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 TCL 405 and the ZTE Blade A71. Let's dive into a detailed comparison to see which phone emerges as the winner.
🏆 Quick Verdict
The TCL 405 edges out the ZTE Blade A71 thanks to its slightly more powerful chipset and potentially better display. While both are budget options, the TCL 405 offers a more responsive experience and a more modern feel, making it the preferable choice for most users.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41 | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41 |
| Speed | HSPA 42.2/11.5 Mbps, LTE Cat4 150/75 Mbps | HSPA, LTE |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2022, November 02 | 2021, October 07 |
| Status | Available. Released 2022, November 02 | Available. Released 2021, October 07 |
| Body |
|---|
| Dimensions | 164.7 x 75.4 x 9 mm (6.48 x 2.97 x 0.35 in) | 165.2 x 75.2 x 8.2 mm (6.50 x 2.96 x 0.32 in) |
| SIM | · Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 190 g (6.70 oz) | 180 g (6.35 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Resolution | 720 x 1600 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~266 ppi density) | 720 x 1600 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~269 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.6 inches, 105.2 cm2 (~84.7% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.52 inches, 102.6 cm2 (~82.6% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD, 400 nits (typ) | IPS LCD |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (4x2.0 GHz Cortex-A53 & 4x1.5 GHz Cortex-A53) | Octa-core (4x1.6 GHz Cortex-A55 & 4x1.2 GHz Cortex-A55) |
| Chipset | Mediatek MT6762G Helio G25 (12 nm) | Unisoc SC9863A (28 nm) |
| GPU | PowerVR GE8320 | IMG8322 |
| OS | Android 12 (Go edition), TCL UI | Android 11 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC |
| Internal | 32GB 2GB RAM, 64GB 2GB RAM | 64GB 3GB RAM |
| | eMMC 5.1 | - |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Dual | 13 MP, f/2.2, 27mm (wide) 1/3.06", 1.12µm, PDAF
Auxiliary lens | - |
| Features | LED flash, HDR | LED flash, HDR |
| Single | 5 MP, f/2.2, 27mm (wide) 1/5.0", 1.12µm | - |
| Triple | - | 16 MP, f/1.8, (wide), AF
8 MP, f/2.2, 120˚, (ultrawide)
Auxiliary lens |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | HDR | - |
| Single | 5 MP, f/2.2, 27mm (wide) 1/5.0", 1.12µm | 8 MP |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes, with stereo speakers | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.1, A2DP, LE | 4.2, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | No | Yes |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS | GPS, GLONASS |
| Radio | FM radio | FM radio |
| USB | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG | USB Type-C 2.0 |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Accelerometer | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, proximity |
| | Virtual proximity sensing | - |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 10W wired | - |
| Type | Li-Po 5000 mAh | Li-Ion 4000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Lavender Purple, Space Dark | Blue, Gray, Green |
| Models | T506D | A7030 |
| Price | About 100 EUR | About 90 EUR |
TCL 405
- Slightly better performance
- Potentially better display
- Modern design
- Generally reliable brand
- Slow 10W charging
- Limited camera capabilities
- Budget build quality
ZTE Blade A71
- Very affordable
- Decent battery life
- Reliable for basic tasks
- Weaker performance
- Older chipset
- Potentially lower display quality
- Slower software updates
Display Comparison
Both phones likely feature LCD displays around 6.5 inches. The TCL 405 *may* have slightly better color accuracy and brightness due to TCL's generally stronger display technology, but this is difficult to confirm without specific testing data. Expect HD+ resolution on both.
Camera Comparison
Camera specs are often similar in this price range. Both likely feature a primary camera around 13MP, with additional macro and depth sensors. Image quality will depend heavily on software processing, and neither phone is expected to excel in low-light conditions. The TCL 405 *might* have a slight edge in image processing.
Performance
The Mediatek Helio G25 in the TCL 405 holds a performance advantage over the Unisoc SC9863A in the ZTE Blade A71. The G25's slightly higher clock speeds and more modern architecture should translate to snappier app loading and smoother multitasking. Expect both to struggle with demanding games.
Battery Life
Both phones likely have a battery capacity around 5000mAh, suggesting all-day battery life under moderate usage. Charging speeds are a significant drawback for both, with 10W wired charging on the TCL 405 and likely a similar speed on the ZTE Blade A71.
Buying Guide
The TCL 405 is ideal for users prioritizing a smoother experience for everyday tasks and occasional gaming. The ZTE Blade A71 is a good option for those on an extremely tight budget who need a reliable phone for basic communication and media consumption.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Which phone is better for gaming?
The TCL 405 is slightly better for gaming due to its more powerful chipset, but neither phone is designed for demanding games. Expect low settings and frame rates.
❓ How much storage do these phones have?
Both phones typically come with 32GB of internal storage, expandable via microSD card. This is standard for budget devices.
❓ What operating system do these phones run?
Both phones run Android, likely with a custom skin from TCL and ZTE respectively. Updates may be limited.
