Looking for an affordable smartphone that doesn't completely break the bank? The ZTE Blade A31 Lite and Samsung Galaxy A21s 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 to help you decide.
🏆 Quick Verdict
The Samsung Galaxy A21s is the clear winner. While the ZTE Blade A31 Lite is budget-friendly, the A21s boasts a significantly more powerful processor, better display, and longer software support, making it a more compelling choice overall.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | LTE | 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 | 2021, June | 2020, May 15. Released 2020, June 02 |
| Status | Available. Released 2021, June | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Plastic frame, plastic back | Glass front, plastic frame, plastic back |
| Dimensions | 137.3 x 67.5 x 10.5 mm (5.41 x 2.66 x 0.41 in) | 163.7 x 75.3 x 8.9 mm (6.44 x 2.96 x 0.35 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | · Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 143 g (5.04 oz) | 192 g (6.77 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Resolution | 480 x 960 pixels, 18:9 ratio (~215 ppi density) | 720 x 1600 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~270 ppi density) |
| Size | 5.0 inches, 64.5 cm2 (~69.6% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.5 inches, 102.0 cm2 (~82.8% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | TFT LCD | PLS LCD |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Quad-core 1.4 GHz | Octa-core (4x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55 & 4x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55) |
| Chipset | Unisoc SC9832E (28 nm) | Exynos 850 (8 nm) |
| GPU | Mali-T820 MP1 | Mali-G52 |
| OS | Android 11 (Go edition) | Android 10, upgradable to Android 12, One UI 4.1 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 32GB 1GB RAM | 32GB 2GB RAM, 32GB 3GB RAM, 32GB 4GB RAM, 64GB 3GB RAM, 64GB 4GB RAM, 64GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 2GB RAM, 128GB 3GB RAM, 128GB 4/6GB RAM |
| | eMMC 5.1 | eMMC 5.1 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash | LED flash, panorama, HDR |
| Quad | - | 48 MP, f/2.0, 26mm (wide), 1/2.0", 0.8µm, PDAF
8 MP, f/2.2, 123˚ (ultrawide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm
2 MP (macro)
Auxiliary lens |
| Single | 5 MP | - |
| Video | 720p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Single | 2 MP | 13 MP, f/2.2, (wide), 1/3.1", 1.12µm |
| Video | - | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 4.2, A2DP, LE | 5.0, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | No | Yes (market/region dependent) |
| Positioning | GPS | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS |
| Radio | Unspecified | FM radio, RDS, recording |
| 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 | Accelerometer | Fingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | - | 15W wired |
| Type | Li-Ion 2000 mAh | Li-Po 5000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Gray, Blue | Black, White, Blue, Red |
| Models | - | SM-A217F, SM-A217F/DS, SM-A217F/DSN, SM-A217M, SM-A217M/DS, SM-A217N |
| Price | About 80 EUR | About 220 EUR |
| SAR EU | - | 0.42 W/kg (head) 1.54 W/kg (body) |
| Tests |
|---|
| Battery life | - | Endurance rating 119h |
| Camera | - |
Photo / Video |
| Display | - |
Contrast ratio: 1287:1 (nominal) |
| Loudspeaker | - |
-30.0 LUFS (Average) |
| Performance | - |
AnTuTu: 107157 (v8)
GeekBench: 1100 (v5.1)
GFXBench: 11fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) |
ZTE Blade A31 Lite
- Very affordable
- Compact size (likely)
- Decent for basic tasks
- Weak processor
- Dim display
- Limited software support
- Lower camera quality
Samsung Galaxy A21s
- Powerful processor
- Bright and vibrant display
- Excellent battery life
- Better camera
- Samsung's software support
- Slightly more expensive than the Blade A31 Lite
- Older model (potential for limited future updates)
Display Comparison
The Samsung Galaxy A21s takes the display crown. Its 490 nits brightness offers better visibility in sunlight compared to the likely dimmer screen of the Blade A31 Lite. Both have a 1287:1 contrast ratio, but the A21s's higher brightness makes a noticeable difference.
Camera Comparison
While both offer 'Photo/Video' capabilities, the Galaxy A21s generally has a more capable camera system. Expect better image quality, dynamic range, and low-light performance from the A21s. Specific camera specs (megapixels, aperture) are needed for a more precise comparison, but the Exynos 850 typically supports better image processing.
Performance
The Exynos 850 in the Galaxy A21s is a substantial upgrade over the Unisoc SC9832E in the Blade A31 Lite. The A21s's octa-core processor provides significantly faster performance for multitasking, gaming, and general use. The Blade A31 Lite's quad-core processor will likely struggle with more demanding tasks.
Battery Life
The Galaxy A21s shines with its exceptional battery life, boasting an endurance rating of 119 hours. This is a significant advantage over the Blade A31 Lite, which likely has a smaller battery and less efficient processor.
Buying Guide
Who should buy the ZTE Blade A31 Lite? Those on the absolute tightest budget who prioritize affordability above all else. Who should buy the Samsung Galaxy A21s? Anyone seeking a reliable, well-rounded budget phone with better performance, a brighter display, and longer software support.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Is the ZTE Blade A31 Lite good for gaming?
The Blade A31 Lite's processor is not ideal for demanding games. You might be able to play some lighter titles, but don't expect smooth performance on high settings.
❓ How long will Samsung support the Galaxy A21s with software updates?
Samsung typically provides several years of software updates for its devices. While the A21s is an older model, it should still receive security patches for a reasonable amount of time.
