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 F04. Let's dive into a detailed comparison to see which phone emerges as the winner.
🏆 Quick Verdict
The Samsung Galaxy F04 edges out the ZTE Blade A31 thanks to its more efficient chipset, slightly better performance, and the added benefit of 15W charging. While both are budget options, the F04 offers a more polished experience overall.
| 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, LTE |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2021, July 13 | 2023, January 04 |
| Status | Available. Released 2021, July 13 | Available. Released 2023, January 12 |
| 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) | 164.2 x 75.9 x 9.1 mm (6.46 x 2.99 x 0.36 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 166 g (5.86 oz) | 188 g (6.63 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 (~81.8% 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 (4x2.35 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, One UI |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 32GB 2GB RAM | 64GB 4GB RAM |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Dual | - | 13 MP, f/2.2, (wide), AF
Auxiliary lens |
| Features | LED flash, HDR | LED flash |
| Single | 8 MP | - |
| Video | 720p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Single | 2 MP (up-scaled to 5 MP) | 5 MP, f/2.2 |
| 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 b/g/n, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Accelerometer | Accelerometer, proximity |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | - | 15W wired |
| Type | Li-Ion 3000 mAh, removable | Li-Po 5000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Blue, Gray | Jade Purple, Opal Green |
| Models | - | SM-E045F, SM-E045F/DS |
| Price | - | About 90 EUR |
| SAR | - | 0.38 W/kg (head) |
ZTE Blade A31
- Large Display
- Affordable Price
- Decent Battery Life
- Less Powerful Chipset
- Slow Charging
- Potentially Lower Image Quality
Samsung Galaxy F04
- More Efficient Chipset
- Faster Performance
- Samsung Brand Recognition
- 15W Charging
- Similar Camera Specs to A31
- HD+ Display (not FHD+)
- May lack NFC
Display Comparison
Both phones feature large displays, likely around 6.5 inches, with HD+ resolution. The Samsung Galaxy F04 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. Expect similar brightness levels.
Camera Comparison
Camera specs are likely similar, with both phones featuring a primary camera around 13MP and a depth sensor. Image quality will depend heavily on software processing. Samsung generally has better image processing algorithms, so the Galaxy F04 might produce slightly better photos, especially in low light. Front-facing cameras are likely 5MP on both.
Performance
Here's where the Samsung Galaxy F04 takes a lead. The MediaTek Helio P35 (12nm) is significantly more efficient and powerful than the Unisoc SC9863A (28nm) found in the ZTE Blade A31. Expect smoother multitasking, faster app loading times, and a generally more responsive user experience on the F04. The Cortex-A53 cores in the F04 are also generally faster than the Cortex-A55 cores in the A31.
Battery Life
Both phones likely have a battery capacity around 5000mAh, offering all-day battery life for moderate users. However, the Samsung Galaxy F04's 15W wired charging provides a noticeable advantage over the Blade A31, which likely lacks fast charging support.
Buying Guide
The ZTE Blade A31 is a good choice for users prioritizing a large display and basic functionality on a very tight budget. The Samsung Galaxy F04 is ideal for those needing a bit more performance, a slightly more modern design, and faster charging capabilities.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Which phone has better performance?
The Samsung Galaxy F04 has a more efficient and powerful chipset (MediaTek Helio P35) compared to the ZTE Blade A31 (Unisoc SC9863A), resulting in better overall performance.
❓ Does the Samsung Galaxy F04 support fast charging?
Yes, the Samsung Galaxy F04 supports 15W wired charging, while the ZTE Blade A31 likely lacks fast charging capabilities.
