Choosing a new phone can be overwhelming, especially when considering vastly different options. We're pitting the ZTE Gabb Z2, a phone designed for kids and families, against the classic Apple iPhone 7, a flagship device from years past. Let's break down which phone is right for you.
🏆 Quick Verdict
The iPhone 7 decisively wins on performance, camera quality, and overall features. However, the Gabb Z2's focus on safety and parental controls makes it a compelling choice for families prioritizing those aspects over raw power and advanced capabilities. It's a trade-off between features and peace of mind.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 - A1660, A1778 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 - A1660, A1778 |
| 4G bands | 2, 4, 5, 12, 13 | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 38, 39, 40, 41 - A1660, A1778 |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE Cat4 150/50 Mbps | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE (3CA) Cat9 450/50 Mbps, EV-DO Rev.A 3.1 Mbps |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / EVDO / LTE |
| | - | CDMA2000 1xEV-DO & TD-SCDMA - A1660 |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2020, August. Released 2020, August | 2016, September 07. Released 2016, September 16 |
| Status | Discontinued | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front, plastic frame, plastic back | Glass front (Corning-made glass), aluminum back, aluminum frame |
| Dimensions | 147 x 71 x 9.7 mm (5.79 x 2.80 x 0.38 in) | 138.3 x 67.1 x 7.1 mm (5.44 x 2.64 x 0.28 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 162 g (5.71 oz) | 138 g (4.87 oz) |
| | - | IP67 dust/water resistant (up to 1m for 30 min)
Apple Pay (Visa, MasterCard, AMEX certified) |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | - | Ion-strengthened glass |
| Resolution | 720 x 1440 pixels, 18:9 ratio (~295 ppi density) | 750 x 1334 pixels, 16:9 ratio (~326 ppi density) |
| Size | 5.45 inches, 76.7 cm2 (~73.4% screen-to-body ratio) | 4.7 inches, 60.9 cm2 (~65.6% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | TFT LCD | Retina IPS LCD, 625 nits (typ) |
| | - | 3D Touch display & home button |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Quad-core 2.0 GHz Cortex-A53 | Quad-core 2.34 GHz (2x Hurricane + 2x Zephyr) |
| Chipset | Mediatek MT6761 Helio A22 (12 nm) | Apple A10 Fusion (16 nm) |
| GPU | PowerVR GE8320 | PowerVR Series7XT Plus (six-core graphics) |
| OS | Android 10 | iOS 10.0.1, upgradable to iOS 15.8.5 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC | No |
| Internal | 32GB 2GB RAM | 32GB 2GB RAM, 128GB 2GB RAM, 256GB 2GB RAM |
| | eMMC 5.1 | NVMe |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | Dual-LED flash | Quad-LED dual-tone flash, HDR |
| Single | 8 MP, AF | 12 MP, f/1.8, 28mm (wide), 1/3.0", PDAF, OIS |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60/120fps, 720p@240fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | - | Face detection, HDR, panorama |
| Single | 5 MP | 7 MP, f/2.2, 32mm (standard) |
| Video | 720p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | No |
| 35mm jack | Yes | No |
| Loudspeaker | Yes, with dual speakers | Yes, with stereo speakers |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 4.2, A2DP | 4.2, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | No | Yes |
| Positioning | GPS | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, QZSS |
| Radio | FM radio | No |
| USB | USB Type-C 2.0 | Lightning, USB 2.0 |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n/ac, Wi-Fi Direct | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, hotspot |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer | Fingerprint (front-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, barometer |
| Battery |
|---|
| Talk time | - | Up to 14 h (3G) |
| Type | Li-Ion 2650 mAh, removable | Li-Ion 1960 mAh, non-removable (7.45 Wh) |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Black | Jet Black, Black, Silver, Gold, Rose Gold, Red |
| Models | - | A1660, A1778, A1779, A1780, A1853, A1866, iPhone9,1, iPhone9,3 |
| Price | About 140 EUR | About 180 EUR |
| SAR | - | 1.19 W/kg (head) 1.19 W/kg (body) |
| SAR EU | - | 1.38 W/kg (head) 1.34 W/kg (body) |
| Tests |
|---|
| Audio quality | - |
Noise -92.4dB / Crosstalk -80.9dB |
| Battery life | - |
Endurance rating 61h
|
| Camera | - |
Photo / Video |
| Display | - |
Contrast ratio: 1603:1 (nominal), 3.964 (sunlight) |
| Loudspeaker | - |
Voice 67dB / Noise 73dB / Ring 75dB
|
| Performance | - |
Basemark OS II 2.0: 3416 |
ZTE Gabb Z2
- Parental controls & safety features
- Limited app access (no social media)
- Durable design
- Affordable price
- Weak performance
- Basic camera
- Limited features
- Outdated software
Apple iPhone 7
- Powerful performance
- Excellent camera
- Large app ecosystem
- Premium build quality
- Long software support (historically)
- Older model (limited future updates)
- Battery life degrades over time
- Higher price (used market)
- No headphone jack
Display Comparison
Both phones feature a similar contrast ratio (1603:1, 3.964 in sunlight), indicating good visibility. However, the iPhone 7's display is generally considered superior due to Apple's color calibration and overall screen technology. The Gabb Z2's display is functional but lacks the vibrancy and sharpness of the iPhone 7.
Camera Comparison
The iPhone 7 boasts a much better camera system than the Gabb Z2. It captures sharper images with better dynamic range and low-light performance. The Gabb Z2's camera is serviceable for basic photos and video calls but doesn't compare to the iPhone 7's capabilities.
Performance
The iPhone 7's A10 Fusion chip is significantly faster and more powerful than the Gabb Z2's MT6761 Helio A22. Expect smoother multitasking, faster app loading times, and better gaming performance on the iPhone 7. The Gabb Z2 is adequate for basic tasks but will struggle with demanding applications.
Battery Life
Both phones are reported to have an endurance rating of 61 hours. While this is a good score, real-world usage will vary. The iPhone 7's power efficiency is generally better due to its more advanced chipset.
Buying Guide
The ZTE Gabb Z2 is ideal for parents seeking a phone for their children that limits access to social media and games, focusing on communication and safety. The Apple iPhone 7 is a better choice for users who want a powerful, versatile smartphone with a great camera and access to a vast app ecosystem.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Is the Gabb Z2 a smartphone?
The Gabb Z2 is a 'smart' phone in the sense that it connects to the internet, but it intentionally limits access to apps and social media, focusing on communication features.
❓ Will the iPhone 7 receive software updates?
Apple has ended software updates for the iPhone 7. While it will still function, it won't receive the latest iOS features or security patches.
❓ What is the Gabb Z2's target audience?
The Gabb Z2 is primarily targeted towards children and families who want a safe and controlled mobile communication device.
❓ Can I install apps on the Gabb Z2?
The Gabb Z2 has a limited app store with pre-approved apps. You cannot install apps from the Google Play Store or other unofficial sources.
