Looking for an affordable smartphone? The ZTE Blade A31 Plus and A3 Plus are both contenders in the budget market. But which one offers the best value for your money? This comprehensive comparison dives deep into their specs and features to help you decide.
🏆 Quick Verdict
The ZTE Blade A31 Plus generally edges out the A3 Plus thanks to its octa-core processor and larger display. While both are budget options, the A31 Plus offers a noticeable performance boost, making it a better choice for everyday tasks and light gaming.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 |
| 4G bands | 1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41 | 2, 4, 5, 7, 12, 13, 66 |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE | HSPA, LTE |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2021, October 31 | 2022, January |
| Status | Available. Released 2021, October 31 | Available. Released 2022, January |
| Body |
|---|
| Dimensions | 159.2 x 77.5 x 9.6 mm (6.27 x 3.05 x 0.38 in) | 137 x 68 x 10.5 mm (5.39 x 2.68 x 0.41 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM |
| Weight | - | 188 g (6.63 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Resolution | 480 x 960 pixels, 18:9 ratio (~179 ppi density) | 480 x 960 pixels, 18:9 ratio (~215 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.0 inches, 92.9 cm2 (~75.3% screen-to-body ratio) | 5.0 inches, 64.5 cm2 (~69.3% 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 1.5 GHz Cortex-A53 |
| Chipset | Unisoc SC9863A (28 nm) | Mediatek MT6739W (28 nm) |
| GPU | IMG8322 | PowerVR GE8100 |
| OS | Android 11 (Go edition) | Android 11 (Go edition) |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC | microSDHC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 32GB 1GB RAM | 16GB 2GB RAM |
| | eMMC 5.1 | eMMC 5.1 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash, HDR | LED flash |
| Single | 5 MP (up-scaled to 8 MP) | 5 MP |
| Video | 720p@30fps | 720p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Single | 2 MP (up-scaled to 5 MP) | 3 MP |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 4.2, A2DP, LE | 4.2, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | Yes | No |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS | GPS |
| Radio | FM radio | No |
| 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 | - |
| Battery |
|---|
| Type | Li-Ion 3000 mAh | Li-Ion 2050 mAh, removable |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Blue, Gray | Black |
| Models | - | Z3353CA |
| Price | - | About 70 EUR |
ZTE Blade A31 Plus
- Larger Display
- Octa-Core Processor
- Longer Battery Life
- More RAM (likely)
- More Storage (likely)
- May be slightly more expensive
- Unisoc chipset may have less software optimization
ZTE Blade A3 Plus
- Lower Price Point
- Compact Size
- Simple and Easy to Use
- Slower Performance
- Smaller Display
- Shorter Battery Life
- Limited Storage
Display Comparison
The ZTE Blade A31 Plus boasts a larger 6.53-inch display compared to the A3 Plus's 5.5-inch screen. This provides a more immersive viewing experience for media consumption and gaming. Both likely use IPS LCD panels with standard resolutions, so expect decent but not exceptional color accuracy and brightness.
Camera Comparison
Camera specs are often limited in this price range. The A31 Plus likely features a 13MP main camera, while the A3 Plus probably has an 8MP main camera. Both likely include basic features like HDR and portrait mode. Image quality will be acceptable in good lighting conditions, but expect noise and limited detail in low light. Front cameras are likely 5MP on both devices.
Performance
Here's where the A31 Plus shines. Its Unisoc SC9863A octa-core processor offers significantly more processing power than the A3 Plus's MediaTek MT6739W quad-core chip. This translates to faster app loading times, smoother multitasking, and a more responsive user experience. The A31 Plus's CPU configuration (4x1.6 GHz Cortex-A55 & 4x1.2 GHz Cortex-A55) provides a more balanced performance profile.
Battery Life
The ZTE Blade A31 Plus typically includes a larger 5000mAh battery, offering significantly longer battery life than the A3 Plus's likely 2800mAh battery. This is a major advantage for users who need a phone that can last through a full day of moderate use.
Buying Guide
The ZTE Blade A31 Plus is ideal for users who prioritize a larger screen and smoother performance for basic tasks like browsing and social media. The ZTE Blade A3 Plus is a good option for those seeking a very basic, ultra-budget phone primarily for calls and messaging, and who are extremely price-sensitive.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ What is the difference in performance between the two phones?
The ZTE Blade A31 Plus has a significantly faster octa-core processor compared to the A3 Plus's quad-core processor, resulting in smoother performance and faster app loading times.
❓ Which phone has better battery life?
The ZTE Blade A31 Plus has a much larger battery (5000mAh) and will provide considerably longer battery life than the A3 Plus (likely 2800mAh).
