The smartphone landscape is vast, offering options for every budget and need. Today, we're pitting a budget-friendly contender, the ZTE Blade A3Y, against a former flagship powerhouse, the Google Pixel XL. Can a budget phone truly compete with a device that once set the standard?
🏆 Quick Verdict
The Google Pixel XL unequivocally wins this comparison. While the ZTE Blade A3Y offers affordability, the Pixel XL's superior chipset, camera, display, and battery life make it the clear champion, despite its age. It's a testament to flagship quality versus budget compromises.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 2100 | - |
| 4G bands | 2, 4, 5, 12, 13 | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 26, 28, 32, 38, 39, 40, 41 |
| EDGE | - | Yes |
| GPRS | - | Yes |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE (3CA) Cat9 450/50 Mbps or LTE (3CA) Cat11 600/75 Mbps |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| | - | HSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2020, October 30. Released 2020, October 30 | 2016, October 04. Released 2016, October 20 |
| Status | Discontinued | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | - | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 4), aluminum/glass back, aluminum frame |
| Dimensions | 146 x 71 x 9.7 mm (5.75 x 2.80 x 0.38 in) | 154.7 x 75.7 x 8.5 mm (6.09 x 2.98 x 0.33 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 162 g (5.71 oz) | 168 g (5.93 oz) |
| | - | Water-repellent coating |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | - | Corning Gorilla Glass 4 |
| Resolution | 720 x 1440 pixels, 18:9 ratio (~293 ppi density) | 1440 x 2560 pixels, 16:9 ratio (~534 ppi density) |
| Size | 5.5 inches, 78.1 cm2 (~75.3% screen-to-body ratio) | 5.5 inches, 83.4 cm2 (~71.2% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD | AMOLED |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Quad-core 2.0 GHz Cortex-A53 | Quad-core (2x2.15 GHz Kryo & 2x1.6 GHz Kryo) |
| Chipset | Mediatek MT6761 Helio A22 (12 nm) | Qualcomm MSM8996 Snapdragon 821 (14 nm) |
| GPU | PowerVR GE8320 | Adreno 530 |
| OS | Android 10 | Android 7.1 (Nougat), upgradable to Android 10 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC | No |
| Internal | 32GB 2GB RAM | 32GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM |
| | eMMC 5.1 | UFS 2.0 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | Dual-LED flash, HDR | Laser AF, Dual-LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Single | 8 MP | 12.3 MP, f/2.0, 1/2.3", 1.55µm, PDAF |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 4K@30fps, 1080p@60/120fps, 1080p@30fps (gyro-EIS), 720p@240fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Single | 5 MP | 8 MP, f/2.4, 1/3.2", 1.4µm |
| Video | 720p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 4.2, A2DP | 4.2, A2DP, LE, aptX |
| NFC | No | Yes |
| Positioning | GPS | GPS, GLONASS |
| Radio | No | No |
| USB | USB Type-C 2.0 | USB Type-C 3.0 |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct, DLNA |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, proximity, gyro | Fingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, barometer |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | - | 18W wired, PD |
| Music play | - | Up to 130 h |
| Stand-by | - | Up to 552 h (3G) |
| Talk time | - | Up to 32 h (3G) |
| Type | Li-Ion 2660 mAh, removable | Li-Ion 3450 mAh, non-removable |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Purple | Quite Black, Very Silver, Really Blue |
| Price | About 50 EUR | About 400 EUR |
| SAR | - | 0.89 W/kg (head) 0.56 W/kg (body) |
| SAR EU | - | 0.25 W/kg (head) 0.44 W/kg (body) |
| Tests |
|---|
| Battery life | - | Endurance rating 78h |
| Camera | - |
Photo / Video |
| Display | - |
Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal), 4.164 (sunlight) |
| Performance | - |
Basemark OS II 2.0: 2281Basemark X: 30861 |
ZTE Blade A3Y
- Affordable
- Compact size
- Basic functionality
- Weak performance
- Low-quality camera
- Basic display
- Limited storage
Google Pixel XL
- Powerful processor
- Excellent camera
- High-quality display
- Long battery life
- Fast charging (PD)
- Older model
- Potentially outdated software support
- May be harder to find new
Display Comparison
The Pixel XL boasts a significantly better display. While both have impressive sunlight readability (4.164 contrast ratio), the Pixel XL's likely superior panel technology (AMOLED) provides richer colors, deeper blacks, and overall a more immersive viewing experience. The Blade A3Y's display is likely a standard LCD, adequate but not exceptional.
Camera Comparison
The Pixel XL's camera was renowned for its image quality, particularly its computational photography. While the Blade A3Y's camera is functional, it won't match the Pixel XL's detail, dynamic range, and low-light performance. The Pixel XL's software optimization is a key differentiator.
Performance
The Snapdragon 821 in the Pixel XL is a massive advantage. Its Kryo cores offer significantly faster processing speeds and better overall performance compared to the Helio A22 in the Blade A3Y. Expect smoother multitasking, faster app loading, and a more responsive user experience on the Pixel XL. The Blade A3Y will struggle with demanding tasks.
Battery Life
The Pixel XL's endurance rating of 78h is exceptional, suggesting excellent battery life. While the Blade A3Y's battery capacity is likely smaller, its lower-powered components might offer decent longevity, but it won't come close to the Pixel XL's endurance.
Buying Guide
The ZTE Blade A3Y is for users on a very tight budget who prioritize basic functionality and affordability above all else. The Google Pixel XL is for those seeking a premium experience, excellent camera capabilities, and reliable performance, even if it's an older model.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Is the Google Pixel XL still worth buying?
Yes, especially if you can find one in good condition. Its performance and camera remain impressive, and it offers excellent value for the price.
❓ What are the main differences between these two phones?
The primary differences lie in performance, camera quality, display quality, and battery life. The Pixel XL excels in all these areas, while the Blade A3Y prioritizes affordability.
