ZTE Blade A7 Unveiling Specs Pricing Pros & Cons

Introduction

The ZTE Blade A7 is a budget-friendly smartphone that was released in May 2019, offering a variety of features packed into an affordable package. The device caters to users looking for a basic smartphone experience without compromising on essential functionalities. In this review, we will delve into each significant feature and aspect of the ZTE Blade A7 to provide you with a comprehensive understanding of the device.

Design and Build

The ZTE Blade A7 is designed to be sleek and lightweight. Measuring 154 x 72.8 x 7.9 mm and weighing only 146 grams, it fits comfortably in the hand. The phone is available in Black, Blue, and a combination of Black/Blue colors, providing simple aesthetic choices to potential users. The build quality is standard for phones in the entry-level segment, primarily utilizing plastic materials to keep costs down. The dual SIM capability is a significant advantage for those who need to manage two numbers or carriers simultaneously.

Display

The device features a 6.09-inch IPS LCD display with a resolution of 720 x 1560 pixels. This resolution results in a pixel density of approximately 282 PPI, which is typical for phones in this category. The screen-to-body ratio is around 81.2%, offering users ample space for viewing content. While the display does not boast Full HD resolution, it is satisfactory for general navigation, social media browsing, and media consumption, thanks to its reasonable brightness and color representation.

Performance

Under the hood, the ZTE Blade A7 is powered by the Mediatek MT6771 Helio P60 chipset built on a 12 nm process. The octa-core CPU is divided into two quad-core clusters: four Cortex-A73 cores clocked at 2.0 GHz for performance-heavy tasks and four Cortex-A53 cores at 2.0 GHz for power efficiency. The Mali-G72 MP3 GPU handles graphics processing, allowing the device to run light-to-moderate applications smoothly. The Blade A7 is available in two RAM variants: 2GB and 3GB, coupled with storage options of 32GB and 64GB, which are expandable via a microSDXC card slot. Overall, the performance is adequate for daily activities and light multitasking.

Camera

The ZTE Blade A7 is equipped with a 16 MP rear camera with an f/2.0 aperture, capable of auto-focus. It includes features such as HDR and panorama, and it is further complemented with an LED flash for low-light conditions. Although the camera's video capability caps at 720p at 30fps, it should suffice for basic video recording needs. On the front, there's a 5 MP selfie camera with an f/2.4 aperture. While these camera specs might not stand out by modern standards, they provide decent image quality for everyday photography and video calls.

Battery Life

Powering all the phone's features is a non-removable Li-Ion 3200 mAh battery. Given the device's specifications and performance tier, the battery capacity should offer a full day of moderate use, which includes activities like calling, messaging, and a fair amount of browsing with some multimedia consumption. While it doesn’t feature any fast-charging technology, the battery life is adequate for the target audience.

Software

The ZTE Blade A7 runs on Android 9.0 (Pie) with the MiFavor 9.0 user interface. Although Android 9.0 is quite outdated, it still features useful functionalities and remains user-friendly, especially for those not requiring the newest software capabilities. The MiFavor UI offers basic customization options and generally enhances the user experience with smooth and intuitive navigation.

Connectivity and Network

Connectivity options on the ZTE Blade A7 include Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, Bluetooth 4.2, and GPS along with BDS for location services. Notably, the device does not support NFC, which means users won’t have access to functionalities like mobile payments through NFC-enabled services. The phone supports GSM, CDMA, HSPA, and LTE networks, providing users with a range of options for connectivity across multiple network standards.

Additional Features

Despite its budget nature, the ZTE Blade A7 comes equipped with some useful features. It includes sensors like an accelerometer and proximity sensor. For audio, users can enjoy music and radio through a 3.5mm jack and FM radio support. The inclusion of a microUSB 2.0 port with OTG support adds to the device's accessibility, allowing users to connect various peripheral devices directly.

Price and Availability

Upon its release, the ZTE Blade A7 was priced around 80 EUR, making it an appealing option for budget-conscious consumers seeking essential smartphone functionalities without significant financial investment. Its affordability and availability since May 2019 have positioned it as an attractive choice for entry-level smartphone users.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the ZTE Blade A7 is a straightforward, value-for-money option for those in search of a basic smartphone that accomplishes essential tasks efficiently. While it doesn’t boast cutting-edge specifications, it delivers satisfactory performance with a balanced set of features suited for everyday use. This device is ideal for individuals prioritizing affordability and practicality over high-end specifications.