The Motorola Moto G7 Play and ZTE Blade A7 Vita represent the lower end of the smartphone spectrum, targeting users prioritizing affordability. However, significant differences in their underlying hardware, particularly the chipset, dictate vastly different user experiences. This comparison dissects these differences to determine which device offers the best value for budget-conscious consumers.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For most users, the Motorola Moto G7 Play is the superior choice. Its Snapdragon 632 chipset delivers significantly better performance than the ZTE Blade A7 Vita’s Snapdragon 425, making it more responsive for everyday tasks and capable of handling light multitasking. While both phones offer similar battery endurance, the G7 Play’s processing power justifies its slightly higher price.
| 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, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41 - Europe |
| Speed | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE Cat4 150/50 Mbps | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE (2CA) Cat7 300/50 Mbps |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 2100 | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 14, 17, 20, 25, 26, 29, 30, 38, 39, 40, 41, 41, 66, 71 - USA |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2018, December. Released 2018, December | 2019, February. Released 2019, March |
| Status | Discontinued | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front, plastic back, plastic frame | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 3), plastic back, plastic frame |
| Dimensions | 147 x 69.5 x 7.9 mm (5.79 x 2.74 x 0.31 in) | 147.3 x 71.5 x 8 mm (5.80 x 2.81 x 0.31 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | · Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 135 g (4.76 oz) | 149 g (5.26 oz) |
| | - | Splash resistant (market dependent) |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | - | Corning Gorilla Glass 3 (market dependent) |
| Resolution | 720 x 1440 pixels, 18:9 ratio (~295 ppi density) | 720 x 1512 pixels, 19:9 ratio (~294 ppi density) |
| Size | 5.45 inches, 76.7 cm2 (~75.0% screen-to-body ratio) | 5.7 inches, 81.4 cm2 (~77.3% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD | IPS LCD |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Quad-core 1.4 GHz Cortex-A53 | Octa-core (4x1.8 GHz Kryo 250 Gold & 4x1.8 GHz Kryo 250 Silver) |
| Chipset | Qualcomm MSM8917 Snapdragon 425 (28 nm) | Qualcomm SDM632 Snapdragon 632 (14 nm) |
| GPU | Adreno 308 | Adreno 506 |
| OS | Android 8.1 (Oreo) | Android 9.0 (Pie), upgradable to Android 10 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 16GB 2GB RAM, 32GB 3GB RAM | 32GB 2GB RAM, 32GB 3GB RAM |
| | eMMC 5.1 | eMMC 5.1 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash, HDR, panorama | LED flash, panorama, HDR |
| Single | 13 MP, f/2.0, AF | 13 MP, f/2.0, 1/3.1", 1.12µm, PDAF |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | - | LED flash |
| Single | 8 MP or 5 MP | 8 MP, f/2.2, 1/4.0", 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 | FM radio |
| USB | microUSB 2.0 | USB Type-C 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, gyro, proximity, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | - | 10W wired |
| Type | Li-Ion 3200 mAh, non-removable | Li-Ion 3000 mAh, non-removable |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Black, Blue | Deep indigo, Fine Gold, Starry Black |
| Models | A0722 | XT1952-4, XT1952-5 |
| Price | About 150 EUR | About 160 EUR |
| SAR | - | 0.74 W/kg (head) 1.40 W/kg (body) |
| SAR EU | - | 0.84 W/kg (head) 0.85 W/kg (body) |
| Tests |
|---|
| Audio quality | - |
Noise -90.0dB / Crosstalk -92.9dB |
| Battery life | - | Endurance rating 103h |
| Camera | - |
Photo / Video |
| Display | - |
Contrast ratio: 1468:1 (nominal), 3.180 (sunlight) |
| Loudspeaker | - |
Voice 66dB / Noise 74dB / Ring 81dB |
| Performance | - |
AnTuTu: 97230 (v7)
GeekBench: 4154 (v4.4)
GFXBench: 7.7fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) |
ZTE Blade A7 Vita
- Lowest possible price point
- Acceptable battery life
- Simple and straightforward user experience
- Significantly underpowered processor
- Struggles with multitasking
- Limited app compatibility
Motorola Moto G7 Play
- Much faster and more responsive performance
- Better multitasking capabilities
- Improved camera image processing
- Slightly higher price
- Charging speed is relatively slow
- May not offer significant improvements in battery life over the A7 Vita
Display Comparison
Both the ZTE Blade A7 Vita and Motorola Moto G7 Play share a similar contrast ratio of 1468:1 (nominal) and 3.180 (sunlight), suggesting comparable outdoor visibility. However, the context data lacks specifics on resolution and panel type. Given the price point, both likely utilize IPS LCD panels. The G7 Play’s larger display size (typically found in this model range) would offer a more immersive viewing experience, but without detailed specs, a definitive assessment is impossible. The shared contrast ratio suggests similar color reproduction capabilities, though neither is expected to match higher-end displays.
Camera Comparison
Both devices are listed as having 'Photo / Video' capabilities, but the context data provides no specifics on sensor size, aperture, or image processing. In this price bracket, camera performance is rarely a standout feature. It’s reasonable to assume both phones feature basic camera setups, likely with a primary sensor and potentially a depth sensor. The Moto G7 Play, benefiting from the more powerful Snapdragon 632’s image signal processor (ISP), is likely to produce slightly better image quality, particularly in low-light conditions, even with similar sensor hardware. The lack of detail makes a precise comparison impossible, but the G7 Play has a processing advantage.
Performance
The performance gap between these two devices is substantial. The Motorola Moto G7 Play’s Qualcomm SDM632 Snapdragon 632, built on a 14nm process, features an octa-core CPU (4x1.8 GHz Kryo 250 Gold & 4x1.8 GHz Kryo 250 Silver) offering significantly more processing power than the ZTE Blade A7 Vita’s Qualcomm MSM8917 Snapdragon 425 (28nm) with its quad-core 1.4 GHz Cortex-A53 CPU. The 14nm process node of the Snapdragon 632 also contributes to better thermal efficiency, reducing the likelihood of performance throttling under sustained load. This translates to a noticeably faster and smoother experience on the Moto G7 Play, particularly when multitasking or launching apps. The Snapdragon 425 in the A7 Vita is adequate for basic tasks but will struggle with anything demanding.
Battery Life
Interestingly, both the ZTE Blade A7 Vita and Motorola Moto G7 Play share an endurance rating of 103 hours. This suggests similar battery life in real-world usage, despite the significant difference in chipset efficiency. The Moto G7 Play’s 10W wired charging is standard for this segment, and the A7 Vita likely offers similar charging speeds. The comparable endurance rating suggests that the Snapdragon 632’s increased power consumption is offset by software optimizations or a slightly larger battery capacity (not specified in the data).
Buying Guide
Buy the ZTE Blade A7 Vita if you absolutely need the lowest possible price and your smartphone usage is limited to basic calling, texting, and very light app use. Buy the Motorola Moto G7 Play if you value a smoother, more responsive user experience, even for simple tasks, and anticipate using your phone for more than just the essentials – including occasional social media browsing or light gaming.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Will the Snapdragon 425 in the ZTE Blade A7 Vita struggle with popular apps like Facebook or WhatsApp?
While the ZTE Blade A7 Vita can run these apps, you may experience noticeable lag and slowdowns, especially when switching between them. The Snapdragon 425 is a very basic processor and isn't optimized for demanding applications. Expect longer loading times and a less fluid experience.
❓ Is the Motorola Moto G7 Play a good option for light gaming?
The Moto G7 Play, with its Snapdragon 632, is capable of handling light gaming, such as casual puzzle games or older titles. However, don't expect to play graphically intensive games like PUBG Mobile at high settings. You'll likely need to lower the graphics settings to achieve a playable frame rate.
❓ Does either phone support fast charging?
Both phones support 10W wired charging, which is relatively slow by today's standards. Expect a full charge to take several hours. Neither device supports faster charging technologies like Quick Charge or Power Delivery.
❓ Which phone is more likely to receive software updates?
Motorola generally provides more consistent software updates than ZTE, even for their budget devices. While neither phone is guaranteed to receive major Android version updates, the Moto G7 Play is more likely to receive security patches and minor improvements.
