The sub-$200 smartphone market is fiercely competitive. The ZTE Blade A55 and OnePlus Nord N30 SE both aim to deliver a solid experience without breaking the bank, but they take drastically different approaches to achieving that goal. The Blade A55 relies on an older, power-efficient chipset, while the Nord N30 SE opts for a newer, more powerful processor. This comparison will dissect the key differences to help you choose the right device.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For most users, the OnePlus Nord N30 SE is the better buy. Its Mediatek Dimensity 6020 chipset provides a significantly faster and more responsive experience than the ZTE Blade A55’s Unisoc SC9863A1. The 33W charging is a game-changer, drastically reducing downtime compared to the A55’s slow 10W charging.
| 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, 12, 13, 17, 18, 19, 20, 26, 28, 38, 39, 40, 41, 66 |
| 5G bands | - | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66, 77, 78 SA/NSA |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE | HSPA, LTE, 5G |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2024, January | 2024, January 29 |
| Status | Available. Released 2024, July | Available. Released 2024, January 31 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | - | Glass front, plastic frame, plastic back |
| Dimensions | 167.7 x 77.4 x 8.5 mm (6.60 x 3.05 x 0.33 in) | 165.6 x 76 x 8 mm (6.52 x 2.99 x 0.31 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | - | 193 g (6.81 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Resolution | 720 x 1600 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~260 ppi density) | 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~392 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.75 inches, 110.0 cm2 (~84.7% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.72 inches, 109.0 cm2 (~86.6% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD, 90Hz | IPS LCD |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (4x1.6 GHz Cortex-A55 & 4x1.2 GHz Cortex-A55) | Octa-core (2x2.2 GHz Cortex-A76 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55) |
| Chipset | Unisoc SC9863A1 (22 nm) | Mediatek Dimensity 6020 (7 nm) |
| GPU | IMG8322 | Mali-G57 MC2 |
| OS | Android 14 (Go edition) | Android 13, OxygenOS 13.1 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | No |
| Internal | 64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM | 128GB 4GB RAM |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Dual | - | 50 MP, f/1.8, (wide), 1/2.76", 0.64µm, PDAF
Auxiliary lens |
| Features | LED flash | LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Single | 13 MP, AF
Auxiliary lens | - |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Single | 8 MP | 8 MP, f/2.0, (wide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm |
| Video | Yes | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes, with stereo speakers |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.2, A2DP, LE | 5.3, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | No | Yes |
| Positioning | GPS, GALILEO, GLONASS | GPS, GALILEO, GLONASS, BDS |
| Radio | FM radio | No |
| USB | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 10W wired | 33W wired, 51% in 30 min |
| Type | Li-Po 5000 mAh | 5000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Mint Green, Starry Black, Sunset Orange | Black Satin, Cyan |
| Models | Z2450 | CPH2605 |
| Price | - | About 510 EUR |
ZTE Blade A55
- Potentially longer battery life due to efficient chipset.
- Lower price point makes it accessible to a wider audience.
- Simple and straightforward user experience.
- Significantly slower performance compared to the Nord N30 SE.
- Extremely slow 10W charging.
- Limited multitasking capabilities.
OnePlus Nord N30 SE
- Much faster performance thanks to the Dimensity 6020 chipset.
- 33W fast charging significantly reduces charging time.
- More responsive user experience.
- Slightly higher price point.
- Potentially shorter battery life compared to the Blade A55 (depending on capacity).
- May experience more heat under heavy load.
Display Comparison
Neither device boasts a standout display. Given the provided specs, a detailed display comparison is limited. Both likely utilize LCD panels common in this price bracket. The focus here isn't on visual fidelity, but on basic usability. We can infer that the ZTE Blade A55, with its older chipset, may have a lower refresh rate, resulting in less smooth scrolling compared to what the Dimensity 6020 could potentially support. Bezels are likely substantial on both devices, reflecting their budget nature.
Camera Comparison
Without detailed camera specs, a direct comparison is difficult. However, it’s safe to assume both phones feature basic camera setups geared towards casual photography. The image processing capabilities of the Dimensity 6020 in the Nord N30 SE are likely superior, offering better dynamic range and noise reduction. The ZTE Blade A55 will likely produce acceptable images in good lighting conditions, but will struggle in low-light scenarios. The presence of a 2MP macro camera on either device is largely a marketing gimmick and shouldn't be a deciding factor.
Performance
The performance gap is the most significant differentiator. The Mediatek Dimensity 6020 (7nm) in the Nord N30 SE is built on a far more advanced process node than the Unisoc SC9863A1 (22nm) in the Blade A55. This translates to greater efficiency and significantly higher performance. The Dimensity 6020’s Cortex-A76 cores (2x2.2 GHz) are substantially more powerful than the A55’s Cortex-A55 cores (4x1.6 GHz & 4x1.2 GHz). This means faster app launches, smoother multitasking, and a more enjoyable overall experience. The Nord N30 SE will handle demanding apps and light gaming with ease, while the Blade A55 will struggle with anything beyond basic tasks. The 7nm process also implies better thermal management, reducing the likelihood of throttling under sustained load.
Battery Life
While battery capacity isn't specified, the real-world impact of the charging speeds is substantial. The OnePlus Nord N30 SE’s 33W wired charging, capable of delivering 51% charge in 30 minutes, is a massive advantage. This drastically reduces downtime and makes it far more convenient to top up the battery throughout the day. The ZTE Blade A55’s 10W charging is painfully slow by comparison, requiring significantly longer to reach a full charge. Even if the Blade A55 has a slightly larger battery capacity, the Nord N30 SE’s faster charging will likely result in less perceived downtime.
Buying Guide
Buy the ZTE Blade A55 if your priority is absolute affordability and long battery life for extremely basic tasks like calls, texts, and light social media. You’re willing to sacrifice performance and charging speed for the lowest possible price. Buy the OnePlus Nord N30 SE if you prioritize a smoother, more responsive user experience, faster app loading times, and significantly quicker charging, even if it means spending a bit more upfront.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Is the Unisoc SC9863A1 chipset in the ZTE Blade A55 sufficient for playing games like PUBG Mobile?
While PUBG Mobile may be playable on the ZTE Blade A55, expect significant compromises. You'll likely need to run the game at the lowest graphics settings and frame rate to achieve a playable experience, and even then, you may encounter stuttering and lag. The Unisoc SC9863A1 simply lacks the processing power and GPU performance to handle demanding games smoothly.
❓ How long does it realistically take to fully charge the ZTE Blade A55 with its 10W charger?
Given the 10W charging speed, a full charge from 0% on the ZTE Blade A55 will likely take between 3 to 4 hours. This is a significant drawback compared to the OnePlus Nord N30 SE’s 33W charging, which can deliver a substantial charge in just 30 minutes.
❓ Will the OnePlus Nord N30 SE overheat during extended gaming sessions?
The Mediatek Dimensity 6020 is a relatively efficient chipset, and the Nord N30 SE should be able to handle moderate gaming sessions without excessive overheating. However, prolonged, demanding gameplay may cause the phone to warm up. The phone's thermal management system will likely throttle performance slightly to prevent overheating, but it shouldn't be a major issue.
❓ Does the OnePlus Nord N30 SE support software updates and for how long?
OnePlus generally provides good software support for its Nord series devices. While specific update timelines aren't guaranteed, you can expect at least one major Android version update and several security patches. Check OnePlus's official website for the latest update information for the Nord N30 SE.
