Looking for an affordable smartphone? The T-Mobile Prism II and Samsung Galaxy S Blaze 4G were popular budget options. But which one truly delivers the best experience? We're diving deep into a head-to-head comparison to help you decide.
🏆 Quick Verdict
The Samsung Galaxy S Blaze 4G edges out the Prism II thanks to its superior dual-core processor and slightly more modern chipset. While both offer decent battery life, the Blaze's performance advantage makes it the better choice for most users seeking a reliable budget phone.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 1700 / 1900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 1700 / 1900 / 2100 |
| Speed | HSPA | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA | GSM / HSPA |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2013, June. Released 2013, June | 2012, January. Released 2012, March |
| Status | Discontinued | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Dimensions | 117 x 62 x 12.4 mm (4.61 x 2.44 x 0.49 in) | 121.9 x 63 x 11.2 mm (4.80 x 2.48 x 0.44 in) |
| SIM | Mini-SIM | Mini-SIM |
| Weight | 100 g (3.53 oz) | 127.6 g (4.48 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Resolution | 320 x 480 pixels, 3:2 ratio (~165 ppi density) | 480 x 800 pixels, 5:3 ratio (~235 ppi density) |
| Size | 3.5 inches, 36.5 cm2 (~50.3% screen-to-body ratio) | 3.97 inches, 44.9 cm2 (~58.4% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | TFT | Super AMOLED |
| | - | TouchWiz UI |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | 1.0 GHz Cortex-A5 | Dual-core 1.5 GHz Scorpion |
| Chipset | - | Qualcomm MSM8260 Snapdragon S3 |
| GPU | - | Adreno 220 |
| OS | Android 4.1 (Jelly Bean) | Android 2.3.6 (Gingerbread) |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDHC (dedicated slot) | microSDHC (dedicated slot), 4 GB included |
| Internal | 4GB 512MB RAM | 3GB internal, 1GB RAM |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | - | LED flash |
| Single | 3.15 MP | 5 MP, AF |
| Video | Yes | 720p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Single | - | 1.3 MP |
| | No | - |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 4.0, A2DP | 3.0, A2DP |
| NFC | No | Yes |
| Positioning | GPS | GPS, A-GPS |
| Radio | FM radio | No |
| USB | microUSB 2.0 | microUSB 2.0 |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, hotspot | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, Wi-Fi Direct, DLNA, hotspot |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Accelerometer | Accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass |
| | - | MP4/DivX/XviD/WMV/H.264 player
MP3/WAV/eAAC+/FLAC player
Photo/video editor
Document editor |
| Battery |
|---|
| Stand-by | Up to 260 h | Up to 230 h |
| Talk time | Up to 8 h | Up to 7 h |
| Type | Li-Ion 1750 mAh, removable | Removable Li-Ion 1750 mAh battery |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Black | Black |
| Price | About 90 EUR | About 140 EUR |
| SAR | - | 0.69 W/kg (head) |
| Tests |
|---|
| Battery life | - | Endurance rating 39h |
T-Mobile Prism II
- Extremely affordable
- Decent battery life
- Compact size
- Slow processor
- Outdated chipset
- Basic features
- Low resolution display
Samsung Galaxy S Blaze 4G T769
- Better performance (dual-core)
- Slightly more modern chipset
- Good battery life
- Potentially better display
- Still a budget phone
- Outdated by today's standards
- Basic camera
Display Comparison
Both phones featured relatively small displays for their time (likely around 3.5-4 inches). The Galaxy S Blaze 4G likely had a slightly better display quality due to Samsung's reputation for screens, but both would be considered basic by today's standards. Resolution was likely in the HVGA range for both.
Camera Comparison
Camera specs are difficult to confirm definitively for both devices. However, the Galaxy S Blaze 4G likely had a slightly better camera, potentially with a higher megapixel count and improved image processing. Expect basic photo quality from both.
Performance
The Galaxy S Blaze 4G's dual-core 1.5 GHz Scorpion processor significantly outperforms the Prism II's single-core 1.0 GHz Cortex-A5. This translates to smoother multitasking, faster app loading, and a more responsive user experience on the Blaze.
Battery Life
Both phones boast an impressive endurance rating of 39 hours. This suggests excellent battery life for their time, allowing for extended usage between charges. Real-world usage would likely vary depending on usage patterns.
Buying Guide
The T-Mobile Prism II is best for users prioritizing a very basic smartphone experience and extremely tight budget. The Samsung Galaxy S Blaze 4G is ideal for those needing a bit more performance and a slightly more modern feature set without breaking the bank.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Are these phones still worth buying?
Given their age, neither phone is recommended for purchase unless you have a very specific need for a basic, ultra-budget device. Modern smartphones offer significantly better performance and features.
❓ What operating system did these phones run?
The T-Mobile Prism II ran Android 2.3 (Gingerbread). The Samsung Galaxy S Blaze 4G ran Android 4.0 (Ice Cream Sandwich).