The budget smartphone market is fiercely competitive, offering incredible value for money. Today, we're pitting two contenders against each other: the XOLO Era X and the Micromax In Note 1. Both promise affordability, but which one delivers the better overall experience?
🏆 Quick Verdict
The Micromax In Note 1 emerges as the clear winner. Its more powerful Helio G85 chipset, faster charging, and likely better camera performance outweigh the XOLO Era X's potential cost advantage. If performance and features are priorities, the In Note 1 is the better choice.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 900 / 1800 - 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, February. Released 2016, February | 2020, November 03. Released 2020, November 24 |
| Status | Discontinued | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Dimensions | 145.5 x 72 x 8.5 mm (5.73 x 2.83 x 0.33 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 | Corning Gorilla Glass | Oleophobic coating |
| Resolution | 720 x 1280 pixels, 16:9 ratio (~294 ppi density) | 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~395 ppi density) |
| Size | 5.0 inches, 68.9 cm2 (~65.8% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.67 inches, 107.4 cm2 (~84.4% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD | IPS LCD, 450 nits (peak) |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Quad-core 1.5 GHz | Octa-core (2x2.0 GHz Cortex-A75 & 6x1.8 GHz Cortex-A55) |
| Chipset | Spreadtrum SC9830A | Mediatek MT6769Z Helio G85 (12 nm) |
| GPU | - | Mali-G52 MC2 |
| OS | Android 5.1.1 (Lollipop), upgradable to 6.0 (Marshmallow) | Android 10 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDHC | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 8GB 2GB RAM | 64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM |
| | - | eMMC 5.1 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash, panorama, HDR | 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 | 8 MP, AF | - |
| Video | 1080p@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, hotspot | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Accelerometer, proximity | Fingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | - | 18W wired
2.5W reverse wired |
| Type | Li-Po 2500 mAh, removable | Li-Po 5000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Black | Green, White |
| Models | - | E7746 |
| Price | - | About 130 EUR |
| SAR | - | 0.57 W/kg (head) 0.96 W/kg (body) |
XOLO Era X
- Potentially lower price
- Decent battery life (estimated)
- Lightweight design (estimated)
- Weak processor
- Low-resolution display (estimated)
- Basic camera
- Slow charging
Micromax In note 1
- Powerful Helio G85 chipset
- FHD+ display
- Better camera system
- Fast charging (18W)
- Reverse charging (2.5W)
- Potentially higher price
- Larger size (estimated)
Display Comparison
While specific display details for the XOLO Era X are scarce, the Micromax In Note 1 typically features a 6.67-inch FHD+ display. Expect better color accuracy and sharpness on the In Note 1. The Era X likely has a smaller, lower resolution display.
Camera Comparison
The Micromax In Note 1 generally boasts a quad-camera setup with a higher resolution primary sensor and more advanced features. The XOLO Era X likely has a simpler, lower-resolution camera system. Image quality and features will be noticeably better on the In Note 1.
Performance
This is where the Micromax In Note 1 shines. The Helio G85 is significantly more powerful than the Spreadtrum SC9830A. Expect smoother multitasking, faster app loading times, and better gaming performance on the In Note 1. The Era X will likely struggle with demanding apps.
Battery Life
Both phones likely offer decent battery life, but the Micromax In Note 1's 18W fast charging and 2.5W reverse charging provide a significant advantage. The XOLO Era X may have slightly better battery endurance due to its less power-hungry chipset, but charging will be slower.
Buying Guide
The XOLO Era X is best suited for users on an extremely tight budget who prioritize basic functionality and long battery life over performance. The Micromax In Note 1 is ideal for users who want a smoother experience for everyday tasks, gaming, and photography without breaking the bank.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Is the XOLO Era X good for gaming?
No, the XOLO Era X's processor 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?
While both offer decent battery life, the Micromax In Note 1's faster charging makes it more convenient. The Era X *might* have slightly better endurance due to its less powerful chipset, but this is largely speculative.
❓ Which phone is more future-proof?
The Micromax In Note 1 is more future-proof due to its more powerful processor and better overall specifications.
