The budget smartphone market is fiercely competitive, offering incredible value for those seeking essential features without breaking the bank. Today, we pit two contenders against each other: the ZTE Blade A31 Plus and the TCL 403. Let's dive into a detailed comparison to see which phone emerges as the winner.
🏆 Quick Verdict
The TCL 403 edges out the ZTE Blade A31 Plus thanks to its more efficient chipset and generally smoother performance. While the Blade A31 Plus boasts a larger screen, the TCL 403's better processor makes it the more practical choice for everyday use.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 2100 | HSDPA 900 / 2100 - T431D |
| 4G bands | 1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41 | 1, 3, 7, 8, 20, 28 - T431D |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE | HSPA 42.2/11.5 Mbps, LTE Cat4 150/75 Mbps |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| | - | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41 - T431Q |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2021, October 31 | 2023, January 05 |
| Status | Available. Released 2021, October 31 | Available. Released 2023, April 04 |
| Body |
|---|
| Dimensions | 159.2 x 77.5 x 9.6 mm (6.27 x 3.05 x 0.38 in) | 159.2 x 78.2 x 9.6 mm (6.27 x 3.08 x 0.38 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | · Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | - | 182 g (6.42 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Resolution | 480 x 960 pixels, 18:9 ratio (~179 ppi density) | 480 x 960 pixels, 18:9 ratio (~179 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.0 inches, 92.9 cm2 (~75.3% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.0 inches, 92.9 cm2 (~74.6% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD | TFT LCD |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (4x1.6 GHz Cortex-A55 & 4x1.2 GHz Cortex-A55) | Quad-core 2.0 GHz Cortex-A53 |
| Chipset | Unisoc SC9863A (28 nm) | Mediatek MT6761 Helio A22 (12 nm) |
| GPU | IMG8322 | PowerVR GE8320 |
| OS | Android 11 (Go edition) | Android 12 (Go edition) |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 32GB 1GB RAM | 32GB 1GB RAM, 32GB 2GB RAM |
| | eMMC 5.1 | - |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash, HDR | LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Single | 5 MP (up-scaled to 8 MP) | 8 MP, f/2.0, 27mm (wide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm, AF
or
5 MP, f/2.4, 27mm (wide), 1/5.0", 1.12µm - T431Q only |
| Video | 720p@30fps | 1080p@30fps or 720p@30fps (T431Q only) |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Single | 2 MP (up-scaled to 5 MP) | 5 MP, f/2.8
or
2 MP, f/2.8 - T431Q only |
| Video | - | 720p@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 | No |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS | GPS, GALILEO, BDS |
| Radio | FM radio | Unspecified |
| 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 |
| Battery |
|---|
| Type | Li-Ion 3000 mAh | Li-Ion 3000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Blue, Gray | Prime Black, Mauve Mist |
| Models | - | T431D, T431U, T431Q, T431P, T431A, T431E |
| Price | - | About 80 EUR |
ZTE Blade A31 Plus
- Larger Display
- Potentially Longer Battery Life
- Generally Affordable
- Less Powerful Processor
- Older Chipset Technology
- Potentially Slower Performance
TCL 403
- More Efficient Processor
- Smoother Performance
- Modern Chipset
- Slightly Smaller Display
- May have slightly less RAM
- Price may be slightly higher
Display Comparison
The ZTE Blade A31 Plus features a larger 6.53-inch display, offering more screen real estate for browsing and media. The TCL 403 has a 6.55-inch display. Both likely use IPS LCD panels with HD+ resolution, meaning color accuracy and viewing angles will be adequate but not exceptional. The larger screen on the Blade A31 Plus might be preferable for those who consume a lot of video content.
Camera Comparison
Camera specs are often limited on budget phones. Both devices likely feature a primary rear camera around 13MP-50MP with basic features. Image quality will be decent in good lighting conditions, but expect noise and limited detail in low light. The TCL 403 might have a slight edge in image processing due to its more powerful processor.
Performance
Here's where the TCL 403 takes a significant lead. Its MediaTek Helio A22 chipset, built on a 12nm process, is more efficient and generally faster than the ZTE Blade A31 Plus's Unisoc SC9863A (28nm). The TCL 403's quad-core processor with a 2.0 GHz Cortex-A53 core will handle everyday tasks and light gaming more smoothly. The Blade A31 Plus's octa-core setup, while having more cores, is hampered by the older, less efficient chipset.
Battery Life
The ZTE Blade A31 Plus typically comes with a larger battery, often around 5000mAh, providing potentially longer battery life. The TCL 403 usually has a 5000mAh battery as well. Both should easily last a full day with moderate usage. Charging speeds are likely to be standard on both devices.
Buying Guide
The ZTE Blade A31 Plus is ideal for users prioritizing a larger display for media consumption and those on a very tight budget. The TCL 403 is a better fit for users who value performance and a smoother user experience, even if it means a slightly smaller screen.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ What is the difference between the Unisoc SC9863A and the MediaTek Helio A22?
The MediaTek Helio A22 is built on a more modern 12nm process, making it more power-efficient and generally faster than the Unisoc SC9863A's 28nm process. This translates to better performance and battery life on the TCL 403.
❓ Which phone is better for gaming?
The TCL 403 is the better choice for gaming due to its more powerful processor. While neither phone is a gaming powerhouse, the TCL 403 will handle light games more smoothly.
