Looking for a budget-friendly smartphone that doesn't compromise too much? The ZTE Blade V Plus and Samsung Galaxy A14 are both contenders, offering affordability and essential features. But which one truly delivers the best value? Let's dive into a detailed comparison to help you decide.
🏆 Quick Verdict
The Samsung Galaxy A14 is the clear winner. Its more modern chipset, improved camera, and longer software support outweigh the ZTE Blade V Plus's potential price advantage. The A14 offers a smoother experience and better future-proofing.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 900 / 1800 - SIM 1 & SIM 2 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 3, 7, 28 | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41 |
| Speed | HSPA 42.2/11.5 Mbps, LTE Cat4 150/50 Mbps | HSPA, LTE |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| | 1, 3, 7, 38, 39, 40, 41 | - |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2016, January. Released 2016, February | 2023, February 28 |
| Status | Discontinued | Available. Released 2023, March 27 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | - | Glass front, plastic back, plastic frame |
| Dimensions | 155.3 x 77.2 x 8.6 mm (6.11 x 3.04 x 0.34 in) | 167.7 x 78 x 9.1 mm (6.60 x 3.07 x 0.36 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | · Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 164 g (5.78 oz) | 201 g (7.09 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Resolution | 1080 x 1920 pixels, 16:9 ratio (~401 ppi density) | 1080 x 2408 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~400 ppi density) |
| Size | 5.5 inches, 83.4 cm2 (~69.6% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.6 inches, 104.9 cm2 (~80.2% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD | PLS LCD |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core 1.3 GHz Cortex-A53Octa-core (4x1.5 GHz Cortex-A53 & 4x1.0 GHz Cortex-A53) | Octa-core (2x2.0 GHz Cortex-A75 & 6x1.8 GHz Cortex-A55) - Version AOcta-core (4x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55 & 4x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55) - Version B |
| Chipset | Mediatek MT6753Qualcomm MSM8939 Snapdragon 615 (28 nm) | Mediatek MT6769 Helio G80 (12 nm) - Version AExynos 850 (8 nm) - Version B |
| GPU | Mali-T720MP3Adreno 405 | Mali-G52 MC2 |
| OS | Android 5.1.1 (Lollipop) | Android 13, upgradable to Android 15, One UI 7 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDHC (uses shared SIM slot) - mediatek modelmicroSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) - snapdragon model | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 16GB 2GB RAM | 64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM |
| | eMMC 4.5 | - |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash, HDR, panorama | LED flash, panorama, HDR |
| Single | 13 MP, AF | 13 MP, f/2.0, (wide) |
| Triple | - | 50 MP, f/1.8, 26mm (wide), 1/2.75", 0.64µm, PDAF
5 MP, f/2.2, 17mm (ultrawide), 1/5.0", 1.12µm
2 MP (macro) |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Single | 5 MP | 13 MP, f/2.0, 26mm (wide), 1/3.1", 1.12µm |
| Video | - | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 4.1, A2DP, LE | 5.1 or 5.3, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | No | Yes (market/region dependent) |
| Positioning | GPS | GPS, GALILEO, GLONASS, BDS, QZSS |
| Radio | FM radio | Unspecified |
| 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 |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, proximity, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | - | 15W wired |
| Stand-by | Up to 220 h | - |
| Talk time | Up to 9 h | - |
| Type | Li-Ion 3000 mAh, non-removable | Li-Po 5000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Silver | Black, Dark Red, Silver, Green |
| Models | N939Sc, V580, Blade V580 | SM-A145F, SM-A145F/DSN, SM-A145M, SM-A145M/DS, SM-A145P, SM-A145R |
| Price | About 200 EUR | € 85.76 / $ 147.60 / £ 79.95 |
| SAR EU | - | 0.46 W/kg (head) 1.37 W/kg (body) |
ZTE Blade V Plus
- Potentially lower price
- Compact size (depending on model)
- Decent for basic tasks
- Outdated chipset
- Lower resolution display
- Less capable camera
- Limited software updates
- Lower performance
Samsung Galaxy A14
- More powerful chipset
- Better display
- Improved camera
- Longer software support
- Larger battery
- Modern design
- Slightly higher price
- 15W charging is relatively slow
Display Comparison
The Samsung Galaxy A14 typically features a larger display (around 6.6 inches) with a higher resolution (FHD+) compared to the Blade V Plus (likely around 5.5-5.7 inches with HD resolution). Expect better viewing angles and sharper images on the A14. The A14 also often has a more modern display technology, potentially offering better color accuracy and brightness.
Camera Comparison
The Samsung Galaxy A14 generally boasts a more versatile and higher-resolution camera system. Expect better image quality, especially in low-light conditions, and potentially features like optical image stabilization (OIS). The Blade V Plus's camera is likely adequate for basic photography but won't match the A14's capabilities.
Performance
The Galaxy A14's Helio G80 or Exynos 850 chipset is significantly more powerful than the Blade V Plus's Snapdragon 615 or Mediatek MT6753. This translates to smoother multitasking, faster app loading times, and better gaming performance on the A14. The A14's newer CPU architecture also offers improved power efficiency.
Battery Life
While both phones likely offer decent battery life, the Galaxy A14's more efficient chipset and potentially larger battery capacity (typically around 5000mAh) should provide longer usage times. The A14's 15W wired charging is a standard feature.
Buying Guide
The ZTE Blade V Plus is a good option for users on an extremely tight budget who prioritize basic functionality and are comfortable with older hardware. The Samsung Galaxy A14 is ideal for those seeking a reliable, modern smartphone with a decent camera, good battery life, and longer software updates.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Is the ZTE Blade V Plus still worth buying?
Only if you're on an extremely tight budget and primarily need a phone for basic calling and texting. Otherwise, the Samsung Galaxy A14 offers significantly better value.
❓ How long will Samsung support the Galaxy A14 with software updates?
Samsung typically provides 4 years of security updates and 3 years of OS upgrades for their A-series phones, offering longer support than ZTE.
