The Motorola Moto E6i and ZTE Blade A7 Vita represent the extreme end of the budget smartphone spectrum. Both aim to deliver essential smartphone functionality at the lowest possible price point, but they take different approaches to achieving this. The key differentiator lies in their chipsets: a quad-core Snapdragon 425 versus an octa-core Unisoc SC9863A. This comparison will dissect these differences and determine which device offers the best value for users prioritizing performance, battery life, and overall usability.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average user, the Motorola Moto E6i emerges as the slightly better choice. While both phones are firmly in the entry-level category, the E6i’s octa-core processor provides a noticeable advantage in multitasking and app responsiveness, despite sharing the same 28nm manufacturing process as the ZTE. The 10W charging is a welcome addition, even if it's not fast.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 38 | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 19, 28, 66 |
| Speed | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE Cat4 150/50 Mbps | HSPA, LTE |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 2100 | - |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2018, December. Released 2018, December | 2021, February 11 |
| Status | Discontinued | Available. Released 2021, February 11 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front, plastic back, plastic frame | Glass front, plastic back, plastic frame |
| Dimensions | 147 x 69.5 x 7.9 mm (5.79 x 2.74 x 0.31 in) | 155.6 x 73 x 8.5 mm (6.13 x 2.87 x 0.33 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 135 g (4.76 oz) | 160 g (5.64 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Resolution | 720 x 1440 pixels, 18:9 ratio (~295 ppi density) | 720 x 1560 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~282 ppi density) |
| Size | 5.45 inches, 76.7 cm2 (~75.0% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.1 inches, 91.3 cm2 (~80.4% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD | IPS LCD |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Quad-core 1.4 GHz Cortex-A53 | Octa-core (4x1.6 GHz Cortex-A55 & 4x1.2 GHz Cortex-A55) |
| Chipset | Qualcomm MSM8917 Snapdragon 425 (28 nm) | Unisoc SC9863A (28 nm) |
| GPU | Adreno 308 | IMG8322 |
| OS | Android 8.1 (Oreo) | Android 10 (Go edition) |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) |
| Internal | 16GB 2GB RAM, 32GB 3GB RAM | 32GB 2GB RAM |
| | eMMC 5.1 | eMMC 5.1 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Dual | - | 13 MP, f/2.2, 26mm (wide), 1/3.1", 1.12µm, PDAF
Auxiliary lens |
| Features | LED flash, HDR, panorama | LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Single | 13 MP, f/2.0, AF | - |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Single | 8 MP or 5 MP | 5 MP, f/2.2, 27mm (wide), 1.12µm |
| Video | - | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 4.2, A2DP, LE | 4.2, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | No | No |
| Positioning | GPS, BDS | GPS, GLONASS |
| Radio | No | Unspecified |
| USB | microUSB 2.0 | microUSB 2.0, OTG |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, Wi-Fi Direct | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, proximity | Fingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, proximity |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | - | 10W wired |
| Type | Li-Ion 3200 mAh, non-removable | Li-Ion 3000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Black, Blue | Titanium Gray, Pink |
| Models | A0722 | XT2053-5 |
| Price | About 150 EUR | About 170 EUR |
ZTE Blade A7 Vita
- Potentially longer software support from ZTE.
- Simple and straightforward user experience.
- Reliable Qualcomm chipset (Snapdragon 425).
- Quad-core processor may struggle with multitasking.
- Likely lacks fast charging support.
- Potentially less responsive user interface.
Motorola Moto E6i
- Octa-core processor offers better multitasking performance.
- Includes 10W wired charging.
- More responsive user interface.
- Unisoc chipset may have limited software support.
- Potentially less brand recognition.
- Cortex-A55 cores aren't a huge performance leap.
Display Comparison
Neither device boasts a standout display. Both likely utilize LCD panels, typical for this price bracket. Specifics like resolution and brightness are not provided, but we can assume they are adequate for basic viewing. The absence of features like high refresh rates or HDR support is expected. The focus here is on functionality, not visual fidelity. Bezels are likely substantial on both devices, maximizing screen real estate within a compact form factor.
Camera Comparison
Camera performance is likely to be similar on both devices, leaning towards basic functionality. Without specific sensor details, it’s safe to assume both feature a primary camera and potentially a secondary depth sensor. Image quality will be acceptable in good lighting conditions, but expect significant noise and limited detail in low light. The absence of Optical Image Stabilization (OIS) is a given. Focusing on the chipset, the image signal processor (ISP) within the Unisoc SC9863A *may* offer slightly better image processing capabilities, but this is speculative without detailed testing.
Performance
The core difference lies in the chipsets. The Motorola Moto E6i’s Unisoc SC9863A features an octa-core configuration (4x1.6 GHz Cortex-A55 & 4x1.2 GHz Cortex-A55), while the ZTE Blade A7 Vita relies on a quad-core Qualcomm MSM8917 Snapdragon 425 (1.4 GHz Cortex-A53). While the Snapdragon 425 is a known quantity, the Unisoc chip benefits from more cores, potentially improving multitasking performance. However, the Cortex-A55 architecture in the E6i, while more efficient than the A53, isn't a massive leap in raw processing power. The E6i’s advantage will be most noticeable when running multiple apps simultaneously or navigating demanding interfaces. Both are limited by the 28nm manufacturing process, impacting thermal efficiency and sustained performance.
Battery Life
Battery capacity is not specified for either device, but given their market segment, we can estimate capacities around 3000-4000 mAh. The Motorola Moto E6i includes 10W wired charging, a slight advantage over the ZTE Blade A7 Vita, which likely lacks any fast charging support. While 10W isn’t rapid, it’s better than nothing. Real-world battery life will depend heavily on usage patterns, but the more efficient Cortex-A55 cores in the E6i *could* translate to slightly longer runtimes, even with a similar battery capacity.
Buying Guide
Buy the ZTE Blade A7 Vita if you prioritize simplicity and a potentially longer software support lifecycle from a more established brand. It’s a solid option for basic communication and light usage. Buy the Motorola Moto E6i if you frequently switch between apps, enjoy occasional light gaming, or need a phone that feels more responsive in everyday tasks. The octa-core processor offers a tangible benefit for those who demand a bit more from their budget device.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Will the Motorola Moto E6i handle basic social media apps like Facebook and WhatsApp smoothly?
Yes, the octa-core Unisoc SC9863A processor in the Moto E6i is more than capable of handling basic social media apps like Facebook and WhatsApp without significant lag. The additional cores provide headroom for multitasking and ensure a relatively smooth user experience.
❓ Is the Unisoc SC9863A chipset known for overheating or throttling under load?
The Unisoc SC9863A, being a 28nm chip, is prone to some thermal throttling under sustained heavy load. However, given the limited processing power of this chipset and the intended use case of the Moto E6i (basic tasks), overheating is unlikely to be a major concern for typical users. Expect performance to dip slightly during prolonged gaming sessions.
❓ Can I expect regular software updates on the ZTE Blade A7 Vita?
ZTE generally provides a reasonable level of software support for its devices, but updates may be less frequent than those offered by Motorola. The Blade A7 Vita is an entry-level device, so it may receive only essential security patches and bug fixes, rather than major Android version upgrades.
❓ How long will it take to fully charge the Motorola Moto E6i with the 10W charger?
With the included 10W charger, a full charge from 0% to 100% on the Motorola Moto E6i will likely take between 3 to 4 hours, depending on battery capacity and usage during charging. It's not a fast charging solution, but it's sufficient for overnight charging.
