The Plum Ram 9 and Plum Z708 represent entry-level options in the saturated budget smartphone market. While both devices aim to provide basic functionality at an affordable price, significant differences in their chipsets dictate their real-world performance and suitability for different users. This comparison will dissect those differences, focusing on the impact of the Mediatek MT6572M in the Ram 9 versus the MT8312 in the Z708.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average user prioritizing responsiveness and a slightly smoother experience, the Plum Z708 is the better choice. Its MT8312 chipset, built on a 28nm process and clocked at 1.3GHz, offers a noticeable performance advantage over the Ram 9’s MT6572M, despite both being dual-core CPUs.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 - SIM 1 & SIM 2 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 1900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40 | - |
| Speed | HSPA 21.1/5.76 Mbps, LTE | HSPA 21.1/11.5 Mbps |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2020, February 10. Released 2020, April | 2014, May. Released 2014, May |
| Status | Discontinued | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Dimensions | 133.4 x 64.4 x 15.8 mm (5.25 x 2.54 x 0.62 in) | 191 x 116 x 7.9 mm (7.52 x 4.57 x 0.31 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Dual SIM |
| Weight | 109 g (3.84 oz) | - |
| | IP68 dust/water resistant (up to 1.5m for 30 min)
Flashlight | - |
| Display |
|---|
| Resolution | 240 x 320 pixels, 4:3 ratio (~167 ppi density) | 1024 x 600 pixels, 16:9 ratio (~170 ppi density) |
| Size | 2.4 inches, 17.8 cm2 (~20.8% screen-to-body ratio) | 7.0 inches, 137.9 cm2 (~62.2% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | TFT LCD, 256K colors | IPS LCD |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Dual-core | Dual-core 1.3 GHz Cortex-A7 |
| Chipset | Mediatek MT6572M | Mediatek MT8312 (28 nm) |
| GPU | - | Mali-400 |
| OS | KaiOS 2.5 | Android 4.2.2 (Jelly Bean) |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDHC | microSDHC |
| Internal | 4GB 512MB RAM | 16GB 1GB RAM |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash | LED flash, panorama, HDR |
| Single | 5 MP | 8 MP, AF |
| Video | 480p | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash | face detection |
| Single | 1.3 MP | 2 MP |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 4.0 | 4.0, A2DP |
| NFC | No | No |
| Positioning | GPS | GPS |
| Radio | FM radio | 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, gyro, proximity |
| | Facebook, Whatsapp, Youtube, Google Assist | - |
| Battery |
|---|
| Stand-by | - | Up to 950 h (2G) / Up to 850 h (3G) |
| Talk time | - | Up to 24 h (2G) / Up to 22 h (3G) |
| Type | Li-Ion 1700 mAh, removable | Li-Ion 3000 mAh, non-removable |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Black, Black/Orange | White |
Plum Ram 9
- Potentially lower price point
- Simpler operating system (likely less bloatware)
- May be more readily available in certain markets
- Significantly weaker performance due to older chipset
- Less efficient power consumption
- Likely slower app loading times
Plum Z708
- More powerful and efficient MT8312 chipset
- Faster app loading and multitasking
- Potentially better battery life
- May be slightly more expensive
- Potentially more pre-installed bloatware
- Slightly larger footprint due to chipset complexity
Display Comparison
Unfortunately, display specifications are absent from the provided data. However, given the price point of both devices, it’s reasonable to assume both utilize LCD panels with resolutions likely around 480x854. The Z708’s more modern chipset *may* indicate slightly better display driver support, potentially leading to marginally improved color accuracy, but this is speculative. Bezels are likely substantial on both models.
Camera Comparison
Without specific camera sensor details, a meaningful comparison is difficult. It’s highly probable both devices feature basic camera setups, potentially with a primary sensor around 5MP. The absence of information regarding Optical Image Stabilization (OIS) suggests neither device will offer particularly strong low-light performance. Any claims of advanced features should be viewed skeptically. The Z708’s more powerful chipset *could* allow for slightly faster image processing, but the sensor itself will be the limiting factor.
Performance
The core difference lies in the chipsets. The Plum Z708’s Mediatek MT8312, fabricated on a 28nm process, represents a more efficient and capable architecture than the Ram 9’s MT6572M. While both are dual-core CPUs, the MT8312’s Cortex-A7 cores, clocked at 1.3GHz, offer a performance uplift over the MT6572M. The 28nm process node is crucial; it allows for higher transistor density and lower power consumption, translating to better sustained performance and potentially less thermal throttling during prolonged use. This means the Z708 will likely handle multitasking and app loading times more effectively.
Battery Life
Battery capacity is not specified for either device. However, given the lower power consumption of the MT8312 in the Z708, it’s likely to offer slightly better battery life than the Ram 9, even if they have similar capacity batteries. The 28nm process contributes to this efficiency. Charging wattage is also unknown, but both devices likely support slow charging via Micro-USB.
Buying Guide
Buy the Plum Ram 9 if you need a bare-bones smartphone for essential tasks like calls, texts, and very light web browsing, and your budget is extremely limited. Buy the Plum Z708 if you prefer a device capable of handling slightly more demanding apps, occasional social media use, and a generally more responsive user interface, even if it means spending a bit more.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Will the Plum Z708 be able to run popular social media apps like Facebook and WhatsApp smoothly?
Yes, the MT8312 chipset in the Plum Z708 is sufficiently capable of running basic social media applications like Facebook and WhatsApp without significant lag. While it won’t offer a flagship-level experience, it will provide a usable and responsive experience for these common tasks.
❓ Is the dual-core processor in either phone sufficient for playing mobile games?
Neither the Plum Ram 9 nor the Plum Z708 are well-suited for demanding mobile games. The dual-core processors and limited GPU power will struggle with most modern titles. However, the Z708’s MT8312 will likely handle simpler 2D games and older 3D titles slightly better than the Ram 9’s MT6572M.
❓ What kind of storage options are available on these phones, and can it be expanded?
Storage details are not provided. However, budget smartphones typically come with limited internal storage (8GB or 16GB). It’s highly probable that both devices feature a microSD card slot for storage expansion, allowing users to add more space for photos, videos, and apps.
