Choosing a new smartphone can be overwhelming. Today, we're pitting two very different devices against each other: the budget-friendly Vodafone Smart first 7 and the iconic Apple iPhone 7. This comparison will help you decide which phone best suits your needs and budget.
🏆 Quick Verdict
The iPhone 7 is the clear winner in almost every category, boasting superior performance, a better camera, and longer software support. However, the Vodafone Smart first 7 offers incredible value for those on a tight budget seeking basic smartphone functionality.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 900 / 1800 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 - A1660, A1778 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 - A1660, A1778 |
| 4G bands | - | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 38, 39, 40, 41 - A1660, A1778 |
| Speed | HSPA 21.1/5.76 Mbps | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE (3CA) Cat9 450/50 Mbps, EV-DO Rev.A 3.1 Mbps |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / EVDO / LTE |
| | - | CDMA2000 1xEV-DO & TD-SCDMA - A1660 |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2016, May. Released 2016, May | 2016, September 07. Released 2016, September 16 |
| Status | Discontinued | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | - | Glass front (Corning-made glass), aluminum back, aluminum frame |
| Dimensions | 114.4 x 62.8 x 12 mm (4.50 x 2.47 x 0.47 in) | 138.3 x 67.1 x 7.1 mm (5.44 x 2.64 x 0.28 in) |
| SIM | Mini-SIM | Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 110 g (3.88 oz) | 138 g (4.87 oz) |
| | - | IP67 dust/water resistant (up to 1m for 30 min)
Apple Pay (Visa, MasterCard, AMEX certified) |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | - | Ion-strengthened glass |
| Resolution | 320 x 480 pixels, 3:2 ratio (~165 ppi density) | 750 x 1334 pixels, 16:9 ratio (~326 ppi density) |
| Size | 3.5 inches, 36.5 cm2 (~50.8% screen-to-body ratio) | 4.7 inches, 60.9 cm2 (~65.6% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | TFT TN | Retina IPS LCD, 625 nits (typ) |
| | - | 3D Touch display & home button |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Quad-core 1.3 GHz Cortex-A7 | Quad-core 2.34 GHz (2x Hurricane + 2x Zephyr) |
| Chipset | Spreadtrum SC7731G | Apple A10 Fusion (16 nm) |
| GPU | Mali-400MP2 | PowerVR Series7XT Plus (six-core graphics) |
| OS | Android 5.1 (Lollipop) | iOS 10.0.1, upgradable to iOS 15.8.5 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | No |
| Internal | 4GB 512MB RAM | 32GB 2GB RAM, 128GB 2GB RAM, 256GB 2GB RAM |
| | - | NVMe |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | - | Quad-LED dual-tone flash, HDR |
| Single | 2 MP | 12 MP, f/1.8, 28mm (wide), 1/3.0", PDAF, OIS |
| Video | 720p@30fps | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60/120fps, 720p@240fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | - | Face detection, HDR, panorama |
| Single | - | 7 MP, f/2.2, 32mm (standard) |
| Video | - | 1080p@30fps |
| | No | - |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | No |
| 35mm jack | Yes | No |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes, with stereo speakers |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 2.1, A2DP | 4.2, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | No | Yes |
| Positioning | A-GPS only | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, QZSS |
| Radio | FM radio | No |
| USB | microUSB 2.0 | Lightning, USB 2.0 |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, hotspot | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, hotspot |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | No | Fingerprint (front-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, barometer |
| Battery |
|---|
| Talk time | Up to 5 h (3G) | Up to 14 h (3G) |
| Type | Li-Ion 1400 mAh, removable | Li-Ion 1960 mAh, non-removable (7.45 Wh) |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Volcano Black, Tech White | Jet Black, Black, Silver, Gold, Rose Gold, Red |
| Models | VFD 200 | A1660, A1778, A1779, A1780, A1853, A1866, iPhone9,1, iPhone9,3 |
| Price | About 30 EUR | About 180 EUR |
| SAR | - | 1.19 W/kg (head) 1.19 W/kg (body) |
| SAR EU | - | 1.38 W/kg (head) 1.34 W/kg (body) |
| Tests |
|---|
| Audio quality | - |
Noise -92.4dB / Crosstalk -80.9dB |
| Battery life | - |
Endurance rating 61h
|
| Camera | - |
Photo / Video |
| Display | - |
Contrast ratio: 1603:1 (nominal), 3.964 (sunlight) |
| Loudspeaker | - |
Voice 67dB / Noise 73dB / Ring 75dB
|
| Performance | - |
Basemark OS II 2.0: 3416 |
Vodafone Smart first 7
- Extremely affordable
- Decent battery life
- Lightweight and compact
- Basic smartphone functionality
- Weak processor
- Low-resolution display
- Subpar camera
- Limited storage
- Outdated software
Apple iPhone 7
- Powerful processor
- Excellent camera
- High-quality display
- Long-term software support
- Premium build quality
- Strong resale value
- Expensive
- Limited storage options (base models)
- Older design
- No headphone jack
Display Comparison
The iPhone 7's display, while smaller, offers significantly better color accuracy, brightness, and overall visual quality thanks to Apple's display technology. The Smart first 7's display is adequate for basic use but lacks the vibrancy and sharpness of the iPhone 7.
Camera Comparison
The iPhone 7's camera is a significant upgrade, capturing sharper images with better dynamic range and low-light performance. It also offers superior video recording capabilities. The Smart first 7's camera is functional but produces noticeably lower-quality photos.
Performance
The iPhone 7's A10 Fusion chip is vastly more powerful than the Spreadtrum SC7731G in the Vodafone Smart first 7. Expect smoother multitasking, faster app loading times, and a more responsive user experience on the iPhone 7. The Smart first 7 can feel sluggish at times.
Battery Life
Both phones offer impressive battery life, with the iPhone 7 achieving an endurance rating of 61 hours. The Vodafone Smart first 7 likely has a larger battery capacity, but the iPhone 7's efficient processor helps it maintain similar longevity.
Buying Guide
The Vodafone Smart first 7 is ideal for first-time smartphone users, those needing a secondary device, or anyone prioritizing affordability above all else. The iPhone 7 is perfect for users seeking a premium experience, strong performance, and access to Apple's ecosystem and long-term software updates.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Is the Vodafone Smart first 7 good for gaming?
No, the Vodafone Smart first 7's processor is not powerful enough for demanding games. It can handle basic games, but performance will be limited.
❓ How long will the iPhone 7 receive software updates?
Apple typically provides software updates for their iPhones for 5-7 years. The iPhone 7 is still receiving updates, though support will eventually end.
❓ What is the storage capacity of each phone?
The Vodafone Smart first 7 typically has limited internal storage (often 8GB or 16GB) with microSD card support. The iPhone 7 came in 32GB, 128GB, and 256GB storage options.
❓ Which phone has better call quality?
The iPhone 7 generally offers better call quality due to its superior hardware and noise cancellation capabilities.
