In the fiercely competitive sub-$100 smartphone market, the Spice Mi-349 Smart Flo Edge and the XOLO Era 4G represent attempts to deliver essential smartphone functionality at an incredibly low price point. This comparison dissects their core specifications to determine which device offers the best value for users prioritizing basic connectivity and affordability.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average user, the XOLO Era 4G is the superior choice. Its Spreadtrum SC9830A chipset, featuring a quad-core 1.5 GHz CPU, provides a demonstrably faster experience than the Spice Mi-349’s single-core 1.0 GHz processor, making everyday tasks significantly smoother. While both phones target the same budget segment, the XOLO offers a better return on investment.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 900 / 1800 - SIM 1 & SIM 2 | GSM 900 / 1800 - SIM 1 & SIM 2 |
| 3G bands | - | HSDPA 900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | - | 3, 5, 40 |
| EDGE | Yes | - |
| GPRS | Yes | - |
| Speed | - | HSPA 21.1/5.76 Mbps |
| Technology | GSM | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2013, September. Released 2013, September | 2016, February. Released 2016, February |
| Status | Discontinued | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Dimensions | 117 x 63 x 12.3 mm (4.61 x 2.48 x 0.48 in) | 145.5 x 72 x 8.5 mm (5.73 x 2.83 x 0.33 in) |
| SIM | Dual SIM | Dual SIM |
| Weight | - | - |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | - | Corning Gorilla Glass |
| Resolution | 320 x 480 pixels, 3:2 ratio (~165 ppi density) | 720 x 1280 pixels, 16:9 ratio (~294 ppi density) |
| Size | 3.5 inches, 36.5 cm2 (~49.5% screen-to-body ratio) | 5.0 inches, 68.9 cm2 (~65.8% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | TFT, 256K colors | IPS LCD |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | 1.0 GHz | Quad-core 1.5 GHz |
| Chipset | - | Spreadtrum SC9830A |
| GPU | - | Mali-400MP2 |
| OS | Android 2.3.5 (Gingerbread) | Android 5.1.1 (Lollipop), upgradable to 6.0 (Marshmallow) |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDHC (dedicated slot) | microSDHC |
| Internal | 512MB 256MB RAM | 8GB 1GB RAM |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | - | LED flash, panorama, HDR |
| Single | 1.3 MP | 5 MP, AF |
| Video | Yes | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | - | LED flash |
| Single | VGA | 2 MP |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | Yes | 4.0, A2DP |
| NFC | No | No |
| Positioning | A-GPS only | GPS |
| Radio | FM radio | FM radio |
| USB | microUSB | microUSB 2.0 |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, hotspot |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Accelerometer | Accelerometer, proximity |
| Battery |
|---|
| Stand-by | Up to 120 h | Up to 455 h (2G) / Up to 329 h (3G) |
| Talk time | Up to 8 h | Up to 13 h 30 min (2G) / Up to 10 h 45 min (3G) |
| Type | Li-Ion 1500 mAh battery | Li-Po 2500 mAh, removable |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | White | Black |
| Price | About 40 EUR | - |
| SAR EU | - | 0.26 W/kg (head) 0.23 W/kg (body) |
Spice Mi-349 Smart Flo Edge
- Extremely affordable
- Simple and easy to use
- Potentially longer standby time due to lower power CPU (speculative)
- Very slow performance
- Limited multitasking capabilities
- Likely poor camera quality
XOLO Era 4G
- Significantly faster performance
- Better multitasking capabilities
- More responsive user experience
- Slightly higher price
- Battery life may be comparable to Spice Mi-349
- Still limited by entry-level hardware
Display Comparison
Unfortunately, detailed display specifications for either device are unavailable. Given the price point, it’s reasonable to assume both utilize LCD panels with resolutions likely around 480x854. The Spice Mi-349’s lack of chipset information suggests a simpler display driver, potentially impacting color accuracy. The XOLO Era 4G, benefiting from the SC9830A, likely has a more capable display controller, potentially offering slightly better color reproduction and viewing angles, though neither is expected to compete with higher-end displays.
Camera Comparison
Camera details are sparse for both devices. It’s safe to assume both feature basic camera setups, likely with a primary sensor and potentially a VGA front-facing camera. Without specific sensor size or aperture information, it’s difficult to assess image quality. However, the XOLO Era 4G’s more powerful chipset may offer slightly better image processing capabilities, potentially resulting in marginally improved photos, especially in good lighting conditions. The absence of Optical Image Stabilization (OIS) on either device suggests limited low-light performance.
Performance
The performance disparity is the most significant difference between these two devices. The Spice Mi-349’s 1.0 GHz CPU is a single-core unit, meaning it can only process one instruction stream at a time. In contrast, the XOLO Era 4G’s Spreadtrum SC9830A boasts a quad-core 1.5 GHz CPU. This translates to a substantial advantage for the XOLO in multitasking, app loading times, and overall system responsiveness. The SC9830A’s architecture, while still entry-level, is far more efficient at handling multiple processes concurrently, making it the clear winner for users who want a phone that doesn’t feel sluggish with even moderate use.
Battery Life
Battery capacity information is unavailable for both devices. Given the target market, both likely feature batteries in the 1500-2000 mAh range. The XOLO Era 4G’s more efficient chipset could potentially translate to slightly better battery life, despite potentially having a similar capacity. Charging wattage is also unknown, but it’s reasonable to expect both phones will charge slowly via Micro-USB, taking several hours to reach a full charge.
Buying Guide
Buy the Spice Mi-349 Smart Flo Edge if your primary need is a very basic, ultra-affordable phone for minimal tasks like calls and texts, and you prioritize absolute simplicity. Buy the XOLO Era 4G if you prefer a more responsive user experience, even for light multitasking, and value the added performance of a quad-core processor for a slightly higher investment. The XOLO is better suited for users who occasionally browse the web or use basic apps.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Will the XOLO Era 4G struggle with popular apps like WhatsApp or Facebook?
While the XOLO Era 4G is an entry-level device, its quad-core processor should handle basic usage of apps like WhatsApp and Facebook reasonably well. However, expect some lag when switching between apps or loading media-heavy content. It's not designed for demanding applications.
❓ Is the Spice Mi-349 Smart Flo Edge suitable for elderly users who primarily need a phone for calls and texts?
Yes, the Spice Mi-349’s simplicity makes it a viable option for elderly users who only require basic calling and texting functionality. Its straightforward interface and low price point are appealing, but be aware of its limited performance.
❓ Can the XOLO Era 4G handle basic web browsing?
Yes, the XOLO Era 4G can handle basic web browsing, but the experience will be slow and potentially frustrating on data-heavy websites. It's best suited for simple tasks like checking email or reading news articles.
