The budget smartphone market is fiercely competitive, offering incredible value for money. Today, we're pitting two contenders against each other: the XOLO Era 2 and the Micromax In Note 1. Both promise affordability, but which one delivers the better overall experience?
🏆 Quick Verdict
The Micromax In Note 1 clearly takes the lead. Its Helio G85 chipset offers significantly better performance than the XOLO Era 2's SC9832A. While the XOLO Era 2 might be slightly cheaper, the In Note 1's superior processing power, faster charging, and likely better camera make it the smarter choice.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 - SIM 1 & SIM 2 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 3, 5, 40 | 1, 3, 5, 8, 40, 41 |
| Speed | HSPA 21.1/5.76 Mbps, LTE Cat4 150/50 Mbps | HSPA 42.2/11.5 Mbps, LTE (2CA) Cat7 300/150 Mbps |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2016, October. Released 2016, October | 2020, November 03. Released 2020, November 24 |
| Status | Discontinued | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Dimensions | 146.5 x 73 x 9.2 mm (5.77 x 2.87 x 0.36 in) | 165.2 x 77 x 9 mm (6.50 x 3.03 x 0.35 in) |
| SIM | Dual SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | - | 196 g (6.91 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | - | Oleophobic coating |
| Resolution | 480 x 854 pixels, 16:9 ratio (~196 ppi density) | 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~395 ppi density) |
| Size | 5.0 inches, 68.9 cm2 (~64.4% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.67 inches, 107.4 cm2 (~84.4% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | TFT | IPS LCD, 450 nits (peak) |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Quad-core 1.3 GHz | Octa-core (2x2.0 GHz Cortex-A75 & 6x1.8 GHz Cortex-A55) |
| Chipset | Spreadtrum SC9832A | Mediatek MT6769Z Helio G85 (12 nm) |
| GPU | Mali-400MP3 | Mali-G52 MC2 |
| OS | Android 6.0 (Marshmallow) | Android 10 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDHC | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 8GB 1GB RAM | 64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM |
| | - | eMMC 5.1 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | Panorama, LED flash | LED flash, HDR |
| Quad | - | 48 MP, f/1.8, 26mm (wide), 1/2.0", 0.8µm, PDAF
5 MP, f/2.2, 115˚ (ultrawide), 1/5.0", 1.12µm
2 MP (macro)
Auxiliary lens |
| Single | 5 MP, f/2.0, 1.4µm, AF | - |
| Video | 720p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash | - |
| Single | 5 MP | 16 MP, f/2.0, 27mm (wide), 1/3.06", 1.0µm |
| Video | - | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 4.0, A2DP | 5.0, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | No | No |
| Positioning | GPS | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS |
| Radio | FM radio | FM radio |
| USB | microUSB 2.0 | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Accelerometer | Fingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | - | 18W wired
2.5W reverse wired |
| Type | Li-Ion 2350 mAh, removable | Li-Po 5000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Black, Blue, Gold | Green, White |
| Models | era 2 | E7746 |
| Price | - | About 130 EUR |
| SAR | - | 0.57 W/kg (head) 0.96 W/kg (body) |
XOLO Era 2
- Potentially lower price
- Compact size (likely)
- Weak performance
- Low-resolution display
- Basic camera
- Slow charging
- Limited features
Micromax In note 1
- Stronger performance (Helio G85)
- Larger, higher-resolution display
- Better camera system
- Faster charging (18W)
- Reverse wired charging
- More features
- Potentially higher price
- Larger size (may not be ideal for everyone)
Display Comparison
The Micromax In Note 1 likely features a larger display (around 6.67 inches) with a higher resolution (FHD+) compared to the XOLO Era 2 (likely around 6.2 inches and HD+). This translates to a more immersive viewing experience and sharper visuals on the In Note 1. Color accuracy and brightness are likely also better on the Micromax.
Camera Comparison
While specific camera specs are limited for the XOLO Era 2, the Micromax In Note 1 typically boasts a quad-camera setup with a higher resolution main sensor (likely 48MP). Expect better image quality, more detail, and improved low-light performance from the In Note 1's camera system. Features like night mode and portrait mode are also likely more refined.
Performance
This is where the Micromax In Note 1 shines. The Helio G85 is a much more powerful chipset than the Spreadtrum SC9832A. Expect significantly faster app loading times, smoother multitasking, and better gaming performance on the In Note 1. The XOLO Era 2 will struggle with demanding apps and games.
Battery Life
The Micromax In Note 1 likely has a larger battery capacity (around 5000mAh) and faster charging (18W) compared to the XOLO Era 2. This translates to longer battery life and quicker top-ups on the In Note 1. The 2.5W reverse wired charging is a bonus for the Micromax.
Buying Guide
The XOLO Era 2 is best suited for users with extremely limited budgets who primarily need a phone for basic calling, texting, and light social media use. The Micromax In Note 1 is ideal for students, budget-conscious users, and anyone who wants a smoother experience for gaming, multitasking, and photography.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Is the XOLO Era 2 good for gaming?
No, the XOLO Era 2's chipset is not powerful enough for smooth gaming. The Micromax In Note 1 is a much better choice for gaming.
❓ Which phone has better battery life?
The Micromax In Note 1 is expected to have better battery life due to its larger battery capacity and efficient chipset.
❓ Can the Micromax In Note 1 be used to charge other devices?
Yes, the Micromax In Note 1 supports 2.5W reverse wired charging, allowing you to charge other devices like earbuds or smartwatches.
