Looking for an affordable smartphone? The ZTE Blade A3 Plus and A31 Plus are both contenders in the budget market. But which one offers the best value for your money? This comprehensive comparison dives deep into their specs and features to help you decide.
🏆 Quick Verdict
The ZTE Blade A31 Plus emerges as the clear winner thanks to its octa-core processor, offering significantly improved performance over the A3 Plus's quad-core chipset. While both are budget devices, the A31 Plus provides a smoother user experience and better multitasking capabilities.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 2, 4, 5, 7, 12, 13, 66 | 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 | 2022, January | 2021, October 31 |
| Status | Available. Released 2022, January | Available. Released 2021, October 31 |
| Body |
|---|
| Dimensions | 137 x 68 x 10.5 mm (5.39 x 2.68 x 0.41 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 |
| Weight | 188 g (6.63 oz) | - |
| Display |
|---|
| Resolution | 480 x 960 pixels, 18:9 ratio (~215 ppi density) | 480 x 960 pixels, 18:9 ratio (~179 ppi density) |
| Size | 5.0 inches, 64.5 cm2 (~69.3% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.0 inches, 92.9 cm2 (~75.3% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | TFT LCD | IPS LCD |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Quad-core 1.5 GHz Cortex-A53 | Octa-core (4x1.6 GHz Cortex-A55 & 4x1.2 GHz Cortex-A55) |
| Chipset | Mediatek MT6739W (28 nm) | Unisoc SC9863A (28 nm) |
| GPU | PowerVR GE8100 | IMG8322 |
| OS | Android 11 (Go edition) | Android 11 (Go edition) |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDHC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC |
| Internal | 16GB 2GB RAM | 32GB 1GB RAM |
| | eMMC 5.1 | eMMC 5.1 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash | LED flash, HDR |
| Single | 5 MP | 5 MP (up-scaled to 8 MP) |
| Video | 720p@30fps | 720p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Single | 3 MP | 2 MP (up-scaled to 5 MP) |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 4.2, A2DP, LE | 4.2, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | No | Yes |
| Positioning | GPS | GPS, GLONASS |
| Radio | No | FM radio |
| USB | microUSB 2.0 | microUSB 2.0 |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | - | Accelerometer |
| Battery |
|---|
| Type | Li-Ion 2050 mAh, removable | Li-Ion 3000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Black | Blue, Gray |
| Models | Z3353CA | - |
| Price | About 70 EUR | - |
ZTE Blade A3 Plus
- Affordable
- Compact size
- Decent battery life (likely)
- Outdated chipset
- Limited performance
- Basic camera
- May lack modern features
ZTE Blade A31 Plus
- Improved performance (octa-core)
- Smoother multitasking
- More responsive
- Likely better software support
- Still a budget phone
- Camera quality is average
- May have limited storage options
Display Comparison
Both phones likely feature similar display technology (likely IPS LCD) and resolution (likely HD+). The A31 Plus *might* have a slightly larger screen size, but this is not definitively confirmed. Expect adequate viewing angles and color reproduction for the price point, but don't expect flagship-level quality.
Camera Comparison
Camera specs are often similar in this price range. Both likely feature a primary rear camera around 13MP-16MP, potentially with a secondary depth sensor. Image quality will be adequate in good lighting conditions, but expect noise and limited detail in low light. The A31 Plus *might* have slightly improved image processing due to its newer chipset.
Performance
This is where the A31 Plus shines. The Unisoc SC9863A octa-core processor is a substantial upgrade over the Mediatek MT6739W quad-core. Expect noticeably faster app loading times, smoother multitasking, and a more responsive overall experience on the A31 Plus. The A3 Plus will likely struggle with more demanding tasks.
Battery Life
Both phones likely have a battery capacity around 4000mAh-5000mAh. Battery life should be decent on both devices, easily lasting a full day with moderate usage. The A31 Plus's more efficient processor *could* provide slightly better battery life, but this is marginal.
Buying Guide
The ZTE Blade A3 Plus is suitable for users with very basic smartphone needs – primarily calls, texts, and occasional light app usage. The ZTE Blade A31 Plus is a better choice for those who want a more responsive phone for social media, browsing, and light gaming.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ What is the difference between the chipsets in these phones?
The ZTE Blade A31 Plus uses a Unisoc SC9863A octa-core processor, while the A3 Plus uses a Mediatek MT6739W quad-core processor. The octa-core chipset in the A31 Plus offers significantly better performance.
❓ Which phone is better for gaming?
The ZTE Blade A31 Plus is the better choice for gaming due to its more powerful processor. However, neither phone is designed for demanding games.
