Both the alcatel Pop 7 and ZTE Blade L3 Plus occupy the ultra-budget smartphone segment, aiming to deliver basic functionality at the lowest possible price. However, a key difference lies under the hood: the alcatel utilizes a dual-core processor, while the ZTE boasts a quad-core configuration. This comparison dissects the implications of this architectural difference and other specifications to determine which device offers the best value.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average user prioritizing responsiveness and multitasking, the ZTE Blade L3 Plus is the superior choice. Its quad-core Mediatek MT6582 chipset provides a noticeable performance advantage over the alcatel Pop 7’s dual-core MT8312, making everyday tasks smoother despite both being built on the same 28nm process.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 900 / 1800 / 1900 - SIM 1 & SIM 2 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 |
| Speed | HSPA 21.1/5.76 Mbps | HSPA 21.1/5.76 Mbps |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA | GSM / HSPA |
| | HSDPA 850 / 1900 / 2100 | HSDPA 900 / 2100 |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2014, January. Released 2014, Q2 | 2015, March. Released 2015, April |
| Status | Discontinued | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Dimensions | 192 x 113 x 8.9 mm (7.56 x 4.45 x 0.35 in) | 139.8 x 71 x 9 mm (5.50 x 2.80 x 0.35 in) |
| SIM | Micro-SIM | Dual SIM (Micro-SIM, dual stand-by) |
| Weight | 285 g (10.05 oz) | 150 g (5.29 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Resolution | 600 x 1024 pixels, 16:9 ratio (~170 ppi density) | 720 x 1280 pixels, 16:9 ratio (~294 ppi density) |
| Size | 7.0 inches, 137.9 cm2 (~63.6% screen-to-body ratio) | 5.0 inches, 68.9 cm2 (~69.4% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | TFT | TFT |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Dual-core 1.3 GHz Cortex-A7 | Quad-core 1.3 GHz Cortex-A7 |
| Chipset | Mediatek MT8312 (28 nm) | Mediatek MT6582 (28 nm) |
| GPU | Mali-400 | Mali-400MP2 |
| OS | Android 4.2 (Jelly Bean) | Android 4.4.2 (KitKat) |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDHC (dedicated slot) | microSDHC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 4GB 1GB RAM | 8GB 1GB RAM |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | - | LED flash |
| Single | 2 MP | 13 MP, AF |
| Video | 720p | Yes |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Single | VGA | 5 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 | No | 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 |
| Battery |
|---|
| Stand-by | Up to 300 h (2G) / Up to 70 h (3G) | - |
| Type | Li-Ion 3240 mAh, non-removable | Li-Ion 2000 mAh, removable |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | White | Black, White, Yellow, Blue |
| Price | About 160 EUR | About 100 EUR |
alcatel Pop 7
- Potentially longer battery life due to dual-core processor.
- Simpler user experience for those unfamiliar with smartphones.
- Likely lower price point.
- Significantly slower performance compared to the ZTE Blade L3 Plus.
- Struggles with multitasking and demanding apps.
- Limited future-proofing.
ZTE Blade L3 Plus
- Faster performance thanks to the quad-core processor.
- Smoother multitasking and app loading times.
- More responsive user experience.
- Potentially shorter battery life compared to the alcatel Pop 7.
- May be slightly more expensive.
- Still limited by the overall budget hardware.
Display Comparison
Neither device is expected to deliver a premium display experience. Given the price point, both likely utilize LCD panels with resolutions around 480x854. Without specific brightness or color gamut data, it’s safe to assume both displays are adequate for indoor use but will struggle in direct sunlight. The focus here isn't on visual fidelity, but on basic readability.
Camera Comparison
Both devices are likely to feature basic camera setups. Without specific sensor details, it’s reasonable to assume both utilize low-resolution sensors (likely 5MP or less) with limited image processing capabilities. Image quality will be acceptable for casual snapshots in good lighting conditions, but expect significant noise and lack of detail in low-light environments. Focusing on megapixel counts would be misleading; the image signal processor (ISP) within the chipset will be the limiting factor.
Performance
The core difference lies in the CPU: the ZTE Blade L3 Plus features a quad-core 1.3 GHz Cortex-A7 processor based on the Mediatek MT6582 chipset, while the alcatel Pop 7 is equipped with a dual-core 1.3 GHz Cortex-A7 processor on the Mediatek MT8312. While both are Cortex-A7 cores and built on a 28nm process, the additional cores in the ZTE chip provide a significant advantage in multi-threaded tasks. This translates to faster app loading times, smoother scrolling, and a more responsive user experience. The MT8312 in the alcatel Pop 7 will likely struggle with more than a few apps open simultaneously.
Battery Life
Battery life will heavily depend on usage patterns. While specific mAh capacities are not provided, both devices likely feature batteries in the 2000-2500 mAh range. The quad-core processor in the ZTE Blade L3 Plus will consume more power than the dual-core chip in the alcatel Pop 7, but the performance gains may offset this difference for users who actively utilize the device. Charging times will likely be similar, given the likely use of standard 5W chargers.
Buying Guide
Buy the alcatel Pop 7 if you need a truly minimal smartphone for basic calling, texting, and extremely light app usage, and prioritize simplicity above all else. Buy the ZTE Blade L3 Plus if you prefer a device capable of handling more demanding tasks like social media browsing, light gaming, and running multiple apps concurrently, even if it means a slightly higher price point.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Will the ZTE Blade L3 Plus be able to run popular social media apps like Facebook and Instagram smoothly?
Yes, the quad-core processor in the ZTE Blade L3 Plus should handle Facebook and Instagram without significant lag. While it won't offer a flagship-level experience, it will provide a usable and reasonably responsive experience for browsing and interacting with these apps.
❓ Is the alcatel Pop 7 suitable for a first-time smartphone user who primarily needs a device for calls and texts?
Absolutely. The alcatel Pop 7's simplicity and lower processing demands make it a good option for users who only need basic functionality. It will reliably handle calls, texts, and simple tasks without overwhelming the user with complex features.
❓ Can either of these phones play modern mobile games?
While both phones *can* technically run some mobile games, performance will be limited. Simple 2D games will be playable, but demanding 3D titles will likely experience significant lag and low frame rates. The ZTE Blade L3 Plus will offer a slightly better gaming experience due to its quad-core processor, but don't expect a smooth experience with graphically intensive games.
