The HTC Wildfire E2 Play and Nokia G20 represent the lower end of the Android smartphone market, targeting users prioritizing affordability. Both devices aim to deliver essential smartphone functionality, but they differ significantly in their underlying hardware. This comparison dissects those differences, focusing on how the Unisoc T606 in the Wildfire E2 Play stacks up against the Mediatek Helio G35 powering the Nokia G20, and which phone offers the best experience for the price.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average user seeking a reliable, if unexciting, smartphone experience, the Nokia G20 edges out the HTC Wildfire E2 Play. While both offer similar 10W charging and basic functionality, the Nokia G20’s slightly higher clocked CPU provides a marginal performance advantage in everyday tasks, making it a more responsive device.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 - International |
| 4G bands | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 38, 40, 41 | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41 - International |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE Cat4 150/50 Mbps |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| | - | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 17, 28, 66 - LATAM |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2023, April 17 | 2021, April 08 |
| Status | Available. Released 2023, April 17 | Available. Released 2021, May 17 |
| 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) | 164.9 x 76 x 9.2 mm (6.49 x 2.99 x 0.36 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | · Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 210 g (7.41 oz) | 197 g (6.95 oz) |
| | - | Splash protection |
| 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 (~81.9% 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 (4x2.3 GHz Cortex-A53 & 4x1.8 GHz Cortex-A53) |
| Chipset | Unisoc T606 (12 nm) | Mediatek MT6765G Helio G35 (12 nm) |
| GPU | Mali-G57 MP1 | PowerVR GE8320 |
| OS | Android 12 | Android 11, upgradable to Android 13 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 128GB 8GB RAM | 64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM |
| | 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 | 48 MP, f/1.8, (wide), PDAF
5 MP, (ultrawide)
2 MP (macro)
Auxiliary lens |
| Single | - | 8 MP, (wide) |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Single | 8 MP, f/2.2, (wide) | 8 MP, (wide) |
| 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 (market/region dependent) |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO | GPS, GLONASS, BDS |
| Radio | Unspecified | FM radio |
| 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 b/g/n |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 10W wired | 10W wired |
| Type | Li-Po 4600 mAh | Li-Po 5050 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Black, Blue | Glacier, Night |
| Models | - | TA-1336, TA-1343, TA-1347, TA-1372, TA-1365 |
| Price | - | About 90 EUR |
| SAR | - | 1.01 W/kg (head) 1.02 W/kg (body) |
| SAR EU | - | 0.49 W/kg (head) 1.13 W/kg (body) |
HTC Wildfire E2 Play
- Potentially cleaner software experience (regional dependent)
- Unisoc T606 offers a balance of performance and efficiency
- May offer slightly better battery life due to chipset efficiency
- Slightly slower CPU clock speeds compared to Nokia G20
- Likely less frequent software updates
- Brand recognition is lower than Nokia
Nokia G20
- Higher CPU clock speeds for potentially snappier performance
- Nokia’s commitment to software updates and security patches
- Stronger brand reputation for reliability
- Less efficient CPU architecture (Cortex-A53)
- May experience slightly shorter battery life
- Mediatek ISP may not significantly improve image quality
Display Comparison
Neither the HTC Wildfire E2 Play nor the Nokia G20 boast impressive displays. Details regarding panel type (IPS vs. TFT) and resolution are not provided, suggesting both utilize basic LCD technology common in this price bracket. The focus here isn't on visual fidelity, but rather basic usability. Bezels are likely to be substantial on both devices, maximizing screen real estate within a budget-friendly form factor. Color accuracy and brightness are expected to be average, suitable for indoor use but potentially washed out in direct sunlight.
Camera Comparison
Camera performance on both devices is expected to be basic. Details regarding sensor sizes and lens apertures are unavailable, but given the price point, large sensors and wide apertures are unlikely. The Nokia G20’s camera system may benefit from Mediatek’s image signal processor (ISP) optimizations, potentially leading to slightly better image quality in favorable lighting conditions. However, both phones will likely produce noisy images in low light. Any 2MP macro or depth sensors included on either device should be considered marketing features rather than genuinely useful additions.
Performance
The core difference lies in the chipsets. The HTC Wildfire E2 Play utilizes the Unisoc T606, an octa-core processor with a heterogeneous core configuration – 2x 1.6 GHz Cortex-A75 and 6x 1.6 GHz Cortex-A55. This architecture aims to balance performance and efficiency. The Nokia G20, however, features the Mediatek Helio G35, also an octa-core chip, but with a less sophisticated configuration: 4x 2.3 GHz Cortex-A53 and 4x 1.8 GHz Cortex-A53. While the G35 boasts higher clock speeds on its cores, the Cortex-A53 architecture is older and less efficient than the A75 cores found in the T606. In practice, this translates to the G30 likely feeling snappier in short bursts, while the T606 may handle sustained workloads slightly better. Both devices will struggle with demanding games and multitasking.
Battery Life
Both the HTC Wildfire E2 Play and Nokia G20 are equipped with 10W wired charging, indicating a similar charging experience – expect over 2.5 hours to fully charge from 0%. Battery capacity details are not provided, but given the target market, both are likely to feature batteries in the 4000-5000 mAh range. The slightly more efficient Unisoc T606 in the Wildfire E2 Play *could* translate to marginally better battery life, but real-world usage will heavily depend on individual usage patterns and network conditions.
Buying Guide
Buy the HTC Wildfire E2 Play if you prioritize a potentially cleaner software experience (depending on regional variations) and are comfortable with a slightly less responsive interface. Buy the Nokia G20 if you prefer a device with a marginally faster processor for smoother multitasking and app loading, and value Nokia’s commitment to software updates and security patches, even on their budget devices.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Will the Nokia G20 receive Android updates beyond its initial release version?
Nokia is known for providing relatively consistent software updates, even for its budget devices. While the G20 won't receive the same level of support as flagship models, it's likely to receive at least one major Android version update and several security patches, offering a longer software lifespan than the HTC Wildfire E2 Play.
❓ Is the Mediatek Helio G35 in the Nokia G20 capable of running popular games like PUBG Mobile?
While the Helio G35 can technically run PUBG Mobile, the experience will be far from optimal. Expect low frame rates, significant lag, and the need to use the lowest graphics settings. This chipset is geared towards basic tasks, not demanding gaming.
❓ Does the Unisoc T606 in the HTC Wildfire E2 Play support VoLTE and VoWiFi?
VoLTE and VoWiFi support depend heavily on the carrier and regional software configuration. It's crucial to check with your mobile carrier to confirm compatibility before purchasing the HTC Wildfire E2 Play, as Unisoc chipsets sometimes have limited carrier support in certain regions.
❓ How does the software experience differ between the HTC Wildfire E2 Play and Nokia G20?
The Nokia G20 runs a near-stock version of Android, offering a clean and uncluttered user experience. HTC’s software experience can vary significantly by region, with some versions including more bloatware and customization. The Nokia G20 is generally preferred for its simplicity and lack of unnecessary pre-installed apps.
