ZTE's product lineup in 2019 and 2020 spanned a vast spectrum, from the aggressively priced Blade A7 Vita to the ambitious, flagship Axon 10 Pro 5G. This comparison isn't about crowning a single winner, but understanding where each phone excels – and for whom. The A7 Vita represents basic smartphone functionality, while the Axon 10 Pro 5G aimed to deliver a premium experience with 5G connectivity and high-end processing power.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average user prioritizing affordability and basic tasks, the ZTE Blade A7 Vita is sufficient. However, the ZTE Axon 10 Pro 5G is the clear winner for those demanding performance, 5G capabilities, and a more refined user experience, justifying its higher price point with a significantly more powerful Snapdragon 855 chipset.
| 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, 12, 13, 17, 18, 19, 20, 26, 28, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41 |
| 5G bands | - | 41, 78 NSA/Sub6 |
| Speed | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE Cat4 150/50 Mbps | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE (3CA) Cat18 1200/150 Mbps, 5G (2+ Gbps DL) |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / LTE / 5G |
| | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 2100 | CDMA 800 / 1900 & TD-SCDMA |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2018, December. Released 2018, December | 2019, February. Released 2019, May |
| Status | Discontinued | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front, plastic back, plastic frame | Glass front, glass back, aluminum frame |
| Dimensions | 147 x 69.5 x 7.9 mm (5.79 x 2.74 x 0.31 in) | 159.2 x 73.4 x 7.9 mm (6.27 x 2.89 x 0.31 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 135 g (4.76 oz) | 175 g (6.17 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Resolution | 720 x 1440 pixels, 18:9 ratio (~295 ppi density) | 1080 x 2340 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~398 ppi density) |
| Size | 5.45 inches, 76.7 cm2 (~75.0% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.47 inches, 102.8 cm2 (~87.9% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD | AMOLED, HDR10 |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Quad-core 1.4 GHz Cortex-A53 | Octa-core (1x2.84 GHz Kryo 485 & 3x2.42 GHz Kryo 485 & 4x1.78 GHz Kryo 485) |
| Chipset | Qualcomm MSM8917 Snapdragon 425 (28 nm) | Qualcomm SM8150 Snapdragon 855 (7 nm) |
| GPU | Adreno 308 | Adreno 640 |
| OS | Android 8.1 (Oreo) | Android 9.0 (Pie), MiFavor 9.1 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) |
| Internal | 16GB 2GB RAM, 32GB 3GB RAM | 128GB 6GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM |
| | eMMC 5.1 | UFS 2.1 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash, HDR, panorama | Dual-LED dual-tone flash, HDR, panorama |
| Single | 13 MP, f/2.0, AF | - |
| Triple | - | 48 MP, f/1.7, (wide), 1/2.0", 0.8µm, PDAF, OIS
8 MP, f/2.4, (telephoto), PDAF, OIS, 3x optical zoom
20 MP, f/2.2, 11mm (ultrawide) |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | - | HDR |
| Single | 8 MP or 5 MP | 20 MP, f/2.0, (wide), 1/2.8", 1.0µm |
| Video | - | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | No |
| 35mm jack | Yes | No |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes, with stereo speakers |
| | - | 24-bit/192kHz audio |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 4.2, A2DP, LE | 5.0, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | No | Yes |
| Positioning | GPS, BDS | GPS, GLONASS |
| Radio | No | No |
| USB | microUSB 2.0 | USB Type-C 2.0 |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, Wi-Fi Direct | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, proximity | Fingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | - | 18W wired, QC4
Wireless (Qi) |
| Type | Li-Ion 3200 mAh, non-removable | Li-Ion 4000 mAh, non-removable |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Black, Blue | Blue |
| Models | A0722 | A2020, A2020N3 Pro, A2020U Pro, A2020 Pro, A2020N3, 902ZT |
| Price | About 150 EUR | About 900 EUR |
ZTE Blade A7 Vita
- Extremely affordable
- Simple and easy to use
- Decent battery life for basic tasks
- Slow performance
- Limited features
- Poor camera quality (likely)
ZTE Axon 10 Pro 5G
- Powerful Snapdragon 855 processor
- 5G connectivity
- Wireless charging and fast wired charging
- Higher price
- May be difficult to find new
- Larger and heavier than the A7 Vita
Display Comparison
While specific display specs for the Blade A7 Vita are unavailable, its market positioning suggests a basic LCD panel. In contrast, the Axon 10 Pro 5G boasts a more advanced display, though details like peak brightness are missing. The key difference lies in the processing power driving the display; the Snapdragon 855's image signal processor (ISP) and Adreno 640 GPU contribute to a more vibrant and responsive visual experience. The Axon 10 Pro 5G also benefits from the potential for higher resolutions and refresh rates, features unlikely to be found on the A7 Vita.
Camera Comparison
Details on the Blade A7 Vita's camera are limited, but it likely features a basic sensor setup. The Axon 10 Pro 5G, while not explicitly detailed in the provided data, was marketed with a focus on camera capabilities. The Snapdragon 855's ISP is crucial here, enabling advanced image processing features like improved dynamic range and low-light performance. The Axon 10 Pro 5G likely includes features like optical image stabilization (OIS) and multiple lenses, offering greater versatility than the A7 Vita's likely single-lens setup. The 855's processing power allows for more complex computational photography algorithms.
Performance
The performance gap is the most significant differentiator. The ZTE Blade A7 Vita's Qualcomm MSM8917 Snapdragon 425, a quad-core Cortex-A53 processor built on a 28nm process, is designed for efficiency, not speed. The Axon 10 Pro 5G, powered by the Snapdragon 855 (7nm), features an octa-core Kryo 485 CPU. This represents a massive leap in processing power, enabling significantly faster app loading times, smoother multitasking, and the ability to handle graphically intensive games. The 7nm process node of the Snapdragon 855 also translates to better thermal efficiency, reducing throttling during sustained workloads. The Axon 10 Pro 5G's superior GPU will also provide a much better gaming experience.
Battery Life
The Blade A7 Vita's battery capacity is unknown, but given its budget nature, it's likely modest. The Axon 10 Pro 5G supports 18W Quick Charge 4 (QC4) wired charging and Qi wireless charging, features absent on the A7 Vita. While battery life depends on usage, the Axon 10 Pro 5G's more efficient Snapdragon 855 and faster charging capabilities provide a significant advantage. The 7nm process node contributes to lower power consumption, potentially offsetting the demands of 5G connectivity.
Buying Guide
Buy the ZTE Blade A7 Vita if you need a functional smartphone for essential tasks like calling, texting, and light social media use, and your budget is extremely limited. Buy the ZTE Axon 10 Pro 5G if you prioritize smooth multitasking, demanding mobile gaming, 5G connectivity for faster data speeds, and features like wireless charging – and are willing to pay a premium for those benefits.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Will the ZTE Axon 10 Pro 5G's Snapdragon 855 still feel fast in 2024?
Yes, the Snapdragon 855 remains a capable processor for most everyday tasks in 2024. While it won't match the performance of the latest Snapdragon chips, it can still handle multitasking, social media, and even some demanding games with reasonable settings. However, expect longer loading times and potential frame drops in the most graphically intensive titles.
❓ Is the ZTE Blade A7 Vita suitable for running popular apps like WhatsApp and Facebook?
Yes, the ZTE Blade A7 Vita can run apps like WhatsApp and Facebook, but performance will be noticeably slower compared to more powerful devices. Expect longer loading times and occasional lag, especially when multitasking. It's best suited for users who primarily use these apps for basic communication and browsing.
❓ Does the ZTE Axon 10 Pro 5G support carrier aggregation for improved 5G speeds?
While specific carrier aggregation support varies by region and carrier, the Snapdragon 855 modem within the Axon 10 Pro 5G *does* support carrier aggregation, allowing it to combine multiple 5G channels for faster and more stable data speeds. This is a key benefit of the device's 5G capabilities.
