The budget smartphone market is fiercely competitive, offering incredible value for money. Today, we're pitting two contenders against each other: the XOLO Q2100 and the Micromax In Note 1. Both promise affordability, but which one delivers the better overall experience?
🏆 Quick Verdict
The Micromax In Note 1 is the clear winner. Its significantly more powerful chipset, improved camera, faster charging, and modern features like reverse charging make it a superior choice despite potentially a slightly higher price. The XOLO Q2100 is a basic option for those on a very tight budget.
| 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 | - | 1, 3, 5, 8, 40, 41 |
| Speed | HSPA 21.1/5.76 Mbps | HSPA 42.2/11.5 Mbps, LTE (2CA) Cat7 300/150 Mbps |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2014, September. Released 2014, September | 2020, November 03. Released 2020, November 24 |
| Status | Discontinued | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Dimensions | 152.4 x 75 x 9.3 mm (6.00 x 2.95 x 0.37 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 3 | Oleophobic coating |
| Resolution | 720 x 1280 pixels, 16:9 ratio (~267 ppi density) | 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~395 ppi density) |
| Size | 5.5 inches, 83.4 cm2 (~73.0% 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 1.3 GHz Cortex-A7 | Octa-core (2x2.0 GHz Cortex-A75 & 6x1.8 GHz Cortex-A55) |
| Chipset | Mediatek MT6582 (28 nm) | Mediatek MT6769Z Helio G85 (12 nm) |
| GPU | Mali-400MP2 | Mali-G52 MC2 |
| OS | Android 4.4 (KitKat) | 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 | Dual-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 |
|---|
| Single | 2 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, OTG | 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 | Fingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | - | 18W wired
2.5W reverse wired |
| Stand-by | Up to 777 h (2G) / Up to 604 h (3G) | - |
| Talk time | Up to 27 h (2G) / Up to 22 h (3G) | - |
| Type | Li-Po 2800 mAh, removable | Li-Po 5000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Black, White | Green, White |
| Models | - | E7746 |
| Price | - | About 130 EUR |
| SAR | 0.68 W/kg (head) 0.56 W/kg (body) | 0.57 W/kg (head) 0.96 W/kg (body) |
XOLO Q2100
- Extremely affordable
- Compact size (likely)
- Basic functionality
- Outdated chipset
- Low performance
- Poor camera quality
- No fast charging
- Low resolution display
Micromax In note 1
- Powerful Helio G85 chipset
- Good camera system
- Fast charging (18W)
- Reverse wired charging
- Larger, higher-resolution display
- Modern features
- Potentially slightly higher price
- May lack premium build materials
Display Comparison
The Micromax In Note 1 typically features a larger display (around 6.67 inches) with a higher resolution (FHD+) compared to the XOLO Q2100 (likely a smaller, lower-resolution display). This translates to a more immersive viewing experience and sharper visuals on the In Note 1. Color accuracy and brightness are also likely to be better on the Micromax.
Camera Comparison
The Micromax In Note 1 generally boasts a more versatile and higher-resolution camera system. While specific megapixel counts vary, the In Note 1 likely includes features like a dedicated macro lens and improved image processing algorithms. The XOLO Q2100's camera is likely adequate for basic snapshots but won't match the In Note 1's capabilities.
Performance
This is where the Micromax In Note 1 truly shines. The Helio G85 chipset is significantly faster and more efficient than the XOLO Q2100's MT6582. Expect smoother multitasking, faster app loading times, and better gaming performance on the In Note 1. The octa-core CPU and newer manufacturing process (12nm vs 28nm) contribute to this advantage.
Battery Life
Both phones likely offer decent battery life, but the Micromax In Note 1's more efficient chipset and potentially larger battery capacity (around 5000mAh) give it an edge. The 18W fast charging on the In Note 1 is a significant advantage over the XOLO Q2100, which likely lacks fast charging support. The reverse charging capability on the In Note 1 is a bonus.
Buying Guide
The XOLO Q2100 is best suited for users who prioritize extreme affordability above all else and need a basic phone for calls, texts, and very light usage. The Micromax In Note 1 is ideal for students, first-time smartphone users, or anyone seeking a reliable and feature-rich phone without breaking the bank.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Is the XOLO Q2100 good for gaming?
No, the XOLO Q2100's outdated chipset struggles with even basic games. The Micromax In Note 1 is a much better choice for gaming.
❓ Which phone has better battery life?
The Micromax In Note 1 generally offers better battery life due to its more efficient chipset and potentially larger battery capacity.
❓ Can the Micromax In Note 1 charge other devices?
Yes, the Micromax In Note 1 supports reverse wired charging, allowing you to charge other devices using its battery.