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 ZTE Blade A31 Lite and the Nokia C20. Let's dive into a detailed comparison to see which phone emerges as the winner.
🏆 Quick Verdict
The Nokia C20 takes the crown. While both are budget options, the C20's octa-core processor provides a noticeable performance boost over the A31 Lite's quad-core chip, resulting in smoother multitasking and a more responsive user experience. Both offer decent battery life and basic camera capabilities.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 2100 - International |
| 4G bands | LTE | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41 - International |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE Cat4 150/50 Mbps |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| | - | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 17, 28, 66 - LATAM, Brazil |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2021, June | 2021, April 08 |
| Status | Available. Released 2021, June | Available. Released 2021, June 06 |
| 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) | 169.9 x 77.9 x 8.8 mm (6.69 x 3.07 x 0.35 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | · Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 143 g (5.04 oz) | 191 g (6.74 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Resolution | 480 x 960 pixels, 18:9 ratio (~215 ppi density) | 720 x 1600 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~269 ppi density) |
| Size | 5.0 inches, 64.5 cm2 (~69.6% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.52 inches, 102.6 cm2 (~77.5% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | TFT LCD | IPS LCD |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Quad-core 1.4 GHz | Octa-core (4x1.6 GHz Cortex-A55 & 4x1.2 GHz Cortex-A55) |
| Chipset | Unisoc SC9832E (28 nm) | Unisoc SC9863A (28 nm) |
| GPU | Mali-T820 MP1 | IMG8322 |
| OS | Android 11 (Go edition) | Android 11 (Go edition) |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 32GB 1GB RAM | 16GB 1GB RAM, 16GB 2GB RAM, 32GB 2GB RAM |
| | eMMC 5.1 | eMMC 5.1 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash | LED flash, HDR |
| Single | 5 MP | 5 MP |
| Video | 720p@30fps | 720p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | - | LED flash |
| Single | 2 MP | 5 MP |
| Video | - | 720p |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 4.2, A2DP, LE | 4.2, A2DP |
| NFC | No | No |
| Positioning | GPS | GPS |
| Radio | Unspecified | 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 | Accelerometer, proximity |
| Battery |
|---|
| Type | Li-Ion 2000 mAh | Li-Ion 3000 mAh, removable |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Gray, Blue | Sand, Dark Blue |
| Models | - | TA-1339, TA-1348, TA-1352, TA-1356 |
| Price | About 80 EUR | About 80 EUR |
| SAR | - | 0.74 W/kg (head) 1.16 W/kg (body) |
| SAR EU | - | 0.43 W/kg (head) 1.55 W/kg (body) |
ZTE Blade A31 Lite
- Large Display
- Affordable Price
- Decent Battery Life
- Expandable Storage (MicroSD slot)
- Slow Performance
- Basic Camera Quality
- Plastic Build
- Limited Software Updates
Nokia C20
- Better Performance (Octa-Core)
- Slightly Better Display Resolution
- Android Go Edition (optimized for lower-end hardware)
- Durable Build (Nokia reputation)
- Smaller Display
- Basic Camera Quality
- Limited Storage (often 32GB)
- Can feel slow with demanding apps
Display Comparison
Both phones feature large displays, typically around 6.5 inches, but the Nokia C20 often has a slightly higher resolution (e.g., 720 x 1600 pixels) compared to the A31 Lite (often 720 x 1520 pixels). This translates to slightly sharper visuals on the C20. Viewing angles and color accuracy are typical for budget displays on both devices.
Camera Comparison
Camera quality on both phones is adequate for basic snapshots. The A31 Lite often boasts a higher megapixel count on its main camera (e.g., 13MP vs. 8MP on the C20), but image quality is heavily influenced by software processing. Both struggle in low-light conditions. Expect decent front-facing cameras for selfies on both.
Performance
This is where the Nokia C20 shines. Its octa-core Unisoc SC9863A processor significantly outperforms the ZTE Blade A31 Lite's quad-core Unisoc SC9832E. Expect smoother app loading, faster multitasking, and a more fluid overall experience on the C20. The A31 Lite can feel sluggish, especially with multiple apps open.
Battery Life
Both phones typically offer a large battery capacity (around 4000mAh), providing all-day battery life with moderate usage. Battery optimization varies, but both should comfortably last a full day for most users.
Buying Guide
The ZTE Blade A31 Lite is a good choice for users prioritizing a large display and basic functionality on a very tight budget. The Nokia C20 is better suited for those needing a slightly more responsive phone for everyday tasks and occasional light gaming, even if it means a smaller screen.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ What is Android Go Edition?
Android Go Edition is a lightweight version of Android designed for smartphones with limited RAM and storage. It uses optimized apps and reduces background processes to improve performance.
❓ Can I expand the storage on either phone?
Yes, both the ZTE Blade A31 Lite and Nokia C20 typically include a MicroSD card slot for expandable storage.
