The HTC Wildfire E5 Plus and Xiaomi Redmi Note 10 Lite represent two approaches to the budget smartphone market. The Wildfire E5 Plus aims for affordability with a Unisoc chipset, while the Redmi Note 10 Lite leverages Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 720G for a more performance-focused experience. This comparison dissects their key differences to determine which device delivers the best value.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average user prioritizing responsiveness and gaming, the Xiaomi Redmi Note 10 Lite is the clear winner. Its Snapdragon 720G chipset, built on an 8nm process, provides a significant performance advantage over the HTC Wildfire E5 Plus’s Unisoc T606. While the Wildfire E5 Plus offers basic functionality, the Redmi Note 10 Lite delivers a smoother, more enjoyable user experience.
| 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, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41 |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE | HSPA, LTE |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2025, February 15 | 2021, October 01 |
| Status | Available. Released 2025, March 11 | Available. Released 2021, October 02 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front, plastic back, plastic frame | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 5), glass back (Gorilla Glass 5), plastic frame |
| Dimensions | 168.4 x 77.9 x 9.5 mm (6.63 x 3.07 x 0.37 in) | 165.8 x 76.7 x 8.8 mm (6.53 x 3.02 x 0.35 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 218 g (7.69 oz) | 209 g (7.37 oz) |
| | - | Water-repellent coating |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | - | Corning Gorilla Glass 5 |
| Resolution | 720 x 1600 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~260 ppi density) | 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~395 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.75 inches, 110.0 cm2 (~83.9% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.67 inches, 107.4 cm2 (~84.5% 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 (2x2.3 GHz Kryo 465 Gold & 6x1.8 GHz Kryo 465 Silver) |
| Chipset | Unisoc T606 (12 nm) | Qualcomm SM7125 Snapdragon 720G (8 nm) |
| GPU | Mali-G57 MP1 | Adreno 618 |
| OS | Android 14 | Android 10, MIUI 11 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 128GB 6GB RAM | 64GB 4GB RAM, 64GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Dual | 50 MP, f/1.8, (wide), AF
2 MP, f/2.4 | - |
| Features | LED flash | LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Quad | - | 48 MP, f/1.9, 26mm (wide), 0.8µm, PDAF
8 MP, f/2.2, 119˚ (ultrawide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm
5 MP (macro), AF
Auxiliary lens |
| Single | - | 16 MP, f/2.5, (wide), 1/3.06", 1.0µm |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60/120fps, 720p@960fps, gyro-EIS |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | - | HDR, panorama |
| Single | 16 MP, f/2.2, (wide) | 16 MP, f/2.5, (wide), 1/3.06", 1.0µm |
| 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 |
| Infrared port | - | Yes |
| NFC | No | Yes |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS, NavIC |
| Radio | Unspecified | FM radio, recording |
| 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 |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | - | 18W wired |
| Type | 5000 mAh | Li-Po 5020 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Gray, Blue | Aurora Blue, Glacier White, Interstellar Black, Champagne Gold |
| Models | - | M2002F4LG |
| Price | About 90 EUR | About 200 EUR |
| SAR | - | 1.17 W/kg (head) 0.86 W/kg (body) |
| SAR EU | - | 1.01 W/kg (head) 1.39 W/kg (body) |
HTC Wildfire E5 Plus
- Potentially lower price point
- Basic functionality for essential tasks
- May be more readily available in certain regions
- Significantly weaker performance
- Less efficient chipset
- Likely inferior camera quality
Xiaomi Redmi Note 10 Lite
- Superior performance with Snapdragon 720G
- More efficient 8nm process
- Faster 18W charging
- Slightly higher price
- LCD display (not AMOLED)
- May have more bloatware
Display Comparison
Neither device is a display standout. Details regarding panel type (IPS vs AMOLED) and resolution are missing for the Wildfire E5 Plus, suggesting a standard LCD. The Redmi Note 10 Lite also utilizes an LCD. The key difference lies in processing power; the Snapdragon 720G’s image signal processor (ISP) likely contributes to slightly better color reproduction and dynamic range in photos viewed on the Redmi Note 10 Lite’s screen. Bezels are expected to be similar on both, typical of this price bracket.
Camera Comparison
Without detailed sensor information for the Wildfire E5 Plus, a direct comparison is difficult. However, the Redmi Note 10 Lite likely benefits from Qualcomm’s image processing capabilities within the Snapdragon 720G. While both phones likely feature a primary camera and multiple auxiliary lenses (often including a 2MP macro), the Redmi Note 10 Lite’s ISP will likely deliver superior image quality, particularly in challenging lighting conditions. The Redmi Note 10 Lite’s processing power allows for more sophisticated computational photography features.
Performance
The performance gap is the most significant differentiator. The Xiaomi Redmi Note 10 Lite’s Qualcomm Snapdragon 720G (8nm) boasts a substantial advantage over the HTC Wildfire E5 Plus’s Unisoc T606 (12nm). The Snapdragon 720G’s Kryo 465 Gold cores run at 2.3 GHz, compared to the T606’s 1.6 GHz Cortex-A75 cores. This translates to faster app loading times, smoother multitasking, and a more responsive user interface on the Redmi Note 10 Lite. The 8nm process also means better thermal efficiency, reducing the likelihood of throttling during sustained workloads. While both are octa-core CPUs, the architectural differences and clock speeds heavily favor the Snapdragon.
Battery Life
Battery capacity details for the Wildfire E5 Plus are missing, but given its focus on affordability, it’s likely smaller than the Redmi Note 10 Lite’s. The Redmi Note 10 Lite supports 18W wired charging, which, while not exceptionally fast, is a significant advantage. The Snapdragon 720G’s power efficiency also contributes to potentially longer battery life on the Redmi Note 10 Lite, even with a similar capacity battery. The 8nm process allows for more efficient power usage compared to the Unisoc T606’s 12nm process.
Buying Guide
Buy the HTC Wildfire E5 Plus if you need a truly basic smartphone for essential tasks like calls, texts, and light social media, and your budget is extremely limited. You're prioritizing absolute cost savings over performance. Buy the Xiaomi Redmi Note 10 Lite if you prefer a phone capable of handling moderate multitasking, streaming video, and casual gaming without significant lag. You value a more responsive experience and are willing to spend a bit more.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Will the Unisoc T606 in the HTC Wildfire E5 Plus struggle with popular apps like Facebook or WhatsApp?
While the Unisoc T606 can handle basic apps like Facebook and WhatsApp, expect noticeable lag and slower loading times, especially with multiple apps open. The chipset’s limited processing power will become apparent during even moderate multitasking.
❓ Is the 18W charging on the Redmi Note 10 Lite considered fast charging in 2024?
18W charging is not considered particularly fast by 2024 standards, with many phones now offering 33W, 67W, or even faster charging. However, it's still a significant improvement over slower charging speeds and will fully charge the Redmi Note 10 Lite in a reasonable timeframe (around 2-3 hours).
❓ Can the Redmi Note 10 Lite handle mobile games like PUBG Mobile or Call of Duty Mobile?
The Redmi Note 10 Lite can run PUBG Mobile and Call of Duty Mobile, but you’ll likely need to lower the graphics settings to medium or low to achieve a playable frame rate. The Snapdragon 720G is capable, but it’s not a dedicated gaming chipset.
❓ Does the HTC Wildfire E5 Plus support software updates, and for how long?
HTC’s software update track record is historically inconsistent. The Wildfire E5 Plus, being a budget device, is unlikely to receive frequent or long-term software updates, potentially leaving it vulnerable to security risks over time.