The sub-$150 smartphone market is fiercely competitive. Both the ZTE Blade A53 and Xiaomi Redmi 10A aim to deliver essential smartphone functionality at an incredibly accessible price point. However, they achieve this with different chipsets and design philosophies. This comparison dissects the key differences to help you determine which device best suits your needs.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For most users, the Xiaomi Redmi 10A offers a slightly better experience. Its Mediatek Helio G25, built on a more efficient 12nm process, provides a noticeable performance edge over the ZTE Blade A53’s Unisoc SC9863A, translating to smoother multitasking and app loading. While both offer similar battery life and charging speeds, the Redmi 10A’s chipset gives it a slight advantage.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | LTE | 1, 3, 5, 8, 40, 41 - International |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE | HSPA, LTE |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / CDMA2000 / LTE |
| | - | 1, 3, 5, 8, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41 - China |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2023, April | 2022, March 29 |
| Status | Available. Released 2023, April | Available. Released 2022, March 31 |
| Body |
|---|
| Dimensions | 165.7 x 76.4 x 9.1 mm (6.52 x 3.01 x 0.36 in) | 164.9 x 77.1 x 9 mm (6.49 x 3.04 x 0.35 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | - | 194 g (6.84 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Resolution | 720 x 1600 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~269 ppi density) | 720 x 1600 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~269 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.52 inches, 102.6 cm2 (~81.1% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.53 inches, 102.9 cm2 (~81.0% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD | IPS LCD, 400 nits (typ) |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (4x1.6 GHz Cortex-A55 & 4x1.2 GHz Cortex-A55) | Octa-core (4x2.0 GHz Cortex-A53 & 4x1.5 GHz Cortex-A53) |
| Chipset | Unisoc SC9863A1 (22 nm) | Mediatek MT6762G Helio G25 (12 nm) |
| GPU | IMG8322 | PowerVR GE8320 |
| OS | Android 12 (Go edition) | Android 11, MIUI 12.5 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) | microSDXC |
| Internal | 32GB 2GB RAM | 32GB 2GB RAM, 32GB 3GB RAM, 64GB 3GB RAM, 64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash | LED flash |
| Single | 8 MP, AF | 13 MP, f/2.2, (wide), 1.0µm, AF |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | - | HDR |
| Single | 5 MP | 5 MP |
| Video | Yes | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | - | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 4.2, A2DP | 5.0, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | Yes (market/region dependent) | No |
| Positioning | GPS | GPS, GLONASS, BDS |
| Radio | Unspecified | No |
| USB | microUSB | microUSB 2.0 |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, proximity | Fingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, proximity |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 10W wired | 10W wired |
| Type | 4000 mAh | Li-Ion 5000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Gray, Blue, Green | Charcoal Black, Sea Blue, Slate Grey |
| Models | - | 220233L2C, 220233L2G, 220233L2I |
| Price | - | € 60.00 / $ 66.55 |
| SAR | - | 0.90 W/kg (head) 0.65 W/kg (body) |
| SAR EU | - | 0.40 W/kg (head) 0.99 W/kg (body) |
ZTE Blade A53
- Potentially lower price point
- Modern Cortex-A55 cores
- Simple and straightforward user experience
- Less powerful chipset compared to the Redmi 10A
- Larger process node (22nm) leads to lower efficiency
- Likely slower app loading and multitasking
Xiaomi Redmi 10A
- More powerful Mediatek Helio G25 chipset
- More efficient 12nm process
- Smoother multitasking and app performance
- Older Cortex-A53 cores
- May be slightly more expensive than the Blade A53
- Camera performance likely similar to the Blade A53
Display Comparison
Neither device boasts a standout display. Both are likely to feature LCD panels, typical for this price bracket. Specifics like resolution and brightness are not provided, but we can assume they are similar – likely 720p+ and adequate for indoor use. The lack of higher refresh rates or advanced panel technologies like LTPO is expected. Bezels are likely to be substantial on both, maximizing screen real estate within a compact form factor.
Camera Comparison
Camera performance is likely to be similar and unremarkable on both devices. Without specific sensor details, it’s safe to assume both rely on basic sensors for capturing images. The presence of a 2MP macro camera on either device is largely a marketing tactic, offering limited practical benefit due to the low resolution. Image processing will likely be basic, prioritizing speed over detail. Expect acceptable results in good lighting conditions, but struggles in low light.
Performance
The core difference lies in the chipsets. The Xiaomi Redmi 10A’s Mediatek Helio G25 (12nm) is fabricated on a smaller node than the ZTE Blade A53’s Unisoc SC9863A (22nm). This translates to improved power efficiency and, crucially, higher clock speeds. The Helio G25 features 4x2.0 GHz Cortex-A53 cores alongside 4x1.5 GHz Cortex-A53 cores, while the Unisoc SC9863A has 4x1.6 GHz Cortex-A55 cores and 4x1.2 GHz Cortex-A55 cores. While both are octa-core, the Helio G25’s higher clock speeds and more efficient process will result in faster app launches and smoother multitasking. The Cortex-A53 cores in the Helio G25 are older architecture, but the clock speed advantage compensates. The Unisoc’s Cortex-A55 cores are more modern, but the larger process node limits their potential.
Battery Life
Both the ZTE Blade A53 and Xiaomi Redmi 10A feature 10W wired charging, indicating similar charging speeds. Actual 0-100% charge times will likely be around 2.5-3 hours. Battery capacity is not specified, but given the target market, both are likely to be in the 4000-5000 mAh range. The Helio G25’s improved power efficiency might translate to slightly longer battery life in real-world usage, but the difference will likely be minimal.
Buying Guide
Buy the ZTE Blade A53 if you prioritize a potentially lower price point and are primarily focused on extremely basic tasks like calls, texts, and light social media browsing. Buy the Xiaomi Redmi 10A if you want a more responsive experience for everyday use, including smoother app switching and slightly better performance in casual games. The Redmi 10A is the better choice for users who don't want to constantly fight with lag.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Will the Redmi 10A handle popular apps like WhatsApp and Facebook smoothly?
Yes, the Mediatek Helio G25 in the Redmi 10A is capable of running apps like WhatsApp and Facebook without significant lag. The higher clock speeds and more efficient process node provide a smoother experience compared to the ZTE Blade A53, especially when multitasking between apps.
❓ Is the Unisoc SC9863A in the Blade A53 sufficient for basic web browsing?
The Unisoc SC9863A is adequate for basic web browsing, but you may experience some slowdown when loading complex websites or having multiple tabs open. The Redmi 10A’s Helio G25 will offer a noticeably faster and more responsive browsing experience.
❓ Can either of these phones play PUBG Mobile?
While technically possible to launch PUBG Mobile on both devices, the experience will be far from ideal. The Helio G25 in the Redmi 10A will offer slightly better frame rates at the lowest settings, but expect significant lag and stuttering. Neither phone is designed for demanding games like PUBG.
❓ What type of storage do these phones use, and is it expandable?
While not explicitly stated, both devices likely use eMMC storage, common in this price range. Expandable storage via microSD card is highly probable on both models, allowing you to increase the available storage space for photos, videos, and apps.
