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 Xiaomi Redmi A2. Let's dive into a detailed comparison to see which phone emerges as the winner.
🏆 Quick Verdict
The Xiaomi Redmi A2 edges out the ZTE Blade A31 Plus thanks to its more efficient chipset, slightly better performance, and inclusion of 10W charging. While both are budget options, the Redmi A2 offers a more polished experience overall, especially considering its price point.
| 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 | 1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41 | 1, 3, 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 | 2023, March 24 |
| Status | Available. Released 2021, October 31 | Available. Released 2023, March 24 |
| Body |
|---|
| Dimensions | 159.2 x 77.5 x 9.6 mm (6.27 x 3.05 x 0.38 in) | 164.9 x 76.8 x 9.1 mm (6.49 x 3.02 x 0.36 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | - | 192 g (6.77 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) | 6.52 inches, 102.6 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 (4x2.2 GHz Cortex-A53 & 4x1.7 GHz Cortex-A53) |
| Chipset | Unisoc SC9863A (28 nm) | Mediatek Helio G36 (12 nm) |
| GPU | IMG8322 | PowerVR GE8320 |
| OS | Android 11 (Go edition) | Android 12 or 13 (Go edition), MIUI |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 32GB 1GB RAM | 32GB 2GB RAM, 32GB 3GB RAM, 64GB 2GB RAM, 64GB 3GB RAM, 64GB 4GB RAM |
| | eMMC 5.1 | eMMC 5.1 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Dual | - | 8 MP, f/2.0, (wide)
0.08 MP (depth) |
| Features | LED flash, HDR | Dual-LED flash, HDR |
| Single | 5 MP (up-scaled to 8 MP) | 8 MP, f/2.0, (wide)
Auxiliary lens |
| Video | 720p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Single | 2 MP (up-scaled to 5 MP) | 5 MP, f/2.2 |
| 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, GALILEO, BDS |
| Radio | FM radio | FM radio |
| USB | microUSB 2.0 | microUSB 2.0 |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Accelerometer | Accelerometer |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | - | 10W wired |
| Type | Li-Ion 3000 mAh | Li-Po 5000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Blue, Gray | Aqua Blue, Classic Black, Sea Green |
| Models | - | 23028RN4DG, 23026RN54G |
| Price | - | € 59.00 / £ 54.95 |
| SAR | - | 1.10 W/kg (head) 1.01 W/kg (body) |
| SAR EU | - | 0.90 W/kg (head) 1.00 W/kg (body) |
ZTE Blade A31 Plus
- Larger Display
- Long Battery Life
- Affordable Price
- Less Powerful Chipset
- Slower Performance
- No Fast Charging
Xiaomi Redmi A2
- More Efficient Chipset
- Slightly Better Performance
- Modern Design
- 10W Charging
- Smaller Display (compared to A31 Plus)
- Modest Camera Quality
- Limited Features
Display Comparison
Both phones feature large displays, but the Redmi A2's display is generally considered to have slightly better color accuracy and brightness. The Blade A31 Plus boasts a larger screen size, which may appeal to those who consume a lot of media.
Camera Comparison
Camera quality on both devices is modest, typical for their price range. The Redmi A2 likely has a slight edge in image processing and low-light performance, but both will produce acceptable results for casual photography. Both likely have an 8MP main camera and a 2MP depth sensor.
Performance
The Redmi A2's MediaTek Helio G36 chipset, built on a 12nm process, provides a noticeable performance advantage over the ZTE Blade A31 Plus's Unisoc SC9863A (28nm). Expect smoother multitasking and app loading on the Redmi A2.
Battery Life
The ZTE Blade A31 Plus typically features a larger battery capacity (5000mAh) compared to the Redmi A2 (5000mAh). However, the Redmi A2's more efficient chipset means it may offer comparable or even slightly better battery life in real-world usage.
Buying Guide
The ZTE Blade A31 Plus is ideal for users prioritizing a larger display and extended battery life on a tight budget. The Xiaomi Redmi A2 is a better choice for those seeking slightly improved performance, a more modern design, and the convenience of wired charging.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Which phone is better for gaming?
The Xiaomi Redmi A2 is the better choice for gaming due to its more powerful chipset. However, don't expect high-end gaming performance from either device.
❓ Does either phone have NFC?
Neither the ZTE Blade A31 Plus nor the Xiaomi Redmi A2 typically include NFC for contactless payments.
❓ What is the storage capacity of each phone?
Both phones usually come with 32GB of internal storage, expandable via microSD card.
