The HTC Wildfire E and Xiaomi Redmi 7A represent the extreme end of the smartphone price spectrum. Both aim to deliver essential smartphone functionality at an incredibly low cost, but they achieve this through different approaches to hardware. This comparison dissects their core components to determine which offers the best value for users prioritizing affordability.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average user seeking a basic, reliable smartphone, the Xiaomi Redmi 7A edges out the HTC Wildfire E. While the Wildfire E benefits from a newer process node, the Redmi 7A’s Snapdragon 439 provides a noticeable performance advantage in everyday tasks and light gaming, making it the more responsive device.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 3, 7, 20, 38, 40 | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 20, 38, 40 - Global |
| Speed | HSPA 42.2/11.5 Mbps, LTE Cat4 150/50 Mbps | HSPA, LTE |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| | - | 1, 3, 5, 8, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41 - China |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2019, August 15. Released 2019, August 15 | 2019, May 24. Released 2019, July 04 |
| Status | Discontinued | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front, plastic back, plastic frame | 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) | 146.3 x 70.4 x 9.6 mm (5.76 x 2.77 x 0.38 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 160 g (5.64 oz) | 165 g (5.82 oz) |
| | - | Splash resistant |
| Display |
|---|
| Resolution | 720 x 1440 pixels, 18:9 ratio (~295 ppi density) | 720 x 1440 pixels, 18:9 ratio (~295 ppi density) |
| Size | 5.45 inches, 76.7 cm2 (~72.6% screen-to-body ratio) | 5.45 inches, 76.7 cm2 (~74.4% 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 (4x1.95 GHz Cortex-A53 & 4x1.45 GHz Cortex A53) |
| Chipset | Unisoc SC9863A (28 nm) | Qualcomm SDM439 Snapdragon 439 (12 nm) |
| GPU | IMG8322 | Adreno 505 |
| OS | Android 9.0 (Pie) | Android 9.0 (Pie), upgradable to Android 10, MIUI 12 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 32GB 2GB RAM | 16GB 2GB RAM, 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, HDR |
| Single | - | 13 MP, f/2.2, 1/3.1", 1.12µm, PDAF - China
or
12 MP, f/2.2, 1/2.9", 1.25µm, PDAF - Global, India |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | HDR | HDR |
| Single | 5 MP, f/2.8, (wide) | 5 MP, f/2.2, 1/5.0", 1.12µm |
| 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, GLONASS, BDS |
| Radio | Unspecified | FM Radio, built-in antenna |
| USB | microUSB 2.0 | microUSB 2.0, OTG |
| 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 | Accelerometer, proximity, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | - | 10W wired |
| Type | Li-Ion 3000 mAh | Li-Po 4000 mAh, non-removable |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Black, Gold | Matte Black, Morning blue, Matte Blue, Matte Gold, Gem Red, Gem Blue |
| Models | - | MZB7995IN, M1903C3EG, M1903C3EH, M1903C3EI |
| Price | About 120 EUR | About 130 EUR |
| SAR | - | 1.00 W/kg (head) 1.12 W/kg (body) |
| SAR EU | - | 0.56 W/kg (head) 1.17 W/kg (body) |
HTC Wildfire E
- Potentially more efficient chipset due to newer architecture (though offset by larger process node)
- Compact and lightweight design (likely)
- May receive timely Android Go updates
- Slower processor performance compared to the Redmi 7A
- Less mature software ecosystem
- Limited gaming capabilities
Xiaomi Redmi 7A
- Faster processor performance with Snapdragon 439
- More mature software and driver support
- 10W wired charging
- Less efficient chipset (28nm vs 12nm)
- May have more bloatware
- Potentially slower software updates
Display Comparison
Neither device boasts a standout display. Both likely feature 720p+ LCD panels, typical for this price point. However, detailed display specs like brightness and color gamut are unavailable. The focus here is on functionality, not fidelity. Bezels are expected to be substantial on both, maximizing screen real estate within a compact form factor. Color accuracy is likely to be standard for budget panels, prioritizing power saving over color precision.
Camera Comparison
Camera performance on both devices will be limited. Details on sensor sizes and apertures are unavailable, but both likely feature basic camera setups. The Redmi 7A’s camera is likely to benefit from Qualcomm’s image signal processing (ISP), potentially offering slightly better image quality in good lighting conditions. The presence of a 2MP depth sensor on the Redmi 7A suggests a basic portrait mode, but image quality will be heavily dependent on lighting. Expect limited low-light performance from both devices.
Performance
The core difference lies in the chipsets. The Xiaomi Redmi 7A’s Qualcomm Snapdragon 439 (12nm) utilizes Cortex-A53 cores clocked up to 1.95 GHz, offering a performance advantage over the HTC Wildfire E’s Unisoc SC9863A (28nm). While the Wildfire E has eight cores, they are split into two clusters of Cortex-A55 cores clocked lower at 1.6 GHz and 1.2 GHz. The 12nm process of the Snapdragon 439 is significantly more efficient than the 28nm process of the Unisoc chip, but the higher clock speeds of the Snapdragon 439 provide a more noticeable performance boost in real-world usage. This translates to faster app loading times and smoother multitasking on the Redmi 7A. The Snapdragon 439 also has a more mature software ecosystem and driver support.
Battery Life
Battery capacity is not specified for either device, but both likely house batteries in the 3000-4000 mAh range. The Redmi 7A includes 10W wired charging, a standard feature for this segment. The Unisoc SC9863A’s 28nm process may result in slightly higher power consumption compared to the Snapdragon 439’s 12nm process, potentially offsetting any battery capacity advantage the Wildfire E might have. Real-world battery life will depend heavily on usage patterns, but the Redmi 7A’s more efficient chipset should provide comparable or slightly better endurance.
Buying Guide
Buy the HTC Wildfire E if you prioritize a potentially more efficient chipset and are comfortable with a slightly less responsive user experience. It's a reasonable choice for users who primarily need a phone for calls, texts, and very light app usage. Buy the Xiaomi Redmi 7A if you value a smoother, more capable experience for the price, even if it means slightly reduced battery efficiency. This is the better option for those who occasionally browse social media, watch videos, or play casual games.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Will the Redmi 7A struggle with popular apps like WhatsApp and Facebook?
The Snapdragon 439 in the Redmi 7A is capable of running apps like WhatsApp and Facebook smoothly, although multitasking with several apps open simultaneously may result in some slowdown. The Wildfire E’s Unisoc chip may exhibit more noticeable lag when running these apps.
❓ Is the Redmi 7A suitable for playing mobile games?
The Redmi 7A can handle casual mobile games, but it’s not designed for demanding titles. Expect low frame rates and graphical settings on more intensive games. The Wildfire E will likely perform even worse in gaming scenarios due to its less powerful processor.
❓ Does the Redmi 7A support fast charging?
No, the Redmi 7A supports only 10W wired charging, which is standard for this price range. Charging from 0% to 100% will take approximately 2-3 hours.
❓ Which phone is better for someone who primarily uses their phone for calls and texts?
Both phones are perfectly adequate for basic calling and texting. However, the Redmi 7A’s slightly better performance and more reliable software experience make it a marginally better choice, even for simple tasks.
