The BLU Advance 4.0 and ZTE Blade A410 represent the extreme end of the smartphone price spectrum. Both aim to deliver basic smartphone functionality at an incredibly low cost, but they achieve this with significantly different hardware. This comparison dissects the core differences – specifically the Mediatek chipsets – to determine which device offers the better user experience for those on a tight budget.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average user prioritizing responsiveness and future-proofing, the ZTE Blade A410 is the better choice. While the BLU Advance 4.0 is cheaper, the A410’s quad-core MT6735M chipset provides a noticeable performance advantage over the dual-core MT6572, making it more suitable for multitasking and modern app usage.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 - SIM 1 & SIM 2 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 1900 / 1700 - A270a | HSDPA 900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | - | 3, 7, 8, 20 |
| Speed | HSPA 21.1/5.76 Mbps | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE Cat4 150/50 Mbps |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2013, December. Released 2013, December | 2015, June. Released 2015, June |
| Status | Discontinued | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Dimensions | 125 x 65 x 12.4 mm (4.92 x 2.56 x 0.49 in) | 126 x 64 x 10.2 mm (4.96 x 2.52 x 0.40 in) |
| SIM | Dual SIM (Mini-SIM, dual stand-by) | Micro-SIM |
| Weight | 124 g (4.37 oz) | 131 g (4.62 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Resolution | 480 x 800 pixels, 5:3 ratio (~233 ppi density) | 480 x 800 pixels, 5:3 ratio (~233 ppi density) |
| Size | 4.0 inches, 45.5 cm2 (~56.1% screen-to-body ratio) | 4.0 inches, 45.5 cm2 (~56.5% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | TFT | TN |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Dual-core 1.3 GHz Cortex-A7 | Quad-core 1.0 GHz Cortex-A53 |
| Chipset | Mediatek MT6572 (28 nm) | Mediatek MT6735M (28 nm) |
| GPU | Mali-400 | Mali-T720MP2 |
| OS | Android 4.2 (Jelly Bean) | Android 5.1 (Lollipop) |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDHC (dedicated slot) | microSDHC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 4GB 512MB RAM | 8GB 1GB RAM |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash | LED flash |
| Single | 5 MP | 5 MP |
| Video | 720@30fps | Yes |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Single | VGA | VGA |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 4.0, A2DP | 4.0, A2DP |
| NFC | No | No |
| Positioning | GPS | GPS |
| Radio | Stereo FM radio | FM radio |
| USB | microUSB 2.0 | microUSB 2.0 |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, hotspot | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, hotspot |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Accelerometer | Accelerometer |
| Battery |
|---|
| Stand-by | Up to 600 h (2G) / Up to 400 h (3G) | - |
| Talk time | Up to 15 h (2G) / Up to 9 h (3G) | - |
| Type | Li-Ion 1600 mAh, removable | Li-Ion 1500 mAh, removable |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Black, White | Black |
| Price | About 80 EUR | About 100 EUR |
BLU Advance 4.0
- Potentially lower price point
- Simple and straightforward user experience
- Good for basic communication tasks
- Significantly slower performance
- Struggles with multitasking
- Outdated chipset architecture
ZTE Blade A410
- Faster and more responsive performance
- Better multitasking capabilities
- More efficient chipset architecture
- May be slightly more expensive
- Still limited by budget components
- Camera performance likely remains basic
Display Comparison
Neither BLU nor ZTE provide detailed display specifications for these models. Given their price point, it’s safe to assume both utilize low-resolution LCD panels. The focus here isn’t display quality, but rather the impact of the chipset on rendering UI elements. The A410’s more powerful GPU, integrated within the MT6735M, will likely result in smoother scrolling and transitions, even at the same resolution.
Camera Comparison
Detailed camera specifications are unavailable. However, given the target market, both phones likely feature basic camera sensors. It’s reasonable to assume both will struggle in low-light conditions. The MT6735M in the A410 includes a more advanced image signal processor (ISP) than the MT6572, potentially leading to slightly better image quality and faster processing times, but the difference will be minimal. Focusing on the chipset, the A410's ISP will likely handle basic image enhancements more effectively.
Performance
The core difference lies in the chipsets. The BLU Advance 4.0’s Mediatek MT6572 features a dual-core 1.3 GHz Cortex-A7 CPU. This architecture, while power-efficient, is aging and struggles with modern workloads. The ZTE Blade A410, however, utilizes the Mediatek MT6735M, boasting a quad-core 1.0 GHz Cortex-A53 CPU. While the clock speed is lower, the Cortex-A53 architecture is significantly more efficient and capable than the A7. The quad-core configuration provides superior multitasking capabilities, allowing the A410 to handle more apps simultaneously without significant slowdown. Both chipsets are fabricated on a 28nm process, meaning thermal efficiency is comparable, but the A410 will simply *finish* tasks faster.
Battery Life
Battery capacity details are missing for both devices. However, the MT6572 in the BLU Advance 4.0, being an older and less efficient architecture, will likely consume more power under load than the MT6735M in the ZTE Blade A410. This means the A410, despite potentially having a similar battery size, could offer slightly longer battery life during typical usage. Charging wattage is also unknown, but given the budget nature of these phones, expect slow charging speeds for both.
Buying Guide
Buy the BLU Advance 4.0 if you absolutely need the lowest possible price and only intend to use the phone for basic tasks like calls, texts, and light web browsing. Buy the ZTE Blade A410 if you value a smoother, more responsive experience, even for simple tasks, and anticipate using more apps or occasionally engaging in light social media browsing. The A410 offers a better long-term experience for a minimal price increase.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Will the ZTE Blade A410 handle popular social media apps like Facebook and WhatsApp smoothly?
Yes, the quad-core Cortex-A53 processor in the ZTE Blade A410 is sufficiently capable of running Facebook and WhatsApp without significant lag. While it won’t offer a flagship-level experience, it will provide a usable and responsive experience for these common applications, unlike the BLU Advance 4.0 which may struggle.
❓ Is the BLU Advance 4.0 a good choice for someone who primarily uses their phone for making calls and sending texts?
Yes, the BLU Advance 4.0 is adequate for basic communication tasks like calls and texts. Its dual-core processor is sufficient for these functions. However, even for these basic tasks, the ZTE Blade A410 will offer a slightly more responsive experience due to its more modern chipset.
❓ Can either of these phones run modern mobile games?
Neither phone is well-suited for modern mobile gaming. The integrated GPUs in both the MT6572 and MT6735M are underpowered for demanding titles. While simple 2D games might be playable, expect low frame rates and significant lag in most 3D games. The A410 will perform marginally better, but it's not a gaming device.
❓ Which phone is more likely to receive software updates?
Neither BLU nor ZTE have a strong track record of providing long-term software support for their entry-level devices. It's unlikely either phone will receive significant Android version updates. Security patches are also unlikely to be frequent. Expect a relatively stagnant software experience on both devices.
