Looking for an affordable smartphone that doesn't completely break the bank? The ZTE Blade A3 Plus and TCL 30 5G are both contenders in the budget phone arena. But which one offers the best value for your money? Let's dive into a detailed comparison.
🏆 Quick Verdict
The TCL 30 5G is the clear winner. Its significantly more powerful chipset, 5G connectivity, and improved camera capabilities outweigh the ZTE Blade A3 Plus's potential cost advantage. If 5G and performance matter, the TCL 30 5G is the better choice.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 2, 4, 5, 7, 12, 13, 66 | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 26, 28, 32, 38, 40, 41 |
| 5G bands | - | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 40, 41, 78 SA/NSA |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE | HSPA 42.2/11.5 Mbps, LTE Cat13 390/150 Mbps, 5G |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2022, January | 2022, February 27 |
| Status | Available. Released 2022, January | Available. Released 2022, April 11 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | - | Glass front, plastic frame, plastic back |
| Dimensions | 137 x 68 x 10.5 mm (5.39 x 2.68 x 0.41 in) | 164.5 x 75.2 x 7.7 mm (6.48 x 2.96 x 0.30 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM | · Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 188 g (6.63 oz) | 184 g (6.49 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Resolution | 480 x 960 pixels, 18:9 ratio (~215 ppi density) | 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~393 ppi density) |
| Size | 5.0 inches, 64.5 cm2 (~69.3% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.7 inches, 108.4 cm2 (~87.6% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | TFT LCD | AMOLED, 650 nits (typ), 900 nits (peak) |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Quad-core 1.5 GHz Cortex-A53 | Octa-core (2x2.2 GHz Cortex-A76 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55) |
| Chipset | Mediatek MT6739W (28 nm) | Mediatek Dimensity 700 (7 nm) |
| GPU | PowerVR GE8100 | Mali-G57 MC2 |
| OS | Android 11 (Go edition) | Android 12, TCL UI 4.0 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDHC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 16GB 2GB RAM | 64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM |
| | eMMC 5.1 | eMMC 5.1 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash | LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Single | 5 MP | 13 MP, f/2.3, 19mm (ultrawide), 1/3", 1.12µm |
| Triple | - | 50 MP, f/1.8, 28mm (wide), 1/2.76", 0.64µm, PDAF
2 MP (macro)
Auxiliary lens |
| Video | 720p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | - | HDR |
| Single | 3 MP | 13 MP, f/2.3, 19mm (ultrawide), 1/3", 1.12µm |
| Video | - | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 4.2, A2DP, LE | 5.1, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | No | Yes |
| Positioning | GPS | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS |
| Radio | No | Unspecified |
| USB | microUSB 2.0 | USB Type-C 2.0 |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | - | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, proximity, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | - | 18W wired |
| Type | Li-Ion 2050 mAh, removable | Li-Po 5010 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Black | Tech Black, Dreamy Blue |
| Models | Z3353CA | T776H |
| Price | About 70 EUR | About 250 EUR |
ZTE Blade A3 Plus
- Affordable
- Decent battery life (likely)
- Lightweight
- Outdated chipset
- Lower performance
- Basic camera
- Limited features
TCL 30 5G
- 5G Connectivity
- Powerful chipset (Dimensity 700)
- Better camera
- Faster charging (18W)
- Potentially more expensive
- May have slightly less RAM/storage than some competitors
Display Comparison
The ZTE Blade A3 Plus likely features a standard HD+ display, while the TCL 30 5G probably boasts a slightly larger and potentially brighter display, possibly with a higher resolution. Expect better viewing angles and color accuracy on the TCL 30 5G.
Camera Comparison
While both phones likely have multiple rear cameras, the TCL 30 5G's newer chipset and potentially better image processing should result in superior photo and video quality. Expect better low-light performance and more detail in images captured with the TCL 30 5G.
Performance
This is where the TCL 30 5G shines. The Mediatek Dimensity 700 chipset is a substantial upgrade over the MT6739W. Expect significantly faster app loading times, smoother multitasking, and better gaming performance on the TCL 30 5G. The TCL's octa-core CPU also offers a considerable performance boost.
Battery Life
Both phones likely offer decent battery life for their class. The TCL 30 5G's 18W wired charging is a slight advantage over the ZTE Blade A3 Plus, potentially allowing for faster charging times.
Buying Guide
The ZTE Blade A3 Plus is best suited for users who prioritize affordability above all else and primarily need a basic phone for calls, texts, and light social media use. The TCL 30 5G is ideal for users who want a smoother experience, faster speeds, 5G connectivity, and a better camera, even on a budget.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Is the TCL 30 5G worth the extra cost compared to the ZTE Blade A3 Plus?
Yes, the TCL 30 5G offers significantly better performance, 5G connectivity, and a better camera, making it a worthwhile investment if your budget allows.
❓ What are the key differences between the chipsets in these phones?
The TCL 30 5G's Dimensity 700 is a much newer and more powerful chipset built on a 7nm process, compared to the ZTE Blade A3 Plus's older and less efficient MT6739W (28nm). This translates to a noticeable difference in speed and overall performance.
