The ZTE Cymbal 2 represents the ultra-budget end of the smartphone spectrum, while the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip7 FE aims to bring foldable technology to a wider audience. This comparison isn't about direct competition; it's about understanding where each device fits within the market and who benefits most from their respective strengths and weaknesses.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average user prioritizing performance and a modern feature set, the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip7 FE is the clear winner. Its Exynos 2400 chipset and impressive 37:03h battery endurance offer a vastly superior experience. However, the Cymbal 2 remains a viable option for those on an extremely tight budget needing basic smartphone functionality.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 1900 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 2, 4, 5, 7, 12, 13, 66 | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 28, 38, 39, 40, 41, 66 - International |
| 5G bands | - | 1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 12, 20, 25, 26, 28, 38, 39, 40, 41, 66, 71, 77, 78 SA/NSA/Sub6 - International |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE | HSPA, LTE, 5G |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / EVDO / LTE / 5G |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2020, January. Released 2020, January | 2025, July 09 |
| Status | Discontinued | Available. Released 2025, July 25 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | - | Plastic front (unfolded), glass back (Gorilla Glass Victus 2), aluminum frame |
| Dimensions | 109 x 56 x 19.5 mm (4.29 x 2.20 x 0.77 in) | Unfolded: 165.1 x 71.9 x 6.9 mmFolded: 85.1 x 71.9 x 14.9 mm |
| SIM | Nano-SIM | · Nano-SIM + eSIM + eSIM (max 2 at a time)· Nano-SIM + multiple eSIM (max 2 at a time) |
| Weight | 135 g (4.76 oz) | 187 g (6.60 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | - | Mohs level 1 |
| Resolution | 240 x 320 pixels, 4:3 ratio (~143 ppi density) | 1080 x 2640 pixels (~426 ppi density) |
| Size | 2.8 inches, 24.3 cm2 (~39.8% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.7 inches, 101.5 cm2 (~85.5% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | TFT LCD | Foldable Dynamic LTPO AMOLED 2X, 120Hz, HDR10+, 2600 nits (peak) |
| | Cover display:
TFT LCD, 1.77 inches | - |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Quad-core 1.3 GHz Cortex-A53 | 10-core (1x3.2GHz Cortex-X4 & 2x2.9GHz Cortex-A720 & 3x2.6GHz Cortex-A720 & 4x1.95GHz Cortex-A520) |
| Chipset | Qualcomm QM215 Snapdragon 215 (28 nm) | Exynos 2400 (4 nm) |
| GPU | Adreno 308 | Xclipse 940 |
| OS | Linux 3.18.71 | Android 16, up to 7 major Android upgrades, One UI 8 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDHC (dedicated slot) | No |
| Internal | 8GB 1GB RAM | 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Dual | - | 50 MP, f/1.8, 23mm (wide), 1/1.57", 1.0µm, dual pixel PDAF, OIS
12 MP, f/2.2, 13mm, 123˚ (ultrawide), 1/3.2", 1.12µm |
| Features | - | LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Single | 2 MP | - |
| Video | 720p@30fps | 4K@30/60fps, 1080p@60/120/240fps, HDR10+ |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | - | HDR |
| Single | - | 10 MP, f/2.2, 23mm (wide), 1/3.0", 1.22µm |
| Video | - | 4K@30/60fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | - |
| 35mm jack | Yes | No |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes, with stereo speakers |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 4.2, A2DP | 5.4, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | No | Yes |
| Positioning | No | GPS, GALILEO, GLONASS, BDS, QZSS |
| Radio | No | No |
| USB | microUSB 2.0 | USB Type-C 3.2 |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, hotspot | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6e, tri-band, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Accelerometer, proximity | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, barometer |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | - | 25W wired, QC2.0, 50% in 30 min
15W wireless
4.5W reverse wireless |
| Type | Li-Ion 1600 mAh, removable | 4000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Black | Black, White |
| Models | - | SM-F761B, SM-F761B/DS, SM-F761U1, SM-F761U |
| Price | About 60 EUR | € 763.35 / $ 599.99 / £ 699.00 / ₹ 89,999 |
| SAR | - | 0.84 W/kg (head) 1.10 W/kg (body) |
| SAR EU | - | 0.84 W/kg (head) 1.54 W/kg (body) |
| EU LABEL |
|---|
| Battery | - | 37:03h endurance, 1700 cycles |
| Energy | - | Class B |
| Free fall | - | Class A (210 falls) |
| Repairability | - | Class C |
ZTE Cymbal 2
- Extremely affordable price
- Functional for basic tasks
- Compact and lightweight
- Poor performance for modern apps
- Limited battery life (estimated)
- Low-resolution display (estimated)
Samsung Galaxy Z Flip7 FE
- Exceptional performance with Exynos 2400
- Outstanding battery life (37:03h endurance)
- Fast charging (25W wired, 15W wireless)
- Higher price point
- Foldable design may be less durable
- Potential for software bloat (typical Samsung)
Display Comparison
The Samsung Galaxy Z Flip7 FE boasts a significantly brighter display, reaching a measured 1444 nits, ensuring excellent visibility even in direct sunlight. While the Cymbal 2's display specifications are unavailable, it's safe to assume it falls far behind in brightness and likely lacks features like high refresh rates or LTPO technology found in the Z Flip7 FE. This difference translates to a more vibrant and usable experience on the Samsung, particularly for media consumption.
Camera Comparison
Without detailed camera specifications for the Cymbal 2, a direct comparison is limited. However, given its price point, it's likely equipped with basic sensors. The Z Flip7 FE, while not explicitly detailed in the provided data, benefits from Samsung's image processing expertise and likely features a more capable main sensor. The focus should be on the Z Flip7 FE's ability to capture detailed images in various lighting conditions, a capability the Cymbal 2 is unlikely to match.
Performance
The performance gap is immense. The ZTE Cymbal 2's Quad-core 1.3 GHz Cortex-A53 CPU, coupled with the Qualcomm QM215 Snapdragon 215 (28nm) chipset, is designed for basic tasks. The Samsung Galaxy Z Flip7 FE, on the other hand, features a 10-core Exynos 2400 (4nm) processor. The Exynos 2400’s architecture – with its Cortex-X4, A720, and A520 cores – provides a substantial leap in processing power and efficiency. The 4nm fabrication process further enhances efficiency, reducing heat and improving sustained performance, crucial for demanding applications and multitasking. The Cymbal 2 will struggle with modern games and resource-intensive apps.
Battery Life
The Samsung Galaxy Z Flip7 FE excels in battery performance, offering a remarkable 37:03h endurance and 1700 cycles. This translates to multi-day battery life for moderate users. The active use score of 10:09h further highlights its longevity. The Cymbal 2’s battery capacity is unknown, but given its low-power chipset, it likely offers adequate, but not exceptional, battery life. The Z Flip7 FE’s 25W wired charging with QC2.0 and 15W wireless charging provide convenient and rapid replenishment, features absent in the Cymbal 2.
Buying Guide
Buy the ZTE Cymbal 2 if you need a functional, incredibly affordable smartphone for essential tasks like calls, texts, and light web browsing, and are willing to accept significant performance limitations. Buy the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip7 FE if you prioritize a premium foldable experience, demanding performance for apps and multitasking, long battery life, and features like fast charging and wireless power sharing.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Does the Exynos 2400 in the Z Flip7 FE tend to overheat during prolonged gaming sessions?
While the Exynos 2400 is a powerful chip, the 4nm process and Samsung's thermal management solutions generally prevent significant overheating. However, extended, graphically intensive gaming will inevitably generate heat, potentially leading to some performance throttling. It's unlikely to reach critical temperatures, but users should expect some reduction in frame rates over very long sessions.
❓ Is the ZTE Cymbal 2 suitable for running popular social media apps like TikTok and Instagram?
The ZTE Cymbal 2 can *run* these apps, but the experience will likely be sluggish and frustrating. The Snapdragon 215's limited processing power and RAM will struggle with the demands of these applications, resulting in slow loading times, lag, and potential crashes. It's best suited for basic messaging and web browsing.
❓ How does the Z Flip7 FE's folding mechanism affect its durability compared to a traditional smartphone?
Foldable phones inherently have more potential points of failure than traditional smartphones due to the moving hinge. Samsung has made significant improvements to the Z Flip series' durability, but the Z Flip7 FE is still more susceptible to damage from dust, debris, and accidental drops. A protective case is highly recommended.
