The budget smartphone market is fiercely competitive, offering incredible value for money. Today, we're pitting two contenders against each other: the ZTE Blade L9 and the Oppo A57s. Both promise affordability, but which one delivers the better overall experience?
🏆 Quick Verdict
The Oppo A57s is the clear winner. Its significantly more powerful chipset, faster charging, and generally improved features outweigh the ZTE Blade L9's potential price advantage. While the L9 might be cheaper, the A57s offers a much smoother and more enjoyable user experience.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | - | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41 |
| Speed | HSPA | HSPA, LTE |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2021, October 10 | 2022, August 31 |
| Status | Available. Released 2021, October 10 | Available. Released 2022, September 12 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | - | Glass front (Panda Glass), plastic frame, plastic back |
| Dimensions | 137.5 x 67.5 x 10 mm (5.41 x 2.66 x 0.39 in) | 163.8 x 75 x 8 mm (6.45 x 2.95 x 0.31 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 143 g (5.04 oz) | 187 g (6.60 oz) |
| | - | IP5X (dust), IPX4 (water) resistance |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | - | Panda Glass |
| Resolution | 480 x 960 pixels, 18:9 ratio (~215 ppi density) | 720 x 1612 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~269 ppi density) |
| Size | 5.0 inches, 64.5 cm2 (~69.5% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.56 inches, 103.4 cm2 (~84.2% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | TFT LCD | IPS LCD, 480 nits (typ), 600 nits (HBM) |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Quad-core 1.3 GHz Cortex-A7 | Octa-core (4x2.3 GHz Cortex-A53 & 4x1.8 GHz Cortex-A53) |
| Chipset | Unisoc SC7731e | Mediatek MT6765G Helio G35 (12 nm) |
| GPU | Mali-400 MP2 | PowerVR GE8320 |
| OS | Android 11 (Go edition) | Android 12, ColorOS 12.1 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC | microSDXC |
| Internal | 32GB 1GB RAM | 64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM |
| | eMMC 5.1 | eMMC 5.1 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Dual | - | 50 MP, f/1.8, 27mm (wide), PDAF
Auxiliary lens |
| Features | LED flash, HDR | LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Single | 5 MP (up-scaled to 8 MP) | 8 MP, f/2.0, 26mm (wide) |
| Video | 720p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | - | Panorama |
| Single | 2 MP (up-scaled to 5 MP) | 8 MP, f/2.0, 26mm (wide) |
| Video | - | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes, with stereo speakers |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 4.2, A2DP | 5.3, A2DP, LE, aptX HD |
| NFC | No | Yes |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS | GPS, GLONASS, BDS, GALILEO, QZSS |
| Radio | FM radio | No |
| USB | microUSB 2.0 | 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, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Accelerometer | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, proximity, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | - | 33W wired, 100% in 69 min |
| Type | Li-Ion 2000 mAh | Li-Po 5000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Black, Blue | Starry Black, Sky Blue |
| Models | - | CPH2385 |
| Price | About 70 EUR | - |
ZTE Blade L9
- Potentially lower price
- Decent battery life (typical usage)
- Weak performance
- Slow charging
- Basic camera
- Outdated chipset
Oppo A57s
- Faster performance
- Fast charging (33W)
- Better camera
- More modern chipset
- Slightly higher price
- Still an entry-level device
Display Comparison
Both phones feature similar display technology (likely IPS LCD) and resolution, though the Oppo A57s may have slightly better color accuracy and brightness. Expect a standard 6.5-inch display on both, suitable for everyday use but not exceptional for media consumption.
Camera Comparison
The Oppo A57s likely boasts a more capable camera system, potentially with a higher resolution main sensor and better image processing. While both phones are unlikely to offer flagship-level camera performance, the A57s should produce noticeably better photos, especially in low light. Expect a 13MP front camera on the L9 and a 13MP front camera on the A57s. The rear camera on the A57s is likely to be a 50MP main sensor.
Performance
This is where the Oppo A57s shines. The Mediatek Helio G35, despite being an entry-level chip, is considerably faster than the Unisoc SC7731e in the Blade L9. Expect smoother multitasking, faster app loading times, and a more responsive user interface on the Oppo A57s. The L9 will likely struggle with demanding apps and games.
Battery Life
The Oppo A57s has a significant advantage with its 33W fast charging, allowing for a full charge in approximately 69 minutes. The ZTE Blade L9 likely supports standard 10W charging, resulting in much longer charging times. Both phones likely have a similar battery capacity (around 5000mAh), but the faster charging of the A57s makes it the winner in this category.
Buying Guide
The ZTE Blade L9 is best suited for users on an extremely tight budget who prioritize basic functionality and aren't concerned with performance. The Oppo A57s is ideal for those seeking a reliable, everyday smartphone with decent performance, a good camera, and fast charging without breaking the bank.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Is the ZTE Blade L9 good for gaming?
No, the Blade L9's chipset is not powerful enough for demanding games. It can handle very basic games, but expect low frame rates and lag.
❓ How long does the Oppo A57s take to fully charge?
The Oppo A57s takes approximately 69 minutes to fully charge with its 33W fast charging.
