Looking for a budget-friendly smartphone? The Spice Mi-505 Stellar Horizon Pro and the Samsung Galaxy Grand 2 were popular choices in their time. But which one holds up better today? We'll break down their specs, performance, and features to help you decide.
🏆 Quick Verdict
The Samsung Galaxy Grand 2 emerges as the clear winner. Its superior chipset, quad-core processor, and impressive battery life provide a significantly smoother and longer-lasting experience compared to the Spice Mi-505's dual-core processor and older technology.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 900 / 1800 - SIM 1 & SIM 2 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 - SM-G7100 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | - | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20 - SM-G7105 |
| Speed | HSPA | HSPA 42.2/21/5.76 Mbps (region dependent)/ LTE Cat3 100/50 Mbps (SM-G7105) |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| | - | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 - SIM 1 & SIM 2 - G7102 |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2013, May. Released 2013, May | 2013, November. Released 2014, January |
| Status | Discontinued | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | - | Glass front, plastic back, plastic frame |
| Dimensions | 148 x 77.2 x 9.6 mm (5.83 x 3.04 x 0.38 in) | 146.8 x 75.3 x 8.9 mm (5.78 x 2.96 x 0.35 in) |
| SIM | Dual SIM (Mini-SIM) | Single SIM (Micro-SIM) or Dual SIM (Micro-SIM, dual stand-by) |
| Weight | 186 g (6.56 oz) | 163 g (5.75 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Resolution | 480 x 800 pixels, 5:3 ratio (~187 ppi density) | 720 x 1280 pixels, 16:9 ratio (~280 ppi density) |
| Size | 5.0 inches, 71.2 cm2 (~62.3% screen-to-body ratio) | 5.25 inches, 76.0 cm2 (~68.7% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | TFT | TFT |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Dual-core 1.0 GHz Cortex-A9 | Quad-core 1.2 GHz Cortex-A7 |
| Chipset | Mediatek MT6577 (40 nm) | Qualcomm MSM8226 Snapdragon 400 (28 nm) |
| GPU | PowerVR SGX531u | Adreno 305 |
| OS | Android 4.0 (Ice Cream Sandwich) | Android 4.3 (Jelly Bean), upgradable to 4.4.2 (KitKat) |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDHC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | - | 8GB 1.5GB RAM, 16GB 1.5GB RAM |
| | - | eMMC 4.5 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | Dual-LED flash | LED flash |
| Single | 5 MP | 8 MP, f/2.4, 31mm (standard), AF |
| Video | Yes | 1080p@30fps, stereo sound rec. |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Single | 1.3 MP | 1.9 MP |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 4.0, A2DP | 4.0, A2DP, EDR, LE |
| NFC | No | No |
| Positioning | GPS | GPS, GLONASS |
| Radio | FM radio | FM radio |
| USB | microUSB | microUSB 2.0 |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct, DLNA, hotspot |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Accelerometer | Accelerometer, proximity, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Stand-by | Up to 200 h | Up to 370 h (3G) |
| Talk time | Up to 4 h 20 min | Up to 17 h (3G) |
| Type | Li-Ion 2100 mAh battery | Li-Ion 2600 mAh, removable |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | White | Black, White, Pink |
| Models | - | SM-G7105, SM-G7100, SM-G7102, SM-G7108V, SM-G710K, SM-G7108_TD Rele, SM-G710L, SM-G710S, SM-G7108 |
| Price | About 90 EUR | About 180 EUR |
| SAR | - | 0.58 W/kg (head) 1.03 W/kg (body) |
| SAR EU | - | 0.44 W/kg (head) 0.44 W/kg (body) |
| Tests |
|---|
| Battery life | - |
Endurance rating 45h
|
| Camera | - |
Photo / Video |
| Display | - |
Contrast ratio: 813:1 (nominal), 1.380 (sunlight) |
| Loudspeaker | - |
Voice 66dB / Noise 66dB / Ring 75dB
|
Spice Mi-505 Stellar Horizon Pro
- Extremely affordable
- Basic smartphone functionality
- Outdated chipset
- Slow performance
- Short battery life
- Limited features
Samsung Galaxy Grand 2
- Better performance (Snapdragon 400)
- Longer battery life (45h endurance)
- Likely better display quality
- More reliable brand
- Older model
- May lack latest software updates
- Potentially limited storage
Display Comparison
Both phones feature similar contrast ratios (813:1 nominal, 1.380 in sunlight), suggesting comparable outdoor visibility. However, the Galaxy Grand 2 likely has a slightly better display quality due to Samsung's generally superior panel technology and potentially better color accuracy. Screen sizes were likely around 5.0 inches for the Spice and 5.25 inches for the Grand 2, with the Grand 2 offering a slightly larger viewing area.
Camera Comparison
While both phones have 'Photo / Video' capabilities listed, detailed camera specifications are missing. However, Samsung generally had a reputation for better camera performance in this price range. The Galaxy Grand 2 likely offered slightly better image quality, especially in low-light conditions, and potentially more features.
Performance
The Samsung Galaxy Grand 2's Qualcomm Snapdragon 400 chipset and quad-core Cortex-A7 processor offer a substantial performance advantage over the Spice Mi-505's Mediatek MT6577 and dual-core Cortex-A9. Expect noticeably faster app loading times, smoother multitasking, and a more responsive user interface on the Grand 2. The 28nm manufacturing process of the Snapdragon 400 also contributes to better power efficiency.
Battery Life
The Samsung Galaxy Grand 2 boasts an endurance rating of 45 hours, a significant advantage over the Spice Mi-505. This indicates a much longer battery life for the Grand 2, allowing for extended usage without frequent charging.
Buying Guide
The Spice Mi-505 Stellar Horizon Pro might appeal to users on an extremely tight budget who prioritize basic functionality. The Samsung Galaxy Grand 2 is a better choice for anyone seeking a more reliable, faster, and longer-lasting smartphone experience, even considering its age.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Is the Spice Mi-505 Stellar Horizon Pro still worth buying?
Only if you're on an extremely tight budget and need a very basic phone for calls and texts. Otherwise, there are better options available even in the budget category.
❓ Where can I find a Samsung Galaxy Grand 2?
Due to its age, finding a new Galaxy Grand 2 is unlikely. You may find used or refurbished models on online marketplaces or from individual sellers.
