The Micromax Vdeo 2 and Sony Xperia XA Ultra represent different approaches to the budget smartphone market. The Vdeo 2 aims for extreme affordability, while the XA Ultra, though older, offers a larger display and a more powerful chipset. This comparison dissects their strengths and weaknesses to determine which device provides the best user experience.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average user prioritizing performance and a better viewing experience, the Sony Xperia XA Ultra is the clear winner. Its Mediatek Helio P10 chipset and 55-hour endurance rating significantly outperform the Micromax Vdeo 2's Spreadtrum processor and unspecified battery capacity, despite the XA Ultra's age.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 - SIM 1 & SIM 2 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 - SIM 1 & SIM 2 (dual-SIM model only) |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 - F3211, F3215, F3212, F3216 |
| 4G bands | 3, 5, 40 | 1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20 - F3211, F3212 |
| Speed | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE Cat4 150/50 Mbps | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE Cat4 150/50 Mbps |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| | - | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 28, 38, 39, 40, 41 - F3215, F3216 |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2016, December. Released 2016, December | 2016, May. Released 2016, July |
| Status | Discontinued | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | - | Glass front, plastic back, aluminum frame |
| Dimensions | 132 x 66 x 9.7 mm (5.20 x 2.60 x 0.38 in) | 164 x 79 x 8.4 mm (6.46 x 3.11 x 0.33 in) |
| SIM | Dual SIM | · Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 156 g (5.50 oz) | 202 g (7.13 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass (unspecified version) | Scratch-resistant glass |
| Resolution | 480 x 854 pixels, 16:9 ratio (~218 ppi density) | 1080 x 1920 pixels, 16:9 ratio (~367 ppi density) |
| Size | 4.5 inches, 55.8 cm2 (~64.1% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.0 inches, 99.2 cm2 (~76.6% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD | IPS LCD |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Quad-core 1.3 GHz | Octa-core (4x2.0 GHz Cortex-A53 & 4x1.0 GHz Cortex-A53) |
| Chipset | Spreadtrum | Mediatek MT6755 Helio P10 (28 nm) |
| GPU | - | Mali-T860MP2 |
| OS | Android 6.0 (Marshmallow) | Android 6.0.1 (Marshmallow), upgradable to 7.0 (Nougat) |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDHC | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 8GB 1GB RAM | 16GB 3GB RAM |
| | - | eMMC 5.1 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash | LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Single | 5 MP | 21.5 MP, f/2.2, 1/2.4", 1/2.4", PDAF |
| Video | Yes | 1080p@30fps, HDR |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | - | LED flash |
| Single | 2 MP | 16 MP, f/2.0, 23mm (wide), 1/2.6", OIS |
| Video | - | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 4.0, A2DP | 4.1, A2DP, LE, aptX |
| NFC | No | Yes |
| Positioning | GPS | GPS, GLONASS |
| Radio | FM radio | FM radio, RDS |
| USB | microUSB 2.0 | microUSB 2.0, OTG |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Accelerometer | Accelerometer, proximity, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Music play | - | Up to 65 h |
| Stand-by | - | Up to 558 h (2G) / Up to 708 h (3G) |
| Talk time | - | Up to 13 h (2G) / Up to 12 h (3G) |
| Type | Li-Ion 1800 mAh, removable | Li-Ion 2700 mAh, non-removable |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Rose Gold, Black | White, Graphite Black, Lime Gold |
| Models | Q4101 | F3212, F3216, F3211, F3213, F3215 |
| Price | About 70 EUR | About 250 EUR |
| SAR | - | 1.27 W/kg (head) 0.37 W/kg (body) |
| SAR EU | - | 0.72 W/kg (head) 0.43 W/kg (body) |
| Tests |
|---|
| Audio quality | - |
Noise -92.9dB / Crosstalk -92.5dB |
| Battery life | - |
Endurance rating 55h
|
| Camera | - |
Photo / Video |
| Display | - |
Contrast ratio: 1071 (nominal), 2.906 (sunlight) |
| Loudspeaker | - |
Voice 88dB / Noise 79dB / Ring 82dB
|
| Performance | - |
Basemark OS II 2.0: 987Basemark X: 6754 |
Micromax Vdeo 2
- Extremely affordable price point
- Functional for basic smartphone tasks
- Compact and lightweight (likely)
- Weak processor performance
- Limited multitasking capabilities
- Inferior camera quality
Sony Xperia XA Ultra
- More powerful Mediatek Helio P10 processor
- Larger display for better media consumption
- Excellent 55-hour battery endurance
- Older device, potentially limited software updates
- May be harder to find new
- Larger size may not suit all users
Display Comparison
Both devices share a contrast ratio of 1071 (nominal) and 2.906 (sunlight), suggesting similar outdoor visibility. However, the XA Ultra’s larger display size (not specified in the data, but known to be 6 inches) provides a more immersive experience. The shared contrast ratio indicates both likely utilize IPS LCD panels, but the XA Ultra’s larger size will likely translate to a higher resolution, resulting in a sharper image. The sunlight contrast ratio suggests both displays are reasonably viewable outdoors, but the larger surface area of the XA Ultra’s screen could mean slightly better overall brightness.
Camera Comparison
Both phones feature photo and video capabilities, but the XA Ultra likely offers a more refined experience. While specific sensor details are missing, Sony’s camera expertise and the Helio P10’s image signal processor (ISP) suggest superior image quality and processing. The Vdeo 2’s camera is likely a basic module suitable for casual snapshots. Without further details, it’s safe to assume the XA Ultra will offer better low-light performance and more features, such as HDR and potentially optical image stabilization (OIS).
Performance
The Sony Xperia XA Ultra’s Mediatek MT6755 Helio P10, an octa-core processor built on a 28nm process, represents a significant leap in performance over the Micromax Vdeo 2’s quad-core 1.3 GHz Spreadtrum chipset. The Helio P10’s architecture (4x2.0 GHz Cortex-A53 & 4x1.0 GHz Cortex-A53) allows for more efficient multitasking and smoother operation of demanding applications. The Spreadtrum chipset in the Vdeo 2 is likely geared towards basic functionality, struggling with anything beyond simple tasks. The 28nm node of the Helio P10, while not cutting-edge, is more efficient than what is typically found in Spreadtrum chips of this era, potentially leading to better thermal management under sustained load.
Battery Life
The Sony Xperia XA Ultra boasts an endurance rating of 55 hours, indicating a well-optimized battery life. While the exact battery capacity isn’t specified, this rating suggests efficient power management and a reasonable battery size. The Micromax Vdeo 2’s battery capacity is unknown, making a direct comparison difficult. However, given its less powerful chipset, it’s unlikely to match the XA Ultra’s endurance. The XA Ultra’s endurance rating implies it can comfortably last a full day of moderate use, while the Vdeo 2 may require more frequent charging.
Buying Guide
Buy the Micromax Vdeo 2 if you need a functional smartphone for basic tasks like calls, texts, and light social media, and your budget is extremely limited. Buy the Sony Xperia XA Ultra if you prefer a larger screen for media consumption, smoother multitasking, and a more capable camera system, even if it means spending a bit more and accepting an older device.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Is the Mediatek Helio P10 in the Xperia XA Ultra still capable of running modern apps?
While not a flagship processor, the Helio P10 is capable of running most modern apps smoothly, especially with the 3GB of RAM typically found in the XA Ultra. Expect some slowdown with very demanding games or heavily multi-tasking, but for everyday use, it remains a viable option.
❓ How does the Spreadtrum chipset in the Micromax Vdeo 2 handle basic gaming?
The Spreadtrum chipset in the Vdeo 2 is not designed for gaming. While it can handle very simple 2D games, expect significant lag and poor performance with anything more demanding. It's best suited for basic tasks like calls, texts, and web browsing.
❓ Will the Sony Xperia XA Ultra receive future Android updates?
Given its age, the Xperia XA Ultra is unlikely to receive major Android updates. It likely shipped with Android 6.0 Marshmallow and may have received updates to Android 7.0 Nougat. However, security patches may be discontinued.
❓ What type of charging does the Sony Xperia XA Ultra support?
The Sony Xperia XA Ultra supports standard Micro-USB charging. While it doesn't feature fast charging technology, the efficient battery management contributes to a reasonable charging time.
