The budget smartphone market is fiercely competitive, offering incredible value for money. Today, we're pitting two contenders against each other: the ZTE Blade A31 Plus and the Xiaomi Redmi 9A. Both promise affordability, but which one delivers the better overall experience?
🏆 Quick Verdict
The Xiaomi Redmi 9A edges out the ZTE Blade A31 Plus thanks to its more efficient chipset and slightly better performance. While both are budget options, the Redmi 9A's Helio G25 provides a smoother experience, especially for everyday tasks and light gaming. The 10W charging is a nice addition.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 - International |
| 4G bands | 1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41 | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41 - International |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE | HSPA, LTE |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| | - | 1, 3, 5, 8, 40, 41 - India |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2021, October 31 | 2020, June 30. Released 2020, July 07 |
| Status | Available. Released 2021, October 31 | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Dimensions | 159.2 x 77.5 x 9.6 mm (6.27 x 3.05 x 0.38 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 | - | 196 g (6.91 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Resolution | 480 x 960 pixels, 18:9 ratio (~179 ppi density) | 720 x 1600 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~269 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.0 inches, 92.9 cm2 (~75.3% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.53 inches, 102.9 cm2 (~81.0% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD | IPS LCD, 400 nits (typ) |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (4x1.6 GHz Cortex-A55 & 4x1.2 GHz Cortex-A55) | Octa-core (4x2.0 GHz Cortex-A53 & 4x1.5 GHz Cortex-A53) |
| Chipset | Unisoc SC9863A (28 nm) | Mediatek MT6762G Helio G25 (12 nm) |
| GPU | IMG8322 | PowerVR GE8320 |
| OS | Android 11 (Go edition) | Android 10, upgradable to Android 11, MIUI 12 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 32GB 1GB RAM | 32GB 2GB RAM, 32GB 3GB RAM, 64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM |
| | eMMC 5.1 | eMMC 5.1 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash, HDR | LED flash, HDR |
| Single | 5 MP (up-scaled to 8 MP) | 13 MP, f/2.2, 28mm (wide), 1.0µm, PDAF |
| Video | 720p@30fps | 1080p@30/60fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | - | HDR |
| Single | 2 MP (up-scaled to 5 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 | Yes | No |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS | GPS, GLONASS, BDS |
| Radio | FM radio | FM radio |
| USB | microUSB 2.0 | microUSB 2.0, OTG |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Accelerometer | Accelerometer, proximity |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | - | 10W wired |
| Type | Li-Ion 3000 mAh | Li-Po 5000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Blue, Gray | Carbon Gray (Midnight Black), Sky Blue (Sea Blue), Ocean Green (Nature Green) |
| Models | - | M2006C3LG, M2006C3LI, M2006C3LC, M2004C3L |
| Price | - | € 64.30 / $ 56.50 / £ 95.56 |
| SAR | - | 0.90 W/kg (head) 0.65 W/kg (body) |
| SAR EU | - | 0.40 W/kg (head) 1.19 W/kg (body) |
ZTE Blade A31 Plus
- Larger Display (potentially)
- Potentially more RAM options
- Less efficient chipset
- Unspecified charging speed
- Generally lower performance
Xiaomi Redmi 9A
- More efficient chipset (Helio G25)
- Better performance
- 10W wired charging
- Slightly more modern design
- Camera quality may be average
- Display quality is standard for the price range
Display Comparison
Both phones feature large displays, but the ZTE Blade A31 Plus typically boasts a slightly larger screen size (often around 6.53 inches) compared to the Redmi 9A's 6.53-inch display. Both are likely to be IPS LCD panels with HD+ resolution, offering decent viewing angles but not exceptional color accuracy or brightness. Expect similar display quality overall.
Camera Comparison
Camera performance is likely to be comparable. Both phones typically feature a 13MP main camera and a depth sensor. Image quality will depend heavily on software processing and lighting conditions. Don't expect flagship-level photography from either device, but they should be adequate for casual snapshots.
Performance
Here's where the Redmi 9A takes a lead. The MediaTek Helio G25, built on a 12nm process, is more efficient than the Unisoc SC9863A's 28nm process. This translates to better performance and potentially less thermal throttling. While both are octa-core processors, the Redmi 9A's cores generally clock higher and offer a more responsive experience for basic tasks and light gaming.
Battery Life
Battery life should be solid on both devices, with capacities around 5000mAh. The Redmi 9A's more efficient chipset gives it a slight advantage in terms of longevity. The inclusion of 10W wired charging on the Redmi 9A is a welcome addition, offering a bit faster charging speeds than the Blade A31 Plus, which often lacks specified charging speeds.
Buying Guide
The ZTE Blade A31 Plus is a good choice for users prioritizing a larger display and potentially more RAM (depending on the variant). The Xiaomi Redmi 9A is ideal for those seeking a balance of performance, battery life, and a slightly more modern chipset, making it a better all-around budget pick.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Which phone is better for gaming?
The Xiaomi Redmi 9A is generally better for gaming due to its more efficient and slightly more powerful chipset.
❓ Does the ZTE Blade A31 Plus have faster charging?
No, the ZTE Blade A31 Plus often lacks specified charging speeds, while the Redmi 9A includes 10W wired charging.
❓ Which phone has a better display?
Both phones have similar displays, both are HD+ IPS LCD panels. The ZTE Blade A31 Plus may have a slightly larger screen.
