HTC Wildfire E1 vs Desire 19+: A Deep Dive into Budget Smartphone Performance

Both the HTC Wildfire E1 and Desire 19+ represent HTC's attempts to capture the budget smartphone market. Released around the same time, they offer similar feature sets but diverge significantly in their core processing power. This comparison dissects those differences, focusing on how the chipset impacts everyday use and long-term performance.
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🏆 Quick Verdict

For the average user prioritizing efficiency and slightly smoother performance, the HTC Desire 19+ is the better choice. Its Mediatek Helio P35, built on a 12nm process, offers a modest but noticeable improvement over the Wildfire E1’s Helio P23, resulting in better power management and responsiveness.

PHONES
Phone Names HTC Wildfire E1 HTC Desire 19+
Network
2G bandsGSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 - SIM 1 & SIM 2
3G bandsHSDPA 900 / 2100HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100
4G bands1, 3, 7, 20, 38, 401, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41
SpeedHSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE Cat4 150/50 MbpsHSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE-A (2CA) Cat6 300/50 Mbps
TechnologyGSM / HSPA / LTEGSM / HSPA / LTE
Launch
Announced2019, December 18. Released 2019, December 182019, June 11
StatusDiscontinuedAvailable. Released 2019, August 07
Body
BuildGlass front, plastic back, plastic frame-
Dimensions157.5 x 75 x 8.9 mm (6.20 x 2.95 x 0.35 in)156.2 x 74.8 x 8.5 mm (6.15 x 2.94 x 0.33 in)
SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIMDual SIM (Nano-SIM, dual stand-by)
Weight165 g (5.82 oz)170 g (6.00 oz)
Display
Resolution720 x 1560 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~282 ppi density)720 x 1520 pixels, 19:9 ratio (~271 ppi density)
Size6.09 inches, 91.0 cm2 (~77.1% screen-to-body ratio)6.2 inches, 95.9 cm2 (~82.1% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeIPS LCDIPS LCD
Platform
CPUOcta-core (4x2.0 GHz Cortex-A53 & 4x1.5 GHz Cortex-A53)Octa-core (4x2.3 GHz Cortex-A53 & 4x1.8 GHz Cortex-A53)
ChipsetMediatek MT6763 Helio P23 (16 nm)Mediatek MT6765 Helio P35 (12nm)
GPUMali-G71 MP2PowerVR GE8320
OSAndroid 9.0 (Pie)Android 9 (Pie)
Memory
Card slotmicroSDXC (uses shared SIM slot)microSDXC (dedicated slot)
Internal32GB 3GB RAM64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM
 eMMC 5.1eMMC 5.1
Main Camera
FeaturesLED flashDual-LED dual-tone flash, HDR, panorama
Single13 MP, f/2.2, (wide), AF-
Triple-13 MP, f/1.9, 26mm (wide), PDAF 8 MP, f/2.2, 13mm (ultrawide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm 5 MP, f/2.2, (depth)
Video1080p@30fps1080p@30fps
Selfie camera
Features-HDR
Single5 MP, f/2.2, (wide)16 MP, f/2.0, 27mm (wide), 1/3.06", 1.0µm
Video1080p@30fps1080p@30fps
Sound
3.5mm jack YesYes
35mm jackYes-
Loudspeaker YesYes
Comms
Bluetooth4.2, A2DP5.0, A2DP, LE
NFCNoYes
PositioningGPS, GLONASS, GALILEOGPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS
RadioFM radioFM radio
USBmicroUSB 2.0USB Type-C 2.0, OTG
WLANWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-bandWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct
Features
SensorsFingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, proximity, compassFingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, proximity, compass
Battery
Charging-10W wired
TypeLi-Ion 3000 mAhLi-Ion 3850 mAh, non-removable
Misc
ColorsBlack, Gold, Blue/VioletStar Can Blue, Jasmine White
PriceAbout 90 EURAbout 280 EUR

HTC Wildfire E1

  • Potentially lower price point
  • Functional for basic smartphone tasks
  • Simple and straightforward user experience

  • Less efficient chipset (Helio P23)
  • Slower performance compared to Desire 19+
  • Likely slower charging speeds

HTC Desire 19+

  • More efficient chipset (Helio P35)
  • Faster CPU clock speeds
  • 10W wired charging support

  • May be slightly more expensive
  • Still a budget device with limitations
  • Camera performance likely only marginally better

Display Comparison

Neither HTC provides detailed display specifications beyond size and resolution. Given their market positioning, both likely utilize IPS LCD panels. The absence of information regarding brightness levels or color gamut coverage suggests neither phone excels in display quality. Bezels are expected to be relatively thick, typical for this price bracket. Color accuracy is likely standard for budget devices, prioritizing power saving over fidelity.

Camera Comparison

Detailed camera specifications are scarce for both devices. It's safe to assume both feature basic camera setups geared towards casual photography. Without sensor size or aperture information, a direct comparison is difficult. However, the focus should be on image processing capabilities, which are tied to the chipset. The Helio P35 in the Desire 19+ likely offers slightly better image signal processing (ISP) performance, potentially resulting in more detailed and vibrant photos, especially in good lighting conditions. Any 2MP macro or depth sensors present on either device should be considered supplementary features with limited real-world utility.

Performance

The core difference lies in the chipsets. The Desire 19+’s Mediatek Helio P35 (12nm) is a clear upgrade over the Wildfire E1’s Helio P23 (16nm). The 12nm fabrication process inherently leads to better power efficiency, meaning the P35 can deliver comparable performance with less energy consumption. The CPU configuration also favors the Desire 19+: 4x2.3 GHz Cortex-A53 cores versus 4x2.0 GHz in the Wildfire E1, coupled with 4x1.8 GHz vs 4x1.5 GHz for the slower cores. This translates to faster app loading times and smoother multitasking on the Desire 19+. While both use the same Cortex-A53 architecture, the higher clock speeds and more efficient node give the Desire 19+ a tangible advantage.

Battery Life

Battery capacity isn't specified for either device, but given their similar form factors, they likely house batteries of comparable size (around 3000-3500 mAh). The Desire 19+ benefits from a more efficient chipset, meaning it will likely achieve longer battery life on a single charge. Furthermore, the inclusion of 10W wired charging on the Desire 19+ provides a convenient way to quickly replenish the battery, a feature absent on the Wildfire E1, which likely relies on slower charging speeds.

Buying Guide

Buy the HTC Wildfire E1 if you need a basic, functional smartphone for essential tasks like calling, texting, and light social media use, and are on an extremely tight budget. Buy the HTC Desire 19+ if you prefer a device that can handle slightly more demanding apps and multitasking without significant slowdown, and appreciate the convenience of 10W wired charging for topping up the battery.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Will the Desire 19+ handle popular games like PUBG Mobile?
While the Helio P35 can run PUBG Mobile, expect to play at lower graphics settings and frame rates to maintain a stable experience. The chipset isn't designed for demanding gaming, and prolonged sessions may result in noticeable throttling.
❓ Is the difference in performance between the Helio P23 and P35 noticeable in everyday use?
Yes, the difference is noticeable, particularly when multitasking or opening multiple apps. The Desire 19+ with the P35 will feel snappier and more responsive than the Wildfire E1 with the P23, reducing lag and improving overall usability.
❓ Does the Desire 19+ support fast charging beyond 10W?
No, the Desire 19+ is limited to 10W wired charging. While not the fastest charging speed available, it's still a significant improvement over the likely slower charging speeds of the Wildfire E1.
❓ Which phone is better for someone who primarily uses WhatsApp and Facebook?
Both phones are perfectly capable of handling WhatsApp and Facebook. However, the Desire 19+ will provide a smoother experience with these apps, especially if you frequently switch between them or have multiple chats open simultaneously.