The sub-$150 smartphone market is fiercely competitive. Both the HTC Wildfire E3 and Xiaomi Redmi 9i Sport aim to deliver essential smartphone functionality at an accessible price. This comparison dives deep into their specifications, focusing on the key differences in performance and usability to determine which device offers the best value for budget-conscious consumers.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For most users, the Xiaomi Redmi 9i Sport is the better choice. While both phones share a 10W charging rate, the Redmi 9i Sport’s Helio G25 chipset, with its higher clocked Cortex-A53 cores, provides a noticeable performance boost for everyday tasks and light gaming, making it a more responsive experience.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 38, 40 | 1, 3, 5, 8, 40, 41 |
| Speed | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE Cat4 150/75 Mbps | HSPA, LTE |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2021, March 15 | 2021, September 28 |
| Status | Available. Released 2021, April 11 | Available. Released 2021, September 28 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front, plastic back, plastic frame | - |
| Dimensions | 165.7 x 76.6 x 9 mm (6.52 x 3.02 x 0.35 in) | 164.9 x 77.1 x 9 mm (6.49 x 3.04 x 0.35 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 186 g (6.56 oz) | 194 g (6.84 oz) |
| | - | Water-repellent coating |
| Display |
|---|
| Resolution | 720 x 1560 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~264 ppi density) | 720 x 1600 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~269 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.52 inches, 104.4 cm2 (~82.2% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.53 inches, 102.9 cm2 (~81.0% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD | IPS LCD, 400 nits (typ) |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core 1.8 GHz Cortex-A53 | Octa-core (4x2.0 GHz Cortex-A53 & 4x1.5 GHz Cortex-A53) |
| Chipset | Mediatek MT6762 Helio P22 (12 nm) | Mediatek MT6762G Helio G25 (12 nm) |
| GPU | PowerVR GE8320 | PowerVR GE8320 |
| OS | Android 10 | Android 10, MIUI 12 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM | 64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM |
| | eMMC 5.1 | eMMC 5.1 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash, HDR, panorama | LED flash, HDR |
| Quad | 13 MP, f/2.0, (wide), PDAF
8 MP, f/2.2, (ultrawide)
2 MP (macro)
Auxiliary lens | - |
| Single | - | 13 MP, f/2.2, 28mm (wide), 1.0µm, PDAF |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | - | HDR |
| Single | 13 MP, f/2.0, (wide), 1/3.1", 1.12µm | 5 MP, f/2.2, (wide), 1.12µm |
| Video | 720p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 4.2, A2DP, LE | 5.0, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | No | No |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS | GPS, GLONASS, BDS |
| Radio | FM radio | FM radio |
| USB | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG | microUSB 2.0, OTG |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct | Wi-Fi 802.11 а/b/g/n, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, proximity, compass | Accelerometer, proximity, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 10W wired | 10W wired |
| Type | Li-Po 4000 mAh | Li-Po 5000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Blue, Black | Carbon Black, Coral Green, Metallic Blue |
| Price | About 130 EUR | About 100 EUR |
HTC Wildfire E3
- Potentially cleaner software experience (HTC)
- Established brand reputation (HTC)
- Compact and lightweight design (likely)
- Slower processor (Helio P22)
- Limited software update support
- Likely lower performance in demanding apps
Xiaomi Redmi 9i Sport
- Faster processor (Helio G25)
- Better performance for the price
- Potentially better image processing
- Xiaomi’s MIUI software can be resource-intensive
- Potential for bloatware
- Less brand recognition than HTC
Display Comparison
Neither device boasts a standout display. Both likely utilize LCD panels, typical for this price bracket. Detailed display specs like resolution and brightness are unavailable, but we can assume they are similar – likely 720p+ resolution. The focus here isn’t on visual fidelity, but rather basic usability. Bezels are expected to be substantial on both, maximizing screen real estate within a compact form factor.
Camera Comparison
Camera performance is likely to be similar, and largely dependent on software processing. Both phones likely feature a primary camera alongside basic depth or macro sensors (details are missing). Without knowing sensor sizes or apertures, it’s difficult to make a definitive statement. However, the image signal processor (ISP) within the Helio G25 *may* offer slightly better image processing capabilities, potentially resulting in marginally improved photo quality in good lighting conditions. The 2MP macro sensors found on many phones in this segment are generally of limited utility.
Performance
The core difference lies in the chipset. The Redmi 9i Sport features the Mediatek Helio G25, utilizing an octa-core configuration with a split design: four cores clocked at 2.0 GHz and four at 1.5 GHz, all Cortex-A53. The HTC Wildfire E3, conversely, uses the Helio P22, an octa-core processor clocked uniformly at 1.8 GHz, also using Cortex-A53 cores. The G25’s higher clock speeds on half its cores translate to a tangible performance advantage in CPU-bound tasks. While both use the same 12nm process, the G25’s architecture is optimized for slightly better efficiency and responsiveness. Neither phone is a gaming powerhouse, but the Redmi 9i Sport will handle less demanding titles with fewer stutters.
Battery Life
Both devices are equipped with 10W wired charging, indicating similar charging speeds – expect a full charge to take well over two hours. Battery capacity is not specified, but typical capacities for phones in this segment range from 4000mAh to 5000mAh. The slightly more efficient Helio G25 in the Redmi 9i Sport *could* translate to marginally better battery life, but the difference is unlikely to be significant in real-world usage. Battery life will primarily depend on usage patterns.
Buying Guide
Buy the HTC Wildfire E3 if you prioritize brand recognition and a potentially cleaner software experience, though software updates are unlikely. Buy the Xiaomi Redmi 9i Sport if you prioritize performance and responsiveness for the price. The Redmi 9i Sport’s faster CPU makes it better suited for multitasking, social media, and casual gaming, offering a smoother user experience.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Will the Redmi 9i Sport struggle with popular apps like WhatsApp and Facebook?
No, the Redmi 9i Sport’s Helio G25 chipset is sufficient to handle everyday apps like WhatsApp, Facebook, and web browsing without significant lag. The higher clocked cores provide a smoother experience compared to the Wildfire E3’s Helio P22.
❓ Is the 10W charging speed on either phone acceptable for daily use?
10W charging is slow by modern standards. Expect a full charge to take over two hours. Neither phone prioritizes fast charging, focusing instead on affordability. It’s best to charge overnight.
❓ Can I play PUBG Mobile on the Redmi 9i Sport or HTC Wildfire E3?
You can *attempt* to play PUBG Mobile on both, but expect a compromised experience. You’ll need to use the lowest graphics settings and may still encounter frame drops. The Redmi 9i Sport will likely offer a slightly more playable experience due to its faster processor.
❓ Which phone is likely to receive more software updates?
Neither phone is expected to receive extensive software update support. HTC has a history of limited updates for its budget devices, and while Xiaomi provides more frequent updates, they are often focused on newer models. Expect security patches to be infrequent.
