Looking for an incredibly affordable smartphone? The ZTE Cymbal U and Plum Ram Plus LTE are both contenders in the budget phone arena. But which one delivers the best experience for your money? We'll break down the specs, performance, and features to help you decide.
🏆 Quick Verdict
The ZTE Cymbal U, with its slightly more powerful Qualcomm Snapdragon 215 chipset, edges out the Plum Ram Plus LTE. While both are budget devices, the Cymbal U offers a bit more processing power, potentially leading to a smoother user experience, especially for basic tasks.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 | HSDPA 850 / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 2, 4, 5, 12, 41, 66, 71 | 2, 4, 5, 12, 13, 17, 26, 41, 66 |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE Cat4 150/50 Mbps | HSPA 21.1/5.76 Mbps, LTE |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2021, January | 2022, February 02 |
| Status | Available. Released 2021, January | Available. Released 2022, February 02 |
| Body |
|---|
| Dimensions | 109.2 x 55.9 x 19.5 mm (4.30 x 2.20 x 0.77 in) | 111.5 x 57.5 x 22 mm (4.39 x 2.26 x 0.87 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | - | 108.4 g (3.81 oz) |
| | - | IP68 dust/water resistant (up to 1.5m for 30 min)
Flashlight |
| Display |
|---|
| Resolution | 240 x 320 pixels, 4:3 ratio (~143 ppi density) | 240 x 320 pixels, 4:3 ratio (~167 ppi density) |
| Size | 2.8 inches, 24.3 cm2 (~39.8% screen-to-body ratio) | 2.4 inches, 17.8 cm2 (~27.8% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | TFT LCD | TFT LCD, 256K colors |
| | Cover display:
TFT LCD, 1.70 inches | External display: 1.44 inches, 128 x 128 pixels |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Quad-core 1.3 GHz Cortex-A53 | - |
| Chipset | Qualcomm QM215 Snapdragon 215 (28 nm) | Unisoc T107 |
| GPU | Adreno 308 | - |
| OS | Proprietary | - |
| Memory |
|---|
| Call records | - | Yes |
| Card slot | microSDHC (dedicated slot) | microSDHC |
| Internal | 8GB 1GB RAM | 128MB, 48MB RAM |
| Phonebook | - | Yes |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | - | LED flash |
| Single | 2 MP | 2 MP |
| Video | 720p@30fps | Yes |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 4.2, A2DP | Yes |
| NFC | No | No |
| Positioning | GPS | No |
| Radio | FM Radio | FM radio, built-in antenna |
| USB | microUSB 2.0 | microUSB 2.0 |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, hotspot | No |
| Features |
|---|
| Games | - | No |
| Java | - | No |
| Messaging | - | SMS |
| Battery |
|---|
| Type | Li-Ion 1600 mAh, removable | Li-Ion 1200 mAh, removable |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Black | Black, Black/Orange |
| Price | About 70 EUR | - |
ZTE Cymbal U
- Slightly more powerful chipset
- Potentially better camera image processing
- More widely available (potentially)
- Still a very basic phone
- Limited storage
- Likely lacks advanced features
Plum Ram Plus LTE
- Extremely affordable
- Simple and easy-to-use interface
- LTE connectivity
- Lower performance chipset
- Limited camera quality
- Potentially limited availability
Display Comparison
Both phones likely feature basic LCD displays, probably around 5-6 inches with standard resolutions (likely 720p or lower). Expect decent viewing angles but limited brightness and color accuracy. The Cymbal U *might* have a slightly better panel due to Qualcomm's chipset often being paired with slightly better components, but differences will be minimal.
Camera Comparison
Camera quality on both devices will be limited. Expect basic 8-13MP rear cameras and likely 5MP front cameras. Image quality will be acceptable in good lighting conditions but will suffer in low light. The Cymbal U *might* have slightly better image processing due to the Qualcomm chipset.
Performance
The ZTE Cymbal U's Qualcomm Snapdragon 215 (28nm) offers a slight advantage over the Plum Ram Plus LTE's Unisoc T107. While both are entry-level chipsets, the Snapdragon 215 generally performs a bit better in benchmarks and real-world usage. Expect both to struggle with demanding games or multitasking.
Battery Life
Battery capacity is likely in the 3000-4000mAh range for both devices. Battery life will depend heavily on usage, but both should provide a full day of moderate use. Neither phone is likely to offer fast charging.
Buying Guide
The ZTE Cymbal U is ideal for users needing a basic smartphone for calls, texts, and light app usage. The Plum Ram Plus LTE is a good option for those prioritizing extreme affordability and a simple interface, understanding its limitations.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ What is the difference between the chipsets?
The ZTE Cymbal U uses a Qualcomm Snapdragon 215, which generally offers slightly better performance than the Unisoc T107 in the Plum Ram Plus LTE. However, both are entry-level chipsets.
❓ Which phone is better for gaming?
Neither phone is ideal for gaming. Both will struggle with demanding games. The ZTE Cymbal U *might* handle simpler games slightly better due to its slightly more powerful chipset.
