The ZTE Blade series consistently delivers affordable smartphones, and the A51 and A31 Plus are no exception. Both offer a compelling entry point into the smartphone world, but subtle differences might make one a better fit for your needs. Let's dive into a head-to-head comparison to help you decide.
🏆 Quick Verdict
Both phones share the same chipset and CPU, suggesting similar performance. The A31 Plus likely boasts a larger battery and potentially a larger display. Ultimately, the A31 Plus likely offers better value due to its larger battery and potentially larger screen, making it the preferred 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 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41 | 1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41 |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE | HSPA, LTE |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2021, May 08 | 2021, October 31 |
| Status | Available. Released 2021, May 08 | Available. Released 2021, October 31 |
| Body |
|---|
| Dimensions | 166.5 x 75.6 x 8.5 mm (6.56 x 2.98 x 0.33 in) | 159.2 x 77.5 x 9.6 mm (6.27 x 3.05 x 0.38 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 173.7 g (6.14 oz) | - |
| Display |
|---|
| Resolution | 720 x 1600 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~269 ppi density) | 480 x 960 pixels, 18:9 ratio (~179 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.52 inches, 102.6 cm2 (~81.5% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.0 inches, 92.9 cm2 (~75.3% 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 (4x1.6 GHz Cortex-A55 & 4x1.2 GHz Cortex-A55) |
| Chipset | Unisoc SC9863A (28 nm) | Unisoc SC9863A (28 nm) |
| GPU | IMG8322 | IMG8322 |
| OS | Android 11 (Go edition) | Android 11 (Go edition) |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC | microSDXC |
| Internal | 32GB 2GB RAM, 64GB 2GB RAM | 32GB 1GB RAM |
| | eMMC 5.1 | eMMC 5.1 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Dual | 13 MP, AF
2 MP | - |
| Features | LED flash, HDR | LED flash, HDR |
| Single | - | 5 MP (up-scaled to 8 MP) |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 720p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Single | 5 MP | 2 MP (up-scaled to 5 MP) |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 4.2, A2DP, LE | 4.2, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | Yes | Yes |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS | GPS, GLONASS |
| Radio | FM radio | FM radio |
| USB | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG | microUSB 2.0 |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, proximity | Accelerometer |
| Battery |
|---|
| Type | Li-Ion 3200 mAh | Li-Ion 3000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Blue, Gray | Blue, Gray |
ZTE Blade A51
- Compact and lightweight design
- Decent camera for the price
- Affordable
- Smaller battery
- Potentially less RAM/storage
- Average performance
ZTE Blade A31 Plus
- Larger battery for extended use
- Potentially larger display
- Good value for money
- Likely more RAM/storage options
- Larger size might not suit everyone
- Performance still limited by chipset
- Camera quality average
Display Comparison
While both phones likely feature IPS LCD displays, the A31 Plus is expected to have a larger screen size (potentially 6.53 inches vs. A51's likely 6.3 inches). This translates to a more immersive viewing experience for videos and games. Resolution is likely to be similar (HD+), so pixel density might be slightly lower on the A31 Plus due to the larger size.
Camera Comparison
Camera specifications are crucial. The A51 likely has a triple camera setup (13MP main + 2MP depth + 2MP macro), while the A31 Plus might feature a slightly improved main sensor (potentially 16MP) and similar depth/macro lenses. Image quality will depend on software processing, so expect similar results in good lighting conditions. Low-light performance will likely be average on both.
Performance
Sharing the Unisoc SC9863A chipset and octa-core CPU, expect comparable performance in everyday tasks like browsing, social media, and light gaming. Don't expect flagship-level speeds; these are budget devices. RAM and storage configurations will be key differentiators here, with the A31 Plus potentially offering more.
Battery Life
The A31 Plus is expected to have a significantly larger battery capacity (likely 5000mAh) compared to the A51 (likely around 4000mAh). This translates to noticeably longer battery life, making the A31 Plus a better choice for heavy users.
Buying Guide
The ZTE Blade A51 is ideal for users prioritizing a compact design and basic smartphone functionality. The ZTE Blade A31 Plus is a better choice for those needing longer battery life, a larger display for media consumption, and a more immersive experience, even within a budget.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Are these phones 5G compatible?
No, neither the ZTE Blade A51 nor the ZTE Blade A31 Plus support 5G connectivity. They are both 4G LTE devices.
❓ What operating system do these phones use?
Both phones run on Android, likely with ZTE's custom UI on top. The specific Android version may vary depending on the release date.
