The sub-$150 smartphone market is fiercely competitive. Both the ZTE Blade A7 Vita and the BLU G5 Plus aim to deliver essential smartphone functionality at an accessible price point. However, they take different approaches to achieving this, primarily in their core processing power. This comparison dissects those differences to determine which device offers the best value for your money.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average user prioritizing responsiveness and multitasking, the BLU G5 Plus is the better choice. Its octa-core Cortex-A55 CPU provides a noticeable performance advantage over the ZTE Blade A7 Vita’s quad-core Snapdragon 425, making everyday tasks smoother and more efficient. While the A7 Vita is still functional, the G5 Plus offers a more future-proof experience.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 - G0190UU |
| 4G bands | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 38 | 1, 3, 4, 5, 7, 28 - G0190LL, G0190VV |
| Speed | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE Cat4 150/50 Mbps | HSPA 42.2/11.5 Mbps, LTE Cat4 150/50 Mbps |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 2100 | 2, 4, 5, 12, 17 - G0190UU |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2018, December. Released 2018, December | 2019, July. Released 2019, July |
| Status | Discontinued | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front, plastic back, plastic frame | - |
| Dimensions | 147 x 69.5 x 7.9 mm (5.79 x 2.74 x 0.31 in) | 161.4 x 78 x 9.6 mm (6.35 x 3.07 x 0.38 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 135 g (4.76 oz) | 181 g (6.38 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Resolution | 720 x 1440 pixels, 18:9 ratio (~295 ppi density) | 720 x 1440 pixels, 18:9 ratio (~268 ppi density) |
| Size | 5.45 inches, 76.7 cm2 (~75.0% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.0 inches, 92.9 cm2 (~73.8% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD | IPS LCD |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Quad-core 1.4 GHz Cortex-A53 | Octa-core 1.6 GHz Cortex-A55 |
| Chipset | Qualcomm MSM8917 Snapdragon 425 (28 nm) | - |
| GPU | Adreno 308 | IMG8322 |
| OS | Android 8.1 (Oreo) | Android 9.0 (Pie) |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) | microSDXC |
| Internal | 16GB 2GB RAM, 32GB 3GB RAM | 32GB 2GB RAM |
| | eMMC 5.1 | - |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash, HDR, panorama | LED flash |
| Single | 13 MP, f/2.0, AF | 13 MP, AF |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | - | LED flash |
| Single | 8 MP or 5 MP | 8 MP |
| Video | - | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 4.2, A2DP, LE | 4.1, A2DP |
| NFC | No | No |
| Positioning | GPS, BDS | GPS |
| Radio | No | FM radio |
| USB | microUSB 2.0 | microUSB 2.0 |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, Wi-Fi Direct | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, proximity | Accelerometer, proximity |
| Battery |
|---|
| Stand-by | - | Up to 575 h (2G) / Up to 525 h (3G) |
| Talk time | - | Up to 20 h (2G) / Up to 15 h (3G) |
| Type | Li-Ion 3200 mAh, non-removable | Li-Po 3000 mAh, removable |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Black, Blue | Black, Red, Twilight, Chameleon Blue |
| Models | A0722 | - |
| Price | About 150 EUR | - |
ZTE Blade A7 Vita
- Potentially lower price point (depending on retailer)
- Reliable brand reputation (ZTE)
- Functional for basic smartphone tasks
- Outdated quad-core processor
- Less efficient CPU architecture
- Likely slower performance in demanding apps
BLU G5 Plus
- Octa-core Cortex-A55 processor for improved performance
- More efficient CPU architecture
- Smoother multitasking and app loading times
- BLU’s brand recognition is lower than ZTE’s
- May be slightly more expensive than the A7 Vita
Display Comparison
Neither ZTE nor BLU provide detailed display specifications in the provided data. Given the price point, both likely utilize IPS LCD panels with 720p+ resolutions. The A7 Vita, being an older model, may have slightly larger bezels. Color accuracy is expected to be standard for this segment, prioritizing power efficiency over vibrant color reproduction. Without further data, it's safe to assume display quality is comparable, and not a major differentiating factor.
Camera Comparison
Without sensor size or aperture information, a detailed camera comparison is difficult. However, it’s reasonable to assume both phones feature basic camera setups geared towards casual photography. Given the market segment, image processing will likely prioritize speed over detail. The presence of a 2MP macro camera on either device is largely a marketing tactic, offering limited practical benefit due to the small sensor size and lack of optical image stabilization. The G5 Plus may benefit from slightly better image processing capabilities due to its more powerful CPU.
Performance
The core difference lies in the CPUs. The BLU G5 Plus boasts an octa-core 1.6 GHz Cortex-A55 processor, while the ZTE Blade A7 Vita is equipped with a quad-core 1.4 GHz Cortex-A53. The Cortex-A55 architecture is a significant improvement over the A53, offering better performance per clock and improved power efficiency. This translates to faster app loading times, smoother multitasking, and a more responsive user interface on the G5 Plus. The Snapdragon 425’s 28nm process node is also less efficient than the likely fabrication process used for the G5 Plus’s CPU, potentially leading to slightly higher power consumption under load. The G5 Plus will handle more complex apps and light gaming with greater ease.
Battery Life
Again, specific battery capacities are missing. However, the more efficient Cortex-A55 CPU in the BLU G5 Plus will likely result in longer battery life despite potentially having a similar capacity to the ZTE Blade A7 Vita. The Snapdragon 425, while power-efficient in its time, is less so than newer architectures. Charging wattage is also unknown, but both phones likely support standard 5W or 10W charging, resulting in relatively slow 0-100% charge times.
Buying Guide
Buy the ZTE Blade A7 Vita if you need a basic, reliable smartphone for calls, texts, and light app usage, and are extremely budget-constrained. It’s a functional device for those with minimal smartphone demands. Buy the BLU G5 Plus if you prefer a more responsive experience for social media, streaming, and occasional gaming, and value a processor capable of handling more demanding tasks without significant slowdowns.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Will the BLU G5 Plus handle popular social media apps like TikTok and Instagram smoothly?
Yes, the BLU G5 Plus’s octa-core Cortex-A55 processor is well-suited for running social media applications like TikTok and Instagram. The increased processing power and efficiency will result in smoother scrolling, faster loading times, and a more responsive experience compared to the ZTE Blade A7 Vita.
❓ Is the ZTE Blade A7 Vita a good choice for someone who primarily uses their phone for calls and texts?
Absolutely. The ZTE Blade A7 Vita is a perfectly adequate device for basic communication tasks like calls and texts. Its quad-core processor is sufficient for these functions, and it will provide reliable performance for users with minimal smartphone demands. However, it will struggle with more demanding applications.
❓ Can the BLU G5 Plus handle light gaming, like casual puzzle games?
Yes, the BLU G5 Plus can handle light gaming, such as puzzle games and simple arcade titles, without significant issues. The octa-core CPU provides enough processing power for these types of games. However, it’s not designed for graphically intensive 3D games.
