The budget smartphone market is fiercely competitive, offering incredible value for your money. Today, we're pitting two contenders against each other: the ZTE Blade V30 and the Samsung Galaxy A04e. Both promise affordability, but which one delivers the better overall experience?
🏆 Quick Verdict
The ZTE Blade V30 edges out the Galaxy A04e thanks to its slightly more powerful chipset and potentially better camera capabilities. However, Samsung's brand recognition and One UI offer a familiar and reliable experience. Ultimately, the best choice depends on your priorities.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 - Mexico | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 12, 13, 26, 28, 66 - Mexico | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41 |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE | HSPA, LTE |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2021, July 16 | 2022, October 21 |
| Status | Available. Released 2021, September 01 | Available. Released 2022, November 07 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | - | Glass front, plastic back, plastic frame |
| Dimensions | 165.8 x 77.8 x 8.9 mm (6.53 x 3.06 x 0.35 in) | 164.2 x 75.9 x 9.1 mm (6.46 x 2.99 x 0.36 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | · Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 193 g (6.81 oz) | 188 g (6.63 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Resolution | 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~395 ppi density) | 720 x 1600 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~270 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.67 inches, 107.4 cm2 (~83.3% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.5 inches, 102.0 cm2 (~81.8% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD | PLS LCD |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (2x2.0 GHz Cortex-A75 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55) | Octa-core (4x2.3 GHz Cortex-A53 & 4x1.8 GHz Cortex-A53) |
| Chipset | Unisoc Tiger T618 (12 nm) | Mediatek MT6765 Helio P35 (12 nm) |
| GPU | Mali G52 MP2 | PowerVR GE8320 |
| OS | Android 11 | Android 12, One UI Core 4.1 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 128GB 4GB RAM | 32GB 2GB RAM, 32GB 3GB RAM, 32GB 4GB RAM, 64GB 2GB RAM, 64GB 3GB RAM, 64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Dual | - | 13 MP, f/2.2, (wide), AF
Auxiliary lens |
| Features | LED flash, HDR, panorama | LED flash |
| Single | 16 MP, f/2.0, (wide) | 5 MP, f/2.2 |
| Triple | 64 MP, f/1.8, 26mm (wide), PDAF
8 MP, f/2.4, 120˚, 16mm (ultrawide)
5 MP (macro)
Auxiliary lens | - |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Single | 16 MP, f/2.0, (wide) | 5 MP, f/2.2 |
| Video | - | Yes |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.0, A2DP, LE | 5.0, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | No | No |
| Positioning | GPS | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS |
| Radio | Unspecified | Unspecified |
| USB | USB Type-C 2.0 | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n/ac | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity | Accelerometer, proximity |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 18W wired | - |
| Type | Li-Po 5000 mAh | Li-Po 5000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Black, Blue | Black, Copper, Light Blue |
| Models | 9030 | SM-A042F, SM-A042F/DS, SM-A042M, SM-A042M/DS |
| Price | About 200 EUR | ₹ 7,999 |
| SAR EU | - | 0.29 W/kg (head) 1.11 W/kg (body) |
ZTE Blade V30
- Potentially better performance (T618 chipset)
- Potentially better camera
- 18W charging
- Sleek design (based on typical ZTE design)
- Brand recognition less than Samsung
- Software support potentially less robust
- May lack NFC (needs confirmation)
Samsung Galaxy A04e
- Samsung brand reputation
- One UI software experience
- Reliable software updates (generally)
- Likely includes NFC
- Less powerful chipset (Helio P35)
- Potentially weaker camera
- Slower charging speed
Display Comparison
Both phones feature basic LCD displays, likely around 6.5 inches. The Blade V30 *might* offer slightly better color accuracy due to ZTE's typical display tuning, but expect similar viewing experiences overall. Resolution will likely be HD+ on both.
Camera Comparison
While specific megapixel counts are needed, the T618 chipset generally supports more advanced camera features. The Blade V30 *could* offer better image processing and potentially better low-light performance. Samsung's camera software is generally well-regarded, but hardware limitations will apply.
Performance
The Unisoc Tiger T618 in the Blade V30 has a slight edge over the Helio P35 in the A04e, particularly due to the Cortex-A75 cores. This translates to smoother multitasking and slightly faster app loading times. However, both are entry-level chips and won't handle demanding games or heavy workloads.
Battery Life
Both phones likely have batteries in the 5000mAh range. Battery life should be comparable, offering a full day of moderate use. The 18W wired charging on the Blade V30 is a slight advantage over the A04e's likely slower charging speed.
Buying Guide
The ZTE Blade V30 is ideal for users prioritizing a bit more performance and potentially a better camera within a tight budget. The Samsung Galaxy A04e is a solid choice for those who value Samsung's ecosystem, a familiar user interface, and reliable brand support, even if it means sacrificing a little performance.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Which phone has better software support?
The Samsung Galaxy A04e is likely to receive more consistent and longer-term software updates due to Samsung's commitment to supporting its devices.
❓ Does either phone support 5G?
Neither phone supports 5G connectivity. They are both 4G LTE devices.
