The wisest choice to get the cheapest entry-level handset is opting for an Android Go device because Android Go is a lite version of the operating system suitable for devices with low-end or outdated components. Unlike the standard Android version, it can run smoothly even on smartphones with less than 1 GB of RAM. Finally even Xiaomi, that is one the most known manufacturer of budget phones, released an Android Go handset: the Redmi Go. Here, we compared it with the other best phones with this version of the operating system: the Nokia 2.1 and the Huawei Y5 Lite.

Xiaomi Redmi Go vs Nokia 2.1 vs Huawei Y5 Lite

Design

Android Go devices always come with outdated hardware components and the same happens with the aesthetics. Xiaomi Redmi Go and Nokia 2.1 still come with 16:9 display that nowadays are rarely used in the smartphones market. So their bezels are all but narrow and the phones do not look so attractive. Huawei Y5 Lite has an 18:9 display, so it has a slightly better look thanks to its slimmer bezels and a taller design. But Nokia 2.1 has the best build quality thanks to its aluminum frame and the Gorilla Glass protection for the display. It is even the only Android Go phone to feature loud stereo speakers.

Display

Nokia 2.1 has the most interesting display because it is the biggest one, so also the most suitable for productivity. But you won’t get a better display quality than its opponents; more or less, these handsets feature the same level of detail and color reproduction. In my opinion, Nokia 2.1 a better device to watch videos and for productivity because of its bigger display paired with stereo speakers. Note that even though Huawei Y5 Lite has a 5.45-inch display (Nokia 2.1 is 5.5-inch), it has a way inferior display surface than Nokia 2.1 due to its taller aspect ratio.

Specs

Coming to specs, Xiaomi Redmi Go and Nokia 2.1 are the ones with the most reliable chipset: the Snapdragon 425 by Qualcomm that is an entry-level but it can provide very smooth performances even on the standard Android version. Huawei Y5 Lite has a worse SoC in my opinion, but it doubles the internal storage from 8 to 16 GB and this may be important for you if you usually record a lot of videos or install a lot of apps. Note that all of these devices have a micro SD dedicated slot, but installing apps on SD cards is not recommended as it slows down their performances. And this counts a lot on an entry-level device. So if you plan to install a lot of apps, then go for a higher amount of storage. The operating systems of all these handsets are based on Android 8.1 Oreo and we already know that Nokia 2.1 will get the update to the next major version Android Pie, despite being one of the most affordable devices from Nokia.

Camera

The cameras of all these handsets are mediocre, but Xiaomi Redmi Go seems to have a slightly better sensor on the back, at least on the paper. It features an 8 MP snapper with an f/2.0 aperture which is bright enough for sufficient photos when light conditions are not so bad. If selfies are your main concern, then Huawei Y5 Lite is a definitely better handset because it offers a front-facing LED flash allowing to shoot selfies even in the dark. Nokia 2.1 is the most disappointing one, it does not even come with Carl Zeiss lenses unlike most of the devices from HMD Global’s line-up.

Battery

With Xiaomi Redmi Go and Huawei Y5 Lite offering just 3000 mAh of battery capacity, Nokia 2.1 is the handset with the longest battery life. It has a huge 4000 mAh battery which powers very efficient components. With an HD display and an efficient Snapdragon 425 chipset, this handset can last more than two days even if you stress it, on a single charge. However, just like its rivals, it does not feature a fast charging technology, so it will take a while to fully charge it. But once you charged it completely, you can forget the charger.

Price

• Read More: Huawei Y5 Lite Android Go phone launched; Specs, features and price

Xiaomi Redmi Go vs Nokia 2.1 vs Huawei Y5 Lite: PROs and CONS

Xiaomi Redmi Go

PROs

• Compact design
• Affordable price
• Good cameras
• Micro SD dedicated slot

CONS

• Bezels and small display

Nokia 2.1

PROs

• Big display
• Biggest battery
• Affordable
• Stereo speakers
• Micro SD dedicated slot

CONS

• Bezels

Huawei Y5 Lite

PROs

• Compact dimensions
• Micro SD dedicated slot
• Front-facing LED flash
• Affordable

CONS

• Low-end hardware

The post Xiaomi Redmi Go vs Nokia 2.1 vs Huawei Y5 Lite: Android Go Comparison appeared first on Gizmochina.

Android Go is the perfect solution for all those people who have a very low budget but need a good smartphone. For less than €100, thanks to this enlightened version of Google’s operating system, you can get a phone which provides a smooth user experience even with low-end hardware components. The latest Android Go phone released is the Alcatel 1x which debuted at CES 2019 in Las Vegas. Here, we will compare the new TCL’s entry-level with other important Android Go phones manufactured in China: Huawei Y5 Lite and Nokia 2.1.

Alcatel 1x (2019) vs Nokia 2.1 vs Huawei Y5 Lite

Design

Excluding the Nokia 2.1 which comes with an aluminum frame, all these Android Go have a full polycarbonate design in order to cut costs. Given the aluminum frame of the Nokia 2.1 and the Gorilla Glass protection for its display, it has the best build quality and it should be the most resistant. However, it is not the most beautiful one as it has thicker bezels due to its 16:9 display. Alcatel 1x has a definitely better look thanks to its 18:9 display and its clean back. Note that Nokia 2.1 is the only device to feature stereo speakers for a more solid audio experience, while Alcatel 1x is the only to feature a fingerprint reader which is placed on the back cover.

Display

In each case, you get an HD+ display, the resolution is not so high but it is sufficient for a decent level of detail. Huawei Y5 Lite does not seem to have an IPS panel, so it should be inferior. I would personally prefer Nokia 2.1 because it has a wider 16:9 display that is also protected by Gorilla Glass. Further, the big display alongside the stereo speakers is able to provide a better multimedia experience, at least with video contents. That is why I prefer Nokia 2.1 when it comes to display and multimedia.

Specs

Nokia 2.1 has the fastest and most powerful processor: the quad-core Snapdragon 425. But it has just 8 GB of internal storage and only 1 GB of RAM. That is why talking about performance, Alcatel 1x should be slightly better. Despite its processor is less convincing, it has 2 GB of RAM as well as 16 GB of internal storage. The higher quantity of RAM should make it easier to manage more apps at the same time, while 8 GB of internal storage found on the Nokia 2.1 is often insufficient on a 2018 smartphone. On each of these devices, you get a micro SD slot to expand the internal storage. All the phones have Android Go installed, based on the version 8.1 Oreo.

Camera

On the paper, Alcatel 1x has a superior camera department. The dual camera on the back with a 13 MP primary sensor and a 2 MP depth sensor definitely makes the difference. It should be able to capture more detailed photos as well as a better bokeh effect. Further, the front camera comes with a front-facing LED flash that is not present on the Nokia 2.1, while it can be found on the Huawei Y5 Lite. But the latter’s rear camera should not be at the same level as Alcatel 1x 2019, that is why it takes the second place.

Battery

Nokia 2.1 is a battery champion and it can last more than two days on a single charge. It has a 4000 mAh battery which can usually provide a very long battery life even on midrange and high-end phone, so imagine on an entry-level one with a low-resolution display and a low-end chipset. It is one of the best smartphones for battery life. Judging from the components and the marginal difference between the capacities, Alcatel 1x and Huawei Y5 Lite should have more or less the same battery life, but the software optimization will surely make the difference and we still can not test it as the Alcatel 1x was unveiled just two days ago.

Price

The price is the strongest point of these handsets and every smartphone with Android Go installed out of the box. While Nokia 2.1 and Huawei Y5 Lite have are sold at about €100/$115, Alcatel 1x 2019 will soon hit the shelves with a price tag of €120/$137 in Europe. Even though it has only 8 GB of internal storage, I would personally give a chance to the Nokia 2.1 because of its stereo speakers, its better build quality, its bigger battery and the huge software support by HMD Global in the last year. But someone may also like Alcatel 1x 2019 because of its fingerprint reader, a more advanced hardware department and a better rear camera. For me, the battery makes the difference on an entry-level device, that is why I would go for the Nokia 2.1. I would definitely not choose the Huawei Y5 Lite because it offers nothing special compared with its rivals and it is inferior to both Alcatel 1x and Nokia 2.1.

• Read More: Huawei Y5 Lite Android Go phone launched; Specs, features and price

Alcatel 1x 2019 vs Nokia 2.1 vs Huawei Y5 Lite: PROs and CONS

Alcatel 1x 2019

PROs

• Fingerprint reader
• Front-facing LED flash
• Affordable price
• Better hardware
• Good cameras

CONS

• Higher price

Nokia 2.1

PROs

• Big display
• Biggest battery
• Affordable
• Stereo speakers
• Micro SD dedicated slot

CONS

• Bezels

Huawei Y5 Lite

PROs

• Compact dimensions
• Micro SD dedicated slot
• Front-facing LED flash
• Affordable

CONS

• Low-end hardware

The post Alcatel 1x (2019) vs Nokia 2.1 vs Huawei Y5 Lite: Android Go Comparison appeared first on Gizmochina.

In our opinion, Android Go smartphones are currently the best alternative for people who are in search of the cheapest devices. Thanks to an enlightened version of Google’s operating system, they are able to provide smooth performance even with an entry-level or outdated hardware department. The newly-announced Huawei Y5 Lite, Nokia 2.1 and Samsung Galaxy J4 Core are among the latest devices with Android Go inside, and this is a comparison between their specs that we published to clear your ideas about these very affordable handsets.

Huawei Y5 Lite vs Nokia 2.1 vs Samsung Galaxy J4 Core

Design

With its narrow bezels and its sleek body, Samsung Galaxy J4 Core looks like the handset with the most modern and good-looking design. Huawei Y5 Lite is more compact and lightweight, so there is surely someone who will like it more. But Nokia 2.1 does not convince me at all due to its thick bezels and a high thickness. However, it has some advantages under other points of view. But if you want the most beautiful phone, you should go for Samsung Galaxy J4 Core or Huawei Y5 Lite. Nokia 2.1 has the best build quality thanks to an aluminum frame, the Gorilla Glass protection by Corning for the display, and it even has stereo speakers.

Display

All these devices have sufficient displays, but they are not so exciting due to their low HD+ resolution. But considering that many handsets in their price range have even worse displays, we can call them acceptable. If you are seeking the best display quality you should go for the Nokia 2.1 or Samsung Galaxy J4 Core, but I would choose Nokia 2.1 because of its stereo speakers that represent an added value when it comes to multimedia. Note that it has a 5.5-inch display with the 16:9 aspect ratio, so it offers more or less the same surface as the Samsung Galaxy J4 Core equipped with a 6-inch 18:9 panel.

Specs

The hardware department is superior on the Samsung Galaxy J4 Core thanks to the Snapdragon 425 SoC performing better than the MediaTek MT6739 found on the Nokia 2.1. Nokia 2.1 has a Snapdragon 425 as well, but it only offers 8 GB of internal storage, while Samsung Galaxy J4 Core has 16 GB. All the devices feature expandable storage thanks to a micro SD slot, but Samsung Galaxy J4 Core supports up to 512 GB more, while Nokia 2.1 and Huawei Y5 Lite stop at 128 and 256 GB, respectively. On the other hand, they have a micro SD dedicated slot, unlike the Galaxy J4 core which uses the dual SIM slot.

Camera

I do not like any of the cameras mounted on these handsets, they are only good for emergency shots in very good light conditions. But if I had to make a choice, I would choose Huawei Y5 Lite judging from its specs on the paper. It comes with an 8 MP f/2.0 main sensor and a secondary 5 MP camera for selfies which is equipped with a LED flash just like the main camera. But Samsung Galaxy J4 Core should not be far from its camera performance. However, do not choose by basing on the cameras as they are not their strong point.

Battery

A 4000 mAh battery mounted on a low-end phone can provide an outstanding battery life which can even pass two days. That is exactly the case of the Nokia 2.1 which would make every user forget the wall charger at home. The second place goes to Samsung Galaxy J4 Core with its well-optimized energy consumption and a satisfying 3300 mAh battery. Huawei Y5 Lite is still sufficient, but it is not able to compete with its rivals due to its smaller 3020 mAh battery.

Price

With the exception of the Samsung Galaxy J4 Core launched with a price tag of about €150, you can find both Nokia 2.1 and Huawei Y5 Lite for about €100. Nokia 2.1 wins this comparison because of its huge battery making the difference, as well as a great build quality and its stereo speakers.

• Read More: Huawei Y5 Lite Android Go phone launched; Specs, features and price

Huawei Y5 Lite vs Samsung Galaxy J4 Core vs Nokia 2.1: PROs and CONS

Samsung Galaxy J4 Core

PROs

• Wide display
• Thinner bezels
• Affordable price
• Front-facing LED flash

CONS

• Potentially higher price

Nokia 2.1

PROs

• Big display
• Biggest battery
• Affordable
• Stereo speakers
• Micro SD dedicated slot

CONS

• Bezels

Huawei Y5 Lite

PROs

• Compact dimensions
• Micro SD dedicated slot
• Front-facing LED flash
• Affordable

CONS

• Smaller battery

The post Huawei Y5 Lite vs Nokia 2.1 vs Samsung Galaxy J4 Core: Android Go Comparison appeared first on Gizmochina.