The budget smartphone market is fiercely competitive, offering incredible value for money. Today, we're pitting two contenders against each other: the ZTE Blade A5 2020 and the Huawei Y9 (2019). Both promise affordability, but which one delivers the better overall experience?
🏆 Quick Verdict
The Huawei Y9 (2019) emerges as the clear winner. While the ZTE Blade A5 2020 is a budget-friendly option, the Y9's superior chipset, better camera, and larger battery provide a significantly smoother and more enjoyable user experience, justifying its slightly higher price.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 38 - International | 1, 3, 7, 8, 20 |
| Speed | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE Cat4 150/50 Mbps | HSPA, LTE |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| | 2, 4, 5, 7, 28, 66 - USA | - |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2020, July 16. Released 2020, July 16 | 2018, October 01. Released 2018, October 01 |
| Status | Discontinued | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | - | Glass front, plastic back, plastic frame |
| Dimensions | 156.7 x 72.6 x 8 mm (6.17 x 2.86 x 0.31 in) | 162.4 x 77.1 x 8.1 mm (6.39 x 3.04 x 0.32 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | · Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 155 g (5.47 oz) | 173 g (6.10 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Resolution | 720 x 1560 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~282 ppi density) | 1080 x 2340 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~396 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.09 inches, 91.0 cm2 (~80.0% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.5 inches, 103.7 cm2 (~82.8% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD | IPS LCD |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (4x1.6 GHz Cortex-A55 & 4x1.2 GHz Cortex-A55) | Octa-core (4x2.2 GHz Cortex-A73 & 4x1.7 GHz Cortex-A53) |
| Chipset | Unisoc SC9863A (28 nm) | Kirin 710 (12 nm) |
| GPU | IMG8322 | Mali-G51 MP4 |
| OS | Android 9.0/ Android 10 (Go edition) | Android 8.1 (Oreo), EMUI 8.2 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 32GB 2GB RAM, 64GB 2GB RAM | 64GB 3GB RAM, 64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM |
| | eMMC 5.1 | eMMC 5.1 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Dual | 13 MP, f/2.0, (wide), AF
Auxiliary lens | 13 MP, f/1.8, PDAF
Auxiliary lens |
| Features | LED flash, HDR | LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Single | 8 MP, f/2.4 | - |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Dual | - | 16 MP, f/2.0
2 MP, f/2.4, depth sensor |
| Features | - | HDR |
| Single | 8 MP, f/2.4 | - |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 4.2, A2DP | 5.0, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | No | No |
| Positioning | GPS | GPS, GLONASS, BDS |
| Radio | Unspecified | FM radio |
| USB | microUSB 2.0 | microUSB 2.0 |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n | Wi-Fi 802.11 а/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Accelerometer, proximity | Fingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | - | 10W wired |
| Type | Li-Ion 3200 mAh | Li-Ion 4000 mAh, non-removable |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Black, Blue, Green | Midnight Black, Sapphire Blue, Aurora Purple |
| Models | - | JKM-LX1, JKM-LX2, JKM-LX3, JKM-AL00, JKM-TL00, JKM-AL00a, JKM-AL00b |
| Price | About 120 EUR | About 180 EUR |
| SAR EU | 0.48 W/kg (head) | - |
ZTE Blade A5 2020
- Compact size
- Affordable price
- Decent basic functionality
- Weak performance
- Low-resolution display
- Mediocre camera
- Short battery life
Huawei Y9 (2019)
- Powerful Kirin 710 chipset
- Larger and better display
- Versatile triple-camera system
- Long battery life
- 10W charging
- Slightly higher price
- Design can feel a bit dated
Display Comparison
The Huawei Y9 (2019) boasts a larger 6.5-inch display compared to the Blade A5 2020's 6.2-inch screen. Both utilize IPS LCD technology, but the Y9's larger size and slightly better resolution (1080 x 2340 vs 720 x 1520) offer a more immersive viewing experience. Color accuracy is decent on both, but the Y9 generally appears more vibrant.
Camera Comparison
The Huawei Y9 (2019) features a triple-camera setup (16MP + 13MP + 2MP) offering more versatility and generally better image quality than the Blade A5 2020's single 13MP camera. The Y9's camera excels in low-light conditions and offers features like depth sensing for portrait mode. While the Blade A5 2020's camera is adequate for basic photography, it struggles in challenging lighting.
Performance
This is where the Huawei Y9 (2019) truly shines. Its Kirin 710 chipset, built on a more efficient 12nm process, significantly outperforms the ZTE Blade A5 2020's Unisoc SC9863A (28nm). Expect smoother multitasking, faster app loading times, and better gaming performance on the Y9. The Cortex-A73 cores in the Kirin 710 are also more powerful than the Cortex-A55 cores in the Blade A5.
Battery Life
The Huawei Y9 (2019) packs a larger 4000mAh battery compared to the Blade A5 2020's 3100mAh. Combined with its more efficient chipset, the Y9 offers significantly longer battery life, easily lasting a full day of moderate use. The Blade A5 2020 requires more frequent charging.
Buying Guide
The ZTE Blade A5 2020 is ideal for users on an extremely tight budget who prioritize basic functionality and a compact size. The Huawei Y9 (2019) is a better choice for those seeking a more capable device with improved performance, a better camera, and longer battery life, even if it means spending a little more.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Is the ZTE Blade A5 2020 good for gaming?
No, the ZTE Blade A5 2020's chipset is not powerful enough for demanding games. It can handle basic games, but expect lag and low frame rates.
❓ Which phone has better software support?
Huawei's software support has been inconsistent due to trade restrictions. ZTE generally provides more predictable updates, though neither offers flagship-level support.
