HTC Wildfire S vs Samsung Galaxy S Duos: A Detailed Comparison

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.
Phones Images

🏆 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.

PHONES
Phone Names HTC Wildfire S Samsung Galaxy S Duos S7562
Network
2G bandsGSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 - SIM 1 & SIM 2
3G bandsHSDPA 900 / 2100HSDPA 900 / 2100 - SIM 1 & SIM 2
SpeedHSPA 7.2/0.384 MbpsHSPA 7.2/5.76 Mbps
TechnologyGSM / HSPAGSM / HSPA
 HSDPA 2100 - for Australia-
Launch
Announced2011, February. Released 2011, May2012, July. Released 2012, September
StatusDiscontinuedDiscontinued
Body
Build-Glass front, plastic back, plastic frame
Dimensions101.3 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)
SIMMini-SIMDual SIM (Mini-SIM, dual stand-by)
Weight105 g (3.70 oz)120 g (4.23 oz)
Display
Resolution320 x 480 pixels, 3:2 ratio (~180 ppi density)480 x 800 pixels, 5:3 ratio (~233 ppi density)
Size3.2 inches, 30.5 cm2 (~50.7% screen-to-body ratio)4.0 inches, 45.5 cm2 (~59.4% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeTFT, 256K colorsTFT
Platform
CPU600 MHz ARM 111.0 GHz Cortex-A5
ChipsetQualcomm MSM7227 Snapdragon S1Qualcomm MSM7227A Snapdragon S1
GPUAdreno 200Adreno 200
OSAndroid 2.3 (Gingerbread), upgradable to 2.3.5 (Gingerbread), Sense UI 2.1Android 4.0 (Ice Cream Sandwich)
Memory
Card slotmicroSDHC (dedicated slot), 2 GB includedmicroSDHC (dedicated slot)
Internal512MB 512MB RAM4GB (1.8GB user available), 768MB RAM
Main Camera
FeaturesLED flashLED flash
Single5 MP, AF5 MP, f/2.6, AF
Video480p@24fps480p@30fps
Selfie camera
Single-VGA
 No-
Sound
3.5mm jack YesYes
35mm jackYesYes
Loudspeaker YesYes
Comms
Bluetooth3.0, A2DP, EDR3.0, A2DP
PositioningGPS, A-GPSGPS, A-GPS
RadioStereo FM radio, RDSStereo FM radio, RDS
USBmicroUSB 2.0microUSB 2.0
WLANWi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, hotspotWi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, hotspot
Features
BrowserHTML-
SensorsAccelerometer, proximity, compassAccelerometer, proximity, compass
 MP3/AAC+/WAV player Xvid/MP4/H.264 player Organizer Voice memo Predictive text input-
Battery
Stand-byUp to 360 h (2G) / Up to 570 h (3G)Up to 445 h (2G) / Up to 330 h (3G)
Talk timeUp 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)
TypeRemovable Li-Ion 1230 mAh batteryRemovable Li-Ion 1500 mAh battery
Misc
ColorsBlack, Silver, Brown, LilacWhite, Black, La Fleur
Models-GT-S7562
PriceAbout 100 EURAbout 110 EUR
SAR0.90 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 qualityNoise -81.3dB / Crosstalk -81.3BNoise -81.6dB / Crosstalk -80.5dB
Battery (old)-Endurance rating 43h
CameraPhotoPhoto
DisplayContrast ratio: 414:1 (nominal)Contrast ratio: 964 (nominal) / 1.400:1 (sunlight)
LoudspeakerVoice 73dB / Noise 66dB / Ring 69dBVoice 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.