Looking for an affordable smartphone? The ZTE Blade L9 and A72 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, performance, and features to help you decide.
🏆 Quick Verdict
The ZTE Blade A72 is the clear winner. Its significantly more powerful chipset, improved camera capabilities, and faster charging make it a substantial upgrade over the L9, despite a potentially similar price point. The L9 is a basic option for minimal needs.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 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, June 10 |
| Status | Available. Released 2021, October 10 | Available. Released 2022, June 10 |
| Body |
|---|
| Dimensions | 137.5 x 67.5 x 10 mm (5.41 x 2.66 x 0.39 in) | 168 x 77.5 x 9.4 mm (6.61 x 3.05 x 0.37 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 143 g (5.04 oz) | 214 g (7.55 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Resolution | 480 x 960 pixels, 18:9 ratio (~215 ppi density) | 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~390 ppi density) |
| Size | 5.0 inches, 64.5 cm2 (~69.5% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.75 inches, 110.0 cm2 (~84.5% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | TFT LCD | IPS LCD, 90Hz |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Quad-core 1.3 GHz Cortex-A7 | Octa-core (4x1.6 GHz Cortex-A55 & 4x1.2 GHz Cortex-A55) - version 1Octa-core (2x1.6 GHz Cortex-A75 & 6x1.6 GHz Cortex-A55) - version 2 |
| Chipset | Unisoc SC7731e | Unisoc SC9863A (28 nm) - version 1Unisoc T606 (12 nm) - version 2 |
| GPU | Mali-400 MP2 | IMG8322 - version 1Mali-G57 MP1 - version 2 |
| OS | Android 11 (Go edition) | Android 11 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC | microSDXC |
| Internal | 32GB 1GB RAM | 64GB 3GB RAM, 128GB 3GB RAM |
| | eMMC 5.1 | - |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash, HDR | LED flash, HDR |
| Single | 5 MP (up-scaled to 8 MP) | 5 MP |
| Triple | - | 13 MP, AF
2 MP (macro)
Auxiliary lens |
| Video | 720p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Single | 2 MP (up-scaled to 5 MP) | 5 MP |
| Video | - | 720p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 4.2, A2DP | Yes |
| NFC | No | No |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS | GPS, GLONASS |
| Radio | FM radio | Unspecified |
| USB | microUSB 2.0 | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n | Yes |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Accelerometer | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, proximity |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | - | 22.5W wired |
| Type | Li-Ion 2000 mAh | Li-Ion 6000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Black, Blue | Space Gray, Sky Blue |
| Price | About 70 EUR | About 110 EUR |
ZTE Blade L9
- Very affordable
- Basic functionality
- Decent battery life (expected)
- Weak performance
- Outdated chipset
- Limited camera capabilities
- Slow charging
ZTE Blade A72
- Improved performance
- Better camera
- Fast charging (22.5W)
- More modern chipset
- May be slightly more expensive
- LCD display (not AMOLED)
Display Comparison
Both phones likely feature similar LCD displays, probably around 6.5 inches with HD+ resolution. The A72 might offer slightly better color accuracy and brightness due to its more modern chipset allowing for better display drivers. Expect similar viewing angles and overall display quality, but the A72 has a slight edge.
Camera Comparison
The A72 is expected to have a more capable camera system. While specific megapixel counts are needed, the newer chipset in the A72 allows for better image processing and potentially improved low-light performance. The L9's camera will likely be adequate for basic snapshots but won't deliver exceptional results.
Performance
This is where the A72 shines. The Unisoc SC9863A (version 1) or T606 (version 2) is a significant upgrade over the L9's Unisoc SC7731e. The A72's octa-core CPU provides noticeably faster processing speeds and smoother multitasking. The L9 will struggle with demanding apps and multitasking.
Battery Life
Both phones likely have a battery capacity around 5000mAh. However, the A72's 22.5W fast charging is a major advantage, allowing for significantly quicker top-ups compared to the L9's likely standard charging.
Buying Guide
The ZTE Blade L9 is best suited for users with extremely basic needs – primarily calls, texts, and very light app usage. The ZTE Blade A72 is ideal for those who want a smoother experience, better camera quality, and more responsive performance for everyday tasks and light gaming.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Is the ZTE Blade A72 worth the extra money compared to the L9?
Yes, the A72's improved performance, camera, and charging make it a worthwhile upgrade if your budget allows. The L9 is only suitable for the most basic smartphone needs.
❓ What kind of games can I play on the ZTE Blade A72?
The A72 can handle light and casual games smoothly. More demanding titles may require lower graphics settings for playable frame rates.
