In the fiercely competitive sub-$100 smartphone market, the Spice Stellar 439 (Mi-439) and Lava Iris Fuel 60 represent common choices for first-time smartphone buyers or those seeking a reliable secondary device. While both aim for affordability, they take different approaches to performance. The Stellar 439 relies on a Mediatek chipset, while the Fuel 60 opts for a quad-core processor. This comparison dissects their strengths and weaknesses to determine which offers the best value.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average user prioritizing basic functionality like calls, messaging, and light web browsing, the Lava Iris Fuel 60 is the better choice. Its quad-core 1.3 GHz CPU provides a noticeable performance uplift over the Spice Stellar 439’s dual-core 1.0 GHz processor, resulting in a smoother user experience, even if the architectural efficiency isn't cutting-edge.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 900 / 1800 - SIM 1 & SIM 2 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 - SIM 1 & SIM 2 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 2100 | HSDPA 2100 |
| Speed | HSPA 21.1/5.76 Mbps | HSPA |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA | GSM / HSPA |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2014, August. Released 2014, August | 2014, December. Released 2014, December |
| Status | Discontinued | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Dimensions | 125 x 63 x 10 mm (4.92 x 2.48 x 0.39 in) | 144.8 x 72.8 x 10.2 mm (5.70 x 2.87 x 0.40 in) |
| SIM | Dual SIM (Mini-SIM) | Dual SIM |
| Weight | 113.8 g (4.02 oz) | 174 g (6.14 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Resolution | 480 x 800 pixels, 5:3 ratio (~233 ppi density) | 720 x 1280 pixels, 16:9 ratio (~294 ppi density) |
| Size | 4.0 inches, 45.5 cm2 (~57.8% screen-to-body ratio) | 5.0 inches, 68.9 cm2 (~65.4% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | TFT, 256K colors | IPS LCD |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Dual-core 1.0 GHz Cortex-A7 | Quad-core 1.3 GHz |
| Chipset | Mediatek MT6572M (28 nm) | - |
| GPU | Mali-400 | - |
| OS | Android 4.4.2 (KitKat) | Android 4.4.2 (KitKat) |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDHC | microSDHC |
| Internal | 4GB 512MB RAM | 8GB 1GB RAM |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | - | LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Single | 3.15 MP | 10 MP, AF |
| Video | 720p@25fps | Yes |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Single | 1.3 MP | 2 MP |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes, dual speakers | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 3.0, A2DP | 3.0 |
| NFC | No | No |
| Positioning | A-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 | Accelerometer, proximity, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Music play | Up to 15 h | - |
| Stand-by | Up to 58 h | - |
| Talk time | Up to 5 h 30 min | Up to 32 h (2G) / Up to 13 h 30 min (3G) |
| Type | Li-Ion 1400 mAh battery | Li-Po 4000 mAh, removable |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Brown, Silver | Black, White |
| Price | - | About 130 EUR |
| SAR EU | 0.85 W/kg (head) | - |
Spice Stellar 439 (Mi-439)
- Potentially lower price point
- Reasonable thermal management due to 28nm process
- Sufficient for basic communication tasks
- Significantly slower performance compared to the Fuel 60
- Struggles with multitasking and demanding apps
- Older processor architecture
Lava Iris Fuel 60
- Faster quad-core processor for smoother performance
- Better multitasking capabilities
- More responsive user experience
- Potentially higher price
- May experience faster battery drain during intensive use
- Unknown display quality
Display Comparison
Unfortunately, display specifications are unavailable for either device. However, given their price point, it’s safe to assume both utilize LCD panels with resolutions likely around 480x854. Bezels are expected to be substantial on both models. Color accuracy and brightness will likely be average, prioritizing visibility over fidelity. The absence of information prevents a direct comparison, but the user experience will likely be similar in terms of visual quality.
Camera Comparison
Camera details are sparse for both devices. It’s reasonable to assume both feature basic rear and front-facing cameras, likely with resolutions around 5MP or 8MP. Without knowing sensor sizes, lens apertures, or image processing capabilities, a meaningful comparison is impossible. The presence of a 2MP macro camera on either device would be largely marketing fluff, offering minimal practical benefit due to the small sensor size and limited detail capture. Image quality will likely be acceptable for casual snapshots in good lighting conditions, but expect significant noise and lack of detail in low light.
Performance
The core difference lies in the processors. The Spice Stellar 439 utilizes the Mediatek MT6572M, a 28nm dual-core 1.0 GHz Cortex-A7 chip. This architecture, while power-efficient, is significantly older and less capable than the Lava Iris Fuel 60’s quad-core 1.3 GHz processor. While the specific architecture of the Fuel 60’s CPU isn’t specified, having four cores will translate to better multitasking and smoother performance in apps optimized for multi-threading. The 28nm process of the MT6572M suggests reasonable thermal management, but the dual-core design will struggle with demanding tasks. Users who frequently switch between apps or play even simple games will find the Fuel 60 a more responsive experience.
Battery Life
Battery capacity is not specified for either device. However, given the lower processing demands of the Spice Stellar 439, its battery life might be comparable to the Lava Iris Fuel 60, despite potentially having a smaller capacity. The Fuel 60’s more powerful processor will consume more power, but the increased efficiency of a modern quad-core design could offset some of that difference. Charging wattage is also unknown, meaning 0-100% charge times are difficult to estimate. Real-world battery life will heavily depend on usage patterns, but the Fuel 60’s processor could drain the battery faster during intensive tasks.
Buying Guide
Buy the Spice Stellar 439 (Mi-439) if you absolutely need the lowest possible price and your usage is limited to essential tasks like making calls and sending texts. Buy the Lava Iris Fuel 60 if you prefer a more responsive experience for social media, basic gaming, and slightly more demanding apps, even if it means spending a little more.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Will the Lava Iris Fuel 60 struggle with popular social media apps like Facebook and WhatsApp?
While not a powerhouse, the Lava Iris Fuel 60’s quad-core processor should handle Facebook and WhatsApp reasonably well. Expect some occasional slowdowns when loading images or videos, but the overall experience should be usable. The Spice Stellar 439 might exhibit more noticeable lag and slower loading times within these apps.
❓ Can either of these phones play modern mobile games like PUBG Mobile or Call of Duty Mobile?
Neither the Spice Stellar 439 nor the Lava Iris Fuel 60 are suitable for playing demanding games like PUBG Mobile or Call of Duty Mobile. The processors lack the graphical power and RAM to run these games smoothly, even at the lowest settings. Expect significant frame rate drops and lag, making the experience frustrating.
❓ How much storage space do these phones typically offer, and can it be expanded?
Storage space is not specified, but these phones likely come with 8GB or 16GB of internal storage. Crucially, both devices *likely* support microSD card expansion, allowing you to add more storage for photos, videos, and apps. This is essential given the limited internal storage.
