Looking for a new smartphone but overwhelmed by the choices? We're pitting two very different devices against each other: the affordable ZTE Blade A31 Lite and the high-performance Lenovo Legion Y90. This comparison will help you decide which phone best suits your budget and lifestyle.
🏆 Quick Verdict
The Lenovo Legion Y90 utterly dominates in performance, display, and camera quality thanks to its Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 chipset. The ZTE Blade A31 Lite offers a budget-friendly entry point, but the Y90's raw power and features make it the clear winner for most users.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 2100 | HSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | LTE | LTE |
| 5G bands | - | SA/NSA/Sub6 |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE | HSPA, LTE, 5G |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / CDMA2000 / LTE / 5G |
| | - | CDMA2000 1x |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2021, June | 2022, March 01 |
| Status | Available. Released 2021, June | Available. Released 2022, March 10 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Plastic frame, plastic back | - |
| Dimensions | 137.3 x 67.5 x 10.5 mm (5.41 x 2.66 x 0.41 in) | 177 x 78.4 x 10.1 mm (6.97 x 3.09 x 0.40 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 143 g (5.04 oz) | 252 g (8.89 oz) |
| | - | Built-in two cooling fans
RGB light panel (on the back)
4 ultrasonic buttons (Gaming triggers) |
| Display |
|---|
| Resolution | 480 x 960 pixels, 18:9 ratio (~215 ppi density) | 1080 x 2460 pixels (~388 ppi density) |
| Size | 5.0 inches, 64.5 cm2 (~69.6% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.92 inches, 113.7 cm2 (~81.9% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | TFT LCD | AMOLED, 144Hz, HDR10+, 1300 nits (peak) |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Quad-core 1.4 GHz | Octa-core (1x3.00 GHz Cortex-X2 & 3x2.50 GHz Cortex-A710 & 4x1.80 GHz Cortex-A510) |
| Chipset | Unisoc SC9832E (28 nm) | Qualcomm SM8450 Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 (4 nm) |
| GPU | Mali-T820 MP1 | Adreno 730 |
| OS | Android 11 (Go edition) | Android 12, ZUI 13 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC | No |
| Internal | 32GB 1GB RAM | 256GB 12GB RAM, 256GB 16GB RAM, 640GB 18GB RAM |
| | eMMC 5.1 | UFS 3.1
640GB (512GB UFS + 128GB SSD) |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Dual | - | 64 MP, f/1.9, 25mm (wide), 1/1.32", 1.0µm, PDAF
13 MP, 120˚ (ultrawide) |
| Features | LED flash | Dual-LED flash, panorama, HDR |
| Single | 5 MP | - |
| Video | 720p@30fps | 8K@24fps, 4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60/240fps, gyro-EIS, HDR10+ rec. |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | - | HDR |
| Single | 2 MP | 16 MP |
| Video | - | 4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60/120fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | No |
| 35mm jack | Yes | No |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes, with stereo speakers |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 4.2, A2DP, LE | 5.2, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | No | Yes |
| Positioning | GPS | GPS (L1+L5), GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS, QZSS |
| Radio | Unspecified | No |
| USB | microUSB 2.0 | USB Type-C 3.1 Gen2, USB Type-C 2.0, OTG |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Accelerometer | Fingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | - | 68W wired, 100% in 35 min |
| Type | Li-Ion 2000 mAh | Li-Po 5600 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Gray, Blue | Gray |
| Models | - | L71061 |
| Price | About 80 EUR | About 570 EUR |
ZTE Blade A31 Lite
- Affordable
- Decent battery life (potentially)
- Lightweight
- Weak performance
- Low-resolution display
- Basic camera
- Slow charging
Lenovo Legion Y90
- Exceptional performance
- High refresh rate display
- Powerful camera system
- Fast charging
- Premium design
- Expensive
- Potentially shorter battery life under heavy load
- Can get warm during intense gaming
Display Comparison
The Lenovo Legion Y90 boasts a significantly superior display. Expect a high refresh rate (likely 144Hz or higher, common for Legion series), vibrant colors, and excellent brightness. The Blade A31 Lite likely features a standard 60Hz display with lower resolution and less impressive color accuracy. The Y90's display is simply in a different league.
Camera Comparison
The Lenovo Legion Y90 is expected to have a much more capable camera system, likely featuring multiple lenses and advanced image processing. The Blade A31 Lite's camera will be adequate for casual snapshots but won't compete with the Y90's capabilities in terms of detail, dynamic range, and low-light performance. Expect better video recording on the Y90 as well.
Performance
Here's where the Legion Y90 truly shines. The Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 is a flagship chipset, delivering blazing-fast performance for demanding games and applications. The Blade A31 Lite's Unisoc SC9832E is a budget chipset, adequate for basic tasks but struggling with anything intensive. Expect significant lag and stuttering on the A31 Lite when multitasking or playing graphically demanding games.
Battery Life
While the Blade A31 Lite might have a slightly larger battery capacity, the Lenovo Legion Y90's 68W fast charging gives it a significant advantage. It can charge from 0% to 100% in approximately 35 minutes, while the A31 Lite will likely take considerably longer with its slower charging speed. The Y90's efficient chipset also contributes to better overall battery life despite its higher power consumption.
Buying Guide
The ZTE Blade A31 Lite is ideal for users on a tight budget who prioritize basic functionality like calls, texts, and light social media use. The Lenovo Legion Y90 is perfect for gamers, content creators, and anyone who demands top-tier performance and a premium experience.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Is the ZTE Blade A31 Lite good for gaming?
No, the ZTE Blade A31 Lite's chipset is not powerful enough for smooth gameplay in demanding games. It's best suited for basic tasks and light gaming.
❓ Does the Lenovo Legion Y90 overheat?
The Lenovo Legion Y90, like many high-performance phones, can get warm during extended gaming sessions. However, Lenovo typically incorporates cooling solutions to mitigate this issue.
