The Philips S6210 Essence 10 and W6610 represent Philips' entry into the highly competitive budget smartphone market. While both aim to deliver essential smartphone functionality at an affordable price, they differ significantly in their internal hardware. This comparison will dissect those differences, focusing on how the Unisoc T606 chipset in the S6210 stacks up against the quad-core processor in the W6610, and which phone offers the best value for your money.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For most users, the Philips S6210 Essence 10 is the superior choice. Its Unisoc T606 chipset, featuring a combination of Cortex-A75 and A55 cores, provides a substantially more responsive experience for everyday tasks and even light multitasking compared to the W6610’s older quad-core processor. While charging is slow on both, the S6210’s processing power justifies the slight compromise.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 900 / 1800 / 1900 - SIM 1 & SIM 2 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 900 / 2100 | HSDPA 900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 3, 7, 8, 20, 28, 40 | - |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE | HSPA 21.1/5.76 Mbps |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2024, Q4 | 2014, May. Released 2014, May |
| Status | Available. Released 2024, Q4 | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Dimensions | 163.6 x 75.6 x 8.6 mm (6.44 x 2.98 x 0.34 in) | 145.4 x 74.1 x 11.4 mm (5.72 x 2.92 x 0.45 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Dual SIM, (Mini-SIM, dual stand-by) |
| Weight | - | 200 g (7.05 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Resolution | 720 x 1612 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~269 ppi density) | 540 x 960 pixels, 16:9 ratio (~220 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.56 inches, 103.4 cm2 (~83.6% screen-to-body ratio) | 5.0 inches, 68.9 cm2 (~64.0% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD, 90Hz | IPS LCD |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (2x1.6 GHz Cortex-A75 & 6x1.6 GHz Cortex-A55) | Quad-core 1.3 GHz |
| Chipset | Unisoc T606 (12 nm) | - |
| GPU | Mali-G57 MP1 | - |
| OS | Android 14 | Android 4.2 (Jelly Bean) |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC | microSDHC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 64GB 3GB RAM, 128GB 3GB RAM | 4GB 1GB RAM |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Dual | 13 MP, (wide), AF
Auxiliary lens | - |
| Features | Ring-LED flash | LED flash |
| Single | - | 8 MP, AF |
| Video | Yes | Yes |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash | - |
| Single | 8 MP | 1.2 MP |
| Video | Yes | - |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | - | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | Yes | 4.0, A2DP |
| NFC | No | No |
| Positioning | GPS | GPS |
| Radio | Unspecified | FM radio |
| USB | USB Type-C | microUSB 2.0 |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n, dual-band | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (side-mounted); unspecified sensors | Accelerometer, proximity |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 10W wired | - |
| Stand-by | - | Up to 1604 h |
| Talk time | - | Up to 33 h |
| Type | Li-Po 5000 mAh | Li-Ion 5300 mAh, removable |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Black, Blue | Black |
| Models | CTS6210BK/40 | - |
| Price | About 70 EUR | - |
Philips S6210 Essence 10
- Significantly faster processor for smoother performance
- Octa-core architecture enables better multitasking
- More capable image processing
- Potentially better software experience due to processing power
- Slow 10W charging
- Limited display specifications
Philips W6610
- Extremely affordable price point
- Potentially longer battery life under light usage
- Simple and straightforward user experience
- Suitable for basic communication needs
- Very slow processor, struggles with modern apps
- Limited multitasking capabilities
- Poor performance for gaming or demanding tasks
- Likely outdated software
Display Comparison
Unfortunately, detailed display specifications for both devices are unavailable. However, given their price points, it’s safe to assume both utilize LCD panels. The lack of information regarding resolution, brightness, and color accuracy suggests neither phone will excel in this area. Bezels are likely to be substantial on both models, typical of budget devices. The display is not a differentiating factor.
Camera Comparison
Camera details are limited. Without sensor size or aperture information, a direct comparison is difficult. However, the S6210’s more powerful processor allows for more sophisticated image processing, potentially leading to better image quality in good lighting conditions. It’s reasonable to assume both phones feature basic camera setups geared towards casual photography. The presence of a 2MP macro camera on either device is unlikely to significantly impact the overall camera experience.
Performance
The performance gap between the Philips S6210 and W6610 is substantial. The S6210’s Unisoc T606 is an octa-core processor built on a 12nm process, featuring two Cortex-A75 cores clocked at 1.6 GHz and six Cortex-A55 cores, also at 1.6 GHz. This architecture provides a significant boost in performance compared to the W6610’s quad-core 1.3 GHz processor. The Cortex-A75 cores in the S6210 are considerably more powerful than the cores found in the W6610, resulting in faster app loading times, smoother scrolling, and improved multitasking capabilities. The W6610 will likely struggle with even moderately demanding applications.
Battery Life
Both devices feature limited charging capabilities, with the S6210 offering 10W wired charging. Battery capacity is not specified for either device. However, given the less power-hungry processor in the W6610, it may achieve slightly longer battery life under light usage. The 10W charging on the S6210 will result in slow charging times, but the more efficient processor may mitigate some of the impact.
Buying Guide
Buy the Philips S6210 Essence 10 if you prioritize a smoother, more capable user experience for social media, web browsing, and basic app usage. It’s ideal for users who want a phone that won’t struggle with common tasks. Buy the Philips W6610 if your needs are extremely basic – primarily making calls and sending texts – and you are on the tightest of budgets, willing to accept significantly slower performance.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Will the Philips S6210 handle popular social media apps like Facebook and Instagram smoothly?
Yes, the Unisoc T606 chipset in the S6210 is capable of running social media apps like Facebook and Instagram without significant lag. The Cortex-A75 cores provide enough processing power for a reasonably smooth experience, unlike the W6610 which may struggle with these apps.
❓ Is the Philips W6610 suitable for playing mobile games?
The Philips W6610 is not recommended for gaming. Its quad-core processor lacks the graphical power and processing speed required for even basic mobile games. You will likely experience significant lag and poor performance. The S6210 is marginally better, but still not ideal for demanding games.
❓ How long will it take to fully charge the Philips S6210 with its 10W charger?
Given the 10W charging speed and the unknown battery capacity, expect a full charge to take approximately 3-4 hours. This is a relatively slow charging time compared to modern smartphones, but it's typical for devices in this price range.
❓ Can I expect regular software updates on either the Philips S6210 or W6610?
Software update support for both devices is likely to be limited. Philips is not known for extensive software support on its budget smartphones. Expect minimal security patches and potentially no major Android version updates.
