The sub-$200 smartphone market is fiercely competitive. Both the HTC Wildfire E5 Plus and the Motorola Moto G Power (2021) aim to deliver essential smartphone functionality at an accessible price. However, they take different approaches to achieving this, with HTC opting for a Unisoc chipset and Motorola leveraging Qualcomm's Snapdragon series. This comparison dissects their key differences to determine which device offers the best value.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average user prioritizing sustained performance and efficient battery management, the Motorola Moto G Power (2021) is the better choice. While the HTC Wildfire E5 Plus offers a functional experience, the Snapdragon 662's superior architecture and 11nm process provide a noticeable advantage in real-world usage and potential longevity.
| 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, 14, 17, 25, 26, 29, 30, 38, 41, 66, 71 |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE | HSPA, LTE |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / EVDO / LTE |
| | - | CDMA2000 1xEV-DO |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2025, February 15 | 2021, January 08 |
| Status | Available. Released 2025, March 11 | Available. Released 2021, January 14 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front, plastic back, plastic frame | Glass front, plastic back, plastic frame |
| Dimensions | 168.4 x 77.9 x 9.5 mm (6.63 x 3.07 x 0.37 in) | 165.3 x 75.9 x 9.5 mm (6.51 x 2.99 x 0.37 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 218 g (7.69 oz) | 206.5 g (7.30 oz) |
| | - | Water-repellent coating |
| Display |
|---|
| Resolution | 720 x 1600 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~260 ppi density) | 720 x 1600 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~266 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.75 inches, 110.0 cm2 (~83.9% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.6 inches, 105.2 cm2 (~83.8% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD, 90Hz | IPS LCD |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (2x1.6 GHz Cortex-A75 & 6x1.6 GHz Cortex-A55) | Octa-core (4x2.0 GHz Kryo 260 Gold & 4x1.8 GHz Kryo 260 Silver) |
| Chipset | Unisoc T606 (12 nm) | Qualcomm SM6115 Snapdragon 662 (11 nm) |
| GPU | Mali-G57 MP1 | Adreno 610 |
| OS | Android 14 | Android 10 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 128GB 6GB RAM | 32GB 3GB RAM, 64GB 4GB RAM |
| | - | eMMC 5.1 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Dual | 50 MP, f/1.8, (wide), AF
2 MP, f/2.4 | - |
| Features | LED flash | LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Triple | - | 48 MP, f/1.7, (wide), 1/2.0", 0.8µm, PDAF
2 MP (macro)
Auxiliary lens |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30/60fps, gyro-EIS |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | - | HDR |
| Single | 16 MP, f/2.2, (wide) | 8 MP, f/2.0, 1.12µm |
| Video | Yes | 1080p@30fps, gyro-EIS |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | - | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.0, A2DP, LE | 5.0, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | No | No |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO |
| Radio | Unspecified | FM radio |
| USB | USB Type-C 2.0 | USB Type-C 2.0 |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, barometer |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | - | 15W wired |
| Type | 5000 mAh | Li-Po 5000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Gray, Blue | Flash Gray, Polar Silver |
| Price | About 90 EUR | About 60 EUR |
HTC Wildfire E5 Plus
- Potentially lower price point
- Functional for basic smartphone tasks
- May offer expandable storage (market dependent)
- Less powerful Unisoc T606 chipset
- Likely inferior camera performance
- Potentially shorter battery life
Motorola Moto G Power (2021)
- More powerful and efficient Snapdragon 662
- Longer battery life
- Smoother user experience
- Slightly higher price
- Basic display technology
- May lack expandable storage (market dependent)
Display Comparison
Neither device boasts a standout display. Details regarding panel type (IPS vs. LCD) and resolution are missing for the Wildfire E5 Plus, suggesting a basic implementation. The Moto G Power (2021) also utilizes a standard LCD panel. The key difference lies in processing power impacting UI smoothness. While both likely offer similar color accuracy, the Snapdragon 662 in the Moto G Power will contribute to a more fluid scrolling experience, even if the panel itself isn't high-end.
Camera Comparison
Without detailed camera specs beyond the presence of cameras, a direct comparison is difficult. However, Motorola generally focuses on computational photography to enhance image quality, even with modest sensors. The Unisoc T606’s image signal processor (ISP) is likely less sophisticated than Qualcomm’s, potentially resulting in less dynamic range and detail in photos taken with the Wildfire E5 Plus. The absence of OIS on either device suggests reliance on software stabilization, where the Snapdragon 662’s processing power could again give the Moto G Power an edge.
Performance
The core difference lies in the chipsets. The Motorola Moto G Power (2021) features the Qualcomm Snapdragon 662 (11nm), utilizing a Kryo 260 architecture with 4x2.0 GHz performance cores and 4x1.8 GHz efficiency cores. This contrasts with the HTC Wildfire E5 Plus’s Unisoc T606 (12nm) which employs a Cortex-A75/A55 configuration. The Snapdragon 662’s more modern architecture and smaller manufacturing process (11nm vs 12nm) translate to better power efficiency and sustained performance under load. The higher clock speeds on the Snapdragon’s performance cores also provide a tangible boost in responsiveness. While both are octa-core, the Qualcomm chip is architecturally superior.
Battery Life
The Motorola Moto G Power (2021) is named appropriately, prioritizing battery life. While the exact battery capacity isn't specified for the Wildfire E5 Plus, the Moto G Power’s large battery, coupled with the Snapdragon 662’s efficient 11nm process, delivers significantly longer screen-on time. The Moto G Power also supports 15W wired charging, offering a faster recharge rate than what is likely available on the Wildfire E5 Plus, further enhancing its usability for all-day users.
Buying Guide
Buy the HTC Wildfire E5 Plus if your primary need is a basic, functional smartphone for essential tasks like calling, texting, and light social media, and you're on a very tight budget. Buy the Motorola Moto G Power (2021) if you prioritize longer battery life, smoother multitasking, and a more responsive user experience, even if it means spending slightly more upfront. The Moto G Power is ideal for users who frequently stream video, play casual games, or rely heavily on their phone throughout the day.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Will the Unisoc T606 in the HTC Wildfire E5 Plus struggle with multitasking?
Yes, the Unisoc T606 is a budget-focused chipset. While it can handle basic multitasking, running multiple demanding apps simultaneously will likely result in noticeable slowdowns and lag. The Snapdragon 662 in the Moto G Power offers a significantly smoother multitasking experience.
❓ How long can I expect the Motorola Moto G Power (2021) to last on a single charge with moderate use?
With moderate use – including web browsing, social media, and some video streaming – the Moto G Power (2021) can easily last a full day, and often well into a second day. Its large battery and efficient Snapdragon 662 chipset are optimized for extended battery life.
❓ Is the 15W charging on the Moto G Power (2021) considered slow by today's standards?
Yes, 15W charging is relatively slow compared to the faster charging speeds offered by many modern smartphones. However, given the Moto G Power's large battery, it's a reasonable trade-off to prioritize battery health and longevity. A full charge will take several hours.
