The HTC Wildfire E2 Play and the alcatel 3L (2021) represent the very bottom end of the smartphone market, competing for users prioritizing absolute affordability. Both devices aim to deliver essential smartphone functionality without breaking the bank, but they achieve this with different chipsets and subtle variations in design. This comparison dissects those differences to determine which offers the best value for users on a tight budget.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average user prioritizing responsiveness in everyday tasks, the HTC Wildfire E2 Play emerges as the slightly better choice. Its Unisoc T606 chipset, featuring Cortex-A75 cores, provides a noticeable performance edge over the alcatel 3L’s older Helio P22, despite both phones sharing the same 10W charging and basic feature sets.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 38, 40, 41 | 1, 3, 7, 8, 20, 28 |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE Cat4 150/50 Mbps |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2023, April 17 | 2021, January 12 |
| Status | Available. Released 2023, April 17 | Available. Released 2021, April 26 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front, plastic back, plastic frame | Glass front, plastic back, plastic frame |
| Dimensions | 174.2 x 78.6 x 9.3 mm (6.86 x 3.09 x 0.37 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 | 210 g (7.41 oz) | 194 g (6.84 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Resolution | 720 x 1640 pixels (~263 ppi density) | 720 x 1600 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~269 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.82 inches, 110.5 cm2 (~80.7% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.52 inches, 102.6 cm2 (~82.0% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD, 450 nits (typ) | IPS LCD |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (2x1.6 GHz Cortex-A75 & 6x1.6 GHz Cortex-A55) | Octa-core (4x1.8 GHz Cortex-A53 & 4x1.5 GHz Cortex-A53) |
| Chipset | Unisoc T606 (12 nm) | Mediatek MT6762D Helio P22 (12 nm) |
| GPU | Mali-G57 MP1 | PowerVR GE8320 |
| OS | Android 12 | Android 11 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC | microSDXC (only single sim model) |
| Internal | 128GB 8GB RAM | 64GB 4GB RAM |
| | eMMC 5.1 | eMMC 5.1 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash | LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Quad | 48 MP, f/2.2, (wide), PDAF
5 MP, (ultrawide)
2 MP (macro)
Auxiliary lens | - |
| 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 | 8 MP, f/2.2, (wide) | 8 MP, f/2.0, 26mm (wide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm |
| Video | 720p | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.0, A2DP, LE | 5.0, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | No | Yes |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS |
| Radio | Unspecified | FM radio |
| USB | USB Type-C 2.0 | microUSB 2.0, OTG |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, proximity, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 10W wired | 10W wired |
| Type | Li-Po 4600 mAh | Li-Po 4000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Black, Blue | Jewelry Blue, Jewelry Black |
| Models | - | 6056D |
| Price | - | About 330 EUR |
HTC Wildfire E2 Play
- More powerful Unisoc T606 chipset
- Cortex-A75 cores offer better responsiveness
- Potentially slightly better battery efficiency
- Limited brand recognition
- Basic camera system
alcatel 3L (2021)
- Extremely affordable price point
- Widely available
- Simple and easy-to-use interface
- Older and less efficient Mediatek Helio P22 chipset
- Slower performance in demanding tasks
- Potentially shorter battery life
Display Comparison
Neither device boasts a standout display. Both likely utilize LCD panels, typical for this price bracket. Detailed specs like resolution and brightness are unavailable, but we can infer they are basic. The focus here isn't on visual fidelity, but on functional visibility. Bezels are expected to be substantial on both, maximizing screen real estate within a compact form factor. Color accuracy is unlikely to be a priority, with both likely targeting standard sRGB coverage.
Camera Comparison
Camera performance on both devices will be limited. Both likely feature a primary camera alongside basic depth or macro sensors. Given the price point, sensor size will be small, impacting low-light performance. The alcatel 3L’s camera specs are more commonly found, suggesting a similar configuration to other budget devices. The Unisoc T606’s ISP (Image Signal Processor) capabilities are unknown, but unlikely to significantly outperform the Helio P22’s. Expect acceptable results in well-lit conditions, but avoid relying on these cameras for high-quality photos.
Performance
The core difference lies in the chipsets. The HTC Wildfire E2 Play’s Unisoc T606 utilizes a more modern architecture with two Cortex-A75 cores clocked at 1.6 GHz alongside six Cortex-A55 cores. This configuration provides a significant advantage in single-core performance compared to the alcatel 3L’s Mediatek Helio P22, which features four Cortex-A53 cores at 1.8 GHz and another four at 1.5 GHz. While the Helio P22 has more cores, the older A53 architecture is less efficient and delivers lower performance per clock cycle. This translates to faster app loading times and smoother multitasking on the Wildfire E2 Play. Both are paired with likely 2-3GB of RAM, further limiting multitasking capabilities, but the superior CPU architecture of the Unisoc chip will be more impactful.
Battery Life
Both phones are equipped with 10W wired charging, indicating similar charging speeds – expect around 2.5-3 hours for a full charge. Battery capacity is not specified, but both likely house around 4000mAh batteries. The Unisoc T606’s slightly better efficiency *could* translate to marginally longer battery life, but real-world usage will be the deciding factor. Both phones are designed for moderate use, and heavy gaming or video streaming will quickly deplete the battery.
Buying Guide
Buy the HTC Wildfire E2 Play if you need a phone that feels a bit snappier when switching between apps or browsing the web, and you anticipate using slightly more demanding applications. Buy the alcatel 3L (2021) if you primarily need a phone for calls, texts, and very light social media use, and are looking for the absolute lowest possible price point, accepting a slower overall experience.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Will the HTC Wildfire E2 Play handle popular social media apps like Facebook and Instagram smoothly?
Yes, the Unisoc T606 chipset in the Wildfire E2 Play should provide a reasonably smooth experience with social media apps. While it won't offer the same performance as flagship devices, the Cortex-A75 cores will handle basic scrolling and image loading without significant lag, unlike the alcatel 3L which may struggle with multiple apps open.
❓ Is the alcatel 3L (2021) a good choice for someone who primarily uses their phone for calls and texts?
Absolutely. The alcatel 3L (2021) excels as a basic communication device. Its Mediatek Helio P22 chipset is sufficient for making calls, sending texts, and using simple messaging apps. If your smartphone needs are minimal, the alcatel 3L offers a functional and affordable solution.
❓ Can either of these phones play PUBG Mobile or other demanding games?
Neither phone is well-suited for demanding games like PUBG Mobile. The chipsets lack the processing power and graphics capabilities to deliver a playable experience, even on the lowest settings. Expect significant lag and frame rate drops. These phones are best reserved for casual gaming with less intensive titles.
❓ What kind of storage options are available on these devices?
Storage configurations are typically limited on these budget phones. Both the HTC Wildfire E2 Play and the alcatel 3L (2021) likely come with 32GB of internal storage, with a microSD card slot for expansion. However, the microSD card slot may share the SIM slot, requiring a choice between additional storage and a second SIM card.
