The Coolpad Legacy and ZTE Blade A7 Prime represent the ultra-budget end of the smartphone spectrum. Both aim to deliver essential smartphone functionality at the lowest possible price point, but they achieve this with significantly different hardware approaches. This comparison dissects those differences, focusing on real-world implications for the average user.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For most users, the Coolpad Legacy emerges as the slightly better choice. While the ZTE Blade A7 Prime boasts a newer 12nm process, the Qualcomm Snapdragon 450 in the Legacy provides a more consistently responsive experience due to its octa-core configuration and optimized software support, making it better suited for multitasking.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 | HSDPA 850 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 2, 4, 5, 12, 66, 71 | 2, 4, 5, 13 |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE Cat4 150/50 Mbps |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2019, May. Released 2019, May | 2019, November. Released 2019, November |
| Status | Discontinued | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | - | Glass front, plastic back, plastic frame |
| Dimensions | 165.9 x 80.5 x 8.4 mm (6.53 x 3.17 x 0.33 in) | 156.7 x 72.9 x 8.1 mm (6.17 x 2.87 x 0.32 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 170 g (6.00 oz) | 165 g (5.82 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass 3 | - |
| Resolution | 1080 x 2160 pixels, 18:9 ratio (~380 ppi density) | 720 x 1560 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~282 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.36 inches, 104.4 cm2 (~78.2% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.09 inches, 91.0 cm2 (~79.7% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD | IPS LCD |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core 1.8 GHz Cortex-A53 | Quad-core 2.0 GHz Cortex-A53 |
| Chipset | Qualcomm SDM450 Snapdragon 450 (14 nm) | Mediatek MT6761 Helio A22 (12 nm) |
| GPU | Adreno 506 | PowerVR GE8320 |
| OS | Android 9.0 (Pie) | Android 9.0 (Pie) |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) |
| Internal | 32GB 3GB RAM | 32GB 3GB RAM |
| | eMMC 5.1 | eMMC 5.1 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Dual | 16 MP, AF
5 MP | - |
| Features | LED flash, panorama, HDR | LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Single | - | 16 MP, f/2.0, PDAF |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Single | 13 MP | 5 MP, f/2.2 |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | - |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 4.2, A2DP | 4.2, A2DP, LE |
| Infrared port | Yes | - |
| NFC | No | No |
| Positioning | GPS | GPS |
| Radio | FM radio | FM radio |
| USB | USB Type-C 2.0 | USB Type-C 2.0 |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, proximity |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 15W wired | - |
| Type | Li-Po 4000 mAh, non-removable | Li-Po 3200 mAh, non-removable |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Silver | Silver |
| Price | About 160 EUR | About 90 EUR |
Coolpad Legacy
- Octa-core processor offers better multitasking.
- Qualcomm’s software optimizations improve performance.
- Generally better app compatibility.
- Older 14nm manufacturing process.
- Likely less efficient standby power consumption.
ZTE Blade A7 Prime
- Newer 12nm manufacturing process for potential efficiency.
- Potentially longer standby battery life.
- Lower price point (potentially).
- Quad-core processor struggles with multitasking.
- Limited performance for demanding apps.
- Lower software support and optimization.
Display Comparison
Neither device is expected to deliver a premium display experience. Specifications are unavailable for both displays, but given the price point, both likely utilize IPS LCD panels with 720p+ resolutions. The focus here isn't on visual fidelity, but on basic usability. Expect similar levels of color accuracy and viewing angles. Bezels are likely to be substantial on both devices, maximizing screen real estate within a compact form factor.
Camera Comparison
Camera performance on both devices will be limited. Without detailed sensor information, it’s safe to assume both feature basic sensors suitable for casual snapshots in good lighting conditions. The inclusion of a 2MP macro camera on the ZTE Blade A7 Prime is largely a marketing tactic, offering minimal practical benefit due to the low resolution and lack of optical image stabilization. Image processing will likely be basic on both, prioritizing speed over quality. Expect washed-out colors and limited dynamic range.
Performance
The core difference lies in the chipset. The Coolpad Legacy’s Qualcomm Snapdragon 450 (14nm) features an octa-core Cortex-A53 CPU clocked at 1.8 GHz. This contrasts with the ZTE Blade A7 Prime’s MediaTek Helio A22 (12nm) which utilizes a quad-core Cortex-A53 CPU clocked at 2.0 GHz. While the Helio A22 has a higher clock speed, the Snapdragon 450’s eight cores provide superior multitasking capabilities. The 12nm process of the Helio A22 *should* offer better power efficiency, but the Snapdragon 450’s architecture and Qualcomm’s software optimizations likely mitigate this advantage. Users engaging in more than basic app switching will likely notice a smoother experience on the Coolpad Legacy.
Battery Life
Both devices are likely equipped with batteries in the 3000-4000 mAh range, typical for this price segment. The ZTE Blade A7 Prime’s Helio A22, built on a 12nm process, *should* theoretically consume less power. However, the Coolpad Legacy’s Snapdragon 450 benefits from Qualcomm’s power management optimizations. Both support 15W wired charging, suggesting similar 0-100% charge times – likely exceeding 2.5 hours. Real-world battery life will depend heavily on usage patterns, but the A22 may provide a slight edge in standby time.
Buying Guide
Buy the Coolpad Legacy if you prioritize consistent performance for everyday tasks like browsing, social media, and light app usage. Its octa-core processor handles multitasking more effectively. Buy the ZTE Blade A7 Prime if your primary concern is maximizing battery life and you primarily use your phone for very basic functions like calls, texts, and occasional light browsing, and you are on a very tight budget.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Will the ZTE Blade A7 Prime struggle with popular apps like Facebook or WhatsApp?
The Helio A22’s quad-core processor may exhibit noticeable lag when running multiple apps simultaneously, including popular social media platforms. While basic functionality will be available, expect slower loading times and occasional stutters. The Coolpad Legacy’s octa-core processor will handle these apps more smoothly.
❓ Is the Coolpad Legacy a good choice for mobile gaming?
Neither device is well-suited for demanding mobile games. The Snapdragon 450 can handle very basic 2D games, but will struggle with graphically intensive titles. Frame rates will be low, and you may experience significant lag. The Helio A22 will perform even worse in gaming scenarios.
❓ How long will it take to fully charge either phone?
Both phones support 15W charging, but due to their battery capacities (likely between 3000-4000mAh), a full charge from 0% to 100% will likely take around 2.5 to 3.5 hours. Charging speeds are not a strong point for either device.
❓ Which phone will receive more software updates?
Coolpad generally provides more consistent software updates and security patches for its devices compared to ZTE, particularly in the ultra-budget segment. This means the Coolpad Legacy is more likely to receive critical security updates, extending its usable lifespan.
