The sub-$150 smartphone market is fiercely competitive. The HTC Wildfire E2 Play and Xiaomi Redmi 10C represent two distinct approaches to delivering affordable Android experiences. The Wildfire E2 Play focuses on a streamlined experience, while the Redmi 10C aims for a more feature-rich package, primarily through its more powerful chipset. This comparison dissects their key differences to determine which device offers the best value.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average user prioritizing responsiveness and future-proofing, the Xiaomi Redmi 10C is the clear winner. Its Snapdragon 680 chipset, built on a more efficient 6nm process, delivers significantly better performance than the Wildfire E2 Play’s Unisoc T606. While the Wildfire E2 Play offers a basic, functional experience, the Redmi 10C provides a smoother, more capable platform.
| 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 |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE | HSPA, LTE |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2023, April 17 | 2022, March 21 |
| Status | Available. Released 2023, April 17 | Available. Released 2022, March 23 |
| 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) | 169.6 x 76.6 x 8.3 mm (6.68 x 3.02 x 0.33 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 210 g (7.41 oz) | 190 g (6.70 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | - | Corning Gorilla Glass |
| Resolution | 720 x 1640 pixels (~263 ppi density) | 720 x 1650 pixels (~268 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.82 inches, 110.5 cm2 (~80.7% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.71 inches, 106.5 cm2 (~82.0% 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 (4x2.4 GHz Kryo 265 Gold & 4x1.9 GHz Kryo 265 Silver) |
| Chipset | Unisoc T606 (12 nm) | Qualcomm SM6225 Snapdragon 680 4G (6 nm) |
| GPU | Mali-G57 MP1 | Adreno 610 |
| OS | Android 12 | Android 11, MIUI 13 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 128GB 8GB RAM | 64GB 3GB RAM, 64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 3GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM |
| | eMMC 5.1 | UFS 2.2 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Dual | - | 50 MP, f/1.8, 26mm (wide), PDAF
Auxiliary lens |
| Features | LED flash | LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| 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 | 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, GALILEO |
| 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 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 | Li-Po 5000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Black, Blue | Graphite Gray, Ocean Blue, Mint Green |
| Models | - | 220333QAG, 220333QBI, 220333QNY, 220333QL |
| Price | - | £ 99.00 / € 109.86 |
| SAR | - | 0.96 W/kg (head) 1.02 W/kg (body) |
| SAR EU | - | 0.57 W/kg (head) 0.96 W/kg (body) |
HTC Wildfire E2 Play
- Potentially more compact size (6.1” screen)
- Simpler, streamlined Android experience
- Lower price point (potentially)
- Significantly weaker performance due to Unisoc T606 chipset
- Slower 10W charging
- Less future-proof
Xiaomi Redmi 10C
- Faster and more efficient Snapdragon 680 chipset
- Faster 18W charging
- Larger display for better media consumption
- Potentially larger and less pocketable
- May have more pre-installed bloatware
- Slightly higher price
Display Comparison
Neither device boasts a standout display. Both likely utilize LCD panels, a common cost-saving measure in this segment. However, details like peak brightness and color gamut coverage are unavailable. The focus here is on the internal hardware, not visual fidelity. Bezels are expected to be noticeable on both, contributing to a larger overall footprint relative to screen size. The Redmi 10C’s larger screen size (6.53” vs. the Wildfire E2 Play’s 6.1”) will provide a more immersive viewing experience, even if the panel technology is similar.
Camera Comparison
Camera performance is likely to be similar, with both phones targeting basic photography needs. Details on sensor sizes and lens apertures are unavailable, but given the price point, expectations should be tempered. The Redmi 10C may benefit from Qualcomm’s image signal processor (ISP), potentially offering slightly better image processing and noise reduction. However, the absence of Optical Image Stabilization (OIS) on either device suggests that low-light performance will be a challenge. The inclusion of a 2MP macro camera on both is largely a marketing gimmick, offering limited practical benefit.
Performance
The core difference lies in the chipsets. The Xiaomi Redmi 10C’s Qualcomm Snapdragon 680 (6nm) is a substantial upgrade over the HTC Wildfire E2 Play’s Unisoc T606 (12nm). The 6nm process node allows for greater transistor density and improved power efficiency, translating to better sustained performance and less heat generation. The Snapdragon 680’s CPU configuration – 4x2.4 GHz Kryo 265 Gold & 4x1.9 GHz Kryo 265 Silver – is also more powerful than the Wildfire E2 Play’s 2x1.6 GHz Cortex-A75 & 6x1.6 GHz Cortex-A55. This means faster app loading times, smoother multitasking, and a more enjoyable gaming experience on the Redmi 10C. While both phones likely feature similar RAM configurations, the superior chipset will be the bottleneck for the Wildfire E2 Play.
Battery Life
The Redmi 10C’s 18W wired charging is a significant advantage over the Wildfire E2 Play’s 10W charging. While battery capacity isn’t specified, the faster charging speed will allow users to top up their device more quickly. The Snapdragon 680’s 6nm process also contributes to better power efficiency, potentially offsetting any difference in battery capacity. Users who frequently use their phones throughout the day will appreciate the Redmi 10C’s faster charging and potentially longer battery life.
Buying Guide
Buy the HTC Wildfire E2 Play if you need a supremely basic smartphone for essential tasks like calls, texts, and light social media, and prioritize simplicity over performance. It's a good option for first-time smartphone users or those on a very tight budget. Buy the Xiaomi Redmi 10C if you prefer a phone that can handle multitasking, moderate gaming, and offers a more responsive user experience. It’s ideal for users who want a phone that feels less constrained and will remain usable for a longer period.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Will the Redmi 10C handle popular games like PUBG Mobile or Call of Duty?
The Snapdragon 680 in the Redmi 10C is capable of running PUBG Mobile and Call of Duty at medium settings with reasonable frame rates. However, don't expect a high-end gaming experience. The Unisoc T606 in the Wildfire E2 Play will struggle with these titles, likely requiring very low settings and still experiencing lag.
❓ Is the Android experience significantly different between these two phones?
The HTC Wildfire E2 Play likely ships with a cleaner, more stock-like Android experience, potentially running Android Go Edition to optimize performance on the less powerful hardware. The Xiaomi Redmi 10C will almost certainly feature Xiaomi’s MIUI skin, which is heavily customized and includes numerous pre-installed apps and features. This can be a benefit for some users, but others may prefer the simplicity of a near-stock Android experience.
❓ How much faster is the charging on the Redmi 10C compared to the Wildfire E2 Play?
The Redmi 10C’s 18W charging is nearly double the speed of the Wildfire E2 Play’s 10W charging. This translates to a significantly shorter charging time – potentially reducing a full charge from over 3 hours to around 2 hours, depending on battery capacity.
