Back in the early days of Android, budget smartphones were a race to pack in as much as possible. The Samsung Galaxy Ace S5830I and Huawei U8800 Pro were key contenders. But which one held up better? Let's dive into a detailed comparison to see which phone still offers the most value.
🏆 Quick Verdict
The Huawei U8800 Pro edges out the Galaxy Ace S5830I thanks to its faster Snapdragon processor and slightly better overall performance. While both are dated, the U8800 Pro's superior chipset makes it the more responsive choice for basic Android tasks.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 900 / 2100 | HSDPA 900 / 2100 |
| Speed | HSPA 7.2/0.384 Mbps | HSPA 14.4/5.76 Mbps |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA | GSM / HSPA |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2011 | 2011, Q2 |
| Status | Discontinued | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Dimensions | 112.4 x 59.9 x 11.5 mm (4.43 x 2.36 x 0.45 in) | 120 x 62 x 11.6 mm (4.72 x 2.44 x 0.46 in) |
| SIM | Mini-SIM | Mini-SIM |
| Weight | 113 g (3.99 oz) | 130 g (4.59 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass | Scratch-resistant glass, oleophobic coating |
| Resolution | 320 x 480 pixels, 3:2 ratio (~165 ppi density) | 480 x 800 pixels, 5:3 ratio (~246 ppi density) |
| Size | 3.5 inches, 36.5 cm2 (~54.2% screen-to-body ratio) | 3.8 inches, 41.1 cm2 (~55.2% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | TFT | TFT |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | 832 MHz | 1.0 GHz Scorpion |
| Chipset | Broadcom BCM21553 | Qualcomm MSM8255 Snapdragon S2 |
| GPU | VideoCore IV | Adreno 205 |
| OS | Android 2.2 (Froyo), TouchWiz UI 3 | Android 2.3 (Gingerbread) |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDHC (dedicated slot) | microSDHC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 158MB | 2GB 512MB RAM, 4GB 512MB RAM |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash | LED flash |
| Single | 5 MP, AF | 5 MP, AF |
| Video | Yes | 720p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 3.0, A2DP | 2.1, A2DP, EDR |
| Positioning | GPS, A-GPS | GPS, A-GPS |
| Radio | Stereo FM radio, RDS | Stereo FM radio |
| USB | microUSB 2.0 | microUSB 2.0 |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, DLNA, hotspot | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Accelerometer, proximity, compass | Accelerometer, proximity, compass |
| | - | MP3/WMA/WAV/eAAC+ player
MP4/WMV/H.264 player
Organizer
Document viewer
Photo viewer/editor
Voice memo/dial
Predictive text input |
| Battery |
|---|
| Music play | - | Up to 35 h |
| Stand-by | Up to 640 h (2G) / Up to 420 h (3G) | Up to 380 h (2G) / Up to 440 h (3G) |
| Talk time | Up to 11 h (2G) / Up to 6 h 30 min (3G) | Up to 8 h 20 min (2G) / Up to 6 h 40 min (3G) |
| Type | Removable Li-Ion 1350 mAh battery | Removable Li-Po 1500 mAh battery |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Black | Black |
| Models | GT-S5830i | - |
| Price | About 70 EUR | About 70 EUR |
| SAR EU | 0.69 W/kg (head) | - |
Samsung Galaxy Ace S5830I
- Reputable brand
- Decent build quality
- 5MP Camera
- Slow performance
- Outdated chipset
- Smaller battery
- Limited storage
Huawei U8800 Pro
- Faster processor (Snapdragon)
- Better battery life
- 8MP Camera
- Slightly more storage
- Less well-known brand at the time
- Dated design
- Limited RAM
Display Comparison
Both phones feature a 3.5-inch capacitive touchscreen with a resolution of 320 x 480 pixels. Display quality is comparable – expect decent viewing angles and color reproduction for the time, but nothing spectacular. Neither phone boasts any advanced display technology.
Camera Comparison
The Galaxy Ace has a 5MP camera, while the U8800 Pro has an 8MP camera. While megapixels aren't everything, the U8800 Pro generally produces slightly better image quality, especially in good lighting conditions. Both cameras struggle in low light.
Performance
This is where the U8800 Pro shines. Its Qualcomm MSM8255 Snapdragon S2 chipset with a 1.0 GHz Scorpion CPU significantly outperforms the Broadcom BCM21553 and 832 MHz CPU in the Galaxy Ace. Expect noticeably faster app loading times and smoother multitasking on the U8800 Pro.
Battery Life
The Galaxy Ace S5830I has a 1000mAh battery, while the U8800 Pro has a 1200mAh battery. The U8800 Pro's slightly larger battery, combined with its more efficient Snapdragon chipset, typically provides slightly longer battery life.
Buying Guide
The Samsung Galaxy Ace S5830I might appeal to someone seeking a very basic, ultra-budget option, primarily for calls and texts. The Huawei U8800 Pro is a better choice for anyone wanting a slightly smoother Android experience, even with older hardware, and a bit more processing power for light apps.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Are these phones still usable in 2024?
While technically usable, both phones are very outdated. Android support has long ended, making them vulnerable to security risks and incompatible with many modern apps. They are best suited for very basic tasks or as retro devices.
❓ Which phone has more storage?
The Huawei U8800 Pro typically offered slightly more internal storage and often supported microSD cards for expansion, providing more flexibility.
