The HTC Wildfire E1 lite and ZTE Axon 7 mini represent distinct approaches to the ultra-budget smartphone market. The Wildfire E1 lite, a more recent release, leverages a newer, albeit entry-level, chipset. The Axon 7 mini, while older, boasts a more complex octa-core processor and the convenience of Quick Charge 2.0. This comparison dissects their strengths and weaknesses to determine which device offers the best experience for users prioritizing affordability.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average user seeking a functional, if basic, smartphone experience, the ZTE Axon 7 mini emerges as the better choice. Its octa-core Snapdragon 617 provides a noticeable performance advantage over the Wildfire E1 lite’s quad-core Helio A20, and the inclusion of 18W Quick Charge 2.0 offers faster replenishment than the Wildfire E1 lite likely supports.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 - SIM 1 & SIM 2 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 38, 40 | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 17, 20, 38, 40, 41 |
| Speed | HSPA 42.2/11.5 Mbps, LTE Cat4 150/75 Mbps | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE (2CA) Cat6 300/50 Mbps |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / LTE |
| | - | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 17, 20, 41 - USA |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2020, September 24. Released 2020, September 24 | 2016, September. Released 2016, October |
| 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) | 147.5 x 71 x 7.8 mm (5.81 x 2.80 x 0.31 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 160 g (5.64 oz) | 153 g (5.40 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | - | Corning Gorilla Glass 4 |
| Resolution | 720 x 1440 pixels, 18:9 ratio (~295 ppi density) | 1080 x 1920 pixels, 16:9 ratio (~423 ppi density) |
| Size | 5.45 inches, 76.7 cm2 (~72.6% screen-to-body ratio) | 5.2 inches, 74.9 cm2 (~71.5% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | TFT LCD | AMOLED |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Quad-core 1.8 GHz Cortex-A53 | Octa-core (4x1.5 GHz Cortex-A53 & 4x1.2 GHz Cortex-A53) |
| Chipset | Mediatek MT6761D Helio A20 (12 nm) | Qualcomm MSM8952 Snapdragon 617 (28 nm) |
| GPU | PowerVR GE8320 | Adreno 405 |
| OS | Android 10 (Go edition) | Android 6.1 (Marshmallow), upgradable to 7.1.1 (Nougat), MiFavor 4 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDHC | microSDXC (uses shared SIM 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 | Dual-LED flash, panorama, HDR |
| Single | - | 16 MP, f/1.9, PDAF |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps, 720p@120fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | HDR | - |
| Single | 5 MP, f/2.2, (wide) | 8 MP, f/2.2 |
| Video | 720p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes, with stereo speakers |
| | - | 32-bit/192kHz audio |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.0, A2DP | 4.1, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | No | Yes |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO | GPS, GLONASS, BDS |
| 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 b/g/n, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, proximity | Fingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | - | 18W wired, QC2, 46% in 30 min |
| Stand-by | - | Up to 270 h (3G) |
| Talk time | - | Up to 15 h (3G) |
| Type | Li-Ion 3000 mAh | Li-Ion 2705 mAh, non-removable |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Black | Ion Gold, Platinum Gray |
| Models | - | B2017G |
| Price | About 80 EUR | About 220 EUR |
HTC Wildfire E1 lite
- Potentially longer software support due to newer chipset.
- May run a more recent version of Android Go edition.
- More power-efficient 12nm process.
- Significantly weaker performance due to quad-core processor.
- Likely slower charging speeds.
- Unknown display quality.
ZTE Axon 7 mini
- Faster performance with octa-core Snapdragon 617.
- 18W Quick Charge 2.0 support for rapid charging.
- Potentially better image processing from the Snapdragon ISP.
- Older chipset and potentially limited software updates.
- Less power-efficient 28nm process.
- May run an older version of Android.
Display Comparison
Neither device is expected to deliver a premium display experience. The Wildfire E1 lite’s display specifications are unavailable, but given its market segment, it likely features a basic IPS LCD panel. The ZTE Axon 7 mini, similarly, utilizes an IPS LCD. However, the key difference lies in processing power dedicated to display management. The Snapdragon 617’s ISP likely offers better image processing for the display, potentially resulting in slightly more accurate colors and contrast. Bezels are expected to be substantial on both devices, reflecting their budget nature.
Camera Comparison
Camera performance on both devices will be limited. Detailed camera specs for the Wildfire E1 lite are unavailable, but budget phones in this class typically feature basic sensors. The Axon 7 mini’s camera specifications are also not readily available, but ZTE historically focused on providing acceptable image quality for the price point. The absence of Optical Image Stabilization (OIS) on either device means low-light photography will be challenging. Image processing capabilities of the Snapdragon 617’s ISP will likely provide a slight edge in dynamic range and noise reduction compared to the Helio A20.
Performance
The performance gap is the most significant differentiator. The ZTE Axon 7 mini’s Qualcomm MSM8952 Snapdragon 617, with its octa-core configuration (4x1.5 GHz Cortex-A53 & 4x1.2 GHz Cortex-A53), demonstrably outperforms the HTC Wildfire E1 lite’s MediaTek MT6761D Helio A20 (Quad-core 1.8 GHz Cortex-A53). While both utilize Cortex-A53 cores, the Axon 7 mini’s eight cores allow for better multitasking and handling of more demanding applications. The Helio A20’s 12nm process is more efficient than the Snapdragon 617’s 28nm, but the architectural advantage of the octa-core setup outweighs this efficiency gain in real-world usage. The Axon 7 mini will exhibit less lag and stuttering during typical smartphone operations.
Battery Life
Battery capacity for both devices is unknown. However, the ZTE Axon 7 mini’s 18W wired charging with Quick Charge 2.0 support is a significant advantage. This allows for a 46% charge in 30 minutes, drastically reducing downtime. The Wildfire E1 lite likely supports standard 5W or 10W charging, resulting in considerably longer charging times. While a larger battery capacity on the Wildfire E1 lite could partially offset the slower charging, the convenience of Quick Charge 2.0 on the Axon 7 mini is a compelling benefit.
Buying Guide
Buy the HTC Wildfire E1 lite if you absolutely need a phone running the latest version of Android Go edition and prioritize a potentially longer software support window, accepting a significant performance compromise. Buy the ZTE Axon 7 mini if you value a smoother, more responsive user experience for everyday tasks like browsing and social media, and appreciate the convenience of faster charging, even if it means running an older Android version.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Is the ZTE Axon 7 mini likely to receive further software updates?
Given its age, the ZTE Axon 7 mini has likely reached the end of its major software update cycle. However, it may still receive occasional security patches. Users should not expect Android version upgrades.
❓ Will the HTC Wildfire E1 lite struggle with popular apps like Facebook or WhatsApp?
The HTC Wildfire E1 lite’s Helio A20 chipset is a very basic processor. While it can run apps like Facebook and WhatsApp, users should expect noticeable lag and slow loading times, especially with multiple apps open simultaneously.
❓ Does the ZTE Axon 7 mini support USB-C charging?
No, the ZTE Axon 7 mini utilizes a Micro-USB port for charging and data transfer, which is common for devices released in 2016. This is slower and less convenient than USB-C.
❓ Is the performance difference between these phones noticeable for everyday tasks?
Yes, the difference is quite noticeable. The ZTE Axon 7 mini’s octa-core processor will provide a smoother and more responsive experience when browsing the web, using social media, and switching between apps compared to the HTC Wildfire E1 lite.
