The Google Pixel 4a 5G and ZTE Blade 10 Prime represent different approaches to the mid-range smartphone market. The Pixel 4a 5G aims to deliver a flagship-inspired experience at a more accessible price, while the Blade 10 Prime focuses on providing essential features and 5G connectivity at an even lower cost. This comparison dissects their core components to determine which device offers the best value for your money.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For most users, the Google Pixel 4a 5G is the superior choice. Its Snapdragon 765G chipset provides significantly better performance and efficiency, translating to a smoother user experience and improved gaming capabilities. While the Blade 10 Prime offers 5G at a lower price, the performance gap is substantial.
| 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 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 2, 4, 5, 12, 13, 66 | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 14, 17, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 28, 29, 30, 32, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 46, 48, 66, 71 |
| 5G bands | - | 1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 12, 28, 41, 66, 71, 77, 78 Sub6, mmWave (market dependant) |
| Speed | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE (2CA) Cat6 300/50 Mbps | HSPA, LTE, 5G |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2019, November. Released 2019, November | 2020, September 30 |
| Status | Discontinued | Available. Released 2020, November 05 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front, plastic back, plastic frame | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 3), plastic back, plastic frame |
| Dimensions | 158 x 75.2 x 7.9 mm (6.22 x 2.96 x 0.31 in) | 153.9 x 74 x 8.2 mm (Sub-6) or 8.5 mm (Sub-6 and mmWave) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + eSIM |
| Weight | 165 g (5.82 oz) | 168 g (5G Sub-6); 171 g ( 5G Sub-6 and mmWave) (5.93 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | - | Corning Gorilla Glass 3 |
| Resolution | 1080 x 2280 pixels, 19:9 ratio (~400 ppi density) | 1080 x 2340 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~413 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.3 inches, 99.1 cm2 (~83.4% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.2 inches, 95.7 cm2 (~84.1% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD | OLED, HDR |
| | - | Always-on display |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (4x2.0 GHz Cortex-A73 & 4x2.0 GHz Cortex-A53) | Octa-core (1x2.4 GHz Kryo 475 Prime & 1x2.2 GHz Kryo 475 Gold & 6x1.8 GHz Kryo 475 Silver) |
| Chipset | Mediatek MT6771 Helio P60 (12 nm) | Qualcomm SM7250 Snapdragon 765G 5G (7 nm) |
| GPU | Mali-G72 MP3 | Adreno 620 |
| OS | Android 9.0 (Pie) | Android 11, upgradable to Android 14 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) | No |
| Internal | 64GB 3GB RAM | 128GB 6GB RAM |
| | eMMC 5.1 | UFS 2.1 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Dual | 16 MP, f/1.8, 1/2.8", 1.12µm, PDAF
Auxiliary lens | 12.2 MP, f/1.7, 27mm (wide), 1/2.55", 1.4µm, dual pixel PDAF, OIS
16 MP, f/2.2, 107˚ (ultrawide), 1.0µm |
| Features | LED flash, HDR, panorama | LED flash, Pixel Shift, Auto-HDR, panorama |
| Video | 1080p@30fps (gyro-EIS) | 4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60/120/240fps; gyro-EIS |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | - | HDR |
| Single | 16 MP, f/2.0, 26mm (wide), 1/3.06", 1.0µm | 8 MP, f/2.0, 24mm (wide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes, with stereo speakers |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 4.2, A2DP, LE | 5.0, A2DP, LE, aptX HD |
| NFC | Yes | Yes |
| Positioning | GPS | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, QZSS, BDS |
| Radio | FM radio | No |
| USB | USB Type-C 2.0 | USB Type-C 3.1 |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, barometer |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 18W wired, PD2.0 | 18W wired, PD2.0 |
| Type | Li-Po 3200 mAh, non-removable | Li-Po 3885 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Black | Just Black, Clearly White |
| Models | Z6530, Z6530M, Z6530V | GD1YQ, G025I, G025E, G025H, G6QU3 |
| Price | About 160 EUR | About 140 EUR |
ZTE Blade 10 Prime
- Significantly faster processor (Snapdragon 765G)
- Superior camera performance with Google’s software
- Better power efficiency and potentially longer battery life
- Higher price point
- May not offer expandable storage (typical for Pixel)
Google Pixel 4a 5G
- More affordable price
- 5G connectivity
- Potentially expandable storage (depending on variant)
- Noticeably slower processor (Helio P60)
- Inferior camera performance
- Less efficient power consumption
Display Comparison
Neither device boasts a cutting-edge display. While specific panel details (like peak brightness or color gamut coverage) are unavailable for the Blade 10 Prime, its market positioning suggests a standard LCD panel. The Pixel 4a 5G also utilizes an LCD, but benefits from Google’s image processing, likely resulting in more accurate colors. The key difference lies in the processing power driving the display; the Snapdragon 765G’s ISP will contribute to better image quality and potentially smoother scrolling compared to the Helio P60.
Camera Comparison
While both phones likely feature multi-camera setups, the Pixel 4a 5G benefits from Google’s renowned computational photography. The Snapdragon 765G’s image signal processor (ISP) is far more capable than the Helio P60’s, enabling features like Night Sight and HDR+ that significantly improve image quality, especially in challenging lighting conditions. Without specific sensor details for the Blade 10 Prime, it’s safe to assume the Pixel 4a 5G will deliver superior image quality, dynamic range, and detail. The Pixel’s software processing is a major advantage.
Performance
The performance disparity is the most significant factor in this comparison. The Qualcomm Snapdragon 765G (7nm) in the Pixel 4a 5G is a substantial upgrade over the MediaTek Helio P60 (12nm) found in the Blade 10 Prime. The 7nm process node allows for greater transistor density and improved power efficiency, meaning the Pixel 4a 5G will deliver faster performance with less heat generation. The Snapdragon’s CPU architecture – a tri-cluster setup with Kryo 475 cores – is also more efficient than the Helio P60’s Cortex-A73/A53 combination. This translates to quicker app loading times, smoother multitasking, and a more enjoyable gaming experience on the Pixel 4a 5G.
Battery Life
Both devices support 18W wired charging with PD2.0, offering similar charging speeds. However, the Snapdragon 765G’s superior power efficiency means the Pixel 4a 5G will likely achieve longer battery life despite potentially having a similar capacity battery (specific capacity data for the Blade 10 Prime is unavailable). The 7nm process node contributes to reduced power consumption during everyday tasks, extending the time between charges.
Buying Guide
Buy the ZTE Blade 10 Prime if you prioritize absolute affordability and 5G connectivity above all else, and your usage primarily involves basic tasks like browsing, social media, and light communication. Buy the Google Pixel 4a 5G if you value a smoother, more responsive user experience, better camera quality, and longer software support, even if it means spending a bit more.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Will the Helio P60 in the Blade 10 Prime struggle with demanding games like PUBG or Call of Duty?
Yes, the Helio P60 is likely to struggle with graphically intensive games at higher settings. You’ll likely need to lower the graphics settings and frame rate to achieve a playable experience, and even then, you may encounter stuttering or lag. The Snapdragon 765G in the Pixel 4a 5G offers a much smoother gaming experience.
❓ How important is the software experience on the Pixel 4a 5G compared to the Blade 10 Prime?
The Pixel 4a 5G offers a clean, bloatware-free Android experience with guaranteed software updates directly from Google for several years. This ensures you’ll receive the latest security patches and features. ZTE’s software experience is typically more customized and may include pre-installed apps, and update support is generally less consistent.
❓ Does the 18W charging on both phones support fast charging for all chargers?
Both phones support USB Power Delivery (PD) 2.0, meaning they will fast charge with any PD-compatible charger. However, using a non-PD charger may result in slower charging speeds. It's recommended to use a PD-compatible charger for optimal charging performance.
