The Maxwest Orbit Z50 and Samsung Galaxy Win I8550 represent a bygone era of ultra-budget Android smartphones. Both devices relied on Qualcomm's entry-level Snapdragon platforms, but subtle differences in chipset architecture and manufacturing process can significantly impact user experience. This comparison dissects those differences to determine which phone delivers the most value today.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average user seeking a functional, albeit basic, smartphone experience, the Samsung Galaxy Win I8550 edges out the Maxwest Orbit Z50. The Snapdragon 200, built on a 45nm process, offers a slight efficiency advantage, potentially leading to marginally better battery life and sustained performance under load, despite both utilizing the same Cortex-A5 cores.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 - SIM 1 & SIM 2 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 - I8550 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 1900 - D570a | HSDPA 900 / 2100 |
| Speed | HSPA 7.2/5.76 Mbps | HSPA 7.2/5.76 Mbps |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA | GSM / HSPA |
| | - | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 - SIM 1 & SIM 2 - I8552 |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2013, June. Released 2013, June | 2013, April. Released 2013, May |
| Status | Discontinued | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Dimensions | 143 x 72 x 8.9 mm (5.63 x 2.83 x 0.35 in) | 133.3 x 70.7 x 9.7 mm (5.25 x 2.78 x 0.38 in) |
| SIM | Dual SIM (Mini-SIM, dual stand-by) | Single SIM (Micro-SIM) or Dual SIM (Micro-SIM, dual stand-by) |
| Weight | 170 g (6.00 oz) | 143.9 g (5.04 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Resolution | 540 x 960 pixels, 16:9 ratio (~220 ppi density) | 480 x 800 pixels, 5:3 ratio (~199 ppi density) |
| Size | 5.0 inches, 68.9 cm2 (~66.9% screen-to-body ratio) | 4.7 inches, 62.9 cm2 (~66.7% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | LED-backlit IPS LCD | TFT |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Quad-core 1.2 GHz Cortex-A5 | Quad-core 1.2 GHz Cortex-A5 |
| Chipset | Qualcomm MSM8225Q Snapdragon S4 Play | Qualcomm MSM8625Q Snapdragon 200 (45 nm) |
| GPU | Adreno 203 | Adreno 203 |
| OS | Android 4.1.2 (Jelly Bean) | Android 4.1.2 (Jelly Bean) |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDHC (dedicated slot) | microSDHC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 4GB 1GB RAM | 8GB 1GB RAM |
| | - | eMMC 4.5 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | Dual-LED flash | LED flash |
| Single | 8 MP, AF | 5 MP, AF |
| Video | 720p@30fps | 480p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Single | 2 MP | VGA |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 3.0, A2DP | 3.0 |
| NFC | No | No |
| Positioning | GPS | GPS |
| Radio | Stereo FM radio | Stereo FM radio, RDS |
| USB | microUSB 2.0 | microUSB 2.0 |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, Wi-Fi Direct, hotspot | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, hotspot, DLNA |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass | Accelerometer, proximity, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Stand-by | Up to 900 h (2G) / Up to 750 h (3G) | Up to 210 h (3G) |
| Talk time | Up to 24 h (2G) / Up to 10 h (3G) | Up to 11 h (3G) |
| Type | Li-Ion 2000 mAh, removable | Li-Ion 2000 mAh, removable |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Black, White, Pink | Ceramic White, Titan Gray |
| Models | - | GT-I8550, GT-I8552, GT-I8552B |
| Price | - | About 170 EUR |
| SAR | - | 0.26 W/kg (head) 0.67 W/kg (body) |
| SAR EU | - | 0.12 W/kg (head) |
Maxwest Orbit Z50
- Potentially lower price point (depending on current market availability)
- Functional Android experience
- Qualcomm Snapdragon S4 Play chipset
- Likely less efficient chipset
- Potentially shorter battery life
- Limited software support
Samsung Galaxy Win I8550
- More efficient Snapdragon 200 chipset
- Potentially better battery life
- Samsung brand recognition
- May be slightly more expensive
- Limited software support
- Basic camera performance
Display Comparison
Neither device is expected to boast a high-quality display. Given the era, both likely feature LCD panels with resolutions around 480x800. Without specific brightness or color gamut data, it's difficult to definitively declare a winner. However, Samsung historically focused more on display quality, even in budget models, suggesting a potentially slightly better viewing experience on the Galaxy Win I8550. Bezels are expected to be substantial on both devices.
Camera Comparison
Camera performance on both devices will be limited. Without sensor size or aperture information, it's difficult to make a precise comparison. Both likely feature basic 5MP or 8MP rear cameras and low-resolution front-facing cameras. Image processing will be rudimentary. The presence of a 2MP macro camera on either device is largely marketing fluff and won't significantly improve image quality. The Galaxy Win's brand reputation suggests slightly better software optimization for camera processing, but the difference will be minimal.
Performance
The core difference lies in the chipsets: the Maxwest Orbit Z50 utilizes the Qualcomm MSM8225Q Snapdragon S4 Play, while the Samsung Galaxy Win I8550 features the MSM8625Q Snapdragon 200. Both employ a quad-core 1.2 GHz Cortex-A5 CPU. However, the Snapdragon 200 is fabricated on a 45nm process, compared to an unknown process for the S4 Play. This smaller node generally translates to improved power efficiency and potentially better thermal management, allowing the Snapdragon 200 to sustain peak performance for longer periods. While the CPU architecture is identical, the manufacturing process gives the Galaxy Win a slight edge.
Battery Life
Battery capacity is not specified for either device. However, the Snapdragon 200's 45nm process offers a potential advantage in power efficiency. This means the Galaxy Win I8550 could achieve slightly longer battery life on a single charge, even with a similar battery capacity to the Orbit Z50. Charging speeds will be slow on both devices, likely relying on micro-USB and offering 5W or less charging.
Buying Guide
Buy the Maxwest Orbit Z50 if you prioritize finding the absolute cheapest functional smartphone and are willing to accept potentially slower performance in demanding apps. Buy the Samsung Galaxy Win I8550 if you prefer a slightly more refined experience with potentially better battery life and a brand with a more established software support history, even if that support is now discontinued.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Will either of these phones run modern apps smoothly?
No. Both the Snapdragon S4 Play and Snapdragon 200 are very old chipsets. Modern apps, even basic ones, are likely to experience significant lag and performance issues. These phones are best suited for basic tasks like calling, texting, and light web browsing.
❓ Is the Snapdragon 200 a significant upgrade over the Snapdragon S4 Play?
The upgrade is incremental, not substantial. Both use the same Cortex-A5 cores. The primary benefit of the Snapdragon 200 is its 45nm manufacturing process, which offers improved power efficiency and potentially better sustained performance. It's not a generational leap in performance.
❓ Can I expect any software updates for either of these phones?
Highly unlikely. Both devices are several years old and have likely reached the end of their software support lifecycle. Any existing software is likely outdated and may have security vulnerabilities.
❓ Which phone is better for playing older Android games?
The Samsung Galaxy Win I8550 has a slight edge due to the more efficient Snapdragon 200, potentially allowing for slightly longer gaming sessions before thermal throttling becomes an issue. However, don't expect to play anything graphically demanding.
