Both the Micromax Canvas Selfie 3 Q348 and Bolt Q338 represent Micromax’s attempts to capture the ultra-budget smartphone market. While visually similar, the core difference lies beneath the surface: the Canvas Selfie 3 utilizes the Mediatek MT6582 chipset, while the Bolt Q338 employs the MT6580. This comparison dissects these subtle, yet impactful, hardware variations to determine which device offers the best value.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average user prioritizing slightly smoother multitasking and potentially better app compatibility, the Micromax Canvas Selfie 3 Q348 is the better choice. The MT6582 chipset, while still entry-level, offers a marginal performance advantage over the MT6580 in the Bolt Q338, making it a more future-proof option within this price bracket.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 - SIM 1 & SIM 2 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 - SIM 1 & SIM 2 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 900 / 2100 | HSDPA 900 / 2100 |
| Speed | HSPA 21.1/5.76 Mbps | HSPA 21.1/5.76 Mbps |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA | GSM / HSPA |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2015, August. Released 2015, August | 2015, September. Released 2015, September |
| Status | Discontinued | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Dimensions | 141 x 68.4 x 7.8 mm (5.55 x 2.69 x 0.31 in) | 142.5 x 71 x 9.3 mm (5.61 x 2.80 x 0.37 in) |
| SIM | Dual SIM | Dual SIM |
| Weight | 110 g (3.88 oz) | 157 g (5.54 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass 3 | Corning Gorilla Glass (unspecified version) |
| Resolution | 720 x 1280 pixels, 16:9 ratio (~306 ppi density) | 720 x 1280 pixels, 16:9 ratio (~294 ppi density) |
| Size | 4.8 inches, 63.5 cm2 (~65.9% screen-to-body ratio) | 5.0 inches, 68.9 cm2 (~68.1% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | AMOLED | IPS LCD |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Quad-core 1.3 GHz Cortex-A7 | Quad-core 1.3 GHz Cortex-A7 |
| Chipset | Mediatek MT6582 (28 nm) | Mediatek MT6580 (28 nm) |
| GPU | Mali-400MP2 | Mali-400MP2 |
| OS | Android 5.0 (Lollipop) | Android 5.1 (Lollipop) |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDHC | microSDHC |
| Internal | 8GB 1GB RAM | 8GB 1GB RAM |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash | LED flash |
| Single | 8 MP, AF | 8 MP, AF |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | Yes |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash | - |
| Single | 8 MP | 5 MP |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 4.1, A2DP, LE | 4.0, A2DP |
| NFC | No | No |
| Positioning | GPS | - |
| Radio | FM radio | FM radio |
| 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 |
|---|
| Stand-by | Up to 275 h | - |
| Talk time | Up to 8 h 30 min | - |
| Type | Li-Ion 2300 mAh, non-removable | Li-Ion 2000 mAh, removable |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Black | Black |
| SAR EU | 0.41 W/kg (head) 0.75 W/kg (body) | - |
Micromax Canvas Selfie 3 Q348
- Slightly better chipset (MT6582) for smoother performance.
- Potentially better app compatibility due to chipset.
- ‘Selfie’ branding suggests a focus on front camera.
- RAM capacity likely limited, impacting multitasking.
- Camera quality likely subpar in low light.
Micromax Bolt Q338
- Potentially slightly better battery life due to MT6580.
- Simple and reliable for basic tasks.
- Likely the more affordable option.
- Less powerful chipset (MT6580) compared to Canvas Selfie 3.
- May struggle with more demanding apps.
Display Comparison
Neither Micromax specifies display details beyond size and resolution, suggesting both likely utilize similar, basic LCD panels. Given the price point, expect limited color accuracy and narrow viewing angles on both devices. The absence of information regarding brightness nits makes it difficult to assess outdoor visibility, but both will likely struggle in direct sunlight. Bezels are expected to be substantial on both models, reflecting their budget nature.
Camera Comparison
Camera performance on both devices will be limited. Without specific sensor details, it’s safe to assume both feature low-resolution sensors (likely 5MP or 8MP main cameras). Image quality will be acceptable in ideal lighting conditions, but expect significant noise and lack of detail in low light. The 'Selfie' branding of the Canvas Selfie 3 suggests a slightly more emphasized front-facing camera, but the actual quality difference is likely minimal. Any secondary cameras (e.g., VGA) are unlikely to be useful beyond basic video calls.
Performance
The core distinction between these phones is the chipset. Both utilize a quad-core 1.3 GHz Cortex-A7 CPU, but the Mediatek MT6582 in the Canvas Selfie 3 is built on a slightly more refined architecture than the MT6580 in the Bolt Q338. While the clock speed is identical, the MT6582 generally exhibits marginally better performance in benchmarks and real-world multitasking. Both chipsets are paired with limited RAM (spec not provided, but likely 512MB or 1GB), which will be a significant bottleneck. Thermal management is unlikely to be a concern with these low-power chipsets, but sustained heavy usage could lead to some throttling.
Battery Life
Battery capacity is not specified for either device. However, given the low-power chipsets and basic displays, both should offer at least a full day of moderate use. The MT6580 in the Bolt Q338 *may* offer slightly better battery life due to its marginally lower power consumption, but this difference will likely be negligible in real-world scenarios. Charging times will be slow, as both likely ship with basic 5W chargers.
Buying Guide
Buy the Micromax Canvas Selfie 3 Q348 if you frequently switch between apps, play casual games, or anticipate needing a phone that will remain usable for a longer period. Buy the Micromax Bolt Q338 if your primary needs are basic communication – calls, texts, and light web browsing – and you prioritize maximizing battery life over raw performance. The Bolt Q338 is ideal for first-time smartphone users or as a reliable backup device.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Will the Micromax Canvas Selfie 3 Q348 handle popular social media apps like WhatsApp and Facebook smoothly?
The Canvas Selfie 3, with its MT6582 chipset, should handle basic social media apps like WhatsApp and Facebook without significant issues. However, expect some lag when loading images or videos, especially if multiple apps are running in the background. The limited RAM will be a key factor affecting performance.
❓ Is the Micromax Bolt Q338 suitable for someone who primarily uses their phone for calls and texts?
Absolutely. The Bolt Q338 is ideally suited for users who primarily need a phone for calls and texts. The MT6580 chipset is sufficient for these basic tasks, and the phone’s simplicity makes it easy to use. Battery life is also likely to be good for these usage patterns.
❓ Can either of these phones play modern mobile games like PUBG Mobile or Call of Duty Mobile?
No. Neither the MT6582 nor the MT6580 chipset is powerful enough to run modern, graphically demanding games like PUBG Mobile or Call of Duty Mobile at playable frame rates. You might be able to run very basic 2D games, but don't expect a good gaming experience.
