The HTC Wildfire E5 and Samsung Galaxy J3 (2018) represent a bygone era of ultra-affordable Android smartphones. While both devices aimed for the entry-level market, they took different approaches to achieving a low price point, particularly in their core hardware. This comparison dissects those choices, revealing which phone offers the better experience for today's user.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average user, the HTC Wildfire E5 is the better choice. Its newer Unisoc SC9863A chipset, built on a smaller 28nm process, offers a more efficient architecture than the Samsung Galaxy J3 (2018)'s older 14nm Exynos 7570, translating to potentially better sustained performance and battery life despite a similar core count.
| 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 unlocked; Canada |
| 4G bands | LTE | 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 12, 14 - USA unlocked; AT&T |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE | HSPA, LTE |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| | - | 1, 2, 4, 5, 7, 12, 17, 66 - Canada |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2025, June 18 | 2018, June. Released 2018, June |
| Status | Available. Released 2025, July 04 | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front, plastic back, plastic frame | Glass front, plastic back, plastic frame |
| Dimensions | - | 142.7 x 70.1 x 8.9 mm (5.62 x 2.76 x 0.35 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM |
| Weight | - | 152 g (5.36 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Resolution | 720 x 1600 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~260 ppi density) | 720 x 1280 pixels, 16:9 ratio (~294 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.75 inches, 110.0 cm2 | 5.0 inches, 68.9 cm2 (~68.9% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD, 90Hz | IPS LCD |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (4x1.6 GHz Cortex-A55 & 4x1.2 GHz Cortex-A55) | Quad-core 1.4 GHz Cortex-A53 |
| Chipset | Unisoc SC9863A (28 nm) | Exynos 7570 Quad (14 nm) |
| GPU | IMG8322 | Mali-T720 |
| OS | Android 14 | Android 8.0 (Oreo) |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 64GB 4GB RAM | 16GB 2GB RAM |
| | - | eMMC 5.0 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Dual | 16 MP, (wide)
VGA | - |
| Features | LED flash | LED flash, panorama, HDR |
| Single | - | 8 MP, f/1.9, AF |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Single | 5 MP, (wide) | 5 MP, f/2.2 |
| Video | Yes | - |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | - | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | Yes | 4.2, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | No | No |
| Positioning | GPS | GPS |
| Radio | Unspecified | FM radio |
| USB | USB Type-C 2.0 | microUSB 2.0 |
| WLAN | Yes | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (side-mounted); unspecified sensors | Accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 10W wired | - |
| Type | 5000 mAh | Li-Ion 2600 mAh, removable |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Black | Black, Blue, Gold |
| Models | - | SM-J337U, SM-J337W, SM-J337A, SM-J337R, SM-J337T, SM-J337P, SM-J337AZ, SM-J337VPP |
| Price | About 80 EUR | About 150 EUR |
| SAR | - | 1.20 W/kg (head) 1.13 W/kg (body) |
HTC Wildfire E5
- More efficient chipset (Unisoc SC9863A)
- Newer CPU architecture (Cortex-A55)
- Potentially better sustained performance
- Limited brand recognition
- Basic camera capabilities
Samsung Galaxy J3 (2018)
- Samsung brand familiarity
- Potentially slightly larger screen
- Established software ecosystem
- Less efficient chipset (Exynos 7570)
- Older CPU architecture (Cortex-A53)
- Potential for thermal throttling
Display Comparison
Neither device boasts a standout display. Both likely feature LCD panels, typical for this price bracket. However, detailed specs like resolution and brightness are unavailable. The J3's slightly larger screen size (historically common in the J series) might offer a marginally more immersive experience, but the difference is unlikely to be significant. Color accuracy is expected to be basic on both.
Camera Comparison
Camera performance on both devices is expected to be minimal. Details on sensor size and aperture are unavailable, but both likely feature basic sensors. The J3 may have a slightly more refined image processing pipeline due to Samsung’s experience, but the difference will be marginal. Any 2MP macro or depth sensors on either device are largely marketing gimmicks and offer limited practical benefit.
Performance
The core architectural difference is stark. The HTC Wildfire E5’s Unisoc SC9863A utilizes an octa-core configuration with a split design – four Cortex-A55 cores clocked at 1.6 GHz and four at 1.2 GHz. This contrasts with the Samsung Galaxy J3 (2018)’s Exynos 7570, a quad-core processor using Cortex-A53 cores clocked at 1.4 GHz. While core count isn't everything, the newer Cortex-A55 architecture is more efficient per clock cycle than the A53. Crucially, the 28nm fabrication process of the SC9863A is more advanced than the Exynos 7570’s 14nm process, leading to lower power consumption and potentially less thermal throttling during prolonged use. This means the Wildfire E5 is likely to maintain performance for longer during tasks like video playback or light gaming.
Battery Life
Battery capacity details are missing for both devices. However, the Unisoc SC9863A’s superior efficiency gives the Wildfire E5 an advantage. While the J3 might have a slightly larger battery, the Exynos 7570’s higher power draw could negate that advantage. Both phones support only 10W wired charging, meaning slow charging speeds are inevitable – expect several hours to reach a full charge from empty.
Buying Guide
Buy the HTC Wildfire E5 if you prioritize a slightly more responsive user experience and potentially longer battery life, even for basic tasks. It's a better fit for users who occasionally browse the web or use social media. Buy the Samsung Galaxy J3 (2018) if you specifically need Samsung's software ecosystem and are comfortable with a potentially less efficient chipset that may exhibit more throttling under sustained load. It's a reasonable option if found at a significantly lower price.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Does the Exynos 7570 in the Galaxy J3 (2018) overheat during prolonged use?
The Exynos 7570, built on a 14nm process, is prone to thermal throttling under sustained load. While it's unlikely to reach dangerously high temperatures, you may experience noticeable performance slowdowns during extended gaming sessions or video recording. The Wildfire E5's Unisoc SC9863A, with its 28nm process, is expected to manage heat more effectively.
❓ Is the HTC Wildfire E5 a good option for running Android Go?
The HTC Wildfire E5's chipset is well-suited for running Android Go, a lightweight version of Android designed for devices with limited resources. The efficient processor and potentially adequate RAM (specifications are unavailable) should provide a reasonably smooth experience with Android Go's optimized apps.
❓ Can either of these phones handle modern mobile games like PUBG Mobile?
While both phones *can* technically run PUBG Mobile, the experience will be far from ideal. Expect very low graphics settings, significant frame rate drops, and potential lag. Neither chipset is powerful enough for a smooth PUBG Mobile experience. They are better suited for less demanding games.
