The budget smartphone market is fiercely competitive. Today, we're pitting two contenders against each other: the Asus Zenfone 2 ZE500CL, a device from a few years ago, and the more recent Xiaomi Redmi 7A. Let's see how these phones stack up.
🏆 Quick Verdict
The Xiaomi Redmi 7A is the clear winner. While the Zenfone 2 was a strong contender in its time, the Redmi 7A's newer chipset, better performance, and improved features make it a more compelling choice for today's budget-conscious buyers.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 28 - Taiwan | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 20, 38, 40 - Global |
| Speed | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE Cat3 100/50 Mbps | HSPA, LTE |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 17, 20 - Global | 1, 3, 5, 8, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41 - China |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2015, March. Released 2015, March | 2019, May 24. Released 2019, July 04 |
| Status | Discontinued | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | - | Glass front, plastic back, plastic frame |
| Dimensions | 148.1 x 71.5 x 10.9 mm (5.83 x 2.81 x 0.43 in) | 146.3 x 70.4 x 9.6 mm (5.76 x 2.77 x 0.38 in) |
| SIM | Micro-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 155 g (5.47 oz) | 165 g (5.82 oz) |
| | - | Splash resistant |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass 3 | - |
| Resolution | 720 x 1280 pixels, 16:9 ratio (~294 ppi density) | 720 x 1440 pixels, 18:9 ratio (~295 ppi density) |
| Size | 5.0 inches, 68.9 cm2 (~65.1% screen-to-body ratio) | 5.45 inches, 76.7 cm2 (~74.4% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD | IPS LCD |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Dual-core 1.6 GHz | Octa-core (4x1.95 GHz Cortex-A53 & 4x1.45 GHz Cortex A53) |
| Chipset | Intel Atom Z2560 | Qualcomm SDM439 Snapdragon 439 (12 nm) |
| GPU | PowerVR SGX544MP2 | Adreno 505 |
| OS | Android 5.0 (Lollipop), ZenUI | Android 9.0 (Pie), upgradable to Android 10, MIUI 12 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 16GB 2GB RAM | 16GB 2GB RAM, 32GB 2GB RAM, 32GB 3GB RAM |
| | - | eMMC 5.1 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash, panorama, HDR | LED flash, HDR |
| Single | 8 MP, f/2.0, AF | 13 MP, f/2.2, 1/3.1", 1.12µm, PDAF - China
or
12 MP, f/2.2, 1/2.9", 1.25µm, PDAF - Global, India |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | - | HDR |
| Single | 2 MP, f/2.0 | 5 MP, f/2.2, 1/5.0", 1.12µm |
| Video | - | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 4.0, A2DP, EDR | 4.2, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | No | No |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS | GPS, GLONASS, BDS |
| Radio | FM radio | FM Radio, built-in antenna |
| USB | microUSB 2.0 | microUSB 2.0, OTG |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, Wi-Fi Direct, hotspot | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Accelerometer, proximity, compass | Accelerometer, proximity, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | - | 10W wired |
| Stand-by | Up to 360 h (3G) | - |
| Talk time | Up to 28 h (3G) | - |
| Type | Li-Po 2500 mAh, non-removable | Li-Po 4000 mAh, non-removable |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Charcoal Black, Pearl White, Cherry Red | Matte Black, Morning blue, Matte Blue, Matte Gold, Gem Red, Gem Blue |
| Models | Z00D | MZB7995IN, M1903C3EG, M1903C3EH, M1903C3EI |
| Price | About 180 EUR | About 130 EUR |
| SAR | - | 1.00 W/kg (head) 1.12 W/kg (body) |
| SAR EU | 0.43 W/kg (head) | 0.56 W/kg (head) 1.17 W/kg (body) |
Asus Zenfone 2 ZE500CL
- Compact size
- Affordable (when new)
- Decent build quality
- Outdated processor
- Limited storage
- Short battery life
- Low camera quality
Xiaomi Redmi 7A
- Good performance for the price
- Long battery life
- Larger display
- Improved camera
- Plastic build
- 10W charging is slow
- Limited features compared to higher-end phones
Display Comparison
The Zenfone 2 features a 5.0-inch IPS LCD display. The Redmi 7A boasts a slightly larger 6.26-inch IPS LCD, offering a more immersive viewing experience. While both are IPS panels, the Redmi 7A's larger size and potentially better color accuracy give it an edge.
Camera Comparison
The Redmi 7A generally offers a better camera experience. It typically features a 13MP main camera, while the Zenfone 2 has an 8MP camera. Image quality, low-light performance, and video recording are all likely to be superior on the Redmi 7A.
Performance
This is where the Redmi 7A shines. The Snapdragon 439 octa-core processor significantly outperforms the Zenfone 2's Intel Atom Z2560 dual-core. Expect smoother multitasking, faster app loading, and a more responsive user experience on the Redmi 7A.
Battery Life
The Redmi 7A has a larger 4000mAh battery compared to the Zenfone 2's 2400mAh. This translates to significantly longer battery life on the Redmi 7A, easily lasting a full day of moderate use.
Buying Guide
The Asus Zenfone 2 ZE500CL might appeal to users seeking a very basic, ultra-budget device for simple tasks. The Xiaomi Redmi 7A is ideal for those needing a reliable, everyday smartphone with decent performance, a good camera, and a longer lifespan.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Is the Zenfone 2 still usable in 2024?
Yes, but it's showing its age. It's fine for very basic tasks like calling and texting, but don't expect smooth performance with modern apps.
❓ Which phone has better software support?
The Xiaomi Redmi 7A is more likely to receive occasional updates, although support is limited. The Zenfone 2 is unlikely to receive any further updates.
