ZTE Blade A52 vs Nokia C31: Which Budget Phone Reigns Supreme?

The budget smartphone market is fiercely competitive, and the ZTE Blade A52 and Nokia C31 are two contenders vying for your attention. Both offer essential features at an affordable price, but subtle differences can make a big impact. Let's dive into a detailed comparison to see which phone comes out on top.

Phones Images

🏆 Quick Verdict

Both phones share the same chipset and CPU, resulting in similar performance. The Nokia C31 likely edges out the ZTE Blade A52 due to Nokia's reputation for software support and potentially a slightly better camera experience, though both are firmly in the budget category. It's a close call!

PHONES
Phone Names	ZTE Blade A52	Nokia C31

Network
2G bands	GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900	GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
3G bands	HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100	HSDPA 850 / 900 / 2100 - International
4G bands	1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41	1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41 - International
Speed	HSPA, LTE	HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE Cat4 150/50 Mbps
Technology	GSM / HSPA / LTE	GSM / HSPA / LTE
	-	1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41 - South Africa, Egypt

Launch
Announced	2022, June 10	2022, September 01
Status	Available. Released 2022, June 10	Available. Released 2022, September 01

Body
Build	-	Glass front, plastic frame, plastic back
Dimensions	168 x 77.5 x 9.4 mm (6.61 x 3.05 x 0.37 in)	169.2 x 78 x 8.6 mm (6.66 x 3.07 x 0.34 in)
SIM	Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM	Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM
Weight	214 g (7.55 oz)	200 g (7.05 oz)
	-	Splash resistant

Display
Resolution	720 x 1600 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~269 ppi density)	720 x 1600 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~260 ppi density)
Size	6.52 inches, 102.6 cm2 (~78.8% screen-to-body ratio)	6.75 inches, 110.0 cm2 (~83.4% 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	Android 12

Memory
Card slot	microSDXC	microSDXC (dedicated slot)
Internal	32GB 2GB RAM, 64GB 2GB RAM	32GB 3GB RAM, 64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM
	-	eMMC 5.1

Main Camera
Features	LED flash, HDR	LED flash, HDR
Single	-	5 MP
Triple	13 MP, AF 2 MP (macro) Auxiliary lens	13 MP, (wide), AF 2 MP (macro) Auxiliary lens
Video	1080p@30fps	1080p@30fps

Selfie camera
Single	5 MP	5 MP
Video	720p@30fps	Yes

Sound
3.5mm jack	Yes	Yes
35mm jack	Yes	Yes
Loudspeaker	Yes	Yes

Comms
Bluetooth	Yes	4.2, A2DP
NFC	Yes	No
Positioning	GPS, GLONASS	GPS
Radio	Unspecified	Wireless FM radio
USB	USB Type-C 2.0, OTG	microUSB 2.0, OTG
WLAN	Yes	Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n

Features
Sensors	Fingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, proximity	Fingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, proximity

Battery
Charging	10W wired	10W wired
Type	Li-Ion 5000 mAh	Li-Po 5050 mAh

Misc
Colors	Space Gray, Silk Gold, Crystal Blue	Charcoal, Mint, Cyan
Models	-	TA-1499, TA-1497, TA-1493
Price	About 90 EUR	About 130 EUR
SAR EU	-	0.35 W/kg (head) 1.39 W/kg (body)

ZTE Blade A52

Very affordable
Decent battery life
Standard features for the price

Basic performance
Limited camera quality
Potentially shorter software support

Nokia C31

Reputable brand
Potentially longer software updates
Slightly better camera
Durable build quality (typical of Nokia)

Slightly more expensive
Basic performance
Limited camera quality in low light

Display Comparison

Both phones likely feature similar LCD displays, probably around 6.5 inches with an HD+ resolution. Expect decent viewing angles but limited brightness and color accuracy. The Nokia C31 might have a slightly more refined display calibration, but the difference will be minimal.

Camera Comparison

The Nokia C31 likely has a slightly better camera setup, potentially with a higher resolution main sensor and improved image processing. Expect decent photos in good lighting conditions, but low-light performance will be limited on both devices. The ZTE Blade A52's camera is likely adequate for basic snapshots.

Performance

Given the identical Unisoc SC9863A chipset and CPU configuration, expect comparable performance. Everyday tasks like browsing, social media, and light gaming should be manageable, but don't expect blazing speeds. Both will likely exhibit some lag with demanding apps.

Battery Life

Both phones likely have a battery capacity around 5000mAh, offering all-day battery life with moderate usage. Charging speeds are limited to 10W wired charging on both, so expect relatively slow charging times.

Buying Guide

The ZTE Blade A52 is a good choice for users prioritizing a very low price point and basic functionality. The Nokia C31 is better suited for those who value a more reliable brand, potentially longer software updates, and a slightly more polished overall experience, even if the price is a bit higher.