The HTC Wildfire S and Samsung Galaxy S Duos were popular budget Android phones of their time. Both offered a taste of the smartphone experience at an affordable price, but which one delivered the better overall package? This comparison dives deep into their specs and features to help you decide.
🏆 Quick Verdict
The Samsung Galaxy S Duos S7562 edges out the HTC Wildfire S thanks to its superior display contrast, faster processor, and impressive battery endurance. While both are dated, the Duos provides a slightly more enjoyable user experience.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 - SIM 1 & SIM 2 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 900 / 2100 | HSDPA 900 / 2100 - SIM 1 & SIM 2 |
| Speed | HSPA 7.2/0.384 Mbps | HSPA 7.2/5.76 Mbps |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA | GSM / HSPA |
| | HSDPA 2100 - for Australia | - |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2011, February. Released 2011, May | 2012, July. Released 2012, September |
| Status | Discontinued | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | - | Glass front, plastic back, plastic frame |
| Dimensions | 101.3 x 59.4 x 12.4 mm (3.99 x 2.34 x 0.49 in) | 121.5 x 63.1 x 10.5 mm (4.78 x 2.48 x 0.41 in) |
| SIM | Mini-SIM | Dual SIM (Mini-SIM, dual stand-by) |
| Weight | 105 g (3.70 oz) | 120 g (4.23 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Resolution | 320 x 480 pixels, 3:2 ratio (~180 ppi density) | 480 x 800 pixels, 5:3 ratio (~233 ppi density) |
| Size | 3.2 inches, 30.5 cm2 (~50.7% screen-to-body ratio) | 4.0 inches, 45.5 cm2 (~59.4% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | TFT, 256K colors | TFT |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | 600 MHz ARM 11 | 1.0 GHz Cortex-A5 |
| Chipset | Qualcomm MSM7227 Snapdragon S1 | Qualcomm MSM7227A Snapdragon S1 |
| GPU | Adreno 200 | Adreno 200 |
| OS | Android 2.3 (Gingerbread), upgradable to 2.3.5 (Gingerbread), Sense UI 2.1 | Android 4.0 (Ice Cream Sandwich) |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDHC (dedicated slot), 2 GB included | microSDHC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 512MB 512MB RAM | 4GB (1.8GB user available), 768MB RAM |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash | LED flash |
| Single | 5 MP, AF | 5 MP, f/2.6, AF |
| Video | 480p@24fps | 480p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Single | - | VGA |
| | No | - |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 3.0, A2DP, EDR | 3.0, A2DP |
| Positioning | GPS, A-GPS | GPS, A-GPS |
| Radio | Stereo FM radio, RDS | Stereo FM radio, RDS |
| USB | microUSB 2.0 | microUSB 2.0 |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, hotspot | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, hotspot |
| Features |
|---|
| Browser | HTML | - |
| Sensors | Accelerometer, proximity, compass | Accelerometer, proximity, compass |
| | MP3/AAC+/WAV player
Xvid/MP4/H.264 player
Organizer
Voice memo
Predictive text input | - |
| Battery |
|---|
| Stand-by | Up to 360 h (2G) / Up to 570 h (3G) | Up to 445 h (2G) / Up to 330 h (3G) |
| Talk time | Up to 7 h 10 min (2G) / Up to 5 h 50 min (3G) | Up to 13 h (2G) / Up to 7 h 25 min (3G) |
| Type | Removable Li-Ion 1230 mAh battery | Removable Li-Ion 1500 mAh battery |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Black, Silver, Brown, Lilac | White, Black, La Fleur |
| Models | - | GT-S7562 |
| Price | About 100 EUR | About 110 EUR |
| SAR | 0.90 W/kg (head) 1.21 W/kg (body) | 0.27 W/kg (head) 0.65 W/kg (body) |
| SAR EU | - | 0.47 W/kg (head) |
| Tests |
|---|
| Audio quality |
Noise -81.3dB / Crosstalk -81.3B |
Noise -81.6dB / Crosstalk -80.5dB |
| Battery life | - | Endurance rating 43h |
| Camera |
Photo |
Photo |
| Display |
Contrast ratio: 414:1 (nominal) |
Contrast ratio: 964 (nominal) / 1.400:1 (sunlight) |
| Loudspeaker |
Voice 73dB / Noise 66dB / Ring 69dB
|
Voice 61dB / Noise 60dB / Ring 65dB |
| OUR TESTS |
|---|
| Audio quality | Noise -81.3dB / Crosstalk -81.3B | Noise -81.6dB / Crosstalk -80.5dB |
| Battery (old) | - | Endurance rating 43h |
| Camera | Photo | Photo |
| Display | Contrast ratio: 414:1 (nominal) | Contrast ratio: 964 (nominal) / 1.400:1 (sunlight) |
| Loudspeaker | Voice 73dB / Noise 66dB / Ring 69dB | Voice 61dB / Noise 60dB / Ring 65dB |
HTC Wildfire S
- Compact size
- Affordable price (when new)
- Simple Android experience
- Weak display contrast
- Slow performance
- Poor battery life
- Limited camera quality
Samsung Galaxy S Duos S7562
- Brighter and more vibrant display
- Faster processor
- Excellent battery life
- Slightly better camera (marginally)
- Dated design
- Limited storage
- Basic features
Display Comparison
The Samsung Galaxy S Duos boasts a significantly better display with a nominal contrast ratio of 964:1 and an impressive 1400:1 in sunlight. The Wildfire S's 414:1 contrast ratio pales in comparison, resulting in washed-out colors and poorer visibility in bright conditions. The Duos' screen is noticeably more vibrant and readable.
Camera Comparison
Both phones feature basic photo cameras, and image quality is comparable given their age and hardware. Don't expect exceptional results from either device. Low-light performance is weak on both, and video recording capabilities are limited. The Samsung Duos might have a slight edge in color reproduction, but it's marginal.
Performance
The Galaxy S Duos' 1.0 GHz Cortex-A5 processor offers a clear advantage over the Wildfire S's 600 MHz ARM 11. This translates to smoother multitasking, faster app loading times, and a more responsive user interface on the Duos. Both phones utilize the Qualcomm MSM7227 Snapdragon S1 chipset, but the clock speed difference is crucial.
Battery Life
The Samsung Galaxy S Duos shines in battery life, achieving an endurance rating of 43 hours. The Wildfire S's battery performance is considerably weaker, though specific figures are unavailable. The Duos' superior battery life makes it a more practical choice for extended use.
Buying Guide
The HTC Wildfire S might appeal to someone seeking a very basic, compact Android phone for simple tasks. The Samsung Galaxy S Duos S7562 is a better choice for users who prioritize a brighter display, longer battery life, and a slightly more responsive performance.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Are these phones still worth buying?
Given their age, neither phone is recommended for primary use. However, they could be suitable for very basic tasks or as a secondary device for emergencies.
❓ What Android version did these phones run?
Both phones originally shipped with Android 2.2 (Froyo). Updates were limited, and they likely run older versions now.