The sub-$150 smartphone market is fiercely competitive. Both the HTC Wildfire E1 Plus and the Xiaomi Redmi 9A Sport aim to deliver essential smartphone functionality at an accessible price. However, despite similar price points, they employ different Mediatek chipsets – the Helio P23 in the HTC and the Helio G25 in the Xiaomi – leading to key differences in performance and efficiency. This comparison dives deep into those differences to determine which phone offers the best value.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average user prioritizing slightly better performance and faster charging, the Xiaomi Redmi 9A Sport is the better choice. Its Helio G25, built on a more efficient 12nm process, offers a modest but noticeable advantage over the HTC Wildfire E1 Plus’s older 16nm Helio P23. However, the difference isn't massive, and the Wildfire E1 Plus remains a viable option for basic tasks.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 3, 7, 20, 38, 40 | 1, 3, 5, 8, 40, 41 |
| Speed | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE Cat4 150/50 Mbps | HSPA, LTE |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2019, December 18. Released 2019, December 18 | 2021, September 28 |
| Status | Discontinued | Available. Released 2021, September 28 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front, plastic back, plastic frame | - |
| Dimensions | 157.5 x 75 x 8.9 mm (6.20 x 2.95 x 0.35 in) | 164.9 x 77.1 x 9 mm (6.49 x 3.04 x 0.35 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 165 g (5.82 oz) | 194 g (6.84 oz) |
| | - | Water-repellent coating |
| 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) | 6.53 inches, 102.9 cm2 (~81.0% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD | IPS LCD, 400 nits (typ) |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (4x2.0 GHz Cortex-A53 & 4x1.5 GHz Cortex-A53) | Octa-core (4x2.0 GHz Cortex-A53 & 4x1.5 GHz Cortex-A53) |
| Chipset | Mediatek MT6763 Helio P23 (16 nm) | Mediatek MT6762G Helio G25 (12 nm) |
| GPU | Mali-G71 MP2 | PowerVR GE8320 |
| OS | Android 9.0 (Pie) | Android 10, MIUI 12 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 32GB 3GB RAM | 32GB 2GB RAM, 32GB 3GB RAM |
| | eMMC 5.1 | eMMC 5.1 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash | LED flash, HDR |
| Single | 16 MP, f/2.2, (wide), AF | 13 MP, f/2.2, 28mm (wide), 1.0µm, PDAF |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30/60fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | - | HDR |
| Single | 5 MP, f/2.2, (wide) | 5 MP, f/2.2, (wide), 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 | No |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO | GPS, GLONASS, 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 a/b/g/n, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, proximity, compass | Accelerometer, proximity |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | - | 10W wired |
| Type | Li-Ion 3000 mAh | Li-Po 5000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Black, Blue, Red | Carbon Black, Coral Green, Metallic Blue |
| Price | About 120 EUR | About 100 EUR |
HTC Wildfire E1 plus
- Potentially lower price point (depending on retailer)
- Reliable brand reputation (HTC)
- Simple and straightforward user experience
- Older, less efficient chipset (Helio P23)
- Likely slower charging speeds
- Potentially lower performance in demanding apps
Xiaomi Redmi 9A Sport
- More efficient chipset (Helio G25)
- Faster 10W charging
- Slightly better GPU performance for gaming
- Xiaomi’s MIUI software can be resource-intensive
- Build quality may feel less premium than HTC
Display Comparison
Neither device boasts a standout display. Both likely feature LCD panels, typical for this price segment. The key difference lies under the hood: the Redmi 9A Sport benefits from the more modern Helio G25, which *could* translate to slightly better image processing, though this is unlikely to be dramatically visible. Neither manufacturer specifies peak brightness or color accuracy, suggesting both prioritize cost savings over display quality. Expect standard 720p+ resolutions and large bezels on both.
Camera Comparison
Camera performance on both devices is expected to be basic. Neither phone is likely to excel in low-light conditions. While both may feature a primary camera, details regarding sensor size and aperture are unavailable. The Redmi 9A Sport *may* benefit from slightly improved image signal processing (ISP) capabilities within the Helio G25, but this is speculative. The inclusion of a 2MP macro camera on either device is largely a marketing tactic, offering minimal practical benefit due to the low resolution and lack of optical image stabilization (OIS).
Performance
The core difference here is the chipset. The Xiaomi Redmi 9A Sport’s Mediatek Helio G25 (12nm) is a refinement of the P23, built on a smaller fabrication process. This 12nm process generally leads to improved power efficiency and slightly higher clock speeds under sustained load. Both phones share the same CPU core configuration – an octa-core setup with 4x2.0 GHz Cortex-A53 and 4x1.5 GHz Cortex-A53 cores – meaning raw CPU performance will be similar. However, the G25’s GPU offers a modest improvement, making it the better choice for light gaming. The Wildfire E1 Plus’s older 16nm process will likely result in more heat generation during prolonged use.
Battery Life
Battery capacity is not specified for the HTC Wildfire E1 Plus, but given its market segment, it's likely around 4000-5000mAh, similar to the Redmi 9A Sport’s 5000mAh battery. However, the Redmi 9A Sport has a clear advantage with its 10W wired charging support. The Wildfire E1 Plus’s charging speed is unknown, but likely slower. This means the Redmi 9A Sport will spend less time tethered to a charger, a significant benefit for users who rely heavily on their phones throughout the day.
Buying Guide
Buy the HTC Wildfire E1 Plus if you need a simple, reliable device for essential communication and light tasks, and are less concerned with gaming or demanding applications. Buy the Xiaomi Redmi 9A Sport if you prefer a phone that can handle slightly more demanding tasks, offers faster charging, and provides a marginally smoother user experience, even if it's still within the entry-level performance bracket.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Will the Redmi 9A Sport’s Helio G25 handle popular games like PUBG Mobile?
The Helio G25 can run PUBG Mobile, but expect to play at low to medium settings with a lower frame rate for a smooth experience. It's not a gaming powerhouse, but it's a step up from the Helio P23 in the Wildfire E1 Plus for light gaming.
❓ Is the battery life significantly different between the two phones?
While both likely have similar battery capacities (around 5000mAh), the Redmi 9A Sport’s more efficient Helio G25 chipset and 10W charging give it an edge. You’ll likely get slightly longer battery life and quicker top-ups with the Redmi 9A Sport.
❓ Does the Xiaomi Redmi 9A Sport come with bloatware?
Xiaomi phones are known for including pre-installed apps (bloatware). While some can be uninstalled, others may remain. This can impact storage space and potentially performance, though the impact is usually minimal on a device with this level of hardware.
❓ Which phone is better for older adults who primarily use WhatsApp and make calls?
For basic communication, both phones are suitable. The HTC Wildfire E1 Plus’s simpler interface might be easier to navigate for less tech-savvy users. However, the Redmi 9A Sport’s slightly better battery life and charging could be beneficial.
