The Wiko Sunny3 and ZTE Blade L8 represent the extreme end of the smartphone price spectrum. Both aim to deliver essential smartphone functionality at a minimal cost, but they achieve this with different hardware approaches. This comparison dissects their specifications to determine which device offers the best value for users prioritizing affordability.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average user seeking a basic, functional smartphone, the ZTE Blade L8 edges out the Wiko Sunny3. The Unisoc SC7731E chipset, while not a powerhouse, benefits from a more modern fabrication process (28nm) potentially offering slightly better efficiency and sustained performance compared to the Sunny3's Cortex-A7.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 900 / 2100 | HSDPA 900 / 2100 |
| Speed | HSPA 21.1/5.76 Mbps | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA | GSM / HSPA |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2019, Q1. Released 2019, Q1 | 2019, April. Released 2019, April |
| Status | Discontinued | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Dimensions | 146.7 x 74 x 10 mm (5.78 x 2.91 x 0.39 in) | 137.4 x 67.5 x 10.5 mm (5.41 x 2.66 x 0.41 in) |
| SIM | Dual SIM (Micro-SIM, dual stand-by) | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 140 g (4.94 oz) | 144 g (5.08 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Resolution | 480 x 854 pixels, 16:9 ratio (~196 ppi density) | 480 x 960 pixels, 18:9 ratio (~215 ppi density) |
| Size | 5.0 inches, 68.9 cm2 (~63.5% screen-to-body ratio) | 5.0 inches, 64.5 cm2 (~69.6% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | TFT LCD | IPS LCD |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Quad-core 1.3 GHz Cortex-A7 | Quad-core 1.3 GHz |
| Chipset | - | Unisoc SC7731E (28 nm) |
| GPU | Mali-T820 MP1 | Mali-T820 MP1 |
| OS | Android 8.0 Oreo (Go edition) | Android 9.0 Pie (Go edition) |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC | microSDXC |
| Internal | 8GB 512MB RAM | 16GB 1GB RAM |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash, HDR, panorama | LED flash, HDR |
| Single | 5 MP | 8 MP, AF |
| Video | 720p@30fps | 720p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Single | 2 MP | 5 MP |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 4.0, A2DP, LE | 4.2, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | No | No |
| Positioning | GPS | GPS, GLONASS |
| 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 |
| Features |
|---|
| Languages | Anthracite, Gold, Silver, Bleen, Cherry Red | - |
| Sensors | Accelerometer, proximity | Accelerometer |
| Battery |
|---|
| Type | Li-Ion 2000 mAh, removable | Li-Ion 2000 mAh, non-removable |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | - | Black, Blue |
| Price | - | About 60 EUR |
| SAR EU | 0.48 W/kg (head) 1.80 W/kg (body) | - |
Wiko Sunny3
- Potentially lower initial purchase price.
- Simple and straightforward user experience.
- Compact and lightweight design (likely).
- Older Cortex-A7 processor architecture.
- Likely limited software support.
- Potentially lower performance under sustained load.
ZTE Blade L8
- More modern Unisoc SC7731E chipset.
- 28nm fabrication process for potentially better efficiency.
- Potentially longer software support lifecycle.
- Performance gains over the Wiko Sunny3 are likely marginal.
- May be slightly more expensive than the Wiko Sunny3.
- Camera quality likely similar to the Wiko Sunny3.
Display Comparison
Both devices lack detailed display specifications in the provided data. However, given their price point, it's safe to assume both utilize LCD panels with resolutions likely around 480p or 720p. The absence of information regarding brightness, color gamut coverage, or refresh rates suggests neither device will excel in visual fidelity. Bezels are likely to be substantial on both, maximizing screen real estate within a compact form factor. Color accuracy will likely be standard for this segment.
Camera Comparison
Detailed camera specifications are absent for both devices. It's highly probable that both feature basic camera setups with a primary sensor and potentially a secondary depth or macro lens. Given the target market, image quality will likely be adequate for casual snapshots in good lighting conditions, but will struggle in low-light scenarios. The absence of OIS (Optical Image Stabilization) on either device suggests reliance on software-based stabilization, which is less effective. Focusing on megapixel counts alone would be misleading; sensor size and image processing algorithms are far more critical.
Performance
The core difference lies in the chipset. The Wiko Sunny3 features a Quad-core 1.3 GHz Cortex-A7 processor, an older architecture known for its efficiency but limited processing power. The ZTE Blade L8 utilizes the Unisoc SC7731E, also a Quad-core 1.3 GHz CPU, but built on a 28nm process. This smaller fabrication node *generally* translates to lower power consumption and potentially better thermal management, allowing for slightly more sustained performance under load. While both CPUs have the same clock speed and core count, the Unisoc chipset's architecture is more modern, potentially offering incremental improvements in instruction processing. Neither device is suited for demanding games or applications.
Battery Life
Battery capacity data is missing for both devices. However, considering their budget nature, it's reasonable to expect capacities in the 2000-3000 mAh range. Charging wattage is also unknown. The Unisoc SC7731E's 28nm process *could* contribute to slightly better battery life on the ZTE Blade L8 due to improved power efficiency, but this is speculative without concrete battery capacity and usage data. Expect both devices to offer a full day of light use, but heavy users will likely need to recharge before the end of the day.
Buying Guide
Buy the Wiko Sunny3 if you need a simple, no-frills device for basic communication and light tasks, and are prioritizing a potentially lower initial cost. Buy the ZTE Blade L8 if you prefer a slightly more modern chipset architecture that may translate to smoother multitasking and a longer software support lifecycle, even if the core performance remains similar.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Will the ZTE Blade L8 handle basic social media apps like Facebook and WhatsApp smoothly?
Yes, the Unisoc SC7731E chipset should be capable of running basic social media applications like Facebook and WhatsApp without significant lag. However, multitasking between several apps simultaneously may result in some slowdowns due to the limited RAM and processing power.
❓ How long can I expect the Wiko Sunny3 to last on a single charge with moderate use (calls, texts, occasional browsing)?
With moderate use, the Wiko Sunny3 should last a full day on a single charge, assuming a battery capacity in the 2000-3000 mAh range. However, heavy usage involving prolonged screen-on time or data-intensive applications will significantly reduce battery life.
❓ Is either phone likely to receive Android updates?
Software update support is limited for both devices. Given their budget nature, it's unlikely either the Wiko Sunny3 or ZTE Blade L8 will receive major Android version updates. Security patches may be infrequent or non-existent.
