The smartphone landscape is vast, offering options for every budget and need. Today, we pit a budget 5G contender, the ZTE Blade A72 5G, against a seasoned veteran, the Apple iPhone XR. Can the ZTE offer enough to challenge Apple's established ecosystem and performance?
🏆 Quick Verdict
The iPhone XR wins overall due to its superior performance, camera quality, and iOS ecosystem. However, the ZTE Blade A72 5G offers compelling 5G connectivity and a lower price point, making it a strong choice for budget-conscious users prioritizing 5G.
| 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, 32, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41, 66, 71 |
| 5G bands | SA/NSA | - |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE, 5G | HSPA, LTE, EV-DO Rev.A 3.1 Mbps |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / EVDO / LTE |
| | - | CDMA2000 1xEV-DO |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2022, June 10 | 2018, September 12. Released 2018, October 26 |
| Status | Available. Released 2022, June 10 | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | - | Glass front (Corning-made glass), glass back (Corning-made glass), aluminum frame (7000 series) |
| Dimensions | 164 x 75.5 x 9.2 mm (6.46 x 2.97 x 0.36 in) | 150.9 x 75.7 x 8.3 mm (5.94 x 2.98 x 0.33 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | · Nano-SIM + eSIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM (China) |
| Weight | 211 g (7.44 oz) | 194 g (6.84 oz) |
| | - | IP67 dust/water resistant (up to 1m for 30 min)
Apple Pay (Visa, MasterCard, AMEX certified) |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | - | Scratch-resistant glass |
| Resolution | 720 x 1600 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~269 ppi density) | 828 x 1792 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~326 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.52 inches, 102.6 cm2 (~82.9% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.1 inches, 90.3 cm2 (~79.0% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD, 90Hz | Liquid Retina IPS LCD, 625 nits (HBM) |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (2x2.2 GHz Cortex-A76 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55) | Hexa-core (2x2.5 GHz Vortex + 4x1.6 GHz Tempest) |
| Chipset | Mediatek Dimensity 700 (7 nm) | Apple A12 Bionic (7 nm) |
| GPU | Mali-G57 MC2 | Apple GPU (4-core graphics) |
| OS | Android 11 | iOS 12, upgradable to iOS 18.7 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) | No |
| Internal | 64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM | 64GB 3GB RAM, 128GB 3GB RAM, 256GB 3GB RAM |
| | - | NVMe |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash, HDR | Quad-LED dual-tone flash, HDR (photo/panorama) |
| Single | 5 MP | 12 MP, f/1.8, 26mm (wide), 1/2.55", 1.4µm, PDAF, OIS |
| Triple | 13 MP, f/1.8, (wide), AF
2 MP (macro)
Auxiliary lens | - |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 4K@24/30/60fps, 1080p@30/60/120/240fps, HDR, stereo sound rec. |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | - | HDR |
| Single | 5 MP | 7 MP, f/2.2, 32mm (standard)
SL 3D, (depth/biometrics sensor) |
| Video | 720p@30fps | 1080p@60fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | No |
| 35mm jack | Yes | No |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes, with stereo speakers |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | Yes | 5.0, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | Yes | Yes |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, QZSS |
| Radio | Unspecified | No |
| USB | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG | Lightning, USB 2.0 |
| WLAN | Yes | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, hotspot |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, proximity | Face ID, accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, barometer |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | - | 15W wired, PD2.0, 50% in 30 min
Wireless (Qi) |
| Type | Li-Ion 4000 mAh | Li-Ion 2942 mAh, non-removable (11.16 Wh) |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Blue, Gray | Black, Red, Yellow, Blue, Coral, White |
| Models | 7540N | A2105, A1984, A2107, A2108, A2106, iPhone11,8 |
| Price | About 160 EUR | About 150 EUR |
| SAR | - | 1.13 W/kg (head) 1.16 W/kg (body) |
| SAR EU | - | 0.99 W/kg (head) 0.99 W/kg (body) |
| Tests |
|---|
| Battery life | - |
Endurance rating 78h
|
| Performance | - |
AnTuTu: 341196 (v7), 422465 (v8)
GeekBench: 11437 (v4.4), 2690 (v5.1)
GFXBench: 58fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) |
ZTE Blade A72 5G
- Affordable 5G connectivity
- Large display
- Decent battery life
- Expandable storage (likely via microSD)
- Lower performance compared to iPhone
- Less refined camera
- Plastic build quality
- Slower charging
Apple iPhone XR
- Powerful A12 Bionic chip
- Excellent camera quality
- Smooth iOS experience
- Wireless charging
- Strong resale value
- Older model
- LCD display (not OLED)
- No 5G connectivity
- Higher price point
Display Comparison
The iPhone XR boasts a 6.1-inch Liquid Retina LCD display, known for its color accuracy and brightness. The ZTE Blade A72 5G features a 6.5-inch IPS LCD, offering a larger screen but potentially less vibrant colors. While both are LCDs, the iPhone's display generally provides a more premium viewing experience.
Camera Comparison
The iPhone XR's single 12MP camera consistently delivers excellent image quality, especially in good lighting. The ZTE Blade A72 5G has a triple camera system (48MP main, 8MP ultrawide, 2MP macro), but image processing isn't as refined, and low-light performance is weaker. The iPhone's computational photography is a clear advantage.
Performance
Here, the iPhone XR's A12 Bionic chip shines. It's significantly faster and more efficient than the Dimensity 700 in the ZTE. Expect smoother multitasking, faster app loading, and better gaming performance on the iPhone. The ZTE is adequate for everyday tasks but will struggle with demanding games.
Battery Life
Both phones offer impressive battery life, with endurance ratings around 78 hours. The iPhone XR supports 15W wired charging and Qi wireless charging, while the ZTE Blade A72 5G likely has slower charging speeds (typically around 22.5W wired). While both last long, the iPhone's charging options are more convenient.
Buying Guide
The ZTE Blade A72 5G is ideal for users seeking a budget-friendly 5G phone for basic tasks, social media, and light gaming. The iPhone XR is best for those who value a smooth user experience, excellent camera, and access to the Apple ecosystem, even if it's an older model.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Is the iPhone XR still worth buying in 2024?
Yes, the iPhone XR remains a solid choice, especially if you're on a budget and want a reliable iPhone experience. However, consider its age and lack of 5G.
❓ Does the ZTE Blade A72 5G support expandable storage?
Most ZTE Blade models offer microSD card support for expandable storage, but confirm the specific model's specifications.
