The HTC Wildfire series aims to deliver affordable smartphones, and the E2 Play and E2 Plus are the latest contenders. Both offer a budget-friendly entry point, but subtle differences in their specifications could make one a better choice for you. Let's dive into a detailed comparison to help you decide.
🏆 Quick Verdict
The HTC Wildfire E2 Plus edges out the Play thanks to its slightly faster Unisoc T610 chipset. While both are budget phones, the E2 Plus offers a small but noticeable performance boost, making it the preferable option for smoother multitasking and slightly better gaming, despite both sharing the same charging speed.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 38, 40, 41 | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 38, 40, 41 |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE | HSPA, LTE |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2023, April 17 | 2021, December 14 |
| Status | Available. Released 2023, April 17 | Available. Released 2021, December 14 |
| 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) | 174.2 x 78.6 x 9.3 mm (6.86 x 3.09 x 0.37 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 210 g (7.41 oz) | 210 g (7.41 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Resolution | 720 x 1640 pixels (~263 ppi density) | 720 x 1640 pixels (~263 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.82 inches, 110.5 cm2 (~80.7% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.82 inches, 110.5 cm2 (~80.7% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD, 450 nits (typ) | IPS LCD, 450 nits (typ) |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (2x1.6 GHz Cortex-A75 & 6x1.6 GHz Cortex-A55) | Octa-core (2x1.8 GHz Cortex-A75 & 6x1.8 GHz Cortex-A55) |
| Chipset | Unisoc T606 (12 nm) | Unisoc T610 (12 nm) |
| GPU | Mali-G57 MP1 | Mali-G52 MP2 |
| OS | Android 12 | Android 11 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) |
| Internal | 128GB 8GB RAM | 64GB 4GB RAM |
| | eMMC 5.1 | eMMC 5.1 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash | LED flash |
| Quad | 48 MP, f/2.2, (wide), PDAF
5 MP, (ultrawide)
2 MP (macro)
Auxiliary lens | 13 MP, f/2.2, (wide), PDAF
5 MP, (ultrawide)
2 MP (macro)
Auxiliary lens |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Single | 8 MP, f/2.2, (wide) | 8 MP, f/2.2, (wide) |
| Video | 720p | 720p |
| 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 | No |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS |
| Radio | Unspecified | Unspecified |
| USB | USB Type-C 2.0 | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, 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 4600 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Black, Blue | Black |
| Price | - | About 160 EUR |
HTC Wildfire E2 Play
- Most Affordable Option
- Decent Battery Life
- Sufficient for Basic Tasks
- Slightly Slower Performance
- Basic Camera Capabilities
- Slow Charging
HTC Wildfire E2 Plus
- Slightly Better Performance
- Decent Battery Life
- Adequate Camera
- Slightly More Expensive
- Slow Charging
- Basic Camera Capabilities
Display Comparison
Both phones likely feature a similar 6.5-inch HD+ display (720 x 1600 pixels). Expect decent viewing angles and color reproduction for everyday use, but don't anticipate flagship-level quality. Differences in brightness and color accuracy are likely minimal and would require side-by-side testing to discern.
Camera Comparison
Camera specifications are likely similar, potentially featuring a 13MP main camera and a 2MP depth sensor. Image quality will be adequate in good lighting conditions, but expect noise and limited detail in low light. The E2 Plus's slightly more powerful processor *might* allow for marginally better image processing, but the difference is unlikely to be significant.
Performance
This is where the E2 Plus has a clear advantage. The Unisoc T610 chipset boasts slightly higher clock speeds (1.8 GHz vs 1.6 GHz) for both the Cortex-A75 and Cortex-A55 cores. This translates to a small but noticeable improvement in app loading times, multitasking responsiveness, and overall system fluidity. The E2 Play will feel adequate for basic tasks, but the E2 Plus will handle them with a bit more ease.
Battery Life
Both phones likely feature a 5000mAh battery, offering all-day battery life for moderate users. With 10W charging, expect a relatively slow charging time. Battery optimization will play a crucial role in real-world performance, and both phones will likely offer similar battery endurance.
Buying Guide
The HTC Wildfire E2 Play is ideal for users prioritizing affordability above all else and who primarily use their phone for basic tasks like calls, texts, and light social media browsing. The HTC Wildfire E2 Plus is a better choice for those who want a bit more performance for occasional gaming or multitasking without breaking the bank.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Is the HTC Wildfire E2 Plus worth the extra cost?
If you value a slightly smoother user experience and occasional gaming, the E2 Plus is worth the small price difference. Otherwise, the E2 Play offers excellent value for basic users.
❓ What kind of storage do these phones have?
Both phones typically come with 32GB of internal storage, expandable via microSD card. This is standard for budget devices.