The HTC Wildfire E3 and Samsung Galaxy A11 represent the lower end of the Android smartphone market, catering to users prioritizing affordability. Both devices aim to deliver essential smartphone functionality, but differ in their underlying hardware. This comparison dissects these differences, focusing on chipset architecture, charging capabilities, and the resulting impact on user experience.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average user, the Samsung Galaxy A11 emerges as the slightly better choice. While both phones utilize Cortex-A53 cores, the Snapdragon 450’s 14nm process offers a marginal efficiency advantage, coupled with faster 15W charging, making it more practical for daily use.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 38, 40 | 1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41 |
| Speed | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE Cat4 150/75 Mbps | 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, 13, 17, 20, 25, 26, 28, 38, 39, 40, 41, 66, 71 - SM-A115U |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2021, March 15 | 2020, March 13. Released 2020, May 01 |
| Status | Available. Released 2021, April 11 | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front, plastic back, plastic frame | Glass front, plastic back, plastic frame |
| Dimensions | 165.7 x 76.6 x 9 mm (6.52 x 3.02 x 0.35 in) | 161.4 x 76.3 x 8 mm (6.35 x 3.00 x 0.31 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | · Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 186 g (6.56 oz) | 177 g (6.24 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Resolution | 720 x 1560 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~264 ppi density) | 720 x 1560 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~268 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.52 inches, 104.4 cm2 (~82.2% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.4 inches, 100.5 cm2 (~81.6% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD | PLS LCD |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core 1.8 GHz Cortex-A53 | Octa-core 1.8 GHz Cortex-A53 |
| Chipset | Mediatek MT6762 Helio P22 (12 nm) | Qualcomm SDM450 Snapdragon 450 (14 nm) |
| GPU | PowerVR GE8320 | Adreno 506 |
| OS | Android 10 | Android 10, upgradable to Android 12, One UI Core 4.1 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM | 32GB 2GB RAM, 32GB 3GB RAM, 64GB 3GB RAM, 64GB 4GB RAM |
| | eMMC 5.1 | eMMC 5.1 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash, HDR, panorama | LED flash, panorama, HDR |
| Quad | 13 MP, f/2.0, (wide), PDAF
8 MP, f/2.2, (ultrawide)
2 MP (macro)
Auxiliary lens | - |
| Triple | - | 13 MP, f/1.8, 27mm (wide), AF
5 MP, f/2.2, 115˚ (ultrawide)
Auxiliary lens |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Single | 13 MP, f/2.0, (wide), 1/3.1", 1.12µm | 8 MP, f/2.0 |
| Video | 720p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 4.2, A2DP, LE | 4.2, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | No | No |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS |
| Radio | FM radio | FM radio |
| USB | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG | USB Type-C 2.0 |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, proximity |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 10W wired | 15W wired |
| Type | Li-Po 4000 mAh | Li-Po 4000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Blue, Black | Black, White, Blue, Red |
| Models | - | SM-A115F/DS, SM-A115F, SM-A115M, SM-A115M/DS, SM-A115U, SM-A115A, SM-A115AZ, SM-A115U1, SM-A115W, SM-A115AP, SM-S115DL |
| Price | About 130 EUR | About 160 EUR |
| SAR EU | - | 0.52 W/kg (head) 0.99 W/kg (body) |
HTC Wildfire E3
- Potentially cleaner software experience (depending on HTC's customizations)
- May be more readily available in certain regions
- Slightly newer chipset architecture (though not necessarily better performing)
- Slower 10W charging
- Less efficient chipset (12nm vs 14nm)
- Likely less optimized software support
Samsung Galaxy A11
- Faster 15W charging
- More power-efficient chipset (14nm)
- Samsung’s established software ecosystem
- Potentially more bloatware
- May be discontinued in some markets
- Older chipset generation
Display Comparison
Neither device boasts a standout display. Both likely feature LCD panels, typical for this price bracket. Detailed specs like resolution and brightness are unavailable, but we can infer that they are similar, aiming for adequate readability rather than vibrant visuals. Bezels are expected to be noticeable on both, maximizing screen real estate within a budget.
Camera Comparison
Camera performance is likely to be comparable, with both devices likely featuring a primary sensor paired with basic auxiliary lenses. Without specific sensor details, it’s safe to assume image quality will be adequate in good lighting conditions but suffer in low light. The inclusion of a 2MP macro lens on the A11 is unlikely to significantly enhance the photography experience, serving more as a marketing feature than a practical improvement. Image processing will likely differ, with Samsung’s software potentially offering more scene optimization.
Performance
The core of the difference lies in the chipsets. The HTC Wildfire E3 utilizes the Mediatek MT6762 Helio P22, fabricated on a 12nm process, while the Samsung Galaxy A11 features the Qualcomm Snapdragon 450 built on a 14nm process. While both CPUs are octa-core Cortex-A53 designs clocked at 1.8 GHz, the 14nm process of the Snapdragon 450 generally translates to slightly better power efficiency. This means the A11 may exhibit marginally better sustained performance and less thermal throttling during prolonged tasks like video playback or light gaming. The GPU performance is also likely to be similar, adequate for basic 2D games but struggling with more demanding 3D titles.
Battery Life
Battery capacity is not specified for either device, but both likely house batteries in the 3000-4000 mAh range. However, the Samsung Galaxy A11’s 15W wired charging provides a significant advantage over the HTC Wildfire E3’s 10W charging. This translates to a faster 0-100% charge time, reducing downtime and improving usability. The Snapdragon 450’s slightly better efficiency may also contribute to marginally longer battery life under similar usage scenarios.
Buying Guide
Buy the HTC Wildfire E3 if you prioritize a potentially cleaner software experience and are comfortable with slower charging speeds. It's suitable for users who primarily need a phone for basic communication and light tasks. Buy the Samsung Galaxy A11 if you value slightly better performance under sustained loads, faster charging, and the broader ecosystem of Samsung’s software features, making it a better all-rounder for everyday use.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Will the Snapdragon 450 in the Galaxy A11 handle popular apps like WhatsApp and Facebook smoothly?
Yes, the Snapdragon 450 is more than capable of handling everyday apps like WhatsApp, Facebook, and web browsing. The Cortex-A53 cores, combined with adequate RAM (likely 3GB or 4GB), provide a responsive experience for these common tasks. However, expect some slowdown with multiple apps open simultaneously.
❓ How long will it take to fully charge the HTC Wildfire E3 with its 10W charger?
Given the 10W charging rate and a likely battery capacity of around 3000-4000 mAh, expect a full charge to take approximately 3-4 hours. This is significantly slower than the Samsung Galaxy A11’s 15W charging, which could reduce charging time to around 2-2.5 hours.
❓ Is the Samsung Galaxy A11 likely to receive future software updates?
Software update support for the Galaxy A11 is limited. As an older device, it has likely reached the end of its major Android version updates. However, it may still receive occasional security patches, depending on Samsung’s regional policies.
❓ Can either of these phones run PUBG Mobile?
Both phones can *run* PUBG Mobile, but not at high settings. Expect to play at the lowest graphics settings and potentially with a lower frame rate to maintain a playable experience. The Snapdragon 450 in the A11 might offer slightly more stable performance, but neither phone is ideal for serious PUBG gaming.
