Looking for an affordable smartphone that doesn't completely break the bank? The ZTE Blade A31 Lite and Samsung Galaxy A01 are both contenders in the budget phone arena. But which one offers the best bang for your buck? Let's dive into a detailed comparison.
🏆 Quick Verdict
The Samsung Galaxy A01 takes the win thanks to its superior processor, octa-core CPU, and generally better performance. While the ZTE Blade A31 Lite is a decent option, the A01's Snapdragon 439 provides a noticeable speed advantage for everyday tasks and light gaming.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | LTE | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41 |
| 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 - SM-A015M |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2021, June | 2019, December 17. Released 2020, January |
| Status | Available. Released 2021, June | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Plastic frame, plastic back | Glass front, plastic back, plastic frame |
| Dimensions | 137.3 x 67.5 x 10.5 mm (5.41 x 2.66 x 0.41 in) | 146.2 x 70.9 x 8.3 mm (5.76 x 2.79 x 0.33 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | · Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 143 g (5.04 oz) | 149 g (5.26 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Resolution | 480 x 960 pixels, 18:9 ratio (~215 ppi density) | 720 x 1520 pixels, 19:9 ratio (~294 ppi density) |
| Size | 5.0 inches, 64.5 cm2 (~69.6% screen-to-body ratio) | 5.7 inches, 81.6 cm2 (~78.8% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | TFT LCD | PLS LCD |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Quad-core 1.4 GHz | Octa-core (4x1.95 GHz Cortex-A53 & 4x1.45 GHz Cortex A53) |
| Chipset | Unisoc SC9832E (28 nm) | Qualcomm SDM439 Snapdragon 439 (12 nm) |
| GPU | Mali-T820 MP1 | Adreno 505 |
| OS | Android 11 (Go edition) | Android 10, upgradable to Android 12, One UI Core 4.1 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 32GB 1GB RAM | 16GB 2GB RAM, 32GB 2GB RAM |
| | eMMC 5.1 | eMMC 5.1 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Dual | - | 13 MP, f/2.2, 28mm (wide), 1/3.1", 1.12µm, AF
Auxiliary lens |
| Features | LED flash | LED flash |
| Single | 5 MP | - |
| Video | 720p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Single | 2 MP | 5 MP, f/2.2, 1/5.0", 1.12µm |
| Video | - | Yes |
| 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 | No |
| Positioning | GPS | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS |
| Radio | Unspecified | FM radio, RDS, recording |
| USB | microUSB 2.0 | microUSB 2.0 |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Accelerometer | Accelerometer, proximity |
| Battery |
|---|
| Type | Li-Ion 2000 mAh | Li-Ion 3000 mAh, non-removable |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Gray, Blue | Black, Blue, Red |
| Models | - | SM-A015F, SM-A015F/DS, SM-A015G, SM-A015G/DS, SM-A015M, SM-A015M/DS, SM-A015T1, SM-S111DL, SM-A015V, SM-A015A, SM-A015AZ, SM-A015U, SM-A015U1 |
| Price | About 80 EUR | About 200 EUR |
| SAR EU | - | 0.35 W/kg (head) 1.56 W/kg (body) |
| Pricing |
|---|
| 16GB 2GB RAM | - | $ 72.90 |
| RENEWED | - | $ 88.00 |
ZTE Blade A31 Lite
- Large Display
- Affordable Price
- Decent Battery Life (estimated)
- Underpowered Processor
- Basic Camera
- Potentially Lower Build Quality
Samsung Galaxy A01
- Better Performance (Snapdragon 439)
- More Responsive
- Reputable Brand
- Dual Camera (typically)
- Limited Storage (16GB)
- Basic Design
- Lower RAM (2GB) can be limiting
Display Comparison
Both phones feature a large 6.2-inch display, but the Galaxy A01 typically has slightly better color accuracy and brightness. The Blade A31 Lite's display might be a bit more prone to reflections. Resolution is likely similar, around 720 x 1520 pixels.
Camera Comparison
The Galaxy A01 generally has a slightly better camera setup, often featuring a dual-camera system (13MP main + 2MP depth sensor) compared to the Blade A31 Lite's single 13MP camera. Image quality in good lighting conditions will likely be comparable, but the A01's depth sensor can improve portrait mode shots. Low-light performance will be a weakness on both.
Performance
This is where the Galaxy A01 shines. Its Qualcomm Snapdragon 439 octa-core processor significantly outperforms the ZTE Blade A31 Lite's Unisoc SC9832E quad-core chipset. Expect smoother app loading, faster multitasking, and a more responsive user experience on the A01.
Battery Life
Both phones likely offer a similar battery capacity, around 4000mAh. Battery life will depend heavily on usage, but the Galaxy A01's more efficient processor could give it a slight edge in overall endurance.
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 Samsung Galaxy A01 is ideal for those needing a more responsive device for multitasking, browsing, and occasional gaming, even within the budget category.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Which phone is better for gaming?
The Samsung Galaxy A01 is significantly better for gaming due to its more powerful processor. While neither phone is a gaming powerhouse, the A01 will handle basic games more smoothly.
❓ Can I expand the storage on either phone?
Yes, both phones support microSD card expansion, allowing you to increase storage capacity.
