The itel A23S and Lava Z4 represent the fiercely competitive entry-level smartphone market. Both aim to deliver essential smartphone functionality at an incredibly low price point, but they take different approaches to achieving this. The itel A23S relies on an older, power-efficient chipset, while the Lava Z4 opts for a newer, more powerful, but potentially less efficient processor. This comparison will dissect the key differences to determine which device offers the best value.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average user prioritizing responsiveness and multitasking, the Lava Z4 is the clear winner. Its Mediatek Helio G35 chipset, with its octa-core configuration, significantly outperforms the itel A23S’s Unisoc SC9832E. While the A23S may offer slightly better battery life due to its less demanding processor, the Z4’s performance advantage is more impactful for daily use.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 900 / 1800 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 2100 | HSDPA 900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | LTE | 1, 3, 5, 8, 40, 41 |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE Cat4 150/50 Mbps |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2022 | 2021, January 07 |
| Status | Available. Released 2022 | Available. Released 2021, January 11 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | - | Glass front, plastic back, plastic frame |
| Dimensions | - | 164.5 x 75.8 x 9 mm (6.48 x 2.98 x 0.35 in) |
| SIM | Dual SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | - | 190 g (6.70 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | - | Corning Gorilla Glass 3 |
| Resolution | 480 x 854 pixels, 16:9 ratio (~196 ppi density) | 720 x 1600 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~270 ppi density) |
| Size | 5.0 inches, 68.9 cm2 | 6.51 inches, 102.3 cm2 (~82.1% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD | IPS LCD |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Quad-core 1.4 GHz | Octa-core (4x2.3 GHz Cortex-A53 & 4x1.8 GHz Cortex-A53) |
| Chipset | Unisoc SC9832E (28 nm) | Mediatek MT6765G Helio G35 (12 nm) |
| GPU | Mali-T820 MP1 | PowerVR GE8320 |
| OS | Android 11 (Go edition) | Android 10 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 32GB 2GB RAM | 64GB 4GB RAM |
| | - | eMMC 5.1 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash | LED flash |
| Single | 2 MP | 13 MP, f/2.0 AF |
| Triple | - | 13 MP, f/1.9, (wide), 1/3.0", 1.12µm, AF
5 MP, (ultrawide)
Auxiliary lens |
| Video | Yes | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash | LED flash |
| Single | 0.3 MP | 16 MP, f/2.0, (wide), 1/3.06" 1.0µm |
| Video | Yes | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | - | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | Yes | 5.0, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | No | No |
| Positioning | Unspecified | GPS |
| Radio | Unspecified | FM radio |
| USB | microUSB | USB Type-C |
| WLAN | Yes | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Accelerometer | Fingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, proximity |
| Battery |
|---|
| Stand-by | - | Up to 270 h |
| Talk time | - | Up to 24 h (2G) / Up to 15 h 30 min (3G) |
| Type | 3020 mAh | Li-Po 5000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Sky Cyan, Sky Black, Ocean Blue | Blue, Red |
| Models | - | S7 |
| Price | - | About 100 EUR |
| SAR | - | 0.52 W/kg (head) 0.64 W/kg (body) |
itel A23S
- Potentially longer battery life due to efficient chipset.
- Lower price point (likely).
- Simple and easy-to-use interface.
- Significantly slower performance.
- Limited multitasking capabilities.
- Poor gaming performance.
Lava Z4
- Faster and more responsive performance.
- Better multitasking capabilities.
- More capable GPU for light gaming.
- More future-proofed chipset.
- Potentially shorter battery life.
- May be slightly more expensive.
- Image processing may be oversharpened.
Display Comparison
Neither itel nor Lava provide detailed display specifications. Given the price point, both likely utilize LCD panels with 720p+ resolution. However, the lack of information prevents a detailed comparison of brightness, color accuracy, or viewing angles. We can assume both displays are adequate for basic use, but not ideal for media consumption in bright sunlight. The Lava Z4's slightly larger screen size (typically found in this segment) may offer a more immersive experience.
Camera Comparison
Both devices likely feature basic camera setups. Without specific sensor details, it's difficult to make a definitive judgment. However, the Lava Z4’s processor likely supports more advanced image processing algorithms, potentially resulting in better image quality, especially in challenging lighting conditions. The inclusion of a dedicated camera ISP within the Helio G35 chipset provides an advantage over the more basic ISP found in the Unisoc SC9832E. Expect both phones to struggle with low-light photography and offer limited detail.
Performance
The performance gap is the most significant differentiator. The Lava Z4’s Mediatek Helio G35, fabricated on a 12nm process, features an octa-core CPU (4x2.3 GHz Cortex-A53 & 4x1.8 GHz Cortex-A53) compared to the itel A23S’s Unisoc SC9832E, a quad-core 1.4 GHz processor built on a larger 28nm node. This translates to a substantial advantage for the Z4 in multitasking, app loading times, and overall system responsiveness. The Helio G35 also includes a more capable GPU, making it better suited for light gaming. The 28nm process of the SC9832E is older and less efficient, resulting in lower performance per watt.
Battery Life
Again, specific battery capacities are not provided. However, the itel A23S, with its less power-hungry Unisoc chipset, will likely offer slightly longer battery life on a single charge. The Lava Z4’s more powerful processor will consume more power, potentially requiring more frequent charging. However, the difference is unlikely to be dramatic, and the Z4’s faster performance may offset the shorter battery life for many users. Charging speeds are also unknown, but likely to be slow on both devices.
Buying Guide
Buy the itel A23S if you absolutely need the lowest possible price and prioritize extremely basic functionality like calls, texts, and light social media use. Its focus on power efficiency will extend battery life for minimal users. Buy the Lava Z4 if you want a smoother, more responsive experience for everyday tasks, occasional gaming, and a more future-proofed device, even if it means slightly shorter battery life. The Z4 is ideal for users who want a phone that can handle more than just the basics.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Will the Lava Z4 struggle with popular apps like WhatsApp and Facebook?
While the Helio G35 isn't a powerhouse, it's more than capable of running apps like WhatsApp and Facebook smoothly. The octa-core configuration provides sufficient processing power for these everyday applications, unlike the itel A23S which may exhibit noticeable lag.
❓ Is the Lava Z4 suitable for playing games like PUBG Mobile or Call of Duty?
The Lava Z4 can handle light gaming, but don't expect a high-performance experience with demanding titles like PUBG Mobile or Call of Duty. You'll likely need to play on the lowest graphics settings and may still experience frame drops. The itel A23S is even less suited for gaming.
❓ Does the itel A23S support 4G connectivity?
While not explicitly stated, it's highly probable that the itel A23S supports 4G connectivity, as it's a standard feature in this price segment. However, download and upload speeds may be limited by the Unisoc SC9832E's modem capabilities.
❓ What version of Android do these phones run?
Both devices likely run Android Go Edition, a lightweight version of Android designed for devices with limited RAM and processing power. This ensures a smoother experience on these entry-level smartphones.
