The smartphone landscape is vast, offering options for every budget and need. Today, we're pitting a budget-friendly contender, the HTC Wildfire E2 Plus, against a former flagship, the Google Pixel 2 XL. Can the Wildfire E2 Plus hold its own against a phone known for its exceptional camera and smooth performance?
🏆 Quick Verdict
The Google Pixel 2 XL is the clear winner. While the HTC Wildfire E2 Plus offers affordability, the Pixel 2 XL’s superior chipset, camera, and display provide a vastly better user experience. It’s a classic case of flagship versus budget, with the flagship reigning supreme.
| 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, 12, 13, 17, 20, 25, 26, 28, 29, 30, 32, 38, 40, 41, 66 |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE (3CA) Cat15 800/75 Mbps |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / EVDO / LTE |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2021, December 14 | 2017, October 04. Released 2017, October 17 |
| Status | Available. Released 2021, December 14 | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front, plastic back, plastic frame | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 5), aluminum/glass back, aluminum frame |
| Dimensions | 174.2 x 78.6 x 9.3 mm (6.86 x 3.09 x 0.37 in) | 157.9 x 76.7 x 7.9 mm (6.22 x 3.02 x 0.31 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + eSIM |
| Weight | 210 g (7.41 oz) | 175 g (6.17 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | - | Corning Gorilla Glass 5 |
| Resolution | 720 x 1640 pixels (~263 ppi density) | 1440 x 2880 pixels, 18:9 ratio (~538 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.82 inches, 110.5 cm2 (~80.7% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.0 inches, 92.6 cm2 (~76.4% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD, 450 nits (typ) | P-OLED |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (2x1.8 GHz Cortex-A75 & 6x1.8 GHz Cortex-A55) | Octa-core (4x2.35 GHz Kryo & 4x1.9 GHz Kryo) |
| Chipset | Unisoc T610 (12 nm) | Qualcomm MSM8998 Snapdragon 835 (10 nm) |
| GPU | Mali-G52 MP2 | Adreno 540 |
| OS | Android 11 | Android 8.0 (Oreo), upgradable to Android 11 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) | No |
| Internal | 64GB 4GB RAM | 64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM |
| | eMMC 5.1 | - |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash | Laser AF, Dual-LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Quad | 13 MP, f/2.2, (wide), PDAF
5 MP, (ultrawide)
2 MP (macro)
Auxiliary lens | - |
| Single | - | 12.2 MP, f/1.8, 27mm (wide), 1/2.55", 1.4µm, dual pixel PDAF, OIS |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 4K@30fps (gyro-EIS), 1080p@30/60/120fps (gyro-EIS), 720p@240fps (gyro-EIS) |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | - | HDR |
| Single | 8 MP, f/2.2, (wide) | 8 MP, f/2.4, 25mm (wide), 1/3.2", 1.4µm |
| Video | 720p | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | No |
| 35mm jack | Yes | No |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes, with stereo speakers |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.0, A2DP, LE | 5.0, A2DP, LE, aptX HD |
| NFC | No | Yes |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS | GPS, GLONASS, BDS, GALILEO |
| Radio | Unspecified | No |
| USB | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG | USB Type-C 3.1 |
| 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, DLNA |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, barometer |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 10W wired | 10.5W wired (capped), PD2.0 |
| Type | Li-Po 4600 mAh | Li-Ion 3520 mAh, non-removable |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Black | Just Black, Black & White |
| Models | - | G011C |
| Price | About 160 EUR | About 520 EUR |
| Tests |
|---|
| Audio quality | - |
Noise - 93.7 / Crosstalk - 79.7 |
| Battery life | - |
Endurance rating 88h
|
| Camera | - |
Photo / Video |
| Display | - |
Contrast ratio: ∞ |
| Loudspeaker | - |
Voice 66dB / Noise 70dB / Ring 78dB
|
| Performance | - |
AnTuTu: 206711 (v7)
GeekBench: 6055 (v4.4)
GFXBench: 13fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) |
HTC Wildfire E2 Plus
- Affordable
- Decent battery life
- Lightweight
- Weak performance
- Low-quality display
- Basic camera
- Outdated software
Google Pixel 2 XL
- Excellent camera
- Powerful performance
- Premium display
- Clean Android experience
- Good battery life
- Older model
- Battery degradation possible
- Limited software updates
- Charging speed is slow
Display Comparison
The Pixel 2 XL boasts a stunning OLED display with an infinite contrast ratio, delivering vibrant colors and deep blacks. The Wildfire E2 Plus likely has an LCD display, which will be less impressive in terms of color accuracy and contrast. The Pixel 2 XL's screen is noticeably superior.
Camera Comparison
The Pixel 2 XL is renowned for its exceptional camera, thanks to Google's computational photography prowess. It consistently delivers excellent image quality, even in challenging lighting conditions. The Wildfire E2 Plus's camera is likely adequate for basic snapshots but won't match the Pixel 2 XL's capabilities.
Performance
The Snapdragon 835 in the Pixel 2 XL is significantly more powerful than the Unisoc T610 in the Wildfire E2 Plus. Expect smoother multitasking, faster app loading times, and better gaming performance on the Pixel 2 XL. The Wildfire E2 Plus will struggle with demanding tasks.
Battery Life
Both phones are reported to have an endurance rating of 88h, suggesting excellent battery life. However, the Pixel 2 XL's more efficient chipset and optimized software likely contribute to slightly better real-world battery performance.
Buying Guide
Who should buy the HTC Wildfire E2 Plus? Those on a very tight budget who prioritize affordability over performance and features. Who should buy the Google Pixel 2 XL? Anyone seeking a reliable, high-quality camera, smooth performance, and a premium Android experience, especially if they can find one at a good price on the used market.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Is the Pixel 2 XL still worth buying in 2024?
Yes, if you can find one in good condition at a reasonable price. Its camera and performance remain impressive, and it offers a clean Android experience. However, be mindful of potential battery degradation and limited software updates.
❓ What are the main differences between the two phones?
The Pixel 2 XL excels in performance, camera quality, and display technology, while the Wildfire E2 Plus prioritizes affordability. The Pixel 2 XL is a flagship, while the Wildfire E2 Plus is a budget device.
