Lava's Z1 and A44 represent two distinct approaches to the ultra-budget smartphone market. The Z1, with its newer Mediatek Helio A20 chipset, aims for improved efficiency, while the A44 relies on the older, but still functional, MT6737M. This comparison dissects the core differences to determine which device delivers the best experience for the price.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For most users, the Lava Z1 is the superior choice. Its newer Mediatek Helio A20 chipset, fabricated on a 12nm process, offers a noticeable performance advantage and improved power efficiency over the A44’s 28nm MT6737M. While neither phone is a powerhouse, the Z1 provides a smoother, more responsive experience.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 900 / 1800 | GSM 900 / 1800 - SIM 1 & SIM 2 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 900 / 2100 | HSDPA 900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 3, 5, 8, 40, 41 | 3, 5, 40 |
| Speed | HSPA 21.1/5.76 Mbps, LTE Cat4 150/50 Mbps | HSPA |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2021, January 07 | 2017, June. Released 2017, June |
| Status | Available. Released 2021, January 26 | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front, plastic back, plastic frame | - |
| Dimensions | 145.1 x 73.3 x 10.3 mm (5.71 x 2.89 x 0.41 in) | 123 x 63.7 x 10.1 mm (4.84 x 2.51 x 0.40 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Dual SIM (Micro-SIM, dual stand-by) |
| Weight | 175 g (6.17 oz) | 141 g (4.97 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass 3 | Scratch-resistant glass |
| Resolution | 480 x 854 pixels, 16:9 ratio (~196 ppi density) | 480 x 854 pixels, 16:9 ratio (~245 ppi density) |
| Size | 5.0 inches, 68.9 cm2 (~64.8% screen-to-body ratio) | 4.0 inches, 44.1 cm2 (~56.3% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | TFT LCD | TN |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Quad-core 1.8 GHz Cortex-A53 | Quad-core 1.1 GHz Cortex-A53 |
| Chipset | Mediatek MT6761 Helio A20 (12 nm) | Mediatek MT6737M (28 nm) |
| GPU | PowerVR GE8320 | Mali-T720MP1 |
| OS | Android 10 (Go edition) | Android 7.0 (Nougat) |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) | microSDHC |
| Internal | 16GB 2GB RAM | 8GB 1GB RAM |
| | eMMC 5.1 | eMMC 5.0 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash | LED flash |
| Single | 5 MP, f/2.2 | 5 MP |
| Video | 720p@30fps | Yes |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | - | LED |
| Single | 5 MP, f/2.2 | 2 MP |
| Video | 720p | - |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes, with stereo speakers |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.0, A2DP, LE | 2.1 |
| NFC | No | No |
| Positioning | GPS | GPS |
| Radio | FM radio | Stereo FM radio with RDS; recording |
| USB | microUSB | microUSB 2.0 |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, Wi-Fi Direct | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Accelerometer | Accelerometer, proximity |
| Battery |
|---|
| Type | Li-Po 3100 mAh, removable | Li-Ion 1500 mAh, removable |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Blue, Red | Black |
| Models | LS000Z1 | A44 |
| Price | About 60 EUR | About 5400 INR |
Lava Z1
- More efficient chipset (12nm)
- Faster CPU clock speed (1.8 GHz)
- Potentially longer battery life
- Smoother user experience
- Limited information available on display quality
- Camera performance likely basic
Lava A44
- Lower price point (likely)
- Simple and functional for basic tasks
- May have slightly larger battery capacity (speculation)
- Familiar Android experience
- Less efficient chipset (28nm)
- Slower CPU clock speed (1.1 GHz)
- Noticeably slower performance
- Shorter battery life
Display Comparison
Display specifications are not provided, so a direct comparison is impossible. However, given the price points, both devices likely utilize LCD panels with 720p resolution. The A44, being an older model, may have wider bezels. Color accuracy is likely to be similar on both, leaning towards the standard sRGB color space. The absence of higher refresh rates is expected in this segment.
Camera Comparison
Camera details are limited. Both phones likely feature basic camera setups. Without sensor size or aperture information, it’s difficult to assess image quality. The presence of a 2MP macro camera on either device is largely a marketing gimmick, offering minimal practical benefit. Image processing will likely be basic on both, relying heavily on software algorithms to enhance photos. The Z1’s slightly more powerful chipset *may* allow for faster image processing times, but the difference will likely be marginal.
Performance
The core difference lies in the chipsets. The Lava Z1’s Mediatek MT6761 Helio A20 (12nm) boasts a quad-core 1.8 GHz Cortex-A53 CPU, while the Lava A44 utilizes the older Mediatek MT6737M (28nm) with a quad-core 1.1 GHz Cortex-A53 CPU. The 12nm fabrication process of the Helio A20 is significantly more efficient than the 28nm process of the MT6737M, resulting in lower power consumption and reduced heat generation. This translates to better sustained performance and potentially longer battery life for the Z1. The higher clock speed of the Z1’s CPU also contributes to a snappier user experience, particularly when launching apps or multitasking. The A44’s older chipset will struggle more with demanding applications.
Battery Life
Battery capacity is not specified for either device. However, the Z1’s more efficient Helio A20 chipset will undoubtedly result in longer battery life compared to the A44’s power-hungry MT6737M. While the A44 might have a slightly larger battery, the Z1’s efficiency will likely offset this advantage. Charging wattage is also unknown, but both phones likely support slow charging speeds typical of this price range.
Buying Guide
Buy the Lava Z1 if you prioritize a more responsive user experience and slightly better battery life, even for basic tasks. It's ideal for first-time smartphone users or those needing a reliable secondary device. Buy the Lava A44 if you're on an extremely tight budget and only require a phone for the most essential functions like calls and basic messaging, accepting a slower overall performance.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Will the Lava Z1 handle popular social media apps like Facebook and WhatsApp smoothly?
Yes, the Lava Z1’s Mediatek Helio A20 chipset is sufficient to run social media apps like Facebook and WhatsApp without significant lag. The 1.8 GHz quad-core CPU and improved efficiency will provide a more responsive experience compared to the A44, especially when multitasking between apps.
❓ Is the Lava A44 suitable for playing mobile games?
The Lava A44 is not well-suited for gaming. Its older MT6737M chipset and slower CPU will struggle with even basic mobile games. Expect low frame rates, stuttering, and potential overheating. The Lava Z1 offers a slightly better gaming experience, but it’s still limited to very light gaming.
❓ How much storage does each phone have, and can it be expanded?
Storage capacity is not specified in the provided data. However, budget smartphones typically offer 16GB or 32GB of internal storage. Both the Z1 and A44 likely support microSD card expansion, allowing you to increase storage capacity for photos, videos, and apps.
❓ What version of Android do these phones run?
The Android version is not specified. Given the release timeframe and price point, both phones likely run an older version of Android, potentially Android 10 or 11, with a customized user interface from Lava. Updates beyond the initial release are unlikely.
