The HTC Wildfire E1 lite and LG Stylo 5 represent two distinct approaches to the ultra-budget smartphone market. The Wildfire E1 lite focuses on a streamlined experience with a newer, albeit entry-level, Mediatek chipset, while the LG Stylo 5 aims to deliver a more feature-rich package, including faster charging and a higher contrast display, built around the older Qualcomm Snapdragon 450. This comparison dissects their key differences to determine which device offers the best value.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average user prioritizing longevity and a more responsive experience, the LG Stylo 5 emerges as the better choice. Its octa-core Snapdragon 450 provides a noticeable performance advantage over the Wildfire E1 lite’s quad-core Helio A20, and the 20W charging significantly reduces downtime. While the Wildfire E1 lite is newer, the Stylo 5’s overall package is more compelling.
| 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, 5, 7, 8, 20, 38, 40 | 2, 4, 5, 12, 14, 29, 30, 66 |
| Speed | HSPA 42.2/11.5 Mbps, LTE Cat4 150/75 Mbps | HSPA, LTE |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2020, September 24. Released 2020, September 24 | 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 | Quad-core 1.8 GHz Cortex-A53 | Octa-core 1.8 GHz Cortex-A53 |
| Chipset | Mediatek MT6761D Helio A20 (12 nm) | Qualcomm SDM450 Snapdragon 450 (14 nm) |
| GPU | PowerVR GE8320 | Adreno 506 |
| OS | Android 10 (Go edition) | Android 9.0 (Pie) |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDHC | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 16GB 2GB RAM | 32GB 3GB RAM |
| | eMMC 5.1 | eMMC 5.1 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Dual | 8 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/2.2, (wide) | 5 MP |
| Video | 720p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.0, 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 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, proximity | Fingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, proximity |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | - | 20W wired |
| Type | Li-Ion 3000 mAh | Li-Ion 3500 mAh, non-removable |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Black | Blonde Rose, Platinum Gray |
| Models | - | LM-Q720 |
| Price | About 80 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 E1 lite
- Potentially newer Android version (depending on updates)
- More recent chipset architecture (12nm vs 14nm)
- Streamlined software experience (likely)
- Quad-core processor limits multitasking
- Lack of detailed display specifications
- Slower charging (assumed)
LG Stylo 5
- Octa-core processor for smoother performance
- 20W fast charging for reduced downtime
- Higher display contrast ratio for better visibility
- Older chipset (Snapdragon 450)
- May not receive the latest Android updates
- Larger physical size (likely)
Display Comparison
The LG Stylo 5 boasts a display with a contrast ratio of 1485 (nominal) and 3.218 (sunlight), indicating superior visibility in outdoor conditions compared to the Wildfire E1 lite, which lacks detailed display specifications. While both likely utilize IPS LCD panels, the Stylo 5’s higher contrast ratio suggests better black levels and a more vibrant image. The absence of detailed display specs for the Wildfire E1 lite suggests a more basic panel, potentially impacting viewing angles and color accuracy.
Camera Comparison
Both devices likely feature basic camera setups geared towards casual photography. Without detailed sensor information, it’s difficult to make a definitive judgment. However, the LG Stylo 5’s camera is likely to offer slightly better image processing capabilities due to the Snapdragon 450’s integrated image signal processor (ISP). The Wildfire E1 lite’s ISP, integrated within the Helio A20, is likely less sophisticated. The presence of a dedicated camera app with features like HDR and scene detection on the Stylo 5 would further enhance its photographic capabilities.
Performance
The core difference lies in the chipsets. The LG Stylo 5’s Qualcomm Snapdragon 450, with its octa-core Cortex-A53 configuration, offers a significant advantage over the HTC Wildfire E1 lite’s MediaTek Helio A20, which features only four cores. Although both CPUs are clocked at 1.8 GHz, the increased core count in the Snapdragon 450 translates to better multitasking and smoother performance in demanding applications. The Snapdragon 450’s 14nm process, while older, doesn’t necessarily equate to inefficiency; it’s a mature node with well-understood thermal characteristics. The Helio A20’s 12nm process is newer, but the quad-core design limits its overall throughput.
Battery Life
The LG Stylo 5’s 79-hour endurance rating demonstrates a clear advantage in battery life. While the exact battery capacity isn’t specified, the combination of the Snapdragon 450’s power efficiency and the 20W wired charging capability provides a compelling user experience. The Wildfire E1 lite lacks information on charging speed, suggesting a slower charging rate, potentially requiring longer periods to reach a full charge. The Stylo 5’s faster charging is particularly beneficial for users who frequently use their phones throughout the day.
Buying Guide
Buy the HTC Wildfire E1 lite if you absolutely need the latest Android version (assuming it receives updates) and prioritize a minimal software experience. It's suitable for users with extremely basic smartphone needs – calls, texts, and light app usage. Buy the LG Stylo 5 if you value a smoother multitasking experience, faster charging, and a display that performs better in direct sunlight. This phone is ideal for users who consume media, browse the web, and occasionally play casual games.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Will the LG Stylo 5 struggle with demanding games like PUBG Mobile?
While the Snapdragon 450 isn't a gaming powerhouse, it can handle PUBG Mobile at lower settings. Expect frame rate drops during intense action, but it's playable for casual gaming sessions. The Wildfire E1 lite’s Helio A20 will likely offer a less smooth experience, even at the lowest settings.
❓ How does the software experience differ between the two phones?
The LG Stylo 5 likely features LG’s custom Android skin, which includes pre-installed apps and features. The HTC Wildfire E1 lite aims for a cleaner, more stock Android experience, potentially offering faster updates (though this isn't guaranteed). However, the Stylo 5’s software may offer more customization options.
❓ Is the 20W charging on the LG Stylo 5 a significant advantage?
Yes, 20W charging is a substantial benefit. It allows you to quickly top up the battery, minimizing downtime. The Wildfire E1 lite likely supports standard 5W or 10W charging, which will take considerably longer to fully charge the device.
