Both the Prestigio MultiPhone 5400 Duo and the Gigabyte GSmart Aku A1 represent attempts to deliver affordable smartphone experiences. However, they approach this goal with different hardware philosophies. The Prestigio relies on a simpler, older Cortex-A5 architecture, while the Gigabyte leverages the more modern, though still budget-focused, Mediatek MT6589 with its Cortex-A7 cores. This comparison will dissect the implications of these choices for everyday users.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average user prioritizing responsiveness and a slightly smoother experience, the Gigabyte GSmart Aku A1 is the better choice. Its Cortex-A7 CPU, built on a 28nm process, provides a noticeable performance uplift over the Prestigio’s Cortex-A5. However, this comes with a potential trade-off in battery life due to the more power-hungry chipset.
| 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 | HSPA |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA | GSM / HSPA |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2013. Released 2013 | 2013, July. Released 2013, July |
| Status | Discontinued | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Dimensions | 126 x 63.5 x 9.9 mm (4.96 x 2.5 x 0.39 in) | 136 x 67 x 12.4 mm (5.35 x 2.64 x 0.49 in) |
| SIM | Dual SIM (Mini-SIM) | Dual SIM (Mini-SIM, dual stand-by) |
| Weight | 132 g (4.66 oz) | 147.7 g (5.19 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Resolution | 480 x 800 pixels, 5:3 ratio (~233 ppi density) | 480 x 854 pixels, 16:9 ratio (~218 ppi density) |
| Size | 4.0 inches, 45.5 cm2 (~56.9% screen-to-body ratio) | 4.5 inches, 55.8 cm2 (~61.2% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | TFT | TFT |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Quad-core 1.2 GHz Cortex-A5 | Quad-core 1.2 GHz Cortex-A7 |
| Chipset | - | Mediatek MT6589 (28 nm) |
| GPU | - | PowerVR SGX544 |
| OS | Android 4.1 (Jelly Bean) | Android 4.2 (Jelly Bean) |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDHC (dedicated slot) | microSDHC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 4GB 512MB RAM | 4GB 1GB RAM |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | Dual-LED flash | LED flash |
| Single | 8 MP, AF | 5 MP, AF |
| Video | Yes | Yes |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Single | VGA | VGA |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | Yes | 3.0 |
| NFC | No | No |
| Positioning | GPS | 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 333 h |
| Talk time | - | Up to 5 h |
| Type | Li-Ion 1700 mAh, removable | Li-Ion 2000 mAh, removable |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | White | Black, White |
| Price | About 120 EUR | About 150 EUR |
Prestigio MultiPhone 5400 Duo
- Potentially longer battery life due to simpler CPU architecture.
- Likely lower price point compared to the Gigabyte.
- Simpler software experience may appeal to less tech-savvy users.
- Significantly slower performance compared to the Cortex-A7.
- Less responsive user interface.
- May struggle with multitasking or demanding apps.
Gigabyte GSmart Aku A1
- Faster and more responsive performance thanks to the Cortex-A7 CPU.
- More efficient 28nm chipset.
- Smoother multitasking and app loading times.
- Potentially shorter battery life compared to the Prestigio.
- May be slightly more expensive.
- More complex chipset could lead to more software bugs.
Display Comparison
Unfortunately, display specifications are absent from the provided data. However, given the target market of both devices, it's reasonable to assume both utilize LCD panels with resolutions around 480x800. The Gigabyte, being a slightly later release, *may* benefit from improved color calibration or viewing angles, but this is speculative. Bezels are likely to be substantial on both, reflecting the budget nature of the devices.
Camera Comparison
Without specific camera sensor details, a direct comparison is limited. It’s safe to assume both devices feature basic camera setups geared towards casual photography. The absence of information suggests neither phone boasts advanced features like Optical Image Stabilization (OIS) or large sensor sizes. Image processing will likely be rudimentary on both, relying heavily on software algorithms to enhance photos. Any differences in image quality will likely be subtle and dependent on software tuning.
Performance
The core difference lies in the CPUs. The Gigabyte GSmart Aku A1’s Mediatek MT6589, featuring quad-core 1.2 GHz Cortex-A7 processors, represents a significant architectural improvement over the Prestigio’s quad-core 1.2 GHz Cortex-A5. The Cortex-A7 offers a wider instruction set and improved performance per clock cycle. Crucially, the MT6589 is fabricated on a 28nm process, offering better power efficiency than the likely larger node used for the Cortex-A5. This translates to faster app loading times, smoother multitasking, and a more responsive user interface on the Gigabyte. Users who frequently switch between apps or browse the web will notice the difference.
Battery Life
Battery capacity is not specified for either device. However, the Gigabyte’s more efficient 28nm MT6589 chipset *should* translate to better battery life despite potentially having a similar or even slightly smaller battery capacity. The Cortex-A7’s improved efficiency means it consumes less power during typical usage. Charging wattage is also unknown, making it difficult to assess 0-100% charging times. The Gigabyte’s chipset, however, may support faster charging protocols if implemented by the manufacturer.
Buying Guide
Buy the Prestigio MultiPhone 5400 Duo if you need a basic smartphone for essential tasks like calls, texts, and light web browsing, and prioritize maximizing battery life. Buy the Gigabyte GSmart Aku A1 if you prefer a more responsive user experience, are willing to accept potentially shorter battery runtimes, and occasionally engage in slightly more demanding tasks like social media scrolling or basic gaming.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Will the Gigabyte Aku A1 handle popular social media apps like Facebook and Instagram smoothly?
Yes, the Cortex-A7 processor in the Gigabyte Aku A1 provides enough processing power to run social media apps like Facebook and Instagram with reasonable smoothness. While it won't offer a flagship-level experience, it will be noticeably more responsive than the Prestigio's Cortex-A5 when scrolling through feeds or loading images.
❓ Is the Mediatek MT6589 chipset known for overheating issues?
The Mediatek MT6589 is not generally known for significant overheating issues, especially in budget devices like the Gigabyte Aku A1. The 28nm process helps to manage thermal output. However, prolonged intensive tasks like gaming could lead to some warming, which is typical for devices in this price range.
❓ Can I expect to play modern mobile games on either of these phones?
While both phones *can* technically run some mobile games, the experience will be limited. The Prestigio 5400 Duo will struggle with most modern titles. The Gigabyte Aku A1 will handle less demanding games, but expect low graphics settings and potential frame rate drops in more intensive games. These phones are not designed for serious gaming.
