The Doogee Fire 3 Ultra and ZTE Blade A7 Prime represent two distinct approaches to the ultra-budget smartphone market. The Doogee prioritizes longevity with a massive battery and a more modern chipset, while the ZTE aims for basic functionality at the lowest possible price point. This comparison dissects their key differences to determine which device delivers the best value for your money.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For most users, the Doogee Fire 3 Ultra is the superior choice. Its Unisoc T7200 chipset offers significantly better performance than the ZTE’s Helio A22, and the exceptional 91-hour battery endurance makes it ideal for users who prioritize uptime over all else. The ZTE Blade A7 Prime remains a viable option only for those on the absolute tightest of budgets.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 28, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41, 66 | 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 | 2025, August | 2019, November. Released 2019, November |
| Status | Available. Released 2025, August | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | - | Glass front, plastic back, plastic frame |
| Dimensions | 162.5 x 77.4 x 17.8 mm (6.40 x 3.05 x 0.70 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 + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 290 g (10.23 oz) | 165 g (5.82 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | Mohs level 5 | - |
| Resolution | 720 x 1440 pixels, 18:9 ratio (~293 ppi density) | 720 x 1560 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~282 ppi density) |
| Size | 5.5 inches, 78.1 cm2 (~62.1% 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 (2x1.6 GHz Cortex-A75 & 6x1.6 GHz Cortex-A55) | Quad-core 2.0 GHz Cortex-A53 |
| Chipset | Unisoc T7200 (12 nm) | Mediatek MT6761 Helio A22 (12 nm) |
| GPU | Mali-G57 MP1 | PowerVR GE8320 |
| OS | Android 15 | Android 9.0 (Pie) |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) |
| Internal | 256GB 6GB RAM | 32GB 3GB RAM |
| | - | eMMC 5.1 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Dual | 16 MP, f/1.8, (wide), AF
20 MP, f/1.8, (night vision), infrared night vision light | - |
| Features | LED flash, HDR, panorama | LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Single | - | 16 MP, f/2.0, PDAF |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | HDR | - |
| Single | 8 MP, f/2.0, (wide) | 5 MP, f/2.2 |
| Video | 720p@30fps | - |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | - | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.0, A2DP, LE | 4.2, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | Yes | No |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS | 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 (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, proximity |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 18W wired | - |
| Type | 8350 mAh | Li-Po 3200 mAh, non-removable |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Gray, Orange, Green | Silver |
| Price | About 160 EUR | About 90 EUR |
| EU LABEL |
|---|
| Battery | 91:00h endurance, 1100 cycles | - |
| Energy | Class A | - |
| Free fall | Class D (45 falls) | - |
| Repairability | Class C | - |
Doogee Fire 3 Ultra
- Exceptional 91-hour battery life
- More powerful Unisoc T7200 processor
- Long-lasting battery with 1100 charge cycles
- Likely basic display quality
- Camera performance may still be limited
ZTE Blade A7 Prime
- Extremely affordable price point
- Lightweight and compact design (likely)
- Adequate for basic communication tasks
- Weak MediaTek Helio A22 processor
- Significantly shorter battery life
- Limited multitasking capabilities
Display Comparison
Neither device boasts a standout display. Given the context data focuses on internal components, we can infer both likely utilize LCD panels common in this price bracket. The ZTE Blade A7 Prime, given its lower price point, likely features a lower resolution and narrower color gamut. The Doogee, while also likely LCD, benefits from the processing power of the T7200 to potentially offer better image processing and slightly improved viewing angles. Bezels are expected to be substantial on both devices.
Camera Comparison
Camera performance is likely to be limited on both devices, but the Doogee Fire 3 Ultra has the potential for slightly better results. Without specific sensor details, we can assume both feature basic camera setups. The Unisoc T7200’s image signal processor (ISP) is more advanced than the Helio A22’s, allowing for better noise reduction and image processing. The ZTE Blade A7 Prime will likely rely heavily on software processing, which may introduce artifacts and reduce image quality. Any 2MP macro or depth sensors on either device should be considered marketing features rather than genuinely useful cameras.
Performance
The performance gap between these two phones is substantial. The Doogee Fire 3 Ultra’s Unisoc T7200, built on a 12nm process, features an octa-core configuration with a mix of Cortex-A75 and A55 cores. This architecture provides a significant boost in both single-core and multi-core performance compared to the ZTE Blade A7 Prime’s quad-core MediaTek Helio A22, also on a 12nm node, utilizing only Cortex-A53 cores. The A75 cores in the Doogee are demonstrably faster and more efficient, translating to smoother app launches, quicker multitasking, and a more responsive user experience. The Helio A22 is adequate for basic tasks, but will struggle with anything beyond simple apps.
Battery Life
Battery life is where the Doogee Fire 3 Ultra truly shines. The reported 91-hour endurance is exceptional for any smartphone, let alone a budget model. This is coupled with a claimed 1100 charge cycles, suggesting a long lifespan. The ZTE Blade A7 Prime’s battery capacity is not specified, but given its lower price and focus on minimizing costs, it’s likely significantly smaller. While the Doogee charges at 18W, the ZTE’s charging speed is likely slower. The Doogee’s superior battery capacity and endurance will be a game-changer for users who frequently travel or have limited access to power outlets.
Buying Guide
Buy the Doogee Fire 3 Ultra if you need a phone that can reliably last through multiple days of moderate use, or if you anticipate needing to run more demanding apps. Its octa-core processor will handle multitasking and light gaming with ease. Buy the ZTE Blade A7 Prime if you primarily need a device for basic communication – calls, texts, and very light web browsing – and are unwilling to spend more than the absolute minimum.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Is the Unisoc T7200 in the Doogee Fire 3 Ultra capable of running popular social media apps smoothly?
Yes, the Unisoc T7200’s octa-core architecture and Cortex-A75 cores provide ample processing power for smooth operation of popular social media apps like Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok. You should experience minimal lag or stuttering during scrolling and content loading.
❓ How long will the Doogee Fire 3 Ultra’s battery last with moderate usage, such as browsing, calling, and occasional video streaming?
With moderate usage, the Doogee Fire 3 Ultra’s 91-hour endurance translates to approximately 3-4 days of typical use. This includes several hours of web browsing, voice calls, and occasional video streaming. The large battery capacity ensures you won’t need to worry about running out of power during a typical day.
❓ Can the ZTE Blade A7 Prime handle basic games like Candy Crush or Subway Surfers?
The ZTE Blade A7 Prime can handle very simple games like Candy Crush or Subway Surfers, but performance will be limited. Expect longer loading times and potential frame rate drops, especially during more visually demanding sections of the game. It's not suitable for more graphically intensive titles.
❓ Does the Doogee Fire 3 Ultra support fast charging, and how long does it take to fully charge the battery?
The Doogee Fire 3 Ultra supports 18W wired charging. While not the fastest charging available, it will still significantly reduce charging times compared to slower chargers. A full charge from 0% to 100% is estimated to take around 2.5 - 3 hours.
