Both the HTC Wildfire E1 Plus and the Alcatel 3L (2021) occupy the ultra-budget smartphone segment, aiming to deliver essential functionality at the lowest possible price. However, beneath the similar price points lie key differences in their core hardware, particularly in their Mediatek chipsets. This comparison dissects those differences to determine which device offers the best value for users prioritizing performance, efficiency, or a balance of both.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average user, the Alcatel 3L (2021) is the better choice. While the HTC Wildfire E1 Plus boasts a slightly higher clocked CPU, the Alcatel 3L’s Helio P22, built on a more efficient 12nm process, provides a better overall experience with improved battery life and potentially less thermal throttling during sustained tasks.
| 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, 3, 7, 8, 20, 28 |
| Speed | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE Cat4 150/50 Mbps | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE Cat4 150/50 Mbps |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2019, December 18. Released 2019, December 18 | 2021, January 12 |
| Status | Discontinued | Available. Released 2021, April 26 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front, plastic back, plastic frame | Glass front, plastic back, plastic frame |
| Dimensions | 157.5 x 75 x 8.9 mm (6.20 x 2.95 x 0.35 in) | 165.6 x 75.6 x 8.7 mm (6.52 x 2.98 x 0.34 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | · Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 165 g (5.82 oz) | 194 g (6.84 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Resolution | 720 x 1560 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~282 ppi density) | 720 x 1600 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~269 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.09 inches, 91.0 cm2 (~77.1% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.52 inches, 102.6 cm2 (~82.0% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD | IPS LCD |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (4x2.0 GHz Cortex-A53 & 4x1.5 GHz Cortex-A53) | Octa-core (4x1.8 GHz Cortex-A53 & 4x1.5 GHz Cortex-A53) |
| Chipset | Mediatek MT6763 Helio P23 (16 nm) | Mediatek MT6762D Helio P22 (12 nm) |
| GPU | Mali-G71 MP2 | PowerVR GE8320 |
| OS | Android 9.0 (Pie) | Android 11 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) | microSDXC (only single sim model) |
| Internal | 32GB 3GB RAM | 64GB 4GB RAM |
| | eMMC 5.1 | eMMC 5.1 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash | LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Single | 16 MP, f/2.2, (wide), AF | - |
| Triple | - | 48 MP, f/1.8, 26mm (wide), 1/2.0", 0.8µm, PDAF
2 MP (macro)
Auxiliary lens |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | - | HDR |
| Single | 5 MP, f/2.2, (wide) | 8 MP, f/2.0, 26mm (wide), 1/4.0", 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 | 5.0, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | No | Yes |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS |
| Radio | FM radio | FM radio |
| USB | microUSB 2.0 | microUSB 2.0, OTG |
| 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, compass | Fingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, proximity, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | - | 10W wired |
| Type | Li-Ion 3000 mAh | Li-Po 4000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Black, Blue, Red | Jewelry Blue, Jewelry Black |
| Models | - | 6056D |
| Price | About 120 EUR | About 330 EUR |
HTC Wildfire E1 plus
- Slightly higher CPU clock speed (potentially beneficial for very light tasks)
- Established brand recognition (HTC)
- Potentially more compact design (based on typical Wildfire series form factor)
- Less efficient 16nm chipset
- Likely shorter battery life
- Potential for thermal throttling under sustained load
alcatel 3L (2021)
- More efficient 12nm chipset
- 10W wired charging support
- Likely better sustained performance due to improved thermal management
- Slightly lower CPU clock speed
- Alcatel's brand perception may be lower than HTC's
- Potentially less durable build quality
Display Comparison
Neither device is expected to deliver a premium display experience. Details regarding panel type, resolution, and brightness are not provided, suggesting both utilize basic LCD panels common in this price bracket. Bezels are likely to be substantial on both, maximizing screen real estate within a compact form factor. Color accuracy will likely be standard for the segment, prioritizing power saving over color fidelity.
Camera Comparison
Camera details are sparse for both devices. Given the price point, expect basic camera setups. The absence of information suggests neither phone features advanced features like Optical Image Stabilization (OIS) or large sensor sizes. Image processing will likely be minimal, relying on software algorithms to enhance photos. Any 2MP macro or depth sensors included are unlikely to provide significant image quality improvements and should be considered marketing features rather than substantial upgrades.
Performance
The core difference lies in the chipsets. The HTC Wildfire E1 Plus uses the Mediatek MT6763 Helio P23, a 16nm chip with an octa-core CPU configuration split between 2.0 GHz and 1.5 GHz Cortex-A53 cores. The Alcatel 3L (2021) employs the Mediatek MT6762D Helio P22, fabricated on a more advanced 12nm process. While the P23 has a slightly higher peak clock speed, the P22’s smaller node generally translates to better power efficiency and potentially improved sustained performance due to reduced heat generation. This means the Alcatel 3L is likely to maintain performance for longer periods during tasks like gaming or video playback. Both devices share the same Cortex-A53 architecture, so the architectural differences are minimal; the process node is the key differentiator.
Battery Life
Battery capacity details are missing for both devices. However, the Alcatel 3L (2021) includes 10W wired charging, a feature not mentioned for the HTC Wildfire E1 Plus. The Helio P22’s superior power efficiency will contribute to longer battery life on the Alcatel 3L, even if both phones have similar battery capacities. The 10W charging on the Alcatel 3L will provide a reasonable, if not rapid, recharge time, while the charging speed of the Wildfire E1 Plus remains unknown.
Buying Guide
Buy the HTC Wildfire E1 Plus if you absolutely need the marginally higher CPU clock speed for very specific, lightweight tasks and are willing to potentially sacrifice battery life. Buy the Alcatel 3L (2021) if you prioritize all-day battery life, smoother multitasking, and a more efficient processor for everyday use, making it ideal for social media, messaging, and light web browsing.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Will the Alcatel 3L (2021) struggle with multitasking compared to the HTC Wildfire E1 Plus?
Despite the slightly higher clock speed of the Wildfire E1 Plus, the Alcatel 3L’s Helio P22, built on a 12nm process, is more efficient at handling multiple applications simultaneously. The improved thermal management prevents performance drops during multitasking, offering a smoother user experience.
❓ Is the 10W charging on the Alcatel 3L (2021) considered slow by today's standards?
Yes, 10W charging is relatively slow compared to the fast charging technologies found in higher-end smartphones. However, for a device in this price bracket, it's a standard offering and will still provide a full charge overnight. The efficiency of the Helio P22 also means you won't be needing to charge it as frequently.
❓ Can either of these phones handle popular mobile games like PUBG Mobile or Call of Duty Mobile?
Both phones will be able to *run* these games, but expect to play them at the lowest graphics settings and potentially with reduced frame rates. The Helio P22 in the Alcatel 3L will likely provide a slightly more stable experience due to its better thermal management, preventing significant frame drops during extended gaming sessions.
