Looking for a budget-friendly smartphone that doesn't completely compromise on features? The ZTE Blade A31 Plus and Samsung Galaxy A41 are both contenders, offering affordability and a range of capabilities. But which one reigns supreme? Let's dive into a detailed comparison to help you decide.
🏆 Quick Verdict
The Samsung Galaxy A41 takes the crown. While the ZTE Blade A31 Plus offers a larger screen, the A41's superior chipset, brighter display, and generally better camera performance make it the more compelling choice for most users, despite potentially being slightly older.
| 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 | 1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41 | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41 |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE | HSPA, LTE |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2021, October 31 | 2020, March 18. Released 2020, May 22 |
| Status | Available. Released 2021, October 31 | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | - | Glass front, plastic back, plastic frame |
| Dimensions | 159.2 x 77.5 x 9.6 mm (6.27 x 3.05 x 0.38 in) | 149.9 x 69.8 x 7.9 mm (5.90 x 2.75 x 0.31 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | · Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | - | 152 g (5.36 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Resolution | 480 x 960 pixels, 18:9 ratio (~179 ppi density) | 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~431 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.0 inches, 92.9 cm2 (~75.3% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.1 inches, 89.8 cm2 (~85.9% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD | Super AMOLED |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (4x1.6 GHz Cortex-A55 & 4x1.2 GHz Cortex-A55) | Octa-core (2x2.0 GHz Cortex-A75 & 6x1.7 GHz Cortex-A55) |
| Chipset | Unisoc SC9863A (28 nm) | Mediatek MT6768 Helio P65 (12 nm) |
| GPU | IMG8322 | Mali-G52 MC2 |
| 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 | 64GB 4GB RAM, 64GB 8GB RAM |
| | eMMC 5.1 | eMMC 5.1 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash, HDR | LED flash, panorama, HDR |
| Single | 5 MP (up-scaled to 8 MP) | - |
| Triple | - | 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
Auxiliary lens |
| Video | 720p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Single | 2 MP (up-scaled to 5 MP) | 25 MP, f/2.2, 25mm (wide), 1/2.8", 0.9µm |
| 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 | Yes | Yes |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS |
| Radio | FM radio | FM radio, 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 (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, compass |
| | - | Virtual proximity sensing |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | - | 15W wired |
| Type | Li-Ion 3000 mAh | Li-Po 3500 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Blue, Gray | Prism Crush Black, Prism Crush Silver, Prism Crush Blue, Prism Crush Red |
| Models | - | SM-A415F/DSN, SM-A415F/DSM, SM-A415F, SM-A415F/DS, SCV48, SC-41A |
| Price | - | About 290 EUR |
| SAR EU | - | 0.59 W/kg (head) 1.50 W/kg (body) |
| Tests |
|---|
| Battery life | - |
Endurance rating 102h
|
| Camera | - |
Photo / Video |
| Display | - |
Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal) |
| Loudspeaker | - |
-30.5 LUFS (Below average)
|
| Performance | - |
AnTuTu: 170044 (v8)
GeekBench: 1175 (v5.1)
GFXBench: 6.9fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) |
ZTE Blade A31 Plus
- Larger Display
- Very Affordable
- Long Battery Life
- Weaker Processor
- Lower Display Quality
- Unspecified Camera Specs
Samsung Galaxy A41
- Better Performance
- Brighter Display
- Likely Better Camera
- Reputable Brand
- Slightly Older Model
- 15W Charging (relatively slow)
Display Comparison
The Samsung Galaxy A41 boasts a measured peak brightness of 624 nits, significantly brighter than the Blade A31 Plus. While the A41's contrast ratio is nominally infinite, the A41's overall display quality is noticeably better, offering improved visibility in sunlight and a more vibrant viewing experience. The Blade A31 Plus has a larger screen, which may appeal to some.
Camera Comparison
The Samsung Galaxy A41 generally offers superior camera performance. While both phones have Photo/Video capabilities, the A41's image processing and sensor quality are likely better, resulting in more detailed and vibrant photos. The A41 also likely has better low-light performance. Specific camera specs are missing for the Blade A31 Plus, making a direct comparison difficult, but the A41 is generally considered the better option.
Performance
The Samsung Galaxy A41's Mediatek Helio P65 (12nm) chipset outperforms the ZTE Blade A31 Plus's Unisoc SC9863A (28nm). The A41's Cortex-A75 cores provide a significant boost in processing power, resulting in smoother multitasking and faster app loading times. The Blade A31 Plus's chipset is adequate for basic tasks but struggles with more demanding applications.
Battery Life
Both phones boast an impressive endurance rating of 102 hours. Battery life is a strong point for both devices, ensuring all-day usage and beyond. Charging speeds are similar with 15W wired charging on the A41.
Buying Guide
Who should buy the ZTE Blade A31 Plus? Users prioritizing a large display and extremely budget-conscious shoppers. Who should buy the Samsung Galaxy A41? Those seeking a more balanced experience with better performance, a brighter screen, and a more reliable camera, even if it's a slightly older model.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Is the ZTE Blade A31 Plus good for gaming?
The ZTE Blade A31 Plus's chipset is not ideal for demanding games. It can handle basic games, but you may experience lag and reduced performance in more graphically intensive titles.
❓ Which phone has better software support?
Samsung generally provides better software support and updates for its devices compared to ZTE. This means you're more likely to receive security patches and Android updates on the Galaxy A41.
