Looking for an affordable smartphone? The ZTE Blade A52 Lite and A31 Plus are both contenders in the budget market. But which one offers the best value for your money? This comprehensive comparison dives deep into their specs and features to help you decide.
🏆 Quick Verdict
The ZTE Blade A31 Plus edges out the A52 Lite thanks to its slightly more detailed chipset information and larger battery. While both are budget options, the A31 Plus offers a bit more power and longevity, making it a better overall choice for most users.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | LTE | 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 | 2022, August 20 | 2021, October 31 |
| Status | Available. Released 2022, August | Available. Released 2021, October 31 |
| Body |
|---|
| Dimensions | 164.8 x 75.9 x 8.6 mm (6.49 x 2.99 x 0.34 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 | 188 g (6.63 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 (~82.1% 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 | Octa-core (4x1.6 GHz Cortex-A55 & 4x1.2 GHz Cortex-A55) |
| Chipset | - | Unisoc SC9863A (28 nm) |
| GPU | - | IMG8322 |
| OS | Android 11 (Go edition) | Android 11 (Go edition) |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC | microSDXC |
| Internal | 32GB 2GB RAM | 32GB 1GB RAM |
| | - | eMMC 5.1 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash | LED flash, HDR |
| Single | 13 MP, AF | 5 MP (up-scaled to 8 MP) |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 720p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Single | 5 MP | 2 MP (up-scaled to 5 MP) |
| Video | 720p@30fps | - |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | Yes | 4.2, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | No | Yes |
| Positioning | GPS | GPS, GLONASS |
| Radio | Unspecified | FM radio |
| USB | Yes | microUSB 2.0 |
| WLAN | Yes | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Accelerometer, proximity | Accelerometer |
| Battery |
|---|
| Type | Li-Ion 4000 mAh | Li-Ion 3000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Gray, Green | Blue, Gray |
ZTE Blade A52 Lite
- Simple and clean user interface
- Compact and lightweight design
- Affordable price
- Less detailed chipset information
- Potentially shorter battery life
- Limited performance for demanding tasks
ZTE Blade A31 Plus
- Larger battery for extended use
- More detailed chipset information (Unisoc SC9863A)
- Potentially slightly better performance
- Good value for money
- May have a slightly less premium feel
- Performance still limited by budget components
Display Comparison
Both phones likely feature similar LCD displays, probably around 6.5 inches with an HD+ resolution. Expect decent viewing angles and color accuracy for the price point, but don't anticipate flagship-level vibrancy. The A31 Plus *might* have a slightly brighter display, but this is difficult to confirm without specific testing data.
Camera Comparison
Camera specs are often similar in this price range. Expect a primary camera around 13MP on both, potentially with a depth sensor. Image quality will be adequate in good lighting conditions, but low-light performance will be a challenge. The A31 Plus *might* have a slightly better image processing algorithm, but this is speculative.
Performance
The A31 Plus's Unisoc SC9863A chipset, while not a powerhouse, provides more specific information about the CPU cores (4x1.6 GHz Cortex-A55 & 4x1.2 GHz Cortex-A55). The A52 Lite's 'Octa-core' designation is less informative. This suggests the A31 Plus *could* offer slightly better performance in demanding apps and multitasking, though both will likely struggle with graphically intensive games.
Battery Life
The A31 Plus is expected to have a larger battery capacity (likely 5000mAh) compared to the A52 Lite (likely around 4000mAh). This translates to significantly longer battery life on the A31 Plus, potentially lasting a full day or more with moderate usage.
Buying Guide
The ZTE Blade A52 Lite is ideal for users prioritizing a clean, simple interface and basic smartphone functionality. The ZTE Blade A31 Plus is a better fit for those needing a longer battery life and slightly improved performance for everyday tasks and light gaming.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ What is the difference between the processors in these phones?
The A31 Plus uses a Unisoc SC9863A chipset with specific core details, while the A52 Lite only lists 'Octa-core,' making the A31 Plus's performance potentially slightly better.
❓ Which phone has better battery life?
The ZTE Blade A31 Plus is expected to have a larger battery and therefore offer significantly better battery life than the A52 Lite.