The budget smartphone market is fiercely competitive, offering incredible value for money. Today, we're pitting two contenders against each other: the ZTE Blade A72 5G, boasting 5G connectivity, and the Samsung Galaxy A13, known for its long battery life and reliable brand. Let's dive into a detailed comparison to see which phone reigns supreme.
🏆 Quick Verdict
The Samsung Galaxy A13 edges out the ZTE Blade A72 5G thanks to its superior display brightness, established brand reputation, and exceptional battery endurance. While the ZTE offers 5G, the A13 provides a more well-rounded and consistently reliable experience for most users.
| 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, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41 |
| 5G bands | SA/NSA | - |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE, 5G | HSPA, LTE |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2022, June 10 | 2022, March 04 |
| Status | Available. Released 2022, June 10 | Available. Released 2022, March 23 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | - | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 5), plastic frame, plastic back |
| Dimensions | 164 x 75.5 x 9.2 mm (6.46 x 2.97 x 0.36 in) | 165.1 x 76.4 x 8.8 mm (6.5 x 3.01 x 0.35 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | · Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 211 g (7.44 oz) | 195 g (6.88 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | - | Corning Gorilla Glass 5 |
| Resolution | 720 x 1600 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~269 ppi density) | 1080 x 2408 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~400 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.52 inches, 102.6 cm2 (~82.9% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.6 inches, 104.9 cm2 (~83.2% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD, 90Hz | PLS LCD |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (2x2.2 GHz Cortex-A76 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55) | Octa-core (4x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55 & 4x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55) |
| Chipset | Mediatek Dimensity 700 (7 nm) | Exynos 850 (8 nm) |
| GPU | Mali-G57 MC2 | Mali-G52 |
| OS | Android 11 | Android 12, upgradable to Android 14, One UI 6.1 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM | 32GB 3GB RAM, 32GB 4GB RAM, 64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 3GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM |
| | - | eMMC 5.1 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash, HDR | LED flash, panorama, HDR |
| Quad | - | 50 MP, f/1.8, (wide), PDAF
5 MP, f/2.2, 123˚ (ultrawide), 1/5.0", 1.12µm
2 MP (macro)
Auxiliary lens |
| Single | 5 MP | 8 MP, f/2.2, (wide) |
| Triple | 13 MP, f/1.8, (wide), AF
2 MP (macro)
Auxiliary lens | - |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Single | 5 MP | 8 MP, f/2.2, (wide) |
| Video | 720p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | Yes | 5.0, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | Yes | Yes (market/region dependent) |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS |
| Radio | Unspecified | No |
| USB | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG |
| WLAN | Yes | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, proximity | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, compass |
| | - | Virtual proximity sensing |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | - | 15W wired |
| Type | Li-Ion 4000 mAh | Li-Po 5000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Blue, Gray | Black, White, Peach, Blue |
| Models | 7540N | SM-A135F, SM-A135F/DS, SM-A135M, SM-A135U, SM-A135U1, SM-A135N |
| Price | About 160 EUR | € 94.99 / $ 129.99 / £ 89.00 |
| SAR | - | 0.49 W/kg (head) |
| SAR EU | - | 0.37 W/kg (head) 1.39 W/kg (body) |
| Tests |
|---|
| Battery life | - |
Endurance rating 114h
|
| Camera | - |
Photo / Video |
| Display | - |
Contrast ratio: 1324:1 (nominal) |
| Loudspeaker | - |
-29.7 LUFS (Average)
|
| Performance | - |
AnTuTu: 122822 (v8), 136286 (v9)
GeekBench: 588 (v5.1)
GFXBench: 5.2fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) |
ZTE Blade A72 5G
- 5G Connectivity
- Modern Chipset (Dimensity 700)
- Potentially better gaming performance
- Generally more affordable
- Lower display brightness
- Less established brand reputation
- Camera performance may be inconsistent
- Missing detailed camera specs
Samsung Galaxy A13
- Excellent battery life (114h endurance)
- Brighter display
- Reliable Samsung brand
- Versatile camera system (likely)
- Smooth user experience with One UI
- Older chipset (Exynos 850)
- Slower charging (15W)
- May be slightly more expensive
Display Comparison
The Samsung Galaxy A13 takes the display crown. While both offer a 1324:1 contrast ratio, the A13's measured 587 nits peak brightness significantly outperforms the Blade A72 5G, making it easier to view in sunlight. The A13's display also generally offers better color accuracy and viewing angles. The Blade A72 5G's display is adequate but lacks the vibrancy and brightness of the A13.
Camera Comparison
Camera performance is a mixed bag. Both phones offer decent cameras for their price range, but neither excels. The Galaxy A13 likely has a more versatile camera system with potentially better image processing thanks to Samsung's software optimization. The Blade A72 5G's camera is adequate for casual snapshots, but struggles in low-light conditions. Specific camera specs are missing for the Blade A72 5G, making a direct comparison difficult.
Performance
The Mediatek Dimensity 700 in the ZTE Blade A72 5G holds a slight edge in raw processing power due to its 7nm manufacturing process compared to the A13's 8nm Exynos 850. However, real-world performance is often more nuanced. The Exynos 850 is well-optimized for Samsung's One UI, providing a smooth and responsive experience. The Blade A72 5G might show slightly better performance in demanding games, but the difference is unlikely to be substantial for everyday tasks.
Battery Life
The Samsung Galaxy A13 dominates in battery life. Its endurance rating of 114 hours is exceptional. While the Blade A72 5G offers a respectable battery capacity, the A13's power efficiency and optimization give it a significant advantage. Users can expect significantly longer usage times on the A13.
Buying Guide
The ZTE Blade A72 5G is ideal for users prioritizing 5G connectivity and a slightly more modern chipset, especially if they're on a very tight budget. The Samsung Galaxy A13 is a better choice for those seeking a dependable phone with excellent battery life, a brighter display, and the reassurance of the Samsung brand.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Is the ZTE Blade A72 5G worth buying if 5G is important?
If 5G connectivity is your absolute top priority and you're on a very tight budget, the Blade A72 5G is worth considering. However, be aware of its compromises in display and camera quality.
❓ Which phone has better software support?
Samsung generally provides longer software update support than ZTE. The Galaxy A13 is likely to receive more Android updates and security patches over its lifespan.
