HTC Wildfire E2 Play vs. Sony Xperia 1 IV: A David vs. Goliath Battle

The smartphone landscape is vast, offering options for every budget and need. Today, we pit a budget champion, the HTC Wildfire E2 Play, against a flagship powerhouse, the Sony Xperia 1 IV. Can the Wildfire E2 Play hold its own against a phone packed with premium features and cutting-edge technology?
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🏆 Quick Verdict

The Sony Xperia 1 IV is the clear winner, boasting superior performance, a stunning display, a top-tier camera system, and faster charging. However, the HTC Wildfire E2 Play offers incredible value for budget-conscious buyers seeking basic smartphone functionality.

PHONES
Phone Names HTC Wildfire E2 Play Sony Xperia 1 IV
Network
2G bandsGSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
3G bandsHSDPA 850 / 900 / 2100HSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100
4G bands1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 38, 40, 411, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 19, 20, 25, 26, 28, 29, 32, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41, 46, 66 - Europe
5G bands-1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41, 77, 78 SA/NSA/Sub6 - Europe
SpeedHSPA, LTEHSPA, LTE, 5G
TechnologyGSM / HSPA / LTEGSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G
 -1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 28, 38, 40, 41, 77, 78, 79 SA/NSA/Sub6 - Asia
Launch
Announced2023, April 172022, May 11
StatusAvailable. Released 2023, April 17Available. Released 2022, June 11
Body
BuildGlass front, plastic back, plastic frameGlass front (Gorilla Glass Victus), glass back (Gorilla Glass Victus), aluminum frame
Dimensions174.2 x 78.6 x 9.3 mm (6.86 x 3.09 x 0.37 in)165 x 71 x 8.2 mm (6.50 x 2.80 x 0.32 in)
SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + eSIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM
Weight210 g (7.41 oz)185 g (6.53 oz)
 -IP65/IP68 dust/water resistant (up to 1.5m for 30 min)
Display
Protection-Corning Gorilla Glass Victus
Resolution720 x 1640 pixels (~263 ppi density)1644 x 3840 pixels, 21:9 ratio (~643 ppi density)
Size6.82 inches, 110.5 cm2 (~80.7% screen-to-body ratio)6.5 inches, 98.6 cm2 (~84.2% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeIPS LCD, 450 nits (typ)OLED, 1B colors, 120Hz, HDR BT.2020
 -Runs at 1096 x 2560 pixels except for select use cases
Platform
CPUOcta-core (2x1.6 GHz Cortex-A75 & 6x1.6 GHz Cortex-A55)Octa-core (1x3.00 GHz Cortex-X2 & 3x2.50 GHz Cortex-A710 & 4x1.80 GHz Cortex-A510)
ChipsetUnisoc T606 (12 nm)Qualcomm SM8450 Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 (4 nm)
GPUMali-G57 MP1Adreno 730
OSAndroid 12Android 12, upgradable to Android 13
Memory
Card slotmicroSDXCmicroSDXC (uses shared SIM slot)
Internal128GB 8GB RAM256GB 12GB RAM, 512GB 12GB RAM, 512GB 16GB RAM
 eMMC 5.1UFS 3.X
Main Camera
FeaturesLED flashZeiss optics, Zeiss T* lens coating, color spectrum sensor, LED flash, panorama, HDR, eye tracking
Quad48 MP, f/2.2, (wide), PDAF 5 MP, (ultrawide) 2 MP (macro) Auxiliary lens-
Single-12 MP, f/2.0, 24mm (wide), 1/2.9", 1.25µm
Triple-12 MP, f/1.7, 24mm (wide), 1/1.7", 1.8µm, dual pixel PDAF, OIS 12 MP, f/2.3, 85mm (telephoto), f/2.8, 125mm (telephoto), 1/3.5", dual pixel PDAF, 3.5x-5.2x continuous optical zoom, OIS 12 MP, f/2.2, 124˚, 16mm (ultrawide), 1/2.5", dual pixel PDAF 0.3 MP, TOF 3D, (depth)
Video1080p@30fps4K@24/25/30/60/120fps HDR, 1080p@30/60/120fps; 5-axis gyro-EIS, OIS
Selfie camera
Features-HDR
Single8 MP, f/2.2, (wide)12 MP, f/2.0, 24mm (wide), 1/2.9", 1.25µm
Video720p4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60fps, 5-axis gyro-EIS
Sound
3.5mm jack YesYes
35mm jackYesYes
Loudspeaker YesYes, with stereo speakers
 -24-bit/192kHz audio Dynamic vibration system
Comms
Bluetooth5.0, A2DP, LE5.2, A2DP, LE Audio, aptX HD, aptX Adaptive
NFCNoYes
PositioningGPS, GLONASS, GALILEOGPS, GLONASS, BDS, GALILEO, QZSS
RadioUnspecifiedNo
USBUSB Type-C 2.0USB Type-C 3.2, OTG, video output
WLANWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi DirectWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6e, dual-band or tri-band (region dependent), Wi-Fi Direct, DLNA
Features
SensorsFingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compassFingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, barometer, compass
 -Native Sony Alpha camera support
Battery
Charging10W wired30W wired, PD3.0, PPS, 50% in 30 min Wireless Reverse wireless
TypeLi-Po 4600 mAhLi-Po 5000 mAh
Misc
ColorsBlack, BlueBlack, Violet, White
Models-XQCT62-B, XQCT54, XQCT54C0V.YD, XQCT54C0B.YD, XQCT54C0W.YD, XQCT54C0V.EEAC, XQCT54C0B.EEAC, XQ-CT72, XQ-CT54, XQ-CT62, SO-51C
Price-$ 1,120.00 / € 489.00
Tests
Battery life- Endurance rating 100h
Camera- Photo / Video
Display- Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal)
Loudspeaker- -27.6 LUFS (Good)
Performance- AnTuTu: 838832 (v9) GeekBench: 3403 (v5.1) GFXBench: 74fps (ES 3.1 onscreen)

HTC Wildfire E2 Play

  • Affordable
  • Decent battery life
  • Compact size (likely)
  • Reliable for basic tasks

  • Low performance
  • Basic camera
  • Slow charging
  • Likely lower screen resolution and quality

Sony Xperia 1 IV

  • Exceptional performance
  • Stunning display
  • Excellent camera system
  • Fast charging (wired & wireless)
  • Premium build quality

  • Expensive
  • Large size
  • Can be power-hungry under heavy load

Display Comparison

The Xperia 1 IV's 6.5-inch OLED display with a near-infinite contrast ratio and 602 nits brightness blows the Wildfire E2 Play's likely lower-resolution LCD screen out of the water. Expect vibrant colors, deep blacks, and excellent outdoor visibility on the Xperia 1 IV. The Wildfire E2 Play will likely offer adequate viewing, but lacks the premium visual experience.

Camera Comparison

The Xperia 1 IV's camera system is a significant upgrade, offering superior image quality, advanced features, and better low-light performance. While the Wildfire E2 Play will likely have a functional camera, it won't compete with the Xperia 1 IV's capabilities. Expect detailed photos and videos from the Xperia 1 IV.

Performance

The Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 in the Xperia 1 IV provides a massive performance advantage over the Unisoc T606 in the Wildfire E2 Play. Expect smooth multitasking, lag-free gaming, and snappy app loading on the Xperia 1 IV. The Wildfire E2 Play will handle basic tasks, but may struggle with demanding applications.

Battery Life

Both phones boast impressive endurance ratings (100h), suggesting excellent battery life. However, the Xperia 1 IV's 30W fast charging and wireless charging capabilities provide a significant advantage over the Wildfire E2 Play's 10W wired charging.

Buying Guide

The HTC Wildfire E2 Play is ideal for first-time smartphone users, students, or anyone needing a reliable device for calls, texts, and basic apps. The Sony Xperia 1 IV is perfect for photography enthusiasts, power users, and those who demand the best possible performance and features, regardless of price.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Is the HTC Wildfire E2 Play good for gaming?
The Wildfire E2 Play's chipset isn't ideal for demanding games. It can handle simpler titles, but expect lower frame rates and potential lag.
❓ How does the Sony Xperia 1 IV's camera compare to other flagship phones?
The Xperia 1 IV's camera is highly competitive, offering excellent image quality and features. It excels in video recording and provides a natural, realistic color profile.