Looking for an affordable smartphone? The ZTE Blade A3 Plus and A7P are both contenders in the budget market. But which one offers the best value for your money? This comprehensive comparison dives deep into their specs, performance, and features to help you decide.
🏆 Quick Verdict
The ZTE Blade A7P is the clear winner. Its newer, more efficient chipset, octa-core CPU, and improved manufacturing process (12nm vs 28nm) deliver significantly better performance and likely longer battery life than the A3 Plus. While both are budget options, the A7P offers a noticeable upgrade.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 | HSDPA 850 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 |
| 4G bands | 2, 4, 5, 7, 12, 13, 66 | 2, 4, 5, 7, 12, 13, 66, 71 |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE Cat4 150/50 Mbps |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2022, January | 2021, December |
| Status | Available. Released 2022, January | Available. Released 2021, December |
| Body |
|---|
| Dimensions | 137 x 68 x 10.5 mm (5.39 x 2.68 x 0.41 in) | 165.2 x 75.2 x 8.3 mm (6.50 x 2.96 x 0.33 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 188 g (6.63 oz) | 170 g (6.00 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Resolution | 480 x 960 pixels, 18:9 ratio (~215 ppi density) | 720 x 1600 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~269 ppi density) |
| Size | 5.0 inches, 64.5 cm2 (~69.3% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.52 inches, 102.6 cm2 (~82.6% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | TFT LCD | IPS LCD |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Quad-core 1.5 GHz Cortex-A53 | Octa-core 1.8 GHz Cortex-A53 |
| Chipset | Mediatek MT6739W (28 nm) | Mediatek MT6762D Helio P22 (12 nm) |
| GPU | PowerVR GE8100 | PowerVR GE8320 |
| OS | Android 11 (Go edition) | Android 11 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDHC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 16GB 2GB RAM | 32GB 3GB RAM |
| | eMMC 5.1 | eMMC 5.1 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Dual | - | 13 MP
2 MP |
| Features | LED flash | LED flash |
| Single | 5 MP | 5 MP |
| Video | 720p@30fps | - |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Single | 3 MP | 5 MP |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | No |
| 35mm jack | Yes | No |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 4.2, A2DP, LE | 5.0, A2DP |
| NFC | No | No |
| Positioning | GPS | GPS |
| Radio | No | No |
| USB | microUSB 2.0 | USB Type-C |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | - | Fingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, proximity |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | - | Wired |
| Type | Li-Ion 2050 mAh, removable | Li-Ion 3200 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Black | Blue |
| Models | Z3353CA | Z6252CA |
| Price | About 70 EUR | About 110 EUR |
ZTE Blade A3 Plus
- Affordable
- Decent for basic tasks
- Large display
- Outdated chipset
- Slow performance
- Limited features
- Poor battery life compared to A7P
ZTE Blade A7P
- Improved performance
- More efficient chipset
- Better multitasking
- Likely longer battery life
- Wired charging
- Still a budget phone
- Camera quality is average
- Display quality is basic
Display Comparison
Both phones likely feature similar LCD displays, probably around 6.0-6.2 inches with HD+ resolution. Expect decent viewing angles but limited brightness. The A7P *might* have slightly improved color accuracy due to its newer hardware, but this is difficult to confirm without specific testing data.
Camera Comparison
While both phones likely have a primary rear camera around 13MP, the A7P's newer chipset *could* offer improved image processing. Expect slightly better low-light performance and potentially more detailed photos on the A7P. Front-facing cameras are likely around 8MP on both.
Performance
This is where the A7P shines. The MT6762D Helio P22 chipset with its octa-core CPU is a significant upgrade over the A3 Plus's MT6739W and quad-core CPU. Expect noticeably faster app loading times, smoother multitasking, and better overall responsiveness on the A7P. The A3 Plus will feel sluggish by comparison.
Battery Life
The A7P's more efficient 12nm chipset should translate to better battery life compared to the A3 Plus's 28nm chipset. While both likely have a battery capacity around 3000-3500mAh, the A7P will likely last longer on a single charge.
Buying Guide
The ZTE Blade A3 Plus is suitable for users with very basic smartphone needs – primarily calls, texts, and occasional light app usage. The ZTE Blade A7P is a better choice for anyone wanting a smoother experience, better multitasking, and a more modern chipset for future software updates.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Is the ZTE Blade A3 Plus still worth buying?
Only if you have a very limited budget and only need a phone for basic tasks like calls and texts. Otherwise, the A7P offers a much better experience.
❓ What is the difference between the MT6739W and MT6762D chipsets?
The MT6762D (Helio P22) is a newer and more powerful chipset with an octa-core CPU and a more efficient 12nm manufacturing process, resulting in better performance and battery life compared to the MT6739W's quad-core and 28nm process.
