The BLU G53 and ZTE Blade A31 Plus represent the fiercely competitive sub-$150 smartphone market. While both aim to deliver essential functionality at an accessible price, they take distinctly different approaches to processing power. The G53 opts for a quad-core setup with a focus on higher individual core performance, while the A31 Plus leverages an octa-core design, prioritizing multi-tasking and efficiency. This comparison dissects these choices to determine which phone offers the best user experience.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average user prioritizing responsiveness in everyday tasks, the BLU G53 emerges as the better choice. Its Cortex-A75 core provides a significant performance boost over the A31 Plus’s all-Cortex-A55 configuration, resulting in smoother app launches and snappier navigation. While the A31 Plus offers more cores, the G53’s architectural advantage outweighs this numerical difference.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 12, 17, 28, 66, 71 | 1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41 |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE | HSPA, LTE |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2023, June | 2021, October 31 |
| Status | Available. Released 2023, July | Available. Released 2021, October 31 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front, plastic frame, plastic back | - |
| Dimensions | 164.8 x 75.8 x 8.9 mm (6.49 x 2.98 x 0.35 in) | 159.2 x 77.5 x 9.6 mm (6.27 x 3.05 x 0.38 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 200 g (7.05 oz) | - |
| Display |
|---|
| Resolution | 720 x 1600 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~270 ppi density) | 480 x 960 pixels, 18:9 ratio (~179 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.5 inches, 102.0 cm2 (~81.7% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.0 inches, 92.9 cm2 (~75.3% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD | IPS LCD |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Quad-core (1x2.0 GHz Cortex-A75 & 3x1.8 GHz Cortex-A55) | Octa-core (4x1.6 GHz Cortex-A55 & 4x1.2 GHz Cortex-A55) |
| Chipset | - | Unisoc SC9863A (28 nm) |
| GPU | IMG8322 | IMG8322 |
| OS | Android 13 | Android 11 (Go edition) |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC | microSDXC |
| Internal | 64GB 4GB RAM | 32GB 1GB RAM |
| | - | eMMC 5.1 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Dual | 13 MP, f/2.0, (wide)
Auxiliary lens | - |
| Features | LED flash, HDR, panorama | LED flash, HDR |
| Single | - | 5 MP (up-scaled to 8 MP) |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 720p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Single | 8 MP, f/2.0 | 2 MP (up-scaled to 5 MP) |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | - |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | - | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.0, A2DP, LE | 4.2, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | No | Yes |
| Positioning | GPS | GPS, GLONASS |
| Radio | FM radio | FM radio |
| USB | USB Type-C 2.0 | microUSB 2.0 |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n/ac, Wi-Fi Direct | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer | Accelerometer |
| Battery |
|---|
| Type | Li-Po 5000 mAh | Li-Ion 3000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Pearl, Black, Green, Violet, White | Blue, Gray |
| Price | About 100 EUR | - |
BLU G53
- Stronger single-core performance with Cortex-A75 core
- More responsive user experience for everyday tasks
- Potentially better power efficiency
- Fewer cores than the ZTE Blade A31 Plus
- Limited information available on display and camera specs
ZTE Blade A31 Plus
- Octa-core processor for improved multi-tasking
- Potentially longer battery life due to more cores
- Unisoc chipset may offer decent image processing
- Lower individual core performance with all Cortex-A55 cores
- Less responsive user experience compared to the BLU G53
- Larger process node (28nm) may impact power efficiency
Display Comparison
Neither device’s display specifications are available, so a direct comparison is impossible. However, given the price point, both likely utilize LCD panels with 720p+ resolution. Expect compromises in color accuracy and brightness compared to higher-end devices. Bezels are also likely to be substantial on both models, maximizing screen real estate within a budget-friendly form factor.
Camera Comparison
Without detailed camera specifications, a meaningful comparison is limited. Both phones likely feature basic camera setups geared towards casual photography. The A31 Plus may benefit from Unisoc’s image signal processing capabilities, but the G53’s processor could also offer adequate image processing. Expect limited low-light performance and a reliance on software enhancements to improve image quality. The presence of a 2MP macro camera on either device is unlikely to significantly impact the overall camera experience.
Performance
The core difference lies in the CPU architecture. The BLU G53’s quad-core processor, featuring one 2.0 GHz Cortex-A75 core and three 1.8 GHz Cortex-A55 cores, represents a more modern and powerful design. The Cortex-A75 is significantly faster per clock cycle than the Cortex-A55. The ZTE Blade A31 Plus, powered by the Unisoc SC9863A, utilizes an octa-core configuration of four 1.6 GHz Cortex-A55 cores and four 1.2 GHz Cortex-A55 cores. While having more cores *can* be beneficial, the A55 is a lower-performance core. The G53’s A75 core will handle demanding tasks more efficiently, while the A31 Plus relies on parallel processing of less powerful cores. This means the G53 will likely exhibit better performance in single-threaded applications and games.
Battery Life
Battery capacity data is unavailable for either device. However, the Unisoc SC9863A (28nm) chipset in the A31 Plus is manufactured on a larger process node than the G53’s processor. This generally translates to lower power efficiency. While the A31 Plus has more cores, the G53’s more efficient processor and potentially optimized software could result in comparable or even better battery life, despite potentially having a smaller battery capacity. Charging wattage is also unknown for both devices, making it difficult to assess charging speeds.
Buying Guide
Buy the BLU G53 if you need a phone that feels responsive for daily tasks like browsing, social media, and light gaming. Its stronger single-core performance translates to a more fluid user experience. Buy the ZTE Blade A31 Plus if you prioritize sustained multi-tasking and potentially longer battery life, even if it means sacrificing some immediate responsiveness. The A31 Plus is better suited for users who frequently switch between many apps simultaneously.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Will the ZTE Blade A31 Plus struggle with demanding apps like Facebook or YouTube?
The ZTE Blade A31 Plus’s all-Cortex-A55 configuration may exhibit noticeable lag when running resource-intensive apps like Facebook or YouTube, especially with multiple tabs open. The BLU G53, with its Cortex-A75 core, will handle these apps more smoothly.
❓ Is the difference in CPU performance between the BLU G53 and ZTE Blade A31 Plus noticeable in everyday use?
Yes, the difference is noticeable. The BLU G53’s Cortex-A75 core provides a significant boost in responsiveness, resulting in faster app launches, smoother scrolling, and a more fluid overall user experience. The A31 Plus will feel comparatively sluggish.
❓ Does the ZTE Blade A31 Plus’s octa-core processor help with gaming?
While the octa-core processor might seem beneficial for gaming, the Cortex-A55 cores are not powerful enough to deliver a great gaming experience. The BLU G53’s single, more powerful Cortex-A75 core will likely provide better performance in most mobile games, even though it has fewer cores overall.
