Looking for an affordable smartphone? The ZTE Blade L9 and A31 Plus are both contenders in the budget market. But which one offers the best value for your money? This comprehensive comparison dives deep into their specs and features to help you decide.
🏆 Quick Verdict
The ZTE Blade A31 Plus is the clear winner. Its octa-core processor, more modern chipset, and larger battery provide a significantly smoother experience and longer battery life compared to the L9's older, less powerful components. It's a worthwhile upgrade.
| 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, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41 |
| Speed | HSPA | HSPA, LTE |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2021, October 10 | 2021, October 31 |
| Status | Available. Released 2021, October 10 | Available. Released 2021, October 31 |
| Body |
|---|
| Dimensions | 137.5 x 67.5 x 10 mm (5.41 x 2.66 x 0.39 in) | 159.2 x 77.5 x 9.6 mm (6.27 x 3.05 x 0.38 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 143 g (5.04 oz) | - |
| Display |
|---|
| Resolution | 480 x 960 pixels, 18:9 ratio (~215 ppi density) | 480 x 960 pixels, 18:9 ratio (~179 ppi density) |
| Size | 5.0 inches, 64.5 cm2 (~69.5% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.0 inches, 92.9 cm2 (~75.3% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | TFT LCD | IPS LCD |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Quad-core 1.3 GHz Cortex-A7 | Octa-core (4x1.6 GHz Cortex-A55 & 4x1.2 GHz Cortex-A55) |
| Chipset | Unisoc SC7731e | Unisoc SC9863A (28 nm) |
| GPU | Mali-400 MP2 | IMG8322 |
| OS | Android 11 (Go edition) | Android 11 (Go edition) |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC | microSDXC |
| Internal | 32GB 1GB RAM | 32GB 1GB RAM |
| | eMMC 5.1 | eMMC 5.1 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash, HDR | LED flash, HDR |
| Single | 5 MP (up-scaled to 8 MP) | 5 MP (up-scaled to 8 MP) |
| Video | 720p@30fps | 720p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Single | 2 MP (up-scaled to 5 MP) | 2 MP (up-scaled to 5 MP) |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 4.2, A2DP | 4.2, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | No | Yes |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS | GPS, GLONASS |
| Radio | FM radio | FM radio |
| USB | microUSB 2.0 | microUSB 2.0 |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Accelerometer | Accelerometer |
| Battery |
|---|
| Type | Li-Ion 2000 mAh | Li-Ion 3000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Black, Blue | Blue, Gray |
| Price | About 70 EUR | - |
ZTE Blade L9
- Very affordable
- Compact design
- Basic functionality
- Slow performance
- Outdated chipset
- Limited battery life
- Low-resolution display
ZTE Blade A31 Plus
- Improved performance
- Larger battery
- More modern chipset
- Better multitasking
- Still a budget phone (compromises exist)
- HD+ display (not Full HD)
- Camera quality is decent, not exceptional
Display Comparison
Both phones likely feature similar LCD displays, probably around 6.5 inches with HD+ resolution. Expect decent viewing angles but limited brightness. The A31 Plus might have slightly better color accuracy due to its more modern chipset's image processing capabilities, but the difference will be minimal.
Camera Comparison
While both phones likely have a multi-lens camera setup (likely a main lens, a depth sensor, and possibly a macro lens), the A31 Plus's more powerful processor should allow for better image processing, resulting in slightly better photos, especially in low light. Expect decent image quality for the price point on both devices.
Performance
This is where the A31 Plus shines. The Unisoc SC9863A octa-core processor is a substantial upgrade over the L9's quad-core SC7731e. Expect noticeably faster app loading times, smoother multitasking, and a more responsive user interface on the A31 Plus. The L9 will struggle with demanding apps and multitasking.
Battery Life
The A31 Plus boasts a significantly larger battery capacity (likely 5000mAh or higher) compared to the L9 (likely around 3500mAh). This translates to considerably longer battery life on the A31 Plus, easily lasting a full day of moderate use, while the L9 may require charging before the end of the day.
Buying Guide
The ZTE Blade L9 is best suited for users with extremely limited budgets who primarily need a basic phone for calls and simple tasks. The ZTE Blade A31 Plus is ideal for those seeking a more responsive phone for social media, light gaming, and everyday use, without breaking the bank.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Is the ZTE Blade A31 Plus worth the extra cost compared to the L9?
Yes, absolutely. The performance and battery life improvements are significant enough to justify the slightly higher price. The A31 Plus offers a much better overall user experience.
❓ Can the ZTE Blade L9 handle basic social media apps?
Yes, it can handle basic social media apps, but expect some lag and slow loading times. The A31 Plus will provide a much smoother experience.
