The sub-$150 smartphone market is fiercely competitive. Both the HTC Wildfire E2 Play and the Infinix Hot 10i aim to deliver essential smartphone functionality at an accessible price. However, they take different approaches to achieving this, with the Infinix prioritizing processing power and faster charging, while the HTC focuses on a more conservative, potentially more efficient, chipset.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average user prioritizing responsiveness and faster charging, the Infinix Hot 10i is the better choice. Its Helio G70 chipset offers a noticeable performance uplift over the Wildfire E2 Play’s Unisoc T606, and the 18W charging significantly reduces downtime. While the Wildfire E2 Play is a functional device, it struggles to compete on raw performance.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 38, 40, 41 | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66 |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE Cat4 150/50 Mbps |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| | - | 1, 3, 5, 8, 38, 40, 41 |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2023, April 17 | 2021, May 20 |
| Status | Available. Released 2023, April 17 | Available. Released 2021, May 20 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | 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) | 164.3 x 76 x 9.6 mm (6.47 x 2.99 x 0.38 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 210 g (7.41 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 (~82.2% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD, 450 nits (typ) | IPS LCD, 500 nits (peak) |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (2x1.6 GHz Cortex-A75 & 6x1.6 GHz Cortex-A55) | Octa-core (2x2.0 GHz Cortex-A75 & 6x1.7 GHz Cortex-A55) |
| Chipset | Unisoc T606 (12 nm) | Mediatek MT6769V Helio G70 (12 nm) |
| GPU | Mali-G57 MP1 | Mali-G52 MC2 |
| OS | Android 12 | Android 11, XOS 7.5 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 128GB 8GB RAM | 32GB 3GB RAM, 64GB 2GB RAM, 64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM |
| | eMMC 5.1 | eMMC 5.1 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Dual | - | 13 MP, f/1.8, (wide), AF
Auxiliary lens |
| Features | LED flash | Quad-LED flash |
| Quad | 48 MP, f/2.2, (wide), PDAF
5 MP, (ultrawide)
2 MP (macro)
Auxiliary lens | - |
| Single | - | 5 MP, (wide) |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1440p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Single | 8 MP, f/2.2, (wide) | 5 MP, (wide) |
| Video | 720p | Unspecified |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.0, A2DP, LE | Yes |
| NFC | No | No |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO | GPS |
| Radio | Unspecified | FM radio |
| USB | USB Type-C 2.0 | microUSB 2.0 |
| 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 |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 10W wired | 18W wired |
| Type | Li-Po 4600 mAh | 6000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Black, Blue | Black, Purple, Morandi Green, Heart of Ocean |
| Models | - | X659B, PR652B, X658E, PR652C, X658B, X659 |
| Price | - | About 100 EUR |
HTC Wildfire E2 Play
- Potentially better power efficiency with Unisoc T606
- Simple and straightforward user experience
- Reliable brand reputation (HTC)
- Significantly slower processor than the competition
- Slow 10W charging
- Limited multitasking capabilities
Infinix Hot 10i
- Faster and more responsive performance with Helio G70
- 18W fast charging for quicker top-ups
- Better suited for casual gaming
- Potentially shorter battery life due to more powerful chipset
- Infinix’s software experience can be cluttered
- Build quality may be less premium than HTC
Display Comparison
Neither device boasts a standout display. Both utilize 12nm chipsets, suggesting a similar focus on cost optimization rather than premium display features. Details regarding panel type (IPS, TFT) and resolution are missing, but given the price point, IPS LCDs are likely. The absence of high refresh rates or HDR support is expected. The real difference will likely come down to color calibration and peak brightness, which are currently unknown, but the Hot 10i's slightly higher processing power *could* translate to more efficient display driving.
Camera Comparison
Camera performance is likely to be similar, with both devices targeting the entry-level segment. Details regarding sensor size and image processing are unavailable, but it’s safe to assume both rely on budget sensors. The presence of a 2MP macro camera on both devices is largely a marketing tactic, offering limited practical benefit due to the low resolution and lack of optical image stabilization (OIS). Image quality will likely be acceptable in good lighting conditions, but will suffer in low light. The Hot 10i’s more powerful ISP (Image Signal Processor) within the Helio G70 *may* offer slightly better noise reduction and dynamic range.
Performance
The Infinix Hot 10i’s MediaTek Helio G70 is the clear winner in the performance category. While both chipsets are built on a 12nm process, the Helio G70 features a higher clocked CPU (2.0 GHz Cortex-A75 vs 1.6 GHz on the T606) and a more powerful GPU. This translates to smoother multitasking, faster app loading times, and a more enjoyable gaming experience. The Unisoc T606 in the Wildfire E2 Play is adequate for basic tasks, but will struggle with demanding applications. The Hot 10i’s CPU architecture, while similar, benefits from the clock speed advantage, offering a tangible boost in single-core and multi-core performance.
Battery Life
While battery capacity isn’t specified, both devices likely feature batteries in the 4000-5000 mAh range, typical for this price point. However, the Infinix Hot 10i’s 18W wired charging is a significant advantage over the HTC Wildfire E2 Play’s 10W charging. This means the Hot 10i can be topped up much faster, reducing downtime. The efficiency of the Unisoc T606 *could* lead to slightly better battery life during light usage, but the Hot 10i’s faster charging will likely offset this advantage for most users.
Buying Guide
Buy the HTC Wildfire E2 Play if you need a basic, reliable smartphone for essential tasks like calls, messaging, and light social media use, and prioritize potential long-term efficiency over immediate performance. Buy the Infinix Hot 10i if you prefer a more responsive experience for multitasking, casual gaming, and appreciate the convenience of faster charging, even if it means slightly reduced battery longevity between charges.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Will the Helio G70 in the Infinix Hot 10i overheat during prolonged gaming sessions?
While the Helio G70 is a capable chipset, it's still an entry-level processor. Overheating is possible during extended gaming, but the device likely incorporates thermal throttling to prevent damage. Expect some performance degradation after prolonged use, but it shouldn't be a major issue for casual gaming.
❓ Is the 10W charging on the HTC Wildfire E2 Play noticeably slow compared to the 18W on the Infinix Hot 10i?
Yes, the difference is significant. 10W charging will take considerably longer to fully charge the device, potentially requiring several hours. The 18W charging on the Hot 10i will provide a much faster top-up, making it more convenient for users who are frequently on the go.
❓ Can the Infinix Hot 10i handle popular games like PUBG Mobile or Call of Duty Mobile?
The Infinix Hot 10i can run PUBG Mobile and Call of Duty Mobile, but you'll likely need to lower the graphics settings to achieve a smooth frame rate. The Helio G70 is capable, but it's not a dedicated gaming chipset. Expect playable performance at medium or low settings.
❓ Does the HTC Wildfire E2 Play receive regular software updates?
HTC's update track record for budget devices is inconsistent. It's unlikely the Wildfire E2 Play will receive frequent or long-term software support. Users should expect limited updates, primarily security patches.
