The sub-$150 smartphone market is fiercely competitive. Both the ZTE Blade A54 and the Motorola Moto G Play (2023) aim to deliver essential smartphone functionality at an accessible price. However, they take different approaches to achieving this, primarily in their chipset choices, impacting performance and efficiency. This comparison dissects those differences to determine which device offers the best value.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average user prioritizing overall responsiveness and slightly better efficiency, the Motorola Moto G Play (2023) is the stronger choice. Its MediaTek Helio G37, built on a 12nm process, provides a noticeable performance advantage over the ZTE Blade A54’s older 28nm Unisoc SC9863A, despite the clock speed differences.
| 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, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 29, 30, 38, 39, 40, 41, 66, 71 |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE | HSPA, LTE |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / LTE |
| | - | CDMA 800 / 1900 |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2023, September | 2022, December 08 |
| Status | Available. Released 2023, November | Available. Released 2022, December 12 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | - | Plastic frame, plastic back |
| Dimensions | 164 x 75.8 x 8.5 mm (6.46 x 2.98 x 0.33 in) | 167.2 x 76.5 x 9.4 mm (6.58 x 3.01 x 0.37 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 185 g (6.53 oz) | 203 g (7.20 oz) |
| | - | Water-repellent coating |
| Display |
|---|
| Resolution | 720 x 1612 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~267 ppi density) | 720 x 1600 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~270 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.6 inches, 104.6 cm2 (~84.2% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.5 inches, 102.0 cm2 (~79.7% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD, 90Hz | IPS LCD, 90Hz |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (4x1.6 GHz Cortex-A55 & 4x1.2 GHz Cortex-A55) | Octa-core (4x2.3 GHz Cortex-A53 & 4x1.8 GHz Cortex-A53) |
| Chipset | Unisoc SC9863A (28 nm) | Mediatek MT6765 Helio G37 (12 nm) |
| GPU | IMG8322 | PowerVR GE8320 |
| OS | Android 13 | Android 12 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM | 32GB 3GB RAM |
| | - | eMMC 5.1 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash, HDR | LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Single | 13 MP, (wide), AF
Auxiliary lens | - |
| Triple | - | 16 MP, f/2.2, (wide), 1.12µm, PDAF
2 MP (macro)
Auxiliary lens |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30/60fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | - | HDR |
| Single | 2 MP (interpolated to 5 MP) | 5 MP, f/2.4, (wide), 1.12µm |
| Video | Yes | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | - | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.2, A2DP, LE | 5.0, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | Yes (market/region dependent) | No |
| Positioning | GPS | GPS, GLONASS |
| Radio | Unspecified | No |
| USB | USB Type-C 2.0 | USB Type-C 2.0 |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer | Fingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, proximity, barometer |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | - | 10W wired |
| Type | 5000 mAh | Li-Po 5000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Gray, Blue, Lilac | Deep Indigo |
| Models | - | XT2271-1, XT2271-3, XT2271-5, XT2271-4 |
| Price | About 90 EUR | $ 54.00 / C$ 129.00 |
ZTE Blade A54
- Potentially lower price point
- May offer slightly longer standby time due to potentially larger battery (unconfirmed)
- Simple and straightforward user experience
- Significantly weaker performance due to older chipset
- Less efficient chipset leads to shorter battery life during use
- Outdated 28nm manufacturing process
Motorola Moto G Play (2023)
- More responsive performance with the Helio G37
- More efficient 12nm chipset for better battery life
- Slightly better image processing capabilities
- Slower 10W charging
- May be slightly more expensive than the ZTE Blade A54
- Still a budget device with inherent limitations
Display Comparison
Neither device boasts a standout display. Both are likely to feature LCD panels, common in this price bracket. The lack of specified resolution or refresh rate suggests both are targeting 720p and 60Hz. The key difference lies under the hood; the Moto G Play’s chipset may offer slightly better image processing capabilities, but the impact will be minimal. Bezels are expected to be substantial on both, prioritizing cost reduction over premium aesthetics.
Camera Comparison
Camera performance is likely to be similar, with both devices relying on basic sensors. Details are scarce, but it’s safe to assume both will feature a primary sensor and potentially a depth or macro lens of limited utility. The Moto G Play’s image signal processor (ISP), integrated within the Helio G37, may offer slightly better image processing capabilities, resulting in marginally improved image quality in good lighting conditions. However, low-light performance will likely be poor on both devices. Focusing on the primary sensor specs (which are not provided) is crucial, as the 2MP auxiliary lenses are largely marketing filler.
Performance
The Motorola Moto G Play (2023) holds a significant advantage in performance. While the ZTE Blade A54 utilizes an octa-core Unisoc SC9863A built on a dated 28nm process, the Moto G Play features the MediaTek Helio G37, fabricated on a more efficient 12nm node. This translates to better thermal management and sustained performance. The Helio G37’s Cortex-A53 cores, clocked at 2.3 GHz, outperform the A54’s 1.6 GHz Cortex-A55 cores, despite the architectural improvements of the A55. This difference will be most noticeable in app loading times and multitasking. The A54’s older chipset will likely struggle with more demanding applications.
Battery Life
Battery life is a complex equation. While the Moto G Play includes only 10W charging, the more efficient Helio G37 chipset will likely result in longer real-world usage on a single charge. The ZTE Blade A54’s less efficient Unisoc chip will consume more power, potentially negating any advantage from a larger battery capacity (if present – this is not specified). The 10W charging on the Moto G Play will take a considerable amount of time to fully charge the device, but the efficiency gains may offset this inconvenience for users who don’t mind overnight charging.
Buying Guide
Buy the ZTE Blade A54 if your primary need is a phone for extremely basic tasks – calls, texts, and light social media – and you’re on a very tight budget. The A54’s lower price point may be attractive for first-time smartphone users or as a temporary device. Buy the Motorola Moto G Play (2023) if you want a more responsive experience for everyday tasks, occasional gaming, and appreciate a slightly more modern chipset that offers better power efficiency, even if it means spending a little more.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Will the Motorola Moto G Play (2023) be able to run popular social media apps smoothly?
Yes, the MediaTek Helio G37 chipset in the Moto G Play (2023) is capable of running popular social media apps like Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok without significant lag. The 2.3 GHz Cortex-A53 cores provide sufficient processing power for these everyday tasks, offering a smoother experience than the ZTE Blade A54’s Unisoc SC9863A.
❓ Is the 10W charging on the Moto G Play (2023) a major drawback?
While 10W charging is slow by modern standards, the Moto G Play’s more efficient Helio G37 chipset means you won’t need to charge it as frequently. Overnight charging is recommended. The efficiency gains offset the slower charging speed for typical usage patterns.
❓ Can the ZTE Blade A54 handle basic mobile gaming?
The ZTE Blade A54 can handle very basic mobile games, but performance will be limited. The Unisoc SC9863A chipset struggles with graphically demanding titles, and you’ll likely experience significant frame rate drops and lag. The Moto G Play (2023) is a better choice for even casual gaming.
