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 Samsung Galaxy A11. Both promise affordability, but which one delivers the better overall experience?
🏆 Quick Verdict
The Samsung Galaxy A11 edges out the ZTE Blade A5 2020 thanks to its slightly more powerful processor, better software support, and faster charging. While the ZTE offers a competitive price, the A11's overall polish and reliability make it the preferable choice for most users.
| 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, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41 |
| Speed | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE Cat4 150/50 Mbps | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE Cat4 150/50 Mbps |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| | 2, 4, 5, 7, 28, 66 - USA | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 20, 25, 26, 28, 38, 39, 40, 41, 66, 71 - SM-A115U |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2020, July 16. Released 2020, July 16 | 2020, March 13. Released 2020, May 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) | 161.4 x 76.3 x 8 mm (6.35 x 3.00 x 0.31 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | · Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 155 g (5.47 oz) | 177 g (6.24 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Resolution | 720 x 1560 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~282 ppi density) | 720 x 1560 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~268 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.09 inches, 91.0 cm2 (~80.0% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.4 inches, 100.5 cm2 (~81.6% 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 1.8 GHz Cortex-A53 |
| Chipset | Unisoc SC9863A (28 nm) | Qualcomm SDM450 Snapdragon 450 (14 nm) |
| GPU | IMG8322 | Adreno 506 |
| OS | Android 9.0/ Android 10 (Go edition) | Android 10, upgradable to Android 12, One UI Core 4.1 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 32GB 2GB RAM, 64GB 2GB RAM | 32GB 2GB RAM, 32GB 3GB RAM, 64GB 3GB RAM, 64GB 4GB RAM |
| | eMMC 5.1 | eMMC 5.1 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Dual | 13 MP, f/2.0, (wide), AF
Auxiliary lens | - |
| Features | LED flash, HDR | LED flash, panorama, HDR |
| Single | 8 MP, f/2.4 | - |
| Triple | - | 13 MP, f/1.8, 27mm (wide), AF
5 MP, f/2.2, 115˚ (ultrawide)
Auxiliary lens |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Single | 8 MP, f/2.4 | 8 MP, f/2.0 |
| Video | 1080p@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 |
| NFC | No | No |
| Positioning | GPS | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS |
| Radio | Unspecified | FM radio |
| 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, proximity | Fingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, proximity |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | - | 15W wired |
| Type | Li-Ion 3200 mAh | Li-Po 4000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Black, Blue, Green | Black, White, Blue, Red |
| Models | - | SM-A115F/DS, SM-A115F, SM-A115M, SM-A115M/DS, SM-A115U, SM-A115A, SM-A115AZ, SM-A115U1, SM-A115W, SM-A115AP, SM-S115DL |
| Price | About 120 EUR | About 160 EUR |
| SAR EU | 0.48 W/kg (head) | 0.52 W/kg (head) 0.99 W/kg (body) |
ZTE Blade A5 2020
- Very affordable
- Large display
- Decent battery life
- Less powerful processor
- No fast charging
- Less polished software
- Older chipset
Samsung Galaxy A11
- More powerful processor
- Better camera system
- Faster charging (15W)
- Samsung's software support
- More efficient chipset
- Slightly more expensive
- Design is somewhat basic
Display Comparison
Both phones feature large 6.5-inch HD+ displays, offering a decent viewing experience for media consumption. However, Samsung's display technology generally provides slightly better color accuracy and brightness. The A11's screen might appear a touch more vibrant.
Camera Comparison
The Samsung Galaxy A11 boasts a triple-camera setup (13MP main, 5MP ultrawide, 2MP depth sensor) offering more versatility than the ZTE Blade A5 2020's dual-camera setup (13MP main, 2MP depth sensor). The A11's camera also benefits from Samsung's image processing algorithms, resulting in generally better photos, especially in low light. Both phones offer a 8MP front camera.
Performance
The Samsung Galaxy A11's Snapdragon 450 chipset (14nm) generally outperforms the ZTE Blade A5 2020's Unisoc SC9863A (28nm). While both are octa-core processors, the A11's Cortex-A53 cores at 1.8 GHz offer a noticeable speed advantage in everyday tasks and light gaming. The ZTE's 28nm process means it will likely run hotter and less efficiently.
Battery Life
Both phones feature a 4000mAh battery, promising all-day battery life. However, the Samsung Galaxy A11's more efficient processor and 15W fast charging give it a slight edge in real-world usage and charging speed. The ZTE Blade A5 2020 lacks fast charging.
Buying Guide
The ZTE Blade A5 2020 is a good option for users on an extremely tight budget who prioritize a large display and basic functionality. The Samsung Galaxy A11 is ideal for those seeking a reliable, well-supported smartphone with a decent camera and longer battery life, even if it means spending a little more.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Which phone has better performance?
The Samsung Galaxy A11 generally offers better performance due to its Snapdragon 450 chipset, which is more efficient and powerful than the Unisoc SC9863A in the ZTE Blade A5 2020.
❓ Does the ZTE Blade A5 2020 support fast charging?
No, the ZTE Blade A5 2020 does not support fast charging. The Samsung Galaxy A11 supports 15W wired charging.
