The Blackview A55 and Cubot Note 7 represent the ultra-budget end of the Android smartphone market. Both aim to deliver essential functionality at a minimal cost, but significant differences in their core hardware – specifically the chipset – dictate their performance and efficiency. This comparison dissects those differences to help you choose the right device for your needs.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average user prioritizing responsiveness and efficiency, the Blackview A55 is the better choice. Its Mediatek MT6761V Helio A22, built on a 12nm process, offers a noticeable performance advantage and improved power efficiency over the Cubot Note 7’s older, 28nm MT6737. While neither phone is a powerhouse, the A55 provides a smoother, more reliable experience.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 900 / 2100 | HSDPA 900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 3, 7, 8, 20, 40 | 1, 3, 7, 8, 19, 20 |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE | HSPA, LTE |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2021, December 06 | 2020. Released 2020 |
| Status | Available. Released 2021, December | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Dimensions | 164.5 x 76.7 x 9.1 mm (6.48 x 3.02 x 0.36 in) | 138 x 65 x 10.8 mm (5.43 x 2.56 x 0.43 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 196 g (6.91 oz) | 144 g (5.08 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Resolution | 720 x 1600 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~269 ppi density) | 442 x 960 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~192 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.53 inches, 102.9 cm2 (~81.6% screen-to-body ratio) | 5.5 inches, 74.1 cm2 (~82.7% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD | IPS LCD |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Quad-core 2.0 GHz Cortex-A53 | Quad-core 1.4 GHz Cortex-A53 |
| Chipset | Mediatek MT6761V Helio A22 (12 nm) | Mediatek MT6737 (28 nm) |
| GPU | PowerVR GE8300 | Mali-T720MP1 |
| OS | Android 11 | Android 10 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC | No |
| Internal | 16GB 3GB RAM | 16GB 2GB RAM |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash | LED flash |
| Triple | 8 MP, f/2.2, (wide), AF
other unspecified cameras | 13 MP, (wide), AF
0.3 MP
third unspecified camera |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | Yes |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Single | 5 MP, f/2.2, (wide) | 8 MP |
| Video | Yes | Yes |
| Sound |
|---|
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 4.1, A2DP | 4.2, A2DP |
| NFC | No | No |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, BDS | GPS |
| Radio | FM radio | Unspecified |
| USB | microUSB 2.0, OTG | Yes |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, proximity | Accelerometer, proximity |
| Battery |
|---|
| Type | 4780 mAh | 3100 mAh, removable |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Gray, Green, Blue, Gradient | Black, Red, Blue, Green |
| Price | About 100 EUR | - |
Blackview A55
- More efficient chipset (MT6761V)
- Faster CPU clock speed (2.0 GHz)
- Potentially longer battery life
- Smoother multitasking
- Limited detailed specifications available
- Likely basic camera performance
Cubot Note 7
- Extremely affordable price point
- Functional for basic tasks
- May be available in more regions
- Simple user interface
- Less efficient chipset (MT6737)
- Slower CPU clock speed (1.4 GHz)
- Potential for throttling under load
- Shorter battery life
Display Comparison
Neither Blackview nor Cubot provide detailed display specifications. Given their price point, both likely utilize IPS LCD panels with 720p+ resolutions. However, the lack of information prevents a detailed comparison of brightness, color accuracy, or viewing angles. Expect basic, functional displays on both devices. Bezels are likely to be substantial on both, maximizing screen real estate within a compact form factor.
Camera Comparison
Detailed camera specifications are unavailable. However, given the market segment, both phones likely feature basic camera setups. It’s reasonable to assume both will include a primary camera and potentially a secondary depth sensor. Without knowing sensor sizes, apertures, or image processing capabilities, a meaningful comparison is impossible. Expect image quality to be adequate for casual snapshots in good lighting conditions, but limited in low-light scenarios. The inclusion of a 2MP macro camera on either device is largely a marketing tactic, offering minimal practical benefit.
Performance
The core difference lies in the chipsets. The Blackview A55’s Mediatek MT6761V Helio A22 (12nm) boasts a quad-core 2.0 GHz Cortex-A53 CPU, while the Cubot Note 7 utilizes the older Mediatek MT6737 (28nm) with a quad-core 1.4 GHz Cortex-A53 CPU. The 12nm fabrication process of the Helio A22 is significantly more efficient than the 28nm process of the MT6737. This translates to lower power consumption for the same workload, and potentially less thermal throttling under sustained load. The higher clock speed of the A22 also contributes to faster application loading and smoother multitasking. While both CPUs use the same Cortex-A53 architecture, the A22’s advantages are clear.
Battery Life
Battery capacity details are missing for both devices. However, the more efficient Mediatek MT6761V in the Blackview A55 will likely result in longer battery life compared to the Cubot Note 7, even with a similarly sized battery. The 28nm MT6737 is known for its relatively high power consumption. Charging wattage is also unknown, but given the budget nature of these phones, expect relatively slow charging speeds – likely in the 5W-10W range for both.
Buying Guide
Buy the Blackview A55 if you need a phone for everyday tasks like calling, texting, social media, and light web browsing, and value a slightly more responsive experience and potentially longer battery life. Buy the Cubot Note 7 if you are on an extremely tight budget and your usage is limited to the most basic functions, and you are willing to accept slower performance and potentially more frequent charging.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Will the Cubot Note 7 struggle with modern social media apps like TikTok or Instagram?
The Cubot Note 7’s MT6737 chipset is relatively weak, and may exhibit noticeable lag or slowdown when running demanding apps like TikTok or Instagram, especially with multiple apps open simultaneously. The Blackview A55, with its Helio A22, will provide a smoother experience for these applications.
❓ Is the Blackview A55 suitable for playing mobile games?
Neither the Blackview A55 nor the Cubot Note 7 are ideal for gaming. While the A55’s Helio A22 is slightly more capable, expect to limit yourself to less demanding 2D games or older titles. Modern 3D games will likely run at low frame rates and may experience significant stuttering. The MT6737 in the Cubot Note 7 will struggle even more.
❓ How much storage do these phones typically offer, and can it be expanded?
While specific storage configurations vary, both phones typically ship with 16GB or 32GB of internal storage. Fortunately, both devices support microSD card expansion, allowing you to add up to 128GB or 256GB of additional storage for photos, videos, and apps.
❓ What version of Android do these phones run?
Both the Blackview A55 and Cubot Note 7 likely run Android Go Edition, a lightweight version of Android designed for devices with limited RAM and processing power. This helps to ensure a smoother experience on these budget smartphones.
