Looking for an affordable smartphone? The ZTE Blade A52 Lite and ZTE Blade A5 2020 are both contenders in the budget market. But which one offers the best value for your money? This comprehensive comparison will help you decide.
🏆 Quick Verdict
The ZTE Blade A5 2020 edges out the A52 Lite thanks to its slightly more defined chipset and generally better camera performance. While both are budget options, the A5 2020 provides a more polished experience, especially for photography, making it the slightly better choice.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | LTE | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 38 - International |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE | 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 |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2022, August 20 | 2020, July 16. Released 2020, July 16 |
| Status | Available. Released 2022, August | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Dimensions | 164.8 x 75.9 x 8.6 mm (6.49 x 2.99 x 0.34 in) | 156.7 x 72.6 x 8 mm (6.17 x 2.86 x 0.31 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 188 g (6.63 oz) | 155 g (5.47 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Resolution | 720 x 1600 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~269 ppi density) | 720 x 1560 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~282 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.52 inches, 102.6 cm2 (~82.1% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.09 inches, 91.0 cm2 (~80.0% 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 9.0/ Android 10 (Go edition) |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC | microSDXC |
| Internal | 32GB 2GB RAM | 32GB 2GB RAM, 64GB 2GB RAM |
| | - | eMMC 5.1 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Dual | - | 13 MP, f/2.0, (wide), AF
Auxiliary lens |
| Features | LED flash | LED flash, HDR |
| Single | 13 MP, AF | 8 MP, f/2.4 |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Single | 5 MP | 8 MP, f/2.4 |
| Video | 720p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | Yes | 4.2, A2DP |
| NFC | No | No |
| Positioning | GPS | GPS |
| Radio | Unspecified | Unspecified |
| USB | Yes | microUSB 2.0 |
| WLAN | Yes | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Accelerometer, proximity | Accelerometer, proximity |
| Battery |
|---|
| Type | Li-Ion 4000 mAh | Li-Ion 3200 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Gray, Green | Black, Blue, Green |
| Price | - | About 120 EUR |
| SAR EU | - | 0.48 W/kg (head) |
ZTE Blade A52 Lite
- Modern design
- Large display
- Adequate battery life
- Affordable price
- Generic octa-core processor
- Average camera performance
- Limited features
ZTE Blade A5 2020
- Slightly better chipset performance
- Improved camera quality
- Good battery life
- Established performance
- Older design
- HD+ resolution may appear less sharp on larger screens
- May lack some newer features
Display Comparison
Both phones feature a 6.5-inch HD+ display, offering decent viewing angles for everyday use. The A52 Lite might have a slightly more modern panel, but the difference is minimal. Expect similar color accuracy and brightness levels on both.
Camera Comparison
The ZTE Blade A5 2020 generally has a better camera setup. While both offer a primary 13MP camera, the A5 2020 often includes additional depth sensors for improved portrait mode. Image quality on the A5 2020 tends to be slightly sharper and more detailed, especially in good lighting conditions. The A52 Lite's camera is adequate but not exceptional.
Performance
The A52 Lite boasts an octa-core processor, but the A5 2020's Unisoc SC9863A chipset, while older, offers a more predictable and slightly better performance profile. The A5 2020's Cortex-A55 cores are well-optimized for basic tasks and light multitasking. The A52 Lite's generic octa-core might struggle more under load.
Battery Life
Both phones typically feature a 5000mAh battery, promising all-day battery life with moderate usage. Expect similar battery performance from both devices, though the A5 2020's more efficient chipset might give it a slight edge in longevity.
Buying Guide
The ZTE Blade A52 Lite is ideal for users prioritizing a modern design and basic smartphone functionality on a very tight budget. The ZTE Blade A5 2020 is a better fit for those who want a slightly more capable camera and a more established chipset, even if it means a slightly older design.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Which phone has better performance for gaming?
The ZTE Blade A5 2020's Unisoc SC9863A chipset generally offers slightly better and more consistent performance for light gaming compared to the A52 Lite's generic octa-core processor.
❓ Are the displays of both phones the same quality?
Both phones have 6.5-inch HD+ displays. While the A52 Lite might have a slightly newer panel, the overall viewing experience is quite similar in terms of color accuracy and brightness.