The budget smartphone market is fiercely competitive, offering incredible value for money. Two contenders vying for your attention are the ZTE Blade A5 2020 and the Samsung Galaxy J4. But which one delivers the best experience for your hard-earned cash? Let's dive in.
🏆 Quick Verdict
The Samsung Galaxy J4 edges out the ZTE Blade A5 2020 thanks to its more efficient chipset and generally smoother performance. While the ZTE offers a slightly larger screen, the J4's overall package, including Samsung's software support, makes it the better 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, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 38, 40 - India, Pakistan |
| 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 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 2100 - India, Pakistan |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2020, July 16. Released 2020, July 16 | 2018, May. Released 2018, May |
| 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) | 151.7 x 77.2 x 8.1 mm (5.97 x 3.04 x 0.32 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Dual SIM (Micro-SIM, dual stand-by) |
| Weight | 155 g (5.47 oz) | 175 g (6.17 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Resolution | 720 x 1560 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~282 ppi density) | 720 x 1280 pixels, 16:9 ratio (~267 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.09 inches, 91.0 cm2 (~80.0% screen-to-body ratio) | 5.5 inches, 83.4 cm2 (~71.2% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD | Super AMOLED |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (4x1.6 GHz Cortex-A55 & 4x1.2 GHz Cortex-A55) | Quad-core 1.4 GHz Cortex-A53 |
| Chipset | Unisoc SC9863A (28 nm) | Exynos 7570 Quad (14 nm) |
| GPU | IMG8322 | Mali-T720 MP2 |
| OS | Android 9.0/ Android 10 (Go edition) | Android 8.0 (Oreo) |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 32GB 2GB RAM, 64GB 2GB RAM | 16GB 2GB RAM, 32GB 2GB RAM, 32GB 3GB RAM |
| | eMMC 5.1 | eMMC 5.0 |
| 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 | 13 MP, f/1.9, 28mm (wide), AF |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | - | LED flash |
| Single | 8 MP, f/2.4 | 5 MP, f/2.2 |
| Video | 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, BDS |
| Radio | Unspecified | FM radio |
| USB | microUSB 2.0 | microUSB 2.0 |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Accelerometer, proximity | Accelerometer, proximity |
| Battery |
|---|
| Music play | - | Up to 80 h |
| Talk time | - | Up to 20 h (3G) |
| Type | Li-Ion 3200 mAh | Li-Ion 3000 mAh, removable |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Black, Blue, Green | Black, Gold, Orchid Gray |
| Models | - | SM-J400G, SM-J400F, SM-J400M |
| Price | About 120 EUR | About 140 EUR |
| SAR | - | 0.36 W/kg (head) 1.49 W/kg (body) |
| SAR EU | 0.48 W/kg (head) | - |
ZTE Blade A5 2020
- Larger Display
- Affordable Price
- Decent Battery Life
- Less Powerful Chipset
- Slower Performance
- Less Refined Software
Samsung Galaxy J4
- More Efficient Chipset
- Smoother Performance
- Samsung's Software Support
- Slightly Better Camera Processing
- Smaller Display
- Basic Design
- Limited Storage Options
Display Comparison
The ZTE Blade A5 2020 boasts a larger 6.2-inch display compared to the Galaxy J4's 6.0-inch screen. Both utilize HD+ resolution, meaning image quality is adequate but not exceptional. Viewing angles and color accuracy are typical for budget phones.
Camera Comparison
The Galaxy J4 typically features a 13MP rear camera and a 5MP front camera, while the Blade A5 2020 has a similar setup. Image quality is comparable in good lighting conditions, but both struggle in low light. Software processing plays a significant role, and Samsung's tends to be slightly better.
Performance
Here's where the Samsung Galaxy J4 takes a lead. Its Exynos 7570 chipset, built on a 14nm process, is significantly more efficient than the ZTE's Unisoc SC9863A (28nm). This translates to smoother multitasking, faster app loading times, and a generally more responsive user experience. The J4's quad-core processor is also more powerful than the ZTE's octa-core, despite having fewer cores.
Battery Life
Both phones offer a respectable battery life, typically around a full day of moderate use. The Galaxy J4 often has a slightly larger battery capacity (around 3000mAh) compared to the Blade A5 2020 (around 2800mAh), contributing to its slightly better endurance.
Buying Guide
The ZTE Blade A5 2020 is a good option for users prioritizing a larger display on a tight budget and who aren't overly concerned with raw performance. The Samsung Galaxy J4 is ideal for those seeking a reliable, well-supported device with decent performance and a familiar Samsung experience.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Which phone has better gaming performance?
The Samsung Galaxy J4 offers noticeably better gaming performance due to its more powerful and efficient chipset. The ZTE Blade A5 2020 can handle basic games, but struggles with more demanding titles.
❓ Is the ZTE Blade A5 2020 worth considering if I only need a basic phone for calls and texts?
Yes, the ZTE Blade A5 2020 can be a viable option if your needs are very basic and you prioritize a larger screen at the lowest possible price. However, the Galaxy J4 still provides a more polished and reliable experience.
