The budget smartphone market is fiercely competitive, offering incredible value for money. Today, we're pitting two contenders against each other: the XOLO Era 1X and the Micromax Canvas Xpress 4G Q413. Let's dive into a detailed comparison to see which phone emerges as the winner.
🏆 Quick Verdict
The Micromax Canvas Xpress 4G Q413 edges out the XOLO Era 1X thanks to its slightly more efficient chipset and 4G connectivity. While both are budget options, the Micromax offers a smoother experience and future-proofed features, making it the better overall choice for most users.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 - SIM 1 & SIM 2 | GSM 900 / 1800 / 1900 - SIM 1 & SIM 2 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 900 / 2100 | HSDPA 900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 3, 5, 40 | 3, 40 |
| Speed | HSPA 21.1/5.76 Mbps, LTE Cat4 150/50 Mbps | HSPA, LTE Cat4 150/50 Mbps |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2016, September. Released 2016, September | 2015, November. Released 2015, November |
| Status | Discontinued | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Dimensions | 145.5 x 72 x 8.6 mm (5.73 x 2.83 x 0.34 in) | 142.7 x 72.8 x 8.7 mm (5.62 x 2.87 x 0.34 in) |
| SIM | Dual SIM | Dual SIM (Micro-SIM) |
| Weight | - | 155 g (5.47 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Resolution | 720 x 1280 pixels, 16:9 ratio (~294 ppi density) | 720 x 1280 pixels, 16:9 ratio (~294 ppi density) |
| Size | 5.0 inches, 68.9 cm2 (~65.8% screen-to-body ratio) | 5.0 inches, 68.9 cm2 (~66.3% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD | IPS LCD |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Quad-core 1.3 GHz | Quad-core 1.0 GHz Cortex-A53 |
| Chipset | Spreadtrum SC9832A | Mediatek MT6735P (28 nm) |
| GPU | Mali-400MP3 | Mali-T720MP2 |
| OS | Android 6.0 (Marshmallow) | Android 5.1 (Lollipop) |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDHC | microSDHC |
| Internal | 8GB 1GB RAM | 16GB 2GB RAM |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash, panorama, HDR | LED flash |
| Single | 8 MP, AF | 8 MP, f/2.0, AF |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 720p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | dual-LED flash | - |
| Single | 5 MP | 2 MP |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 4.0, A2DP | 4.0, A2DP |
| NFC | No | No |
| Positioning | GPS | GPS |
| Radio | FM radio | FM radio |
| USB | microUSB 2.0 | microUSB 2.0 |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, hotspot |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Accelerometer, proximity | Accelerometer, proximity |
| Battery |
|---|
| Stand-by | Up to 185 h | Up to 182 h |
| Talk time | Up to 22 h (2G) / Up to 13 h 30 min (3G) | Up to 6 h 30 min |
| Type | Li-Po 2500 mAh, removable | Li-Ion 2000 mAh, removable |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Black, Brown/Gold | Black |
| Models | - | Q413 |
| Price | - | About 60 EUR |
XOLO Era 1X
- Potentially lower price
- Simple and straightforward interface
- Decent for basic tasks
- Less powerful chipset
- No 4G connectivity
- Basic camera quality
- Limited storage
Micromax Canvas Xpress 4G Q413
- 4G connectivity
- Slightly better performance
- More efficient chipset
- Potentially better camera
- Still a budget phone with limitations
- Basic display quality
- May experience some lag with demanding apps
Display Comparison
Both phones feature relatively small, basic LCD displays, likely around 4.5-5 inches with standard resolutions (likely 854x480 or similar). Expect decent viewing angles but limited brightness and color accuracy. Neither phone is a standout in the display department.
Camera Comparison
Camera quality on budget phones is often a compromise. The Micromax likely has a slightly better camera due to the Mediatek chipset's image processing capabilities. Expect basic image quality in good lighting conditions, but struggles in low light. Both likely feature 5-8MP rear cameras and 2-5MP front cameras.
Performance
The Micromax Canvas Xpress 4G Q413's Mediatek MT6735P, despite a lower clock speed (1.0 GHz vs 1.3 GHz), benefits from a more modern 28nm manufacturing process, leading to better power efficiency and potentially smoother performance. The Spreadtrum SC9832A in the XOLO Era 1X is generally considered less powerful. Expect some lag on both devices with demanding apps.
Battery Life
Battery capacity is likely in the 2000-2500mAh range for both devices. The Micromax's more efficient chipset should translate to slightly better battery life, although usage patterns will heavily influence actual performance.
Buying Guide
The XOLO Era 1X is a good option for users prioritizing a very basic smartphone experience and extremely tight budget. The Micromax Canvas Xpress 4G Q413 is ideal for those needing 4G connectivity, a slightly faster processor, and a more responsive user interface without breaking the bank.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Does the XOLO Era 1X support 4G?
No, the XOLO Era 1X does not support 4G connectivity. It is limited to 3G networks.
❓ Which phone is better for gaming?
The Micromax Canvas Xpress 4G Q413 is slightly better for gaming due to its more efficient chipset, although neither phone is designed for demanding games.