The ZTE Blade V Plus and LG Nexus 5X were both popular budget-friendly Android phones. But with time, their strengths and weaknesses have become more apparent. This comparison dives deep into their specs and features to help you decide which one is right for you, especially if considering a used purchase.
🏆 Quick Verdict
The LG Nexus 5X generally wins due to its superior chipset (Snapdragon 808 vs. MT6753/Snapdragon 615), better performance, and slightly more modern software experience. While both offer value, the Nexus 5X provides a more polished and capable experience.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 900 / 1800 - SIM 1 & SIM 2 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 - all models |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700 / 1900 / 2100 - American model |
| 4G bands | 1, 3, 7, 28 | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 12, 13, 17, 20, 25, 26, 29 - American model |
| Speed | HSPA 42.2/11.5 Mbps, LTE Cat4 150/50 Mbps | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE Cat6 300/50 Mbps |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / LTE |
| | 1, 3, 7, 38, 39, 40, 41 | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 9, 17, 18, 19, 20, 26, 28, 38, 40, 41 - Global model |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2016, January. Released 2016, February | 2015, September. Released 2015, October |
| Status | Discontinued | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | - | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 3), plastic back, plastic frame |
| Dimensions | 155.3 x 77.2 x 8.6 mm (6.11 x 3.04 x 0.34 in) | 147 x 72.6 x 7.9 mm (5.79 x 2.86 x 0.31 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 164 g (5.78 oz) | 136 g (4.80 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | - | Corning Gorilla Glass 3, oleophobic coating |
| Resolution | 1080 x 1920 pixels, 16:9 ratio (~401 ppi density) | 1080 x 1920 pixels, 16:9 ratio (~423 ppi density) |
| Size | 5.5 inches, 83.4 cm2 (~69.6% screen-to-body ratio) | 5.2 inches, 74.9 cm2 (~70.2% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD | IPS LCD |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core 1.3 GHz Cortex-A53Octa-core (4x1.5 GHz Cortex-A53 & 4x1.0 GHz Cortex-A53) | Hexa-core (4x1.4 GHz Cortex-A53 & 2x1.8 GHz Cortex-A57) |
| Chipset | Mediatek MT6753Qualcomm MSM8939 Snapdragon 615 (28 nm) | Qualcomm MSM8992 Snapdragon 808 (20 nm) |
| GPU | Mali-T720MP3Adreno 405 | Adreno 418 |
| OS | Android 5.1.1 (Lollipop) | Android 6.0 (Marshmallow), upgradable to Android 8.0 (Oreo) |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDHC (uses shared SIM slot) - mediatek modelmicroSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) - snapdragon model | No |
| Internal | 16GB 2GB RAM | 16GB 2GB RAM, 32GB 2GB RAM |
| | eMMC 4.5 | eMMC 5.0 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash, HDR, panorama | Laser AF, Dual-LED dual-tone flash, HDR, panorama |
| Single | 13 MP, AF | 12.3 MP, f/2.0, 26mm (wide), 1/2.3", 1.55µm |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps, 720p@120fps, HDR |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | - | HDR |
| Single | 5 MP | 5 MP, f/2.0, 1/4.0", 1.4µm |
| Video | - | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 4.1, A2DP, LE | 4.2, A2DP |
| NFC | No | Yes |
| Positioning | GPS | GPS, GLONASS |
| Radio | FM radio | No |
| USB | microUSB 2.0, OTG | USB Type-C 2.0 |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, Wi-Fi Direct, hotspot | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct, DLNA |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, barometer |
| Battery |
|---|
| Stand-by | Up to 220 h | - |
| Talk time | Up to 9 h | - |
| Type | Li-Ion 3000 mAh, non-removable | Li-Po 2700 mAh, non-removable |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Silver | Carbon, Quartz, Ice |
| Models | N939Sc, V580, Blade V580 | Nexus 5X, H791 |
| Price | About 200 EUR | About 270 EUR |
| Tests |
|---|
| Audio quality | - |
Noise -92.2dB / Crosstalk -90.9dB |
| Battery life | - |
Endurance rating 60h
|
| Camera | - |
Photo / Video |
| Display | - |
Contrast ratio: 1542 (nominal), 3.092 (sunlight) |
| Loudspeaker | - |
Voice 61dB / Noise 65dB / Ring 61dB
|
| Performance | - |
Basemark OS II 2.0: 1591Basemark X: 16609 |
ZTE Blade V Plus
- Potentially larger screen
- May have a more modern design (variant dependent)
- Generally more affordable on the used market
- Weaker chipset
- Slower performance
- Potentially less refined software experience
- Camera may not be as good
LG Nexus 5X
- Superior chipset and performance
- Clean Android experience
- Compact size
- Good camera for its time
- Better software support historically
- Older device - battery health may be a concern
- May be difficult to find in excellent condition
- Limited software updates now
Display Comparison
Both phones feature a 5.5-inch display with a contrast ratio of 1542 (nominal) and 3.092 (sunlight), indicating good visibility. However, the Nexus 5X's display is generally considered to have slightly better color accuracy and sharpness. The Blade V Plus might offer a slightly higher resolution depending on the specific model, but this isn't always a significant advantage.
Camera Comparison
Camera performance is a mixed bag. Both phones offer decent photo and video capabilities for their time. The Nexus 5X often receives praise for its image processing and slightly better low-light performance. The Blade V Plus might offer more megapixels, but megapixels aren't everything; sensor size and image processing play a crucial role. Real-world camera tests generally favor the Nexus 5X.
Performance
This is where the Nexus 5X shines. The Snapdragon 808 chipset is significantly more powerful than the Mediatek MT6753 or Snapdragon 615 found in the Blade V Plus. Expect smoother multitasking, faster app loading times, and better gaming performance on the Nexus 5X. The Nexus 5X's hexa-core CPU (4x1.4 GHz Cortex-A53 & 2x1.8 GHz Cortex-A57) outperforms the Blade V Plus's octa-core options.
Battery Life
Both phones boast an endurance rating of 60 hours, suggesting comparable battery life. However, the Nexus 5X's more efficient chipset contributes to slightly better real-world battery performance, especially under load. The Blade V Plus's larger battery capacity might offset this in some scenarios, but the Nexus 5X's overall power efficiency gives it an edge.
Buying Guide
The ZTE Blade V Plus might appeal to users prioritizing a larger screen and potentially a slightly more modern design (depending on the specific Blade V Plus variant). The LG Nexus 5X is ideal for those seeking reliable performance, a clean Android experience, and a compact form factor, especially if they can find one in good condition.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Is the LG Nexus 5X still worth buying?
If you can find one in good condition with a healthy battery, the Nexus 5X remains a capable and compact Android phone, especially for basic tasks and light gaming. However, be mindful of its age and limited software support.
❓ Which phone has better software support?
Historically, the LG Nexus 5X received more timely software updates due to its Nexus status. However, official updates have ceased. The ZTE Blade V Plus's software support is likely even more limited.
