The HTC Wildfire E5 Plus and Samsung Galaxy A21 represent two approaches to the ultra-budget smartphone market. The Wildfire E5 Plus leverages the newer Unisoc T606 chipset, while the Galaxy A21 relies on Mediatek’s Helio P35. This comparison dissects their core differences to determine which device delivers the best value for users prioritizing essential smartphone functions.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average user, the HTC Wildfire E5 Plus emerges as the better choice. Its Unisoc T606 chipset, featuring Cortex-A75 cores, provides a noticeable performance advantage over the Galaxy A21’s Helio P35, translating to smoother multitasking and app loading. While the A21 offers 15W charging, the performance uplift of the Wildfire E5 Plus justifies the trade-off.
| 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 - USA |
| 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, 38, 39, 40, 41, 66, 71 - USA |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE Cat4 150/50 Mbps |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / EVDO / LTE |
| | - | CDMA2000 1xEV-DO |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2025, February 15 | 2020, April 08. Released 2020, June 26 |
| Status | Available. Released 2025, March 11 | Discontinued |
| 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) | 167.8 x 76.7 x 8.1 mm (6.61 x 3.02 x 0.32 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | · Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 218 g (7.69 oz) | 193 g (6.81 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Resolution | 720 x 1600 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~260 ppi density) | 720 x 1600 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~270 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.75 inches, 110.0 cm2 (~83.9% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.5 inches, 102.0 cm2 (~79.3% 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 (4x2.35 GHz Cortex-A53 & 4x1.8 GHz Cortex-A53) |
| Chipset | Unisoc T606 (12 nm) | Mediatek MT6765 Helio P35 (12 nm) |
| GPU | Mali-G57 MP1 | PowerVR GE8320 |
| OS | Android 14 | Android 10, One UI 2.0 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 128GB 6GB RAM | 32GB 3GB RAM |
| | - | eMMC 5.1 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Dual | 50 MP, f/1.8, (wide), AF
2 MP, f/2.4 | - |
| Features | LED flash | LED flash, panorama, HDR |
| Quad | - | 16 MP, f/1.8, (wide), 1/3.06", 1.0µm, PDAF
8 MP, f/2.2, (ultrawide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm
2 MP (macro)
Auxiliary lens |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Single | 16 MP, f/2.2, (wide) | 13 MP, f/2.0, (wide), 1/3.1", 1.12µm |
| Video | Yes | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | - | 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 |
| 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 (rear-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | - | 15W wired |
| Type | 5000 mAh | Li-Po 4000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Gray, Blue | Black |
| Models | - | SM-A215U, SM-A215U1, SM-S215DL, SM-A215W |
| Price | About 90 EUR | $ 69.88 / C$ 155.00 / £ 54.99 / € 73.89 |
| SAR | - | 1.27 W/kg (head) 0.60 W/kg (body) |
HTC Wildfire E5 Plus
- More modern and efficient Unisoc T606 chipset
- Cortex-A75 cores offer better performance
- Potentially better long-term software support (depending on HTC's commitment)
- Charging speed likely slower than the Galaxy A21
- Brand recognition is lower than Samsung
Samsung Galaxy A21
- 15W wired charging for faster top-ups
- Samsung’s established brand and support network
- Potentially better color calibration on the display
- Older and less efficient Mediatek Helio P35 chipset
- Cortex-A53 cores struggle with demanding tasks
- Image processing may be overly saturated
Display Comparison
Neither device boasts a standout display. Both utilize 12nm chipsets, suggesting similar power constraints impacting display capabilities. Specifics like panel type (IPS vs. TFT) and resolution are missing, but given the price point, expect 720p+ displays. The absence of high refresh rates is standard. The real difference will likely come down to color calibration and peak brightness, areas where Samsung historically performs slightly better, though without concrete data, this remains speculative.
Camera Comparison
Camera performance is likely to be similar, with both phones targeting the entry-level segment. Details on sensor sizes and apertures are unavailable, but it’s safe to assume both feature basic camera setups. The Galaxy A21 may benefit from Samsung’s image processing algorithms, potentially offering slightly more vibrant photos. However, the lack of Optical Image Stabilization (OIS) on either device means low-light performance will be limited. The inclusion of a 2MP macro lens on the A21 is largely a marketing gimmick, offering minimal practical benefit.
Performance
The core difference lies in the chipsets. The HTC Wildfire E5 Plus’s Unisoc T606 utilizes two Cortex-A75 cores clocked at 1.6 GHz alongside six Cortex-A55 cores, also at 1.6 GHz. This architecture is significantly more efficient than the Samsung Galaxy A21’s Mediatek Helio P35, which employs four Cortex-A53 cores at 2.35 GHz and another four at 1.8 GHz. While the Helio P35 has a higher clock speed, the older A53 architecture is less performant per clock cycle than the A75. This translates to faster app launches and smoother multitasking on the Wildfire E5 Plus. The Unisoc T606’s architecture is better suited for handling modern Android workloads.
Battery Life
Battery capacity is not specified for the Wildfire E5 Plus, but given the segment, it's likely comparable to the Galaxy A21's. The Galaxy A21 supports 15W wired charging, a slight advantage over the potentially slower charging speeds of the Wildfire E5 Plus. However, the more efficient Unisoc T606 chipset in the Wildfire E5 Plus could offset this difference by consuming less power during typical usage, resulting in comparable real-world battery life.
Buying Guide
Buy the HTC Wildfire E5 Plus if you need a phone that feels responsive for everyday tasks like browsing, social media, and light gaming. Its more modern chipset architecture will provide a better user experience over time. Buy the Samsung Galaxy A21 if you prioritize a brand with wider support and a slightly faster charging solution, but understand you’ll be sacrificing performance for that convenience.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Will the Unisoc T606 in the Wildfire E5 Plus handle popular games like PUBG Mobile?
The Unisoc T606 can run PUBG Mobile, but expect to play at lower graphics settings (balanced or low) to maintain a stable frame rate. The Helio P35 in the Galaxy A21 will struggle more with demanding games, requiring even lower settings and potentially experiencing more lag.
❓ Does the Samsung Galaxy A21 support software updates beyond Android 11?
The Samsung Galaxy A21 originally launched with Android 11 and has received limited updates since. While it may have received security patches, major Android version updates are unlikely. The Wildfire E5 Plus's update path is also uncertain, but Unisoc chipsets are increasingly supported by generic system images (GSI) offering a path to newer Android versions.
❓ Is the difference in performance between the Unisoc T606 and Helio P35 noticeable in everyday use?
Yes, the difference is noticeable. The Unisoc T606’s more modern architecture results in snappier app launches, smoother scrolling, and a more responsive overall experience. The Helio P35 can feel sluggish when multitasking or running multiple apps simultaneously.
