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 and the Samsung Galaxy A04. Let's dive into a detailed comparison to see which phone emerges as the winner.
🏆 Quick Verdict
The Samsung Galaxy A04 edges out the ZTE Blade A31 thanks to its more efficient chipset and slightly better overall performance. While both are budget options, the A04's superior processor and Samsung's brand recognition give it a slight advantage for everyday use.
| 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 | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41 |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE Cat4 150/50 Mbps |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2021, July 13 | 2022, August 24 |
| Status | Available. Released 2021, July 13 | Available. Released 2022, October 10 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | - | Glass front, plastic back, plastic frame |
| Dimensions | 140 x 71 x 8.9 mm (5.51 x 2.80 x 0.35 in) | 164.4 x 76.3 x 9.1 mm (6.47 x 3.00 x 0.36 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | · Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 166 g (5.86 oz) | 192 g (6.77 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Resolution | 720 x 1440 pixels, 18:9 ratio (~295 ppi density) | 720 x 1600 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~270 ppi density) |
| Size | 5.45 inches, 76.7 cm2 (~77.1% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.5 inches, 102.0 cm2 (~81.3% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD | PLS LCD |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (4x1.6 GHz Cortex-A55 & 4x1.2 GHz Cortex-A55) | Octa-core (4x2.3 GHz Cortex-A53 & 4x1.8 GHz Cortex-A53) |
| Chipset | Unisoc SC9863A (28 nm) | Mediatek MT6765 Helio P35 (12 nm) |
| GPU | IMG8322 | PowerVR GE8320 |
| OS | Android 11 (Go edition) | Android 12, upgradable to Android 13, One UI Core 5.0 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 32GB 2GB RAM | 32GB 3GB RAM, 32GB 4GB RAM, 64GB 3GB RAM, 64GB 4GB RAM, 64GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM |
| | - | eMMC 5.1 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Dual | - | 50 MP, f/1.8, 25mm (wide), 1/2.51", 0.7µm, AF
Auxiliary lens |
| Features | LED flash, HDR | LED flash |
| Single | 8 MP | 5 MP, f/2.2 |
| Video | 720p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Single | 2 MP (up-scaled to 5 MP) | 5 MP, f/2.2, 28mm (wide), 1/5", 1.12µm |
| Video | - | Yes |
| 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 (market/region dependent) | No |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS |
| Radio | FM radio | Unspecified |
| 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 | Accelerometer, proximity |
| Battery |
|---|
| Type | Li-Ion 3000 mAh, removable | Li-Po 5000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Blue, Gray | Black, Green, White, Copper |
| Models | - | SM-A045F, SM-A045F/DS, SM-A045M |
| Price | - | About 70 EUR |
| SAR EU | - | 0.32 W/kg (head) 1.10 W/kg (body) |
ZTE Blade A31
- Very affordable
- Large display
- Decent battery life
- Less powerful chipset
- Potentially slower performance
- Basic camera
Samsung Galaxy A04
- More efficient chipset
- Samsung brand reputation
- Slightly better camera processing
- Still a budget phone
- Slow charging
- Basic design
Display Comparison
Both phones feature large, LCD displays, likely around 6.5 inches. Expect similar resolutions (likely HD+). The Samsung Galaxy A04 might offer slightly better color accuracy and viewing angles due to Samsung's display technology, but the difference will be minimal at this price point. Brightness will likely be comparable, adequate for indoor use but potentially struggling in direct sunlight.
Camera Comparison
Camera specs are likely similar – both will feature a primary camera around 13MP, potentially with a depth sensor. Image quality will depend heavily on software processing. Samsung generally has a slight edge in image processing, potentially delivering slightly more vibrant and detailed photos, especially in good lighting. Low-light performance will be average on both.
Performance
Here's where the Samsung Galaxy A04 pulls ahead. Its MediaTek Helio P35 chipset (12nm) is more efficient and powerful than the Unisoc SC9863A (28nm) in the Blade A31. The A04's Cortex-A53 cores generally outperform the A55 cores in the Blade A31, resulting in smoother multitasking and app loading. Expect the A31 to feel slightly sluggish under heavier loads.
Battery Life
Both phones likely pack a 5000mAh battery, promising all-day battery life with moderate usage. However, the A04's more efficient chipset could translate to slightly better real-world battery performance. Charging speeds are likely to be slow on both, probably around 10W.
Buying Guide
The ZTE Blade A31 is a good choice for users prioritizing a very affordable device for basic tasks like calling, texting, and light social media. The Samsung Galaxy A04 is better suited for those needing a bit more performance for multitasking and occasional gaming, and who value the Samsung ecosystem.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Which phone has better gaming performance?
The Samsung Galaxy A04's Helio P35 chipset provides noticeably better gaming performance compared to the ZTE Blade A31's Unisoc SC9863A. However, don't expect high frame rates or demanding titles to run flawlessly on either device.
❓ Are these phones 5G compatible?
No, neither the ZTE Blade A31 nor the Samsung Galaxy A04 support 5G connectivity. They are both 4G LTE devices.
