The Spice Mi-410 and XOLO Era X represent a segment of the market where affordability is paramount. Both devices aimed to deliver a smartphone experience to first-time buyers, but they took different approaches under the hood. The Mi-410 relies on Qualcomm's older Snapdragon S2 platform, while the Era X opts for a Spreadtrum SC9830A chipset. This comparison dissects the key differences to determine which device offers the best value.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average user prioritizing responsiveness and multitasking, the XOLO Era X is the better choice. Its quad-core 1.5 GHz processor significantly outperforms the Spice Mi-410’s single-core 1.0 GHz Snapdragon S2, making everyday tasks smoother and more efficient. While both are entry-level, the Era X provides a more modern experience.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 900 / 1800 - SIM 1 & SIM 2 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 900 / 1900 / 2100 | HSDPA 900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | - | 3, 5, 40 |
| Speed | HSPA 14.4/5.76 Mbps | HSPA 21.1/5.76 Mbps, LTE Cat4 150/50 Mbps |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2011, Q2. Released 2011, Q2 | 2016, February. Released 2016, February |
| Status | Discontinued | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Dimensions | 122 x 66 x 10 mm (4.80 x 2.60 x 0.39 in) | 145.5 x 72 x 8.5 mm (5.73 x 2.83 x 0.33 in) |
| SIM | Mini-SIM | Dual SIM |
| Weight | 143 g (5.04 oz) | - |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | - | Corning Gorilla Glass |
| Resolution | 480 x 800 pixels, 5:3 ratio (~232 ppi density) | 720 x 1280 pixels, 16:9 ratio (~294 ppi density) |
| Size | 4.03 inches, 46.2 cm2 (~57.4% 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 Scorpion | Quad-core 1.5 GHz |
| Chipset | Qualcomm MSM8255 Snapdragon S2 | Spreadtrum SC9830A |
| GPU | Adreno 205 | - |
| OS | Android 2.2 (Froyo) | Android 5.1.1 (Lollipop), upgradable to 6.0 (Marshmallow) |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDHC (dedicated slot) | microSDHC |
| Internal | 800MB 512MB RAM | 8GB 2GB RAM |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash | LED flash, panorama, HDR |
| Single | 5 MP, AF | 8 MP, AF |
| Video | 720p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | - | LED flash |
| Single | Yes | 5 MP |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 2.0, A2DP, EDR | 4.0, A2DP |
| NFC | - | No |
| Positioning | GPS, A-GPS | GPS |
| Radio | FM radio, recording | FM radio |
| USB | microUSB | microUSB 2.0 |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g, hotspot | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, hotspot |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Accelerometer, proximity, compass | Accelerometer, proximity |
| | HDMI output
MP4/WMV/H.263 player
MP3/WAV/AAC+ player
Organizer
Document viewer
Photo/video editor
Voice memo
Predictive text input | - |
| Battery |
|---|
| Stand-by | Up to 400 h (2G) / Up to 380 h (3G) | - |
| Talk time | Up to 2 h 20 min (2G) / Up to 4 h (3G) | - |
| Type | Removable Li-Ion 1400 mAh battery | Li-Po 2500 mAh, removable |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Silver, Brown | Black |
| Price | About 210 EUR | - |
| SAR EU | 0.62 W/kg (head) | - |
Spice Mi-410
- Qualcomm chipset offers potential for wider software compatibility (though support is likely limited now).
- Potentially better power efficiency at very low loads due to single-core design.
- Brand recognition (Spice was a known brand in India).
- Significantly slower processor compared to the XOLO Era X.
- Limited multitasking capabilities.
- Outdated chipset architecture.
XOLO Era X
- Quad-core processor provides a much smoother user experience.
- Higher clock speed for faster app loading and responsiveness.
- More modern chipset architecture.
- Spreadtrum chipsets historically have had less robust software support.
- Potential for less optimized software compared to Qualcomm devices.
- Brand recognition may be lower than Spice.
Display Comparison
Information regarding display specifications (resolution, panel type, brightness) is unavailable for either device. However, given their target market, it's safe to assume both utilize LCD panels with modest resolutions. The lack of information prevents a direct comparison of color accuracy or viewing angles. Bezels were likely substantial on both devices, typical of the era.
Camera Comparison
Camera details are sparse for both devices. It’s reasonable to assume both feature basic camera sensors, likely with limited low-light performance. Without specific megapixel counts or aperture information, a detailed comparison is impossible. The image processing capabilities of both chipsets would have been rudimentary, resulting in images with limited dynamic range and detail. Any claims of advanced camera features should be viewed with skepticism.
Performance
The core difference lies in the chipsets. The Spice Mi-410’s Qualcomm MSM8255 Snapdragon S2 features a single 1.0 GHz Scorpion CPU core. This architecture, while efficient for its time, is significantly limited in multitasking capabilities. The XOLO Era X, powered by the Spreadtrum SC9830A, boasts a quad-core processor clocked at 1.5 GHz. This represents a substantial leap in processing power, allowing for smoother app switching and handling of more demanding applications. The Spreadtrum chipset’s higher clock speed and core count directly translate to a more responsive user experience. While neither chipset is designed for gaming, the Era X will handle casual games more effectively.
Battery Life
Battery capacity information is unavailable for both devices. Given their entry-level nature, both likely featured relatively small batteries (around 1500-2000 mAh). Charging wattage is also unknown. The Spreadtrum SC9830A’s more efficient architecture *may* offer slightly better battery life under similar usage conditions, but this is speculative without concrete data. Real-world battery performance would heavily depend on usage patterns and network conditions.
Buying Guide
Buy the Spice Mi-410 if you absolutely need a device with Qualcomm’s ecosystem and are comfortable with a very basic smartphone experience focused on core functionality. Buy the XOLO Era X if you prioritize a more responsive user interface, better multitasking capabilities, and a slightly more modern chipset architecture for a similar price point. The Era X is the better option for users who want a phone that can handle more than just calls and texts.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Is the Spreadtrum SC9830A chipset known for overheating issues?
While Spreadtrum chipsets haven't historically been known for exceptional thermal performance, the SC9830A is a low-power processor designed for entry-level devices. Overheating is unlikely to be a significant issue under normal usage conditions. However, prolonged gaming or demanding tasks could lead to some heat buildup.
❓ Will the Spice Mi-410 be able to run modern apps like WhatsApp and Facebook smoothly?
The Spice Mi-410’s single-core 1.0 GHz processor will struggle with modern apps. While basic functionality like sending messages on WhatsApp may be possible, expect significant lag and slow loading times. Facebook and other resource-intensive apps will likely be frustrating to use.
❓ Which phone is more likely to receive software updates?
Neither device is likely to receive significant software updates at this point. Both are older models from brands that have shifted focus. However, Qualcomm historically provides more consistent driver and software support, giving the Mi-410 a *slightly* better chance of receiving minor updates, though this is not guaranteed.
