The ZTE Blade A7s 2020 and Samsung Galaxy A11 represent the lower end of the smartphone spectrum, often serving as first phones or reliable backups. Both aim for affordability, but they take different approaches to achieving it. The A7s prioritizes power efficiency with its Unisoc chipset, while the A11 opts for a slightly faster, though less efficient, Qualcomm Snapdragon.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average user prioritizing battery life and sustained performance under light loads, the ZTE Blade A7s 2020 is the better choice. While the Samsung Galaxy A11 boasts a faster CPU clock speed, the Snapdragon 450's 14nm process is less efficient than the Unisoc SC9863A's 28nm, leading to potentially shorter battery life and more noticeable throttling.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 3, 7, 8, 28 | 1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41 |
| Speed | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE Cat4 150/50 Mbps | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE Cat4 150/50 Mbps |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| | HSDPA 850 / 2100 | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 20, 25, 26, 28, 38, 39, 40, 41, 66, 71 - SM-A115U |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2020, November 03. Released 2020, November 03 | 2020, March 13. Released 2020, May 01 |
| Status | Discontinued | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | - | Glass front, plastic back, plastic frame |
| Dimensions | 164.7 x 77.4 x 8.2 mm (6.48 x 3.05 x 0.32 in) | 161.4 x 76.3 x 8 mm (6.35 x 3.00 x 0.31 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | · Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 182 g (6.42 oz) | 177 g (6.24 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Resolution | 720 x 1560 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~264 ppi density) | 720 x 1560 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~268 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.5 inches, 103.7 cm2 (~81.4% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.4 inches, 100.5 cm2 (~81.6% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD | PLS LCD |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (4x1.6 GHz Cortex-A55 & 4x1.2 GHz Cortex-A55) | Octa-core 1.8 GHz Cortex-A53 |
| Chipset | Unisoc SC9863A (28 nm) | Qualcomm SDM450 Snapdragon 450 (14 nm) |
| GPU | IMG8322 | Adreno 506 |
| OS | Android 10 | Android 10, upgradable to Android 12, One UI Core 4.1 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 64GB 3GB RAM | 32GB 2GB RAM, 32GB 3GB RAM, 64GB 3GB RAM, 64GB 4GB RAM |
| | eMMC 5.1 | eMMC 5.1 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash, HDR, panorama | LED flash, panorama, HDR |
| Triple | 16 MP, (wide), AF
8 MP, f/2.2, 120˚, 16mm (ultrawide)
Auxiliary lens | 13 MP, f/1.8, 27mm (wide), AF
5 MP, f/2.2, 115˚ (ultrawide)
Auxiliary lens |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Single | 8 MP | 8 MP, f/2.0 |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 4.2, A2DP | 4.2, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | Yes | No |
| Positioning | GPS | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS |
| Radio | FM radio | FM radio |
| USB | Yes | USB Type-C 2.0 |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, Wi-Fi Direct | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, proximity | Fingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, proximity |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | - | 15W wired |
| Type | Li-Ion 4000 mAh | Li-Po 4000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Black, Blue | Black, White, Blue, Red |
| Models | A7020 | SM-A115F/DS, SM-A115F, SM-A115M, SM-A115M/DS, SM-A115U, SM-A115A, SM-A115AZ, SM-A115U1, SM-A115W, SM-A115AP, SM-S115DL |
| Price | About 120 EUR | About 160 EUR |
| SAR EU | - | 0.52 W/kg (head) 0.99 W/kg (body) |
ZTE Blade A7s 2020
- Potentially longer battery life due to chipset efficiency
- Sustained performance under light loads
- More affordable price point (likely)
- Slower CPU clock speed compared to the A11
- Likely slower app loading times
- No fast charging support
Samsung Galaxy A11
- Faster CPU clock speed for snappier responsiveness
- 15W fast charging support
- Samsung's generally better image processing
- Less efficient chipset leading to shorter battery life
- Potential for more noticeable throttling under sustained load
- May be slightly more expensive
Display Comparison
Neither device is expected to deliver a premium display experience. Specifics like brightness nits and color accuracy are unavailable, but given their price points, both likely utilize LCD panels with standard color reproduction. The focus here isn't on visual fidelity, but on basic usability. Bezels are likely comparable, reflecting the budget nature of both phones.
Camera Comparison
Both phones likely feature basic camera setups geared towards casual photography. Without specific sensor size data, it's difficult to make a definitive judgment. However, the presence of numerous low-resolution sensors (often 2MP) on budget phones is common, and their utility is limited. Image processing will likely be more impactful than sensor quality, and Samsung generally offers more refined image processing algorithms than ZTE. Expect acceptable results in good lighting conditions, but struggles in low light.
Performance
The core difference lies in the chipsets. The Samsung Galaxy A11’s Qualcomm Snapdragon 450, fabricated on a 14nm process, features an octa-core CPU clocked at 1.8 GHz using Cortex-A53 cores. This offers a theoretical performance advantage over the ZTE Blade A7s 2020’s Unisoc SC9863A. However, the SC9863A utilizes a combination of Cortex-A55 cores – 4 at 1.6 GHz and 4 at 1.2 GHz – on a 28nm node. While the A53 cores in the Snapdragon 450 are generally faster individually, the A55 cores are more efficient. The 28nm process of the Unisoc chip, while older, can contribute to better thermal management and sustained performance in less demanding tasks. The A11's CPU clock speed advantage will be most noticeable in app loading times, but the A7s should maintain smoother operation over longer periods.
Battery Life
Battery capacity is not specified for either device, but the chipset efficiency plays a crucial role. The Snapdragon 450’s 14nm process is known to be less power-efficient than newer nodes. The ZTE Blade A7s 2020, with its Unisoc SC9863A, should deliver longer battery life on a single charge, even with a potentially smaller battery capacity. The Samsung Galaxy A11 does offer 15W wired charging, which is a benefit over the A7s, potentially reducing charging times, but this is offset by the less efficient chipset.
Buying Guide
Buy the ZTE Blade A7s 2020 if you need a phone that will reliably last through a full day of moderate use, and you prioritize efficiency over peak performance. Buy the Samsung Galaxy A11 if you prefer a slightly snappier experience for basic tasks and are willing to accept potentially shorter battery life and more frequent charging, and benefit from the 15W charging support.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Will the Samsung Galaxy A11 overheat during extended use of social media apps?
The Snapdragon 450, while capable, is known to generate more heat than newer, more efficient chipsets. Prolonged use of demanding apps like social media, especially with the screen at high brightness, could lead to noticeable warming and potential throttling of performance. The ZTE Blade A7s 2020 is less likely to exhibit this issue due to its more efficient Unisoc chipset.
❓ Is the 15W charging on the Galaxy A11 a significant advantage over the ZTE Blade A7s 2020?
While 15W charging is faster than standard 5W charging, the difference isn't dramatic. It will reduce charging times, but the less efficient Snapdragon 450 in the A11 will drain the battery faster, potentially negating some of the benefit. The A7s, with its more efficient chipset, may not require as frequent charging, making the lack of fast charging less of a concern.
❓ Can either of these phones handle basic mobile gaming like Candy Crush or Angry Birds?
Both the ZTE Blade A7s 2020 and the Samsung Galaxy A11 are capable of handling casual mobile games like Candy Crush or Angry Birds. However, don't expect high frame rates or smooth performance in more demanding titles. The A11's faster CPU might provide a slightly smoother experience, but the A7s' efficiency could prevent overheating and throttling during longer gaming sessions.
