The sub-$150 smartphone market is fiercely competitive. The ZTE Blade A52 and Xiaomi Redmi 10C represent two compelling options, but cater to slightly different priorities. The Blade A52 aims for affordability, while the Redmi 10C leverages Qualcomm's Snapdragon series for a performance boost. This comparison dissects their key differences to determine which device delivers the best value.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For most users, the Xiaomi Redmi 10C is the superior choice. Its Snapdragon 680 chipset, built on a more efficient 6nm process, provides significantly better performance and future-proofing than the ZTE Blade A52’s Unisoc SC9863A. While the Blade A52 is cheaper, the performance gap justifies the small price difference.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41 | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41 |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE | HSPA, LTE |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2022, June 10 | 2022, March 21 |
| Status | Available. Released 2022, June 10 | Available. Released 2022, March 23 |
| Body |
|---|
| Dimensions | 168 x 77.5 x 9.4 mm (6.61 x 3.05 x 0.37 in) | 169.6 x 76.6 x 8.3 mm (6.68 x 3.02 x 0.33 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 214 g (7.55 oz) | 190 g (6.70 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | - | Corning Gorilla Glass |
| Resolution | 720 x 1600 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~269 ppi density) | 720 x 1650 pixels (~268 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.52 inches, 102.6 cm2 (~78.8% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.71 inches, 106.5 cm2 (~82.0% 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 (4x2.4 GHz Kryo 265 Gold & 4x1.9 GHz Kryo 265 Silver) |
| Chipset | Unisoc SC9863A (28 nm) | Qualcomm SM6225 Snapdragon 680 4G (6 nm) |
| GPU | IMG8322 | Adreno 610 |
| OS | Android 11 | Android 11, MIUI 13 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 32GB 2GB RAM, 64GB 2GB RAM | 64GB 3GB RAM, 64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 3GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM |
| | - | UFS 2.2 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Dual | - | 50 MP, f/1.8, 26mm (wide), PDAF
Auxiliary lens |
| Features | LED flash, HDR | LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Single | - | 5 MP, f/2.2 |
| Triple | 13 MP, AF
2 MP (macro)
Auxiliary lens | - |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Single | 5 MP | 5 MP, f/2.2 |
| Video | 720p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | Yes | 5.0, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | Yes | Yes (market/region dependent) |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS | GPS, GLONASS, BDS, GALILEO |
| Radio | Unspecified | FM radio |
| USB | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG |
| WLAN | Yes | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, proximity | Fingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, proximity |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 10W wired | 18W wired |
| Type | Li-Ion 5000 mAh | Li-Po 5000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Space Gray, Silk Gold, Crystal Blue | Graphite Gray, Ocean Blue, Mint Green |
| Models | - | 220333QAG, 220333QBI, 220333QNY, 220333QL |
| Price | About 90 EUR | £ 99.00 / € 109.86 |
| SAR | - | 0.96 W/kg (head) 1.02 W/kg (body) |
| SAR EU | - | 0.57 W/kg (head) 0.96 W/kg (body) |
ZTE Blade A52
- Lowest possible price point
- Acceptable for basic smartphone tasks
- Simple and straightforward user experience
- Significantly weaker performance
- Slow charging speed (10W)
- Less efficient chipset (28nm)
Xiaomi Redmi 10C
- Superior performance with Snapdragon 680
- Faster charging (18W)
- More efficient 6nm chipset
- Slightly higher price
- May still lack features found in higher-end phones
- Camera performance is good, but not exceptional
Display Comparison
Neither device boasts a standout display. Both likely utilize LCD panels, a common trait in this price bracket. However, details like resolution and brightness are missing. The focus here is on internal components. The absence of high refresh rates is expected. The real difference lies in the processing power driving the UI, impacting perceived smoothness.
Camera Comparison
Without detailed sensor information, a direct camera comparison is difficult. However, the Redmi 10C’s Qualcomm ISP (Image Signal Processor) generally offers superior image processing capabilities compared to Unisoc’s. While both phones likely feature a primary camera and depth/macro sensors, the Redmi 10C’s image processing will likely result in better dynamic range and noise reduction. The 2MP macro sensors on both devices are largely marketing features and offer limited practical benefit.
Performance
The Xiaomi Redmi 10C’s Qualcomm Snapdragon 680 (6nm) is the clear winner here. The 6nm fabrication process is significantly more efficient than the ZTE Blade A52’s Unisoc SC9863A (28nm), resulting in lower power consumption and reduced thermal throttling. The Snapdragon 680’s CPU configuration – 4x2.4 GHz Kryo 265 Gold & 4x1.9 GHz Kryo 265 Silver – also outperforms the Blade A52’s 4x1.6 GHz Cortex-A55 & 4x1.2 GHz Cortex-A55. This translates to faster app loading times, smoother multitasking, and a more enjoyable gaming experience on the Redmi 10C. The Unisoc chip, while adequate for basic tasks, will struggle with demanding applications.
Battery Life
The Redmi 10C’s 18W wired charging is a significant advantage over the Blade A52’s 10W charging. While battery capacity isn’t specified, the faster charging speed will result in considerably quicker top-ups. The Snapdragon 680’s 6nm efficiency also contributes to better battery life, as it consumes less power during operation. The Blade A52 will likely require longer charging times and may not last as long on a single charge with moderate to heavy use.
Buying Guide
Buy the ZTE Blade A52 if you absolutely need the lowest possible price and your smartphone usage is limited to basic tasks like calls, texts, and light social media. Buy the Xiaomi Redmi 10C if you prioritize smoother multitasking, occasional gaming, and a more responsive user experience, even if it means spending a little more.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Will the Unisoc SC9863A in the ZTE Blade A52 struggle with popular apps like TikTok or Facebook?
Yes, the Unisoc SC9863A is a low-end chipset. While it can run these apps, you may experience noticeable lag, slow loading times, and occasional crashes, especially when multitasking. The Redmi 10C’s Snapdragon 680 will provide a much smoother experience.
❓ Is the 18W charging on the Xiaomi Redmi 10C a significant improvement over the ZTE Blade A52’s 10W charging?
Absolutely. 18W charging will significantly reduce the time it takes to fully charge the Redmi 10C. Expect a much faster top-up compared to the Blade A52, which will take considerably longer to reach 100%.
❓ Can the Xiaomi Redmi 10C handle basic mobile gaming?
The Snapdragon 680 in the Redmi 10C is capable of handling less demanding mobile games at medium settings. While it won’t deliver a high-end gaming experience, it’s a significant step up from the ZTE Blade A52, which will struggle with even basic titles.
