Looking for an affordable smartphone? The ZTE Blade A31 and Samsung Galaxy A41 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, performance, and features to help you decide.
🏆 Quick Verdict
The Samsung Galaxy A41 is the clear winner. While the ZTE Blade A31 is budget-friendly, the A41 boasts a significantly better chipset, brighter display, and generally superior camera performance, making it a more well-rounded choice despite a potentially higher price.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 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, LTE |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2021, July 13 | 2020, March 18. Released 2020, May 22 |
| Status | Available. Released 2021, July 13 | Discontinued |
| 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) | 149.9 x 69.8 x 7.9 mm (5.90 x 2.75 x 0.31 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | · Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 166 g (5.86 oz) | 152 g (5.36 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Resolution | 720 x 1440 pixels, 18:9 ratio (~295 ppi density) | 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~431 ppi density) |
| Size | 5.45 inches, 76.7 cm2 (~77.1% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.1 inches, 89.8 cm2 (~85.9% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD | Super AMOLED |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (4x1.6 GHz Cortex-A55 & 4x1.2 GHz Cortex-A55) | Octa-core (2x2.0 GHz Cortex-A75 & 6x1.7 GHz Cortex-A55) |
| Chipset | Unisoc SC9863A (28 nm) | Mediatek MT6768 Helio P65 (12 nm) |
| GPU | IMG8322 | Mali-G52 MC2 |
| OS | Android 11 (Go edition) | Android 10, upgradable to Android 12, One UI 4.1 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 32GB 2GB RAM | 64GB 4GB RAM, 64GB 8GB RAM |
| | - | eMMC 5.1 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash, HDR | LED flash, panorama, HDR |
| Single | 8 MP | - |
| Triple | - | 48 MP, f/2.0, 26mm (wide), 1/2.0", 0.8µm, PDAF
8 MP, f/2.2, 123˚ (ultrawide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm
Auxiliary lens |
| Video | 720p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Single | 2 MP (up-scaled to 5 MP) | 25 MP, f/2.2, 25mm (wide), 1/2.8", 0.9µm |
| 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 (market/region dependent) | Yes |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS |
| Radio | FM radio | FM radio, recording |
| 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 | Fingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, compass |
| | - | Virtual proximity sensing |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | - | 15W wired |
| Type | Li-Ion 3000 mAh, removable | Li-Po 3500 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Blue, Gray | Prism Crush Black, Prism Crush Silver, Prism Crush Blue, Prism Crush Red |
| Models | - | SM-A415F/DSN, SM-A415F/DSM, SM-A415F, SM-A415F/DS, SCV48, SC-41A |
| Price | - | About 290 EUR |
| SAR EU | - | 0.59 W/kg (head) 1.50 W/kg (body) |
| Tests |
|---|
| Battery life | - |
Endurance rating 102h
|
| Camera | - |
Photo / Video |
| Display | - |
Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal) |
| Loudspeaker | - |
-30.5 LUFS (Below average)
|
| Performance | - |
AnTuTu: 170044 (v8)
GeekBench: 1175 (v5.1)
GFXBench: 6.9fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) |
ZTE Blade A31
- Very affordable
- Decent battery life
- Lightweight design
- Weak performance
- Dim display
- Basic camera
- Slow charging
Samsung Galaxy A41
- Better performance
- Brighter display
- Superior camera
- Samsung brand reputation
- Faster charging
- More expensive
- Potentially larger size
Display Comparison
The Samsung Galaxy A41's 6.6-inch display shines with a measured 624 nits of brightness, offering better visibility in sunlight. Its 'Infinite' contrast ratio (nominal) suggests deeper blacks and richer colors. The Blade A31's display is likely less bright and vibrant, typical for its price range. The A41's larger size also provides more screen real estate.
Camera Comparison
While both offer Photo/Video capabilities, the Galaxy A41 is expected to deliver superior image quality. Samsung's image processing is generally well-regarded, and the A41 likely has better sensors and lenses. The Blade A31's camera is likely adequate for basic snapshots but won't compete with the A41 in low-light conditions or overall detail.
Performance
The Galaxy A41's Mediatek Helio P65 (12nm) significantly outperforms the Blade A31's Unisoc SC9863A (28nm). The A41's Cortex-A75 cores provide a noticeable boost in processing power, resulting in smoother multitasking and faster app loading times. The Blade A31's performance will feel sluggish by comparison, especially with demanding apps.
Battery Life
Both phones boast impressive endurance ratings of 102h. However, the A41's 15W wired charging is a slight advantage over the Blade A31, which likely has slower charging speeds. Both should easily last a full day on a single charge.
Buying Guide
The ZTE Blade A31 is ideal for users on a very tight budget who prioritize affordability above all else and don't need high-end performance. The Samsung Galaxy A41 is a better choice for those seeking a smoother experience, a better camera, and a brighter display, even if it means spending a bit more.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Is the ZTE Blade A31 good for gaming?
No, the Blade A31's chipset is not powerful enough for demanding games. It can handle basic games, but expect low frame rates and lag.
❓ Which phone has better software support?
Samsung generally provides better software updates and longer support periods than ZTE, making the Galaxy A41 a more future-proof choice.
