The Karbonn Titanium S1 Plus and Motorola Moto E represent two approaches to the ultra-budget smartphone market. The Karbonn prioritizes core count, while the Moto E leverages Qualcomm's Snapdragon platform. This comparison dissects their strengths and weaknesses to determine which device delivers the best experience for the price-conscious consumer.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For most users, the Motorola Moto E is the better choice. While the Karbonn Titanium S1 Plus boasts a quad-core processor, the Moto E’s Snapdragon 200 chipset, built on a more efficient 28nm process, provides a smoother and more reliable experience, coupled with a respectable 60-hour endurance rating.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 900 / 1800 - SIM 1 & SIM 2 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 |
| Speed | HSPA | HSPA 21.1/5.76 Mbps |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA | GSM / HSPA |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2014, May. Released 2014, May | 2014, May. Released 2014, May |
| Status | Discontinued | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Dimensions | 124 x 64 x 10.3 mm (4.88 x 2.52 x 0.41 in) | 124.8 x 64.8 x 12.3 mm (4.91 x 2.55 x 0.48 in) |
| SIM | Dual SIM | Micro-SIM |
| Weight | 129 g (4.55 oz) | 142 g (5.01 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | - | Corning Gorilla Glass 3 |
| Resolution | 480 x 800 pixels, 5:3 ratio (~233 ppi density) | 540 x 960 pixels, 16:9 ratio (~256 ppi density) |
| Size | 4.0 inches, 45.5 cm2 (~57.4% screen-to-body ratio) | 4.3 inches, 51.0 cm2 (~63.0% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | TFT | IPS LCD, |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Quad-core 1.2 GHz | Dual-core 1.2 GHz Cortex-A7 |
| Chipset | - | Qualcomm Snapdragon 200 (28 nm) |
| GPU | Adreno 302 | Adreno 302 |
| OS | Android 4.3 (Jelly Bean) | Android 4.4.2 (KitKat), upgradable to 5.1 (Lollipop) |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDHC | microSDHC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 4GB 1GB RAM | 4GB 1GB RAM |
| | - | eMMC 4.5 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash | Panorama, HDR |
| Single | 5 MP, AF | 5 MP, f/2.4 |
| Video | Yes | 480p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Single | VGA | - |
| | - | No |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 2.0 | 4.0, LE, aptX |
| NFC | No | No |
| Positioning | GPS | GPS, GLONASS |
| Radio | FM radio | 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 |
|---|
| Sensors | Accelerometer, proximity | Accelerometer, proximity |
| Battery |
|---|
| Type | Li-Ion 1500 mAh battery | Li-Ion 1980 mAh, non-removable |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | White | Black, White |
| Models | - | XT1021, XT1023 |
| Price | About 80 EUR | About 100 EUR |
| SAR | - | 0.97 W/kg (head) 1.50 W/kg (body) |
| SAR EU | - | 0.76 W/kg (head) |
| Tests |
|---|
| Audio quality | - |
Noise -93.7dB / Crosstalk -92.0dB |
| Battery life | - |
Endurance rating 60h
|
| Camera | - |
Photo |
| Display | - |
Contrast ratio: 1062 (nominal), 1.545 (sunlight) |
| Loudspeaker | - |
Voice 75dB / Noise 71dB / Ring 81dB
|
Karbonn Titanium S1 Plus
- Potentially better multitasking due to quad-core processor.
- May offer slightly more raw processing power in specific, heavily threaded tasks.
- Lower price point (likely, given brand positioning).
- Less efficient processor architecture.
- Likely shorter battery life.
- Potential for performance inconsistencies due to lack of chipset optimizations.
Motorola Moto E
- More efficient Snapdragon 200 chipset.
- Longer battery life (60-hour endurance rating).
- Smoother and more responsive user experience due to chipset optimizations.
- Dual-core processor may limit performance in demanding applications.
- Camera specifications are unknown.
- May be slightly more expensive than the Karbonn.
Display Comparison
Both devices share an identical display contrast ratio of 1062 (nominal) and 1.545 (sunlight). This suggests a similar viewing experience in both indoor and outdoor conditions. However, the lack of information regarding panel type (IPS, TFT) or resolution prevents a deeper analysis of color accuracy and sharpness. The shared contrast ratio indicates a similar level of black depth and overall image vibrancy, but doesn't guarantee a premium viewing experience.
Camera Comparison
Both devices are listed with a 'Photo' camera, offering no specifics on sensor size, aperture, or features. This lack of detail makes a meaningful comparison impossible. It's safe to assume both cameras are entry-level and suitable for basic snapshots in good lighting conditions, but likely struggle in low-light scenarios. Without further information, it's impossible to determine which device offers superior image quality.
Performance
The Karbonn Titanium S1 Plus features a quad-core 1.2 GHz processor, while the Motorola Moto E utilizes a dual-core 1.2 GHz Cortex-A7 processor built on the Qualcomm Snapdragon 200 chipset. While core count suggests potential for better multitasking on the Karbonn, the Snapdragon 200’s architecture and 28nm manufacturing process offer significant advantages in efficiency and real-world performance. The Cortex-A7 cores in the Moto E are more efficient per clock cycle, and the Snapdragon chipset includes integrated optimizations for Android, resulting in a smoother, more responsive user experience. The Karbonn's processor, lacking these optimizations, may struggle with demanding applications.
Battery Life
The Motorola Moto E boasts an endurance rating of 60 hours, indicating a well-optimized power management system. The Karbonn Titanium S1 Plus’s battery capacity is not specified, but given its quad-core processor, it likely requires more power to operate. The Snapdragon 200’s efficiency in the Moto E directly translates to longer battery life, making it the superior choice for users who prioritize all-day usage. The 60-hour rating suggests the Moto E can comfortably handle a full day of moderate use, while the Karbonn may require more frequent charging.
Buying Guide
Buy the Karbonn Titanium S1 Plus if you absolutely need the theoretical advantage of four processing cores for heavily multi-threaded tasks, and are willing to potentially sacrifice overall system responsiveness. Buy the Motorola Moto E if you prioritize a stable, efficient platform with a proven track record, and value battery life and a generally smoother user experience, even with a dual-core processor.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Will the Motorola Moto E struggle with popular apps like WhatsApp and Facebook?
The Snapdragon 200, while an entry-level chipset, is capable of running essential apps like WhatsApp and Facebook smoothly. Its optimized architecture and efficient Cortex-A7 cores ensure a usable experience for everyday tasks. However, expect some slowdown with multiple apps open simultaneously.
❓ Is the lack of specific camera details on both phones a major concern?
Yes, it is. The absence of sensor size, aperture, or feature information suggests both cameras are basic and likely perform poorly in low-light conditions. If camera quality is a priority, these phones are not recommended.
❓ Does the Karbonn Titanium S1 Plus benefit from having four cores over the Moto E's two?
Not necessarily. While four cores *can* be advantageous for multitasking, the Snapdragon 200's architecture and optimizations often outperform a less efficient quad-core processor. The Moto E's smoother performance suggests the core count advantage of the Karbonn is largely negated by chipset efficiency.
