The budget smartphone market is fiercely competitive, offering incredible value for those seeking essential features without breaking the bank. Today, we pit two contenders against each other: the Sony Xperia E5 and the ZTE Blade III Pro. Let's dive into a detailed comparison to see which phone reigns supreme.
🏆 Quick Verdict
The Sony Xperia E5 emerges as the clear winner, boasting a significantly better chipset, superior display contrast, and impressive battery life. While the ZTE Blade III Pro was a decent option in its time, the E5's overall performance and features make it the more compelling choice for budget-conscious buyers.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 - SIM 1 & SIM 2 (dual-SIM model only) | GSM 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 - F3311 | HSDPA 900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20 - F3311 | - |
| Speed | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE Cat4 150/50 Mbps | HSPA |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA |
| | 2, 4, 5, 7, 12, 17, 28 - F3313 | - |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2016, May. Released 2016, June | 2013, April. Released 2013, May |
| Status | Discontinued | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Dimensions | 144 x 69 x 8.2 mm (5.67 x 2.72 x 0.32 in) | - |
| SIM | · Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Yes |
| Weight | 147 g (5.19 oz) | - |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | Scratch-resistant glass | - |
| Resolution | 720 x 1280 pixels, 16:9 ratio (~294 ppi density) | 480 x 800 pixels, 5:3 ratio (~233 ppi density) |
| Size | 5.0 inches, 68.9 cm2 (~69.4% screen-to-body ratio) | 4.0 inches, 45.5 cm2 |
| Type | IPS LCD | TFT |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Quad-core 1.3 GHz Cortex-A53 | Dual-core 1.2 GHz Cortex-A5 |
| Chipset | Mediatek MT6735 (28 nm) | Qualcomm MSM8225 Snapdragon S4 Play |
| GPU | Mali-T720MP2 | Adreno 203 |
| OS | Android 6.0 (Marshmallow) | Android 4.1 (Jelly Bean) |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDHC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 16GB 1.5GB RAM | 4GB |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash, HDR, panorama | - |
| Single | 13 MP, f/2.0, AF | 5 MP, AF |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | Yes |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Single | 5 MP, f/2.4 | VGA |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 4.1, A2DP, aptX | Yes |
| NFC | Yes | No |
| Positioning | GPS | GPS |
| Radio | FM radio | FM radio |
| USB | microUSB 2.0 | microUSB 2.0 |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n, Wi-Fi Direct | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, Wi-Fi Direct, hotspot, DLNA |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Accelerometer, proximity, compass | Accelerometer, proximity, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Music play | Up to 65 h | - |
| Stand-by | Up to 511 h (2G) / Up to 518 h (3G) | - |
| Talk time | Up to 11 h 30 min (2G) / Up to 9 h 30 min (3G) | - |
| Type | Li-Po 2300 mAh, non-removable | Li-Ion 1600 mAh, removable |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Graphite Black, White | Black, White |
| Models | F3311, F3313, C1604 | - |
| Price | About 120 EUR | About 150 EUR |
| SAR | 1.08 W/kg (head) 1.34 W/kg (body) | - |
| SAR EU | 0.46 W/kg (head) 0.46 W/kg (body) | - |
| Tests |
|---|
| Audio quality |
Noise -92.3dB / Crosstalk -91.9dB | - |
| Battery life |
Endurance rating 47h
| - |
| Camera |
Photo / Video | - |
| Display |
Contrast ratio: 1243 (nominal), 2.386 (sunlight) | - |
| Loudspeaker |
Voice 62dB / Noise 67dB / Ring 69dB
| - |
| Performance |
Basemark OS II 2.0: 575 | - |
Sony Xperia E5
- Excellent Battery Life (47h Endurance Rating)
- Superior Display Contrast
- More Modern Chipset (MT6735)
- Likely Better Camera Performance
- Potentially Dated Design
- May Lack Latest Android Features
ZTE Blade III Pro
- Ultra-Budget Friendly
- Compact Size
- Outdated Processor (Snapdragon S4 Play)
- Poor Display Quality
- Short Battery Life
- Limited Features
Display Comparison
The Xperia E5's display shines with a remarkable contrast ratio of 1243 (nominal) and 2.386 in sunlight, offering excellent visibility even outdoors. The Blade III Pro's display, while functional, lacks the same level of brightness and contrast, resulting in a less vibrant viewing experience. The E5 likely has a higher resolution as well, though specific resolution data is unavailable for the Blade III Pro.
Camera Comparison
While both phones offer photo and video capabilities, the Xperia E5 likely has a more advanced camera system. Sony's image processing is generally considered superior, and the E5's chipset likely supports more advanced camera features. Specific megapixel counts and features are unavailable for both devices, making a definitive comparison difficult.
Performance
Here, the Xperia E5 takes a commanding lead. Its Mediatek MT6735 chipset and quad-core processor provide noticeably better performance than the Blade III Pro's older Qualcomm MSM8225 Snapdragon S4 Play and dual-core processor. Expect smoother multitasking and faster app loading on the E5.
Battery Life
The Xperia E5's endurance rating of 47 hours is exceptional, suggesting significantly longer battery life than the Blade III Pro. The Blade III Pro's battery capacity is likely smaller, and its less efficient processor further contributes to shorter usage times.
Buying Guide
The Sony Xperia E5 is ideal for users prioritizing battery life, a brighter display, and a slightly more modern chipset. The ZTE Blade III Pro might appeal to those seeking an extremely basic, ultra-budget option, but its dated specs limit its usability.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Which phone is better for gaming?
The Sony Xperia E5 is significantly better for gaming due to its more powerful chipset and processor. The ZTE Blade III Pro will struggle with even basic games.
❓ Are spare parts readily available for these phones?
Spare parts for both phones are becoming increasingly difficult to find, as they are both older models. However, the Xperia E5 might have slightly better availability due to Sony's larger global presence.
