The budget smartphone market is fiercely competitive, and the HTC Wildfire E2 Play and Samsung Galaxy A03 are two contenders vying for your attention. Both offer affordable entry points into the smartphone world, but which one delivers the better overall experience? Let's dive into a detailed comparison.
🏆 Quick Verdict
The Samsung Galaxy A03 edges out the HTC Wildfire E2 Play primarily due to Samsung's brand reputation, software support, and potentially better camera optimization. While both share the same chipset, Samsung's ecosystem and reliability give it a slight advantage in this budget segment.
| 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, 28, 38, 40, 41 |
| 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, November 26 |
| Status | Available. Released 2023, April 17 | Available. Released 2022, January 21 |
| 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) | 164.2 x 75.9 x 9.1 mm (6.46 x 2.99 x 0.36 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | · Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 210 g (7.41 oz) | 196 g (6.91 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Resolution | 720 x 1640 pixels (~263 ppi density) | 720 x 1600 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~270 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.82 inches, 110.5 cm2 (~80.7% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.5 inches, 102.0 cm2 (~81.8% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD, 450 nits (typ) | PLS LCD |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (2x1.6 GHz Cortex-A75 & 6x1.6 GHz Cortex-A55) | Octa-core (2x1.6 GHz Cortex-A75 & 6x1.6 GHz Cortex-A55) |
| Chipset | Unisoc T606 (12 nm) | Unisoc T606 (12 nm) |
| GPU | Mali-G57 MP1 | Mali-G57 MP1 |
| OS | Android 12 | Android 11, upgradable to Android 13, One UI core 5 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 128GB 8GB RAM | 32GB 2GB RAM, 32GB 3GB RAM, 32GB 4GB RAM, 64GB 4GB RAM, 64GB 3GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM |
| | eMMC 5.1 | eMMC 5.1 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Dual | - | 48 MP, f/1.8, (wide), AF
Auxiliary lens |
| Features | LED flash | LED flash |
| Quad | 48 MP, f/2.2, (wide), PDAF
5 MP, (ultrawide)
2 MP (macro)
Auxiliary lens | - |
| Single | - | 5 MP, f/2.2 |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Single | 8 MP, f/2.2, (wide) | 5 MP, f/2.2 |
| Video | 720p | Yes |
| 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 |
| Radio | Unspecified | Unspecified |
| 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 | Accelerometer, proximity |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 10W wired | - |
| Type | Li-Po 4600 mAh | Li-Po 5000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Black, Blue | Black, Blue, Red |
| Models | - | SM-A035F, SM-A035F/DS, SM-A035M, SM-A035G |
| Price | - | € 119.90 / £ 88.00 / ₹ 11,990 |
| SAR EU | - | 0.20 W/kg (head) 1.35 W/kg (body) |
HTC Wildfire E2 Play
- Very affordable
- Decent battery life
- Standard Unisoc T606 chipset
- Basic camera
- Limited software support
- Slow 10W charging
- Less established brand reputation
Samsung Galaxy A03
- Reliable brand
- Potentially better camera optimization
- Longer software support (typically)
- Good battery life
- Still a budget phone with limitations
- Slow 10W charging
- Performance is not flagship-level
Display Comparison
Both phones likely feature a similar 6.5-inch HD+ display, offering adequate viewing for everyday tasks. However, Samsung often has slightly better display calibration and color accuracy, even on budget models. Expect similar brightness levels.
Camera Comparison
The Samsung Galaxy A03 likely has a slight edge in camera performance due to Samsung's image processing algorithms. While both probably feature a dual-camera setup (likely a main lens and a depth sensor), Samsung's software enhancements could result in better photos, especially in low light. HTC's camera software is often more basic.
Performance
Powered by the Unisoc T606, performance will be comparable on both devices. Expect smooth navigation and basic app usage, but demanding games and multitasking may struggle. The difference will likely come down to software optimization – Samsung's One UI might offer a slightly more refined experience.
Battery Life
Both phones likely have a 5000mAh battery, promising all-day battery life with moderate usage. Charging speeds are limited to 10W on both, so expect relatively slow charging times.
Buying Guide
The HTC Wildfire E2 Play is a good option for users prioritizing a very low price point and basic functionality. The Samsung Galaxy A03 is better suited for those seeking a more reliable brand, longer software support, and a slightly improved camera experience, even within the budget category.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Which phone has better software support?
The Samsung Galaxy A03 generally receives longer software updates and security patches compared to the HTC Wildfire E2 Play.
❓ Can I play demanding games on either of these phones?
Both phones are not ideal for demanding games. They can handle basic games, but expect lower frame rates and graphical settings.
