Both the Spice Stellar 439 and XOLO Era 4K represent the extreme lower end of the Android smartphone market, often found as ultra-budget options or promotional giveaways. This comparison focuses on understanding the tangible differences between their core hardware – specifically the chipset – and how those differences translate into real-world usability for basic smartphone tasks.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average user prioritizing responsiveness and multitasking, the XOLO Era 4K is the clear winner. Its quad-core Cortex-A53 processor, built on the same 28nm process as the Stellar 439’s dual-core Cortex-A7, delivers significantly better performance for everyday apps and light web browsing. The Stellar 439 remains viable for extremely basic use cases.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 900 / 1800 - SIM 1 & SIM 2 | GSM 900 / 1800 - SIM 1 & SIM 2 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 2100 | HSDPA 900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | - | 3, 40 |
| Speed | HSPA 21.1/5.76 Mbps | HSPA 42.2/11.5 Mbps, LTE Cat4 150/50 Mbps |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2014, August. Released 2014, August | 2016, February. Released 2016, February |
| Status | Discontinued | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Dimensions | 125 x 63 x 10 mm (4.92 x 2.48 x 0.39 in) | 143 x 71.8 x 9.2 mm (5.63 x 2.83 x 0.36 in) |
| SIM | Dual SIM (Mini-SIM) | Dual SIM |
| Weight | 113.8 g (4.02 oz) | - |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | - | Corning Gorilla Glass 3 |
| 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 (~67.1% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | TFT, 256K colors | IPS LCD |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Dual-core 1.0 GHz Cortex-A7 | Quad-core 1.0 GHz Cortex-A53 |
| Chipset | Mediatek MT6572M (28 nm) | Mediatek MT6735P (28 nm) |
| GPU | Mali-400 | Mali-T720MP2 |
| OS | Android 4.4.2 (KitKat) | Android 5.1.1 (Lollipop) |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDHC | microSDHC |
| Internal | 4GB 512MB RAM | 8GB 2GB RAM |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | - | Dual-LED flash, panorama, HDR |
| Single | 3.15 MP | 8 MP, f/2.0, AF |
| Video | 720p@25fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Single | 1.3 MP | 5 MP, f/2.2 |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes, dual speakers | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 3.0, A2DP | 4.0, A2DP |
| 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 |
| Battery |
|---|
| Music play | Up to 15 h | - |
| Stand-by | Up to 58 h | Up to 624 h (2G) / Up to 528 h (3G) |
| Talk time | Up to 5 h 30 min | Up to 32 h (2G) / Up to 17 h (3G) |
| Type | Li-Ion 1400 mAh battery | Li-Ion 4000 mAh, non-removable |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Brown, Silver | Blue, White |
| SAR EU | 0.85 W/kg (head) | - |
Spice Stellar 439 (Mi-439)
- Potentially lower price point
- Simpler software experience (due to lower processing power)
- May be more readily available in certain regions
- Significantly slower performance
- Poor multitasking capabilities
- Limited app compatibility over time
XOLO Era 4K
- Faster and more responsive performance
- Better multitasking capabilities
- More future-proofed for app updates
- Potentially slightly higher price
- May experience slightly faster battery drain under heavy load
- Software experience may be less optimized
Display Comparison
Neither device’s display specifications are publicly available beyond their model names. Given their price point, it’s safe to assume both utilize LCD panels with resolutions likely around 480x854 or similar. Bezels are expected to be substantial on both. Color accuracy and brightness will likely be limited, prioritizing power efficiency over visual fidelity. The display is not a differentiating factor.
Camera Comparison
Details regarding camera sensors are scarce. However, given the target market, both devices likely feature low-resolution primary sensors (5MP or less) and potentially a basic front-facing camera. Image quality will be heavily reliant on software processing, and expectations should be tempered. Any claims of advanced features like HDR or scene detection should be viewed skeptically. The XOLO Era 4K *may* benefit from slightly better image signal processing capabilities inherent in the MT6735P chipset, but this is speculative.
Performance
The core difference lies in the chipsets. The Spice Stellar 439 utilizes the Mediatek MT6572M with a dual-core 1.0 GHz Cortex-A7 CPU. This architecture, while power-efficient, is significantly older and less capable than the XOLO Era 4K’s Mediatek MT6735P, featuring a quad-core 1.0 GHz Cortex-A53 CPU. The Cortex-A53 offers substantial improvements in Instructions Per Clock (IPC) over the A7, meaning it can process more data per clock cycle. The quad-core configuration further amplifies this advantage, allowing for better multitasking and smoother operation of Android’s core services. While both are built on a 28nm process, the architectural improvements of the A53 outweigh the process node similarity.
Battery Life
Battery capacity is not specified for either device. However, considering their budget nature, both likely house batteries in the 1500-2000 mAh range. Charging wattage is also unknown, but likely limited to 5W. Real-world battery life will depend heavily on usage patterns, but the more efficient Cortex-A53 in the XOLO Era 4K may offer slightly longer runtimes despite potentially similar battery capacities. The difference will be marginal.
Buying Guide
Buy the Spice Stellar 439 (Mi-439) if you absolutely need the cheapest possible smartphone for calls, texts, and very occasional, single-app use. Buy the XOLO Era 4K if you want a device capable of handling multiple apps, basic social media, and a slightly smoother overall experience, even if it comes at a small price premium. The XOLO Era 4K is the better choice for anyone beyond the most minimal smartphone requirements.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Will the XOLO Era 4K be able to run popular social media apps like Facebook and WhatsApp smoothly?
Yes, the quad-core Cortex-A53 processor in the XOLO Era 4K is sufficiently capable of running Facebook, WhatsApp, and similar social media applications without significant lag. While it won't offer a flagship-level experience, it will provide a usable and reasonably responsive experience for these core apps.
❓ Is the Spice Stellar 439 suitable for a first-time smartphone user who only needs basic calling and texting?
Yes, the Spice Stellar 439 is adequate for a user with extremely basic needs – primarily making calls and sending text messages. However, be aware that even simple tasks like opening the contacts app or switching between apps may feel slow and sluggish compared to more modern smartphones.
❓ Can either of these phones handle mobile gaming?
Neither phone is suitable for serious mobile gaming. While very simple 2D games might be playable on the XOLO Era 4K, demanding 3D titles will likely be unplayable due to the limited processing power and graphics capabilities of both chipsets. Expect significant frame rate drops and lag.
