (Pie) |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 32GB 2GB RAM | 32GB 3GB RAM |
| | eMMC 5.1 | eMMC 5.1 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Dual | 13 MP, f/2.0, (wide), AF
Auxiliary lens | - |
| Features | LED flash, HDR, panorama | LED flash, panorama, HDR |
| Single | - | 13 MP, PDAF |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Dual | - | 16 MP, f/2.0, 26mm (wide), 1/3.06", 1.0µm
8 MP |
| Features | HDR | - |
| Single | 5 MP, f/2.8, (wide) | 5 MP |
| Video | 720p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| 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 | No |
| USB | microUSB 2.0 | USB Type-C 2.0 |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, proximity |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | - | 20W wired |
| Type | Li-Ion 3000 mAh | Li-Ion 3500 mAh, non-removable |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Black, Gold | Blonde Rose, Platinum Gray |
| Models | - | LM-Q720 |
| Price | About 120 EUR | About 200 EUR |
| Tests |
|---|
| Audio quality | - |
Noise-93.5dB / Crosstalk -92.0dB |
| Battery life | - |
Endurance rating 79h
|
| Camera | - |
Photo / Video |
| Display | - |
Contrast ratio: 1485 (nominal), 3.218 (sunlight) |
| Loudspeaker | - |
Voice 62dB / Noise 69dB / Ring 70dB
|
| Performance | - |
GeekBench: 4695 (v4.4)
GFXBench: 6fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) |
HTC Wildfire E
- Potentially newer chipset architecture (Cortex-A55)
- Streamlined Android experience
- Lower price point (potentially)
- Less efficient 28nm process
- No specified charging speed
- Likely lower battery endurance
LG Stylo 5
- 20W fast charging
- Excellent 79-hour endurance rating
- Superior display contrast for outdoor use
- Older 14nm process
- Cortex-A53 cores are less efficient than A55
- May be slightly more expensive
Display Comparison
The LG Stylo 5 boasts a display with a contrast ratio of 1485 (nominal) and a significantly improved 3.218 ratio in sunlight, suggesting superior outdoor visibility compared to the Wildfire E, which lacks specific contrast ratio data. While both likely utilize IPS LCD panels, the Stylo 5’s higher contrast ratio indicates better readability under direct sunlight. The absence of refresh rate data for both suggests standard 60Hz panels, common in this price bracket. Bezels are likely comparable, focusing on cost reduction rather than premium aesthetics.
Camera Comparison
Detailed camera specifications are limited for both devices. However, given their price points, image quality will likely be similar. The focus should be on practical usability rather than advanced features. The LG Stylo 5’s camera is listed as capable of both photo and video, but without sensor size or aperture information, it’s difficult to assess its low-light performance. The Wildfire E’s camera specs are similarly vague. It’s safe to assume both rely on software processing to enhance image quality, but don’t expect flagship-level results. Avoid focusing on any 2MP macro or depth sensors, as their contribution to image quality is minimal.
Performance
The LG Stylo 5’s Qualcomm Snapdragon 450, fabricated on a 14nm process, offers a clock speed of 1.8 GHz across its eight Cortex-A53 cores. This contrasts with the HTC Wildfire E’s Unisoc SC9863A (28nm) featuring a split core configuration – four Cortex-A55 cores at 1.6 GHz and four at 1.2 GHz. Despite the Wildfire E having newer Cortex-A55 cores, the larger process node (28nm vs 14nm) of the Unisoc chip likely results in lower efficiency and comparable, if not slightly inferior, real-world performance. The Snapdragon 450’s architecture is more mature and optimized for everyday tasks. Both devices likely feature limited RAM and storage, impacting multitasking capabilities.
Battery Life
The LG Stylo 5’s standout feature is its 79-hour endurance rating, indicating exceptional battery life. Coupled with 20W wired charging, it offers a significant advantage over the HTC Wildfire E, which lacks charging speed data and likely has a lower endurance rating. The 20W charging on the Stylo 5 translates to faster top-ups, reducing downtime. While the actual battery capacity (mAh) isn’t specified for either device, the Stylo 5’s endurance rating suggests a more efficient combination of battery size and power management.
Buying Guide
Buy the HTC Wildfire E if you prioritize a very basic Android experience and are comfortable with slower charging speeds. It’s a good option for those needing a secondary device or a simple phone for essential tasks. Buy the LG Stylo 5 if you value battery life, faster charging, and a display that remains usable in bright sunlight. It’s ideal for users who rely heavily on their phone throughout the day and need a reliable, long-lasting device.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Is the LG Stylo 5’s 20W charging compatible with Power Delivery (PD) chargers?
While the LG Stylo 5 supports 20W charging, it likely uses a proprietary charging protocol rather than the industry-standard Power Delivery. Using a PD charger may still work, but it might not deliver the full 20W, and it's best to use the included charger for optimal performance.
❓ Will the Unisoc SC9863A in the HTC Wildfire E struggle with modern app updates?
The Unisoc SC9863A, while newer in architecture, is a low-end chipset. As app developers optimize for more powerful hardware, the Wildfire E may experience slowdowns or compatibility issues with future updates to demanding applications like social media or games. Expect a limited software update lifespan.
❓ How does the Snapdragon 450 handle multitasking on the LG Stylo 5?
The Snapdragon 450, paired with likely 2-3GB of RAM, can handle basic multitasking – switching between messaging, web browsing, and music playback. However, running multiple demanding apps simultaneously will likely result in noticeable slowdowns and app reloading. It's best suited for single-tasking or light multitasking.
❓ Is the display on either phone suitable for watching videos outdoors?
The LG Stylo 5’s higher contrast ratio (3.218 in sunlight) makes it the significantly better choice for outdoor video viewing. The HTC Wildfire E, lacking specific contrast ratio data, will likely suffer from poor visibility in direct sunlight.
