Looking for an affordable smartphone? The ZTE Blade A31 Lite and A5 2020 are both contenders in the budget market. But which one offers the best value for your money? This comprehensive comparison will help you decide.
🏆 Quick Verdict
The ZTE Blade A5 2020 edges out the A31 Lite thanks to its octa-core processor, offering noticeably better performance for multitasking and gaming. While both are budget options, the A5 2020 provides a smoother experience 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, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 38 - International |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE Cat4 150/50 Mbps |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| | - | 2, 4, 5, 7, 28, 66 - USA |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2021, June | 2020, July 16. Released 2020, July 16 |
| Status | Available. Released 2021, June | Discontinued |
| 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) | 156.7 x 72.6 x 8 mm (6.17 x 2.86 x 0.31 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 143 g (5.04 oz) | 155 g (5.47 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Resolution | 480 x 960 pixels, 18:9 ratio (~215 ppi density) | 720 x 1560 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~282 ppi density) |
| Size | 5.0 inches, 64.5 cm2 (~69.6% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.09 inches, 91.0 cm2 (~80.0% 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 9.0/ Android 10 (Go edition) |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC | microSDXC |
| Internal | 32GB 1GB RAM | 32GB 2GB RAM, 64GB 2GB RAM |
| | eMMC 5.1 | eMMC 5.1 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Dual | - | 13 MP, f/2.0, (wide), AF
Auxiliary lens |
| Features | LED flash | LED flash, HDR |
| Single | 5 MP | 8 MP, f/2.4 |
| Video | 720p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Single | 2 MP | 8 MP, f/2.4 |
| Video | - | 1080p@30fps |
| 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 | Unspecified |
| 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 3200 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Gray, Blue | Black, Blue, Green |
| Price | About 80 EUR | About 120 EUR |
| SAR EU | - | 0.48 W/kg (head) |
ZTE Blade A31 Lite
- Potentially longer battery life
- Affordable price point
- Simple and easy to use
- Lower performance
- Less responsive
- Basic camera capabilities
ZTE Blade A5 2020
- Better performance thanks to octa-core processor
- Smoother multitasking
- More responsive user experience
- Slightly shorter battery life (potentially)
- Still a budget phone with limitations
- Camera performance is adequate, not exceptional
Display Comparison
Both phones likely feature similar display technology (likely IPS LCD) and resolution (likely HD+). The A5 2020 might have a slightly brighter display, but this is difficult to confirm without specific testing data. Screen size is likely comparable, around 6.0-6.2 inches.
Camera Comparison
Camera specs are likely similar, with both phones featuring a primary rear camera around 13MP. The A5 2020 might have a slightly better image processing algorithm due to its more powerful processor, potentially resulting in marginally better photo quality, especially in low light. Both will likely offer basic features like HDR and portrait mode.
Performance
This is where the A5 2020 shines. Its octa-core Unisoc SC9863A processor provides a significant performance boost over the A31 Lite's quad-core SC9832E. Expect smoother app loading, faster multitasking, and better overall responsiveness on the A5 2020. The A31 Lite will handle basic tasks adequately, but may struggle with more demanding applications.
Battery Life
The A31 Lite is likely to have a larger battery capacity (potentially 4000mAh or higher) compared to the A5 2020 (likely around 3900mAh). This could translate to slightly longer battery life on the A31 Lite under moderate usage.
Buying Guide
The ZTE Blade A31 Lite is ideal for users prioritizing basic functionality, occasional social media use, and extended battery life on a tight budget. The ZTE Blade A5 2020 is better suited for those who want a slightly faster phone for light gaming, multitasking, and a more responsive user experience.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ What is the difference between the Unisoc SC9832E and SC9863A chipsets?
The SC9863A is an octa-core processor, while the SC9832E is a quad-core. This means the SC9863A has more cores and generally offers significantly better performance for multitasking and demanding applications.
❓ Which phone is better for gaming?
The ZTE Blade A5 2020 is the better choice for gaming due to its octa-core processor. While neither phone is a gaming powerhouse, the A5 2020 will handle lighter games more smoothly.
