The ZTE Blade A53 and Motorola Moto E (2020) represent the lower end of the Android smartphone market, targeting users prioritizing affordability. However, beneath the similar price points lie significant differences in chipset architecture and performance capabilities. This comparison dissects these differences to determine which device delivers the best experience for everyday tasks.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average user, the Motorola Moto E (2020) is the better choice. Its Qualcomm Snapdragon 632, built on a more efficient 14nm process, provides a noticeable performance advantage over the ZTE Blade A53’s Unisoc SC9863A1, translating to smoother multitasking and app loading times. While the A53 is cheaper, the Moto E’s superior processing power justifies the slight price premium.
| 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 | LTE | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 14, 17, 25, 26, 30, 66, 71 |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE | HSPA, LTE |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / EVDO / LTE |
| | - | CDMA2000 1xEV-DO |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2023, April | 2020, June 05. Released 2020, June 10 |
| Status | Available. Released 2023, April | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | - | Glass front, plastic back, plastic frame |
| Dimensions | 165.7 x 76.4 x 9.1 mm (6.52 x 3.01 x 0.36 in) | 159.8 x 76.6 x 8.7 mm (6.29 x 3.02 x 0.34 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM |
| Weight | - | 185 g (6.53 oz) |
| | - | Water-repellent coating |
| Display |
|---|
| Resolution | 720 x 1600 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~269 ppi density) | 720 x 1520 pixels, 19:9 ratio (~271 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.52 inches, 102.6 cm2 (~81.1% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.2 inches, 95.9 cm2 (~78.4% 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 (4x1.8 GHz Kryo 250 Gold & 4x1.8 GHz Kryo 250 Silver) |
| Chipset | Unisoc SC9863A1 (22 nm) | Qualcomm SDM632 Snapdragon 632 (14 nm) |
| GPU | IMG8322 | Adreno 506 |
| OS | Android 12 (Go edition) | Android 10 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 32GB 2GB RAM | 32GB 2GB RAM, 32GB 3GB RAM |
| | - | eMMC 5.1 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Dual | - | 13 MP, f/2.0, 1/3.1", 1.12µm, PDAF
Auxiliary lens |
| Features | LED flash | LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Single | 8 MP, AF | - |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30/60fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | - | HDR |
| Single | 5 MP | 5 MP, f/2.0, 1.12µm |
| Video | Yes | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | - | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 4.2, A2DP | 4.2, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | Yes (market/region dependent) | No |
| Positioning | GPS | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO |
| Radio | Unspecified | FM radio |
| USB | microUSB | microUSB 2.0 |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n, dual-band |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, proximity | Fingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, proximity, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 10W wired | - |
| Type | 4000 mAh | Li-Po 3550 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Gray, Blue, Green | Midnight Blue |
| Models | - | XT2052DL |
| Price | - | About 90 EUR |
ZTE Blade A53
- Lower price point makes it extremely accessible.
- Acceptable for basic communication tasks.
- May include software features not found on the Moto E (depending on ZTE's customization).
- Significantly weaker performance due to the Unisoc chipset.
- Less power-efficient chipset leads to shorter battery life.
- Likely slower software updates and support.
Motorola Moto E (2020)
- More powerful Snapdragon 632 chipset for smoother performance.
- Better power efficiency for longer battery life.
- Qualcomm chipset generally receives more consistent software updates.
- Slightly higher price compared to the ZTE Blade A53.
- Still a budget device with limitations in camera and display quality.
- 10W charging is slow.
Display Comparison
Neither device boasts a standout display. Both likely feature 720p+ resolution LCD panels, typical for this price bracket. However, the lack of detailed display specs necessitates focusing on the chipset’s ability to drive the UI smoothly. The Moto E’s more powerful GPU, integrated within the Snapdragon 632, will likely result in slightly smoother scrolling and animations, even if the panels themselves are comparable.
Camera Comparison
Given the price point, camera performance is unlikely to be a key differentiator. Both phones likely feature basic camera setups. Without specific sensor details, it’s safe to assume the Moto E’s image signal processor (ISP), integrated within the Snapdragon 632, will offer slightly better image processing capabilities, resulting in marginally improved image quality in good lighting conditions. The prevalence of low-resolution auxiliary cameras on budget phones suggests avoiding expectations for significant macro or depth-sensing performance on either device.
Performance
The core difference lies in the chipsets. The Motorola Moto E (2020) utilizes the Qualcomm Snapdragon 632 (14nm), featuring a combination of 4x1.8 GHz Kryo 250 Gold and 4x1.8 GHz Kryo 250 Silver cores. This architecture, coupled with the smaller 14nm fabrication process, offers superior power efficiency and performance compared to the ZTE Blade A53’s Unisoc SC9863A1 (22nm). The Unisoc chip’s octa-core configuration (4x1.6 GHz Cortex-A55 & 4x1.2 GHz Cortex-A55) is less effective due to the older Cortex-A55 cores and larger manufacturing node. This translates to slower app launch times and potential stuttering during multitasking on the A53.
Battery Life
Both devices likely feature battery capacities around 4000mAh, standard for this segment. However, the Unisoc SC9863A1’s less efficient 22nm process will likely result in shorter battery life on the ZTE Blade A53, despite the similar capacity. The Moto E’s Snapdragon 632, with its 14nm process, will consume less power, potentially offering an hour or more of additional usage. Both phones feature slow 10W charging, meaning a full charge will take several hours.
Buying Guide
Buy the ZTE Blade A53 if your primary need is an extremely low-cost smartphone for basic communication – calls, texts, and light web browsing. It’s a viable option for first-time smartphone users or as a temporary device. Buy the Motorola Moto E (2020) if you prioritize a more responsive user experience, smoother app performance, and a chipset from a more established manufacturer. It’s ideal for users who frequently use social media, stream videos, or play casual games.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Will the ZTE Blade A53 struggle with popular apps like Facebook or WhatsApp?
The Unisoc SC9863A1 chipset is likely to exhibit noticeable lag when running multiple apps simultaneously, including Facebook and WhatsApp. While these apps will function, expect slower loading times and occasional stuttering, especially with other apps running in the background.
❓ Is the Motorola Moto E (2020) capable of playing mobile games?
The Moto E (2020) can handle casual mobile games without significant issues. However, demanding titles like PUBG Mobile or Call of Duty: Mobile will likely require low graphics settings and may still experience occasional frame drops due to the Snapdragon 632's limitations.
❓ How long will it take to fully charge either phone?
Both the ZTE Blade A53 and Motorola Moto E (2020) support only 10W charging. Expect a full charge from 0% to 100% to take approximately 3-4 hours, making overnight charging the most practical option.
❓ Which phone is more likely to receive software updates?
Motorola generally provides more consistent software updates for its devices compared to ZTE, particularly in the budget segment. While neither phone is guaranteed frequent updates, the Moto E (2020) has a higher probability of receiving security patches and minor Android version updates.
