The sub-$150 smartphone market is fiercely competitive. Both the ZTE Blade A31 Lite and the Xiaomi Redmi 9A Sport aim to deliver essential smartphone functionality at an incredibly accessible price point. However, they take different approaches to achieving this, with significant differences in chipset architecture and processing power. This comparison will break down those differences to help you choose the right device for your needs.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average user prioritizing responsiveness and multitasking, the Xiaomi Redmi 9A Sport is the clear winner. Its Mediatek Helio G25 chipset, with its octa-core configuration, provides a noticeable performance advantage over the ZTE Blade A31 Lite’s quad-core Unisoc SC9832E, making everyday tasks smoother and more enjoyable.
| 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, 8, 40, 41 |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE | HSPA, LTE |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2021, June | 2021, September 28 |
| Status | Available. Released 2021, June | Available. Released 2021, September 28 |
| 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) | 164.9 x 77.1 x 9 mm (6.49 x 3.04 x 0.35 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 143 g (5.04 oz) | 194 g (6.84 oz) |
| | - | Water-repellent coating |
| 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) | 6.53 inches, 102.9 cm2 (~81.0% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | TFT LCD | IPS LCD, 400 nits (typ) |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Quad-core 1.4 GHz | Octa-core (4x2.0 GHz Cortex-A53 & 4x1.5 GHz Cortex-A53) |
| Chipset | Unisoc SC9832E (28 nm) | Mediatek MT6762G Helio G25 (12 nm) |
| GPU | Mali-T820 MP1 | PowerVR GE8320 |
| OS | Android 11 (Go edition) | Android 10, MIUI 12 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 32GB 1GB RAM | 32GB 2GB RAM, 32GB 3GB RAM |
| | eMMC 5.1 | eMMC 5.1 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash | LED flash, HDR |
| Single | 5 MP | 13 MP, f/2.2, 28mm (wide), 1.0µm, PDAF |
| Video | 720p@30fps | 1080p@30/60fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | - | HDR |
| Single | 2 MP | 5 MP, f/2.2, (wide), 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 | No |
| Positioning | GPS | GPS, GLONASS, BDS |
| Radio | Unspecified | FM radio |
| USB | microUSB 2.0 | microUSB 2.0, OTG |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Accelerometer | Accelerometer, proximity |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | - | 10W wired |
| Type | Li-Ion 2000 mAh | Li-Po 5000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Gray, Blue | Carbon Black, Coral Green, Metallic Blue |
| Price | About 80 EUR | About 100 EUR |
ZTE Blade A31 Lite
- Potentially lower price point (depending on retailer)
- Simple and straightforward user experience
- Reliable for basic communication tasks
- Significantly weaker processor performance
- Less efficient chipset (28nm)
- Likely slower app loading times
Xiaomi Redmi 9A Sport
- Faster and more responsive processor (Helio G25)
- More efficient chipset (12nm)
- Includes 10W wired charging
- May be slightly more expensive
- Still limited camera capabilities
- Basic display quality
Display Comparison
Neither device boasts a particularly impressive display. Details regarding panel type (IPS vs TFT) and resolution are missing, but both are likely 720p. The key difference lies in processing power impacting UI smoothness. Display quality will likely be similar, focusing on basic readability rather than color accuracy or high brightness. Bezels are expected to be substantial on both, typical of this price segment.
Camera Comparison
Both devices likely feature basic camera setups. Without specific sensor details, it’s safe to assume both rely on relatively low-resolution sensors. The Redmi 9A Sport may have a slight edge due to Mediatek’s image signal processing capabilities, but image quality will be heavily dependent on lighting conditions. Expect limited low-light performance from both. Any 2MP macro or depth sensors on either device should be considered marketing features rather than significant photographic tools.
Performance
The performance gap is the most significant differentiator. The Xiaomi Redmi 9A Sport’s Mediatek Helio G25 is an octa-core processor built on a more efficient 12nm process, compared to the ZTE Blade A31 Lite’s Unisoc SC9832E, a quad-core chip fabricated on a larger 28nm node. This translates to a substantial advantage for the Redmi 9A Sport in multitasking and app loading times. The Helio G25’s Cortex-A53 cores, while not high-end, are more numerous and clocked higher (2.0 GHz vs 1.4 GHz), providing a more responsive experience. The 28nm process of the Unisoc chip will likely result in higher power consumption for similar tasks.
Battery Life
Battery capacity details are missing for both devices. However, the Redmi 9A Sport includes 10W wired charging, which, while slow by modern standards, is a feature absent from the ZTE Blade A31 Lite’s specifications. The more efficient 12nm Helio G25 chipset in the Redmi 9A Sport will also contribute to better battery life, even with a similar capacity battery, due to reduced power consumption. Expect all-day battery life with moderate usage on both devices, but the Redmi 9A Sport will likely have a slight advantage.
Buying Guide
Buy the ZTE Blade A31 Lite if you need a basic, functional smartphone for calls, texts, and very light app usage, and prioritize simplicity above all else. It's a good choice for first-time smartphone users or those needing a reliable backup device. Buy the Xiaomi Redmi 9A Sport if you prefer a phone capable of handling more demanding tasks like social media browsing, light gaming, and running multiple apps simultaneously. The Redmi 9A Sport offers a better overall user experience for those who want a bit more from their budget smartphone.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Will the Redmi 9A Sport struggle with popular apps like Facebook or WhatsApp?
While not a powerhouse, the Helio G25 in the Redmi 9A Sport is capable of running apps like Facebook and WhatsApp smoothly. You might experience some slowdown with multiple apps open simultaneously, but for typical social media usage, it should be adequate. The ZTE Blade A31 Lite may exhibit more noticeable lag even with fewer apps running.
❓ Is the Redmi 9A Sport suitable for playing mobile games?
The Redmi 9A Sport can handle some light mobile gaming, but don't expect high frame rates or demanding graphics settings. Games like PUBG Mobile will likely need to be played on the lowest settings. The Unisoc SC9832E in the ZTE Blade A31 Lite is less suited for gaming, even at minimal settings.
❓ How long will the battery last on the ZTE Blade A31 Lite with typical use?
With typical use (calls, texts, occasional browsing), the ZTE Blade A31 Lite should last a full day on a single charge. However, the less efficient Unisoc processor means battery life will be more heavily impacted by demanding tasks compared to the Redmi 9A Sport.
❓ Does the Redmi 9A Sport support fast charging?
The Redmi 9A Sport supports 10W wired charging, which is considered slow by today's standards. It will take several hours to fully charge the device from 0% to 100%. The ZTE Blade A31 Lite does not specify a charging standard.
