The smartphone market is flooded with options, but finding the right balance between price and performance can be tricky. We pit the ZTE Blade A73, a budget-focused device, against the Realme 10 Pro+, which aims for a more premium mid-range experience, to determine which phone delivers the best value for your money.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average user prioritizing performance and fast charging, the Realme 10 Pro+ is the clear winner. Its Dimensity 1080 chipset and 67W charging significantly outperform the ZTE Blade A73's Unisoc T606 and 22.5W charging, justifying the price difference.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 - SIM 1 & SIM 2 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | LTE | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 19, 28, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41 |
| 5G bands | - | 1, 3, 5, 8, 28, 40, 41, 77, 78 SA/NSA |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE | HSPA, LTE-A, 5G |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / CDMA2000 / LTE / 5G |
| | - | CDMA2000 1x |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2023, August 31 | 2022, November 17 |
| Status | Available. Released 2023, September | Available. Released 2022, November 24 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | - | Glass front, plastic frame, plastic back |
| Dimensions | 165 x 76.1 x 8.4 mm (6.50 x 3.00 x 0.33 in) | 161.5 x 73.9 x 7.8 mm or 8 mm |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Dual SIM (Nano-SIM, dual stand-by) |
| Weight | 190 g (6.70 oz) | 173 g / 175 g (6.10 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Resolution | 720 x 1612 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~267 ppi density) | 1080 x 2412 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~394 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.6 inches, 104.6 cm2 (~83.3% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.7 inches, 108.0 cm2 (~90.5% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD, 90Hz | AMOLED, 1B colors, HDR10+, 120Hz, 800 nits |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (2x1.6 GHz Cortex-A75 & 6x1.6 GHz Cortex-A55) | Octa-core (2x2.6 GHz Cortex-A78 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55) |
| Chipset | Unisoc T606 (12 nm) | Mediatek MT6877V Dimensity 1080 (6 nm) |
| GPU | Mali-G57 MP1 | Mali-G68 MC4 |
| OS | Android 13 | Android 13, Realme UI 4.0 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) | No |
| Internal | 128GB 4GB RAM | 128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Dual | 50 MP, f/1.8, (wide), AF
Auxiliary lens | - |
| Features | LED flash | LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Single | - | 16 MP, f/2.5, 25mm (wide) |
| Triple | - | 108 MP, f/1.8, 24mm (wide), 1/1.67", 0.64µm, PDAF
8 MP, f/2.2, 16mm, 112˚ (ultrawide)
2 MP, f/2.4, (macro) |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60/120/480fps, 720p@960fps, gyro-EIS |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | - | Panorama |
| Single | 5 MP | 16 MP, f/2.5, 25mm (wide) |
| Video | 720p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | - | No |
| 35mm jack | Yes | - |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes, with stereo speakers |
| | - | 24-bit/192kHz audio |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.2, A2DP, LE | 5.2, A2DP, LE, aptX HD |
| NFC | Yes | Yes (market/region dependent) |
| Positioning | GPS | GPS (L1+L5), GALILEO, GLONASS, BDS, QZSS |
| 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/6, dual-band |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, proximity | Fingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 22.5W wired | 67W wired, PD3.0, 50% in 17 min (advertised) |
| Type | Li-Ion 5000 mAh | Li-Po 5000 mAh, non-removable |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Gray, Blue, Green | Dark Matter Black, Nebula Blue, Hyperspace |
| Models | - | RMX3687, RMX3686 |
| Price | About 100 EUR | $ 269.00 / ₹ 22,999 |
| Tests |
|---|
| Battery life | - |
Endurance rating 149h
|
| Camera | - |
Photo / Video |
| Display | - |
Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal) |
| Loudspeaker | - |
-25.4 LUFS (Very good)
|
| Performance | - |
AnTuTu: 522376 (v9)
GeekBench: 2371 (v5.1)
GFXBench: 23fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) |
ZTE Blade A73
- More affordable price point
- Potentially longer battery life due to less powerful chipset
- Functional for basic smartphone tasks
- Significantly slower charging speed
- Less powerful processor for demanding apps
- Likely lower quality display
Realme 10 Pro+
- Faster 67W charging with PD3.0 support
- More powerful Dimensity 1080 chipset
- Potentially better display quality
- Higher price tag
- Potentially shorter battery life due to more powerful processor
- May require more frequent charging
Display Comparison
The Realme 10 Pro+ boasts an unspecified display with an 'Infinite' contrast ratio, suggesting a vibrant AMOLED panel – a common feature in this price bracket. The ZTE Blade A73’s display specifications are not provided, but given its positioning, it likely utilizes an LCD panel with lower contrast and color accuracy. The Realme’s potential for deeper blacks and more vivid colors will be noticeable in media consumption. While the Realme doesn't specify refresh rate, the Blade A73 is likely limited to 60Hz, impacting smoothness during scrolling and animations.
Camera Comparison
Camera details for the ZTE Blade A73 are unavailable, making a direct comparison difficult. However, the Realme 10 Pro+ is expected to feature a more sophisticated camera system, potentially including a higher-resolution main sensor and advanced image processing algorithms. While the Realme's camera specs are not provided, its positioning suggests a focus on image quality and features not found on the Blade A73. The absence of details on the ZTE suggests a more basic camera experience geared towards casual snapshots.
Performance
The core difference lies in the chipsets. The Realme 10 Pro+ utilizes the Mediatek Dimensity 1080 (6nm), featuring a more powerful CPU configuration with 2x2.6 GHz Cortex-A78 cores and 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55 cores. This contrasts with the ZTE Blade A73’s Unisoc T606 (12nm), which has 2x1.6 GHz Cortex-A75 cores and 6x1.6 GHz Cortex-A55 cores. The 6nm process node of the Dimensity 1080 is significantly more efficient, leading to better performance and thermal management. The Cortex-A78 cores in the Realme offer a substantial performance uplift over the A75 cores in the ZTE, particularly in demanding applications and games. The Realme is likely to offer a smoother, more responsive experience.
Battery Life
The Realme 10 Pro+’s 67W wired charging, with an advertised 50% charge in 17 minutes, is a significant advantage over the ZTE Blade A73’s 22.5W charging. While the Realme’s battery capacity isn’t specified, the faster charging speed drastically reduces downtime. The Realme also boasts an endurance rating of 149 hours, suggesting optimized power management. The ZTE Blade A73 will take considerably longer to fully charge, making it less convenient for users who frequently need to top up their battery.
Buying Guide
Buy the ZTE Blade A73 if you need a functional, affordable smartphone for basic tasks like calling, texting, and light social media use, and battery life is paramount. Buy the Realme 10 Pro+ if you prioritize smoother performance for gaming and multitasking, faster charging speeds, and a more refined overall experience, even if it means spending more.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Is the Unisoc T606 in the ZTE Blade A73 sufficient for playing games like PUBG Mobile?
While the Unisoc T606 can run PUBG Mobile, expect to play at lower graphics settings and potentially experience frame drops during intense moments. The chipset is geared towards basic tasks and won't provide the smooth gaming experience offered by the Dimensity 1080 in the Realme 10 Pro+.
❓ How much faster is the 67W charging on the Realme 10 Pro+ compared to the 22.5W charging on the ZTE Blade A73?
The Realme 10 Pro+'s 67W charging is significantly faster. While exact times depend on battery level, the Realme can reach 50% charge in approximately 17 minutes. The ZTE Blade A73 will likely take well over an hour to achieve the same level of charge, making it less convenient for users on the go.
❓ Does the Realme 10 Pro+ support 5G connectivity?
Yes, the Mediatek Dimensity 1080 chipset in the Realme 10 Pro+ supports 5G connectivity, allowing for faster download and streaming speeds where available. The ZTE Blade A73's connectivity standards are not specified, but it is likely limited to 4G.
