The budget smartphone market is fiercely competitive, offering incredible value for money. Today, we pit two contenders against each other: the ZTE Blade A52 Lite and the Nokia 5. Both promise affordability, but which delivers the better overall experience?
🏆 Quick Verdict
The Nokia 5 edges out the ZTE Blade A52 Lite thanks to its significantly better battery life and impressive display contrast. While the A52 Lite might offer a slightly newer processor, the Nokia 5's longevity and screen quality make it the more compelling choice for most users.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 - SIM 1 & SIM 2 (dual-SIM model only) |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | LTE | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40 |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE Cat4 150/50 Mbps |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2022, August 20 | 2017, February 26. Released 2017, July 17 |
| Status | Available. Released 2022, August | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | - | Glass front (Gorilla Glass), aluminum back, aluminum frame |
| Dimensions | 164.8 x 75.9 x 8.6 mm (6.49 x 2.99 x 0.34 in) | 149.7 x 72.5 x 8 mm (5.89 x 2.85 x 0.31 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | · Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 188 g (6.63 oz) | 160 g (5.64 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | - | Corning Gorilla Glass (unspecified version) |
| Resolution | 720 x 1600 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~269 ppi density) | 720 x 1280 pixels, 16:9 ratio (~282 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.52 inches, 102.6 cm2 (~82.1% screen-to-body ratio) | 5.2 inches, 74.5 cm2 (~68.7% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD | IPS LCD |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core | Octa-core 1.4 GHz Cortex-A53 |
| Chipset | - | Qualcomm MSM8937 Snapdragon 430 (28 nm) |
| GPU | - | Adreno 505 |
| OS | Android 11 (Go edition) | Android 7.1.1 (Nougat), upgradable to Android 9.0 (Pie) |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 32GB 2GB RAM | 16GB 2GB RAM, 16GB 3GB RAM |
| | - | eMMC 5.1 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash | Dual-LED dual-tone flash, HDR |
| Single | 13 MP, AF | 13 MP, f/2.0, 1/3.1", 1.12µm, PDAF |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Single | 5 MP | 8 MP, f/2.0, 1/4.0", 1.12µm |
| Video | 720p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | Yes | 4.1, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | No | Yes |
| Positioning | GPS | GPS |
| Radio | Unspecified | FM radio |
| USB | Yes | microUSB 2.0, OTG |
| WLAN | Yes | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Accelerometer, proximity | Fingerprint (front-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Type | Li-Ion 4000 mAh | Li-Ion 3000 mAh, non-removable |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Gray, Green | Tempered Blue, Silver, Matte Black, Copper |
| Models | - | TA-1053, TA-1024, TA-1044, TA-1027 |
| Price | - | About 170 EUR |
| SAR EU | - | 0.32 W/kg (head) 1.55 W/kg (body) |
| Tests |
|---|
| Audio quality | - |
Noise -94.3dB / Crosstalk -91.9dB |
| Battery life | - | Endurance rating 84h |
| Camera | - |
Photo / Video |
| Display | - |
Contrast ratio: 916 (nominal), 3.261 (sunlight) |
| Loudspeaker | - |
Voice 63dB / Noise 70dB / Ring 81dB |
| Performance | - |
GeekBench: 2851 (v4.4)
GFXBench: 5.2fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) |
ZTE Blade A52 Lite
- Potentially newer processor
- Modern design (likely)
- Affordable price
- Unknown display quality
- Unspecified processor details
- Likely shorter battery life
- Limited camera information
Nokia 5
- Exceptional battery life (84h endurance)
- Excellent display contrast
- Durable build quality (typical of Nokia)
- Proven Snapdragon 430 processor
- Older model
- Potentially less powerful processor than the A52 Lite (unconfirmed)
- Camera details are limited
Display Comparison
The Nokia 5 boasts a remarkable contrast ratio of 916 (nominal) and 3.261 in sunlight, indicating excellent visibility even outdoors. The ZTE Blade A52 Lite's display is likely adequate but lacks the documented contrast figures of the Nokia 5, suggesting a less vibrant and potentially harder-to-see screen in bright conditions. The Nokia 5 wins here.
Camera Comparison
Camera specifications are limited for both devices. Both are described as 'Photo / Video'. Without detailed sensor sizes, aperture values, or image processing capabilities, a direct comparison is challenging. We'll assume similar performance, but real-world testing would be needed for a definitive verdict.
Performance
Both phones feature octa-core processors, but the Nokia 5's Qualcomm MSM8937 Snapdragon 430 (28 nm) with a clocked speed of 1.4 GHz Cortex-A53 offers a known performance baseline. The ZTE Blade A52 Lite's 'Octa-core' processor is less specific, and without further details, it's difficult to definitively declare a winner. However, the Snapdragon 430 is a proven performer in this price range. It's likely a close call, leaning slightly towards the Nokia 5.
Battery Life
This is where the Nokia 5 truly shines. Its endurance rating of 84 hours is exceptional, significantly outperforming most budget phones. The ZTE Blade A52 Lite's battery capacity is unknown, but it's unlikely to match the Nokia 5's impressive longevity. The Nokia 5 is the clear winner in battery life.
Buying Guide
Who should buy the ZTE Blade A52 Lite? Users prioritizing a potentially slightly faster processor and a more modern design at the absolute lowest price point. Who should buy the Nokia 5? Those seeking exceptional battery life, a vibrant display, and a reliable, durable device – even if it's a slightly older model.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Is the ZTE Blade A52 Lite a 5G phone?
No, the ZTE Blade A52 Lite is a 4G LTE phone.
❓ How much storage does the Nokia 5 have?
The Nokia 5 typically comes with 32GB of internal storage, expandable via microSD card.
