The sub-$200 smartphone market is fiercely competitive. The ZTE Blade V50 and Samsung Galaxy A25 both aim to deliver essential features at an accessible price point, but they take different approaches. The Blade V50 focuses on basic functionality, while the Galaxy A25 prioritizes a brighter display and a more powerful chipset.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For most users, the Samsung Galaxy A25 is the better choice. Its Exynos 1280 chipset provides a noticeable performance boost, and the 1030 nit display offers a significantly more vibrant viewing experience. While the Blade V50 offers 33W charging, the A25’s superior battery life and overall refinement make it the winner.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | LTE | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 20, 26, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66 |
| 5G bands | SA/NSA | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 26, 28, 40, 41, 66, 77, 78 SA/NSA/Sub6 |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE, 5G | HSPA, LTE, 5G |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G | GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2023, September | 2023, December 11 |
| Status | Available. Released 2023, September | Available. Released 2023, December 16 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | - | Glass front, plastic frame, plastic back |
| Dimensions | 161.9 x 72.8 x 8 mm (6.37 x 2.87 x 0.31 in) | 161 x 76.5 x 8.3 mm (6.34 x 3.01 x 0.33 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | · Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 178 g (6.28 oz) | 197 g (6.95 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Resolution | 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~395 ppi density) | 1080 x 2340 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~396 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.67 inches, 107.4 cm2 (~91.1% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.5 inches, 103.7 cm2 (~84.2% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | AMOLED, 120Hz | Super AMOLED, 120Hz, 1000 nits (HBM) |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core | Octa-core (2x2.4 GHz Cortex-A78 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55) |
| Chipset | - | Exynos 1280 (5 nm) |
| GPU | - | Mali-G68 |
| OS | Android 13 | Android 14, up to 4 major Android upgrades, One UI 7 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | No | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) |
| Internal | 256GB 6GB RAM | 128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 6GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash, HDR, panorama | LED flash, panorama, HDR |
| Triple | 50 MP, f/1.8, (wide), PDAF
2 MP (macro)
Auxiliary lens | 50 MP, f/1.8, 27mm (wide), 1/2.76", 0.64µm, PDAF, OIS
8 MP, f/2.2, 120˚ (ultrawide), 1/4", 1.12µm
2 MP (macro) |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60fps, gyro-EIS |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Single | 16 MP, f/2.0, (wide) | 13 MP, f/2.2, (wide), 1/3.06", 1.12µm |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 35mm jack | No | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes, with stereo speakers |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.2, A2DP, LE | 5.3, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | Yes (market/region dependent) | Yes (market/region dependent) |
| Positioning | GPS | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS, QZSS |
| Radio | Unspecified | Market/region dependent |
| USB | USB Type-C 2.0 | USB Type-C 2.0 |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 33W wired | 25W wired |
| Type | Li-Po 4800 mAh | 5000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Black, Blue, Mint | Brave Black, Personality Yellow, Fantasy Blue, Optimistic Blue |
| Models | 7060 | SM-A256E, SM-A256E/DS, SM-A256E/DSN, SM-A256B, SM-A256B/DS, SM-A256B/DSN, SM-A256U, SM-A256U1 |
| Price | About 220 EUR | € 175.99 / $ 120.32 / ₹ 18,399 |
| SAR EU | - | 0.46 W/kg (head) 1.19 W/kg (body) |
ZTE Blade V50
- Faster 33W wired charging
- Potentially lower price point
- Functional for basic smartphone tasks
- Likely weaker performance
- Inferior display quality
- Unknown battery life
Samsung Galaxy A25
- Superior performance with Exynos 1280
- Brighter and more vibrant display (1030 nits)
- Excellent battery life (10:19h active use)
- Slower 25W charging
- Potentially higher price
- May not be ideal for extreme gaming
Display Comparison
The Samsung Galaxy A25 boasts a significant advantage with its measured peak brightness of 1030 nits. This translates to excellent visibility outdoors, a common pain point for budget phones. While the ZTE Blade V50’s display specifications are not provided, it’s likely to fall considerably short of this figure. The A25’s panel likely offers better color accuracy and viewing angles as well, given Samsung’s display expertise. The lack of information on the Blade V50’s panel type (LCD vs AMOLED) suggests a more basic implementation.
Camera Comparison
Both devices are listed as having Photo/Video capabilities, but details are sparse. The Galaxy A25 likely benefits from Samsung’s image processing algorithms, potentially delivering more refined photos and videos. Without sensor size or aperture information for either device, it’s difficult to make a definitive judgment. However, Samsung typically equips its A-series phones with capable cameras, even at the budget level. The Blade V50’s camera is likely to be more basic, focusing on providing functional images rather than exceptional quality. The presence of a 2MP macro camera on many budget phones is often a marketing tactic, offering limited real-world benefit.
Performance
The Samsung Galaxy A25’s Exynos 1280 (5nm) chipset is a clear upgrade over the ZTE Blade V50’s unspecified octa-core processor. The Exynos 1280’s architecture – featuring 2x2.4 GHz Cortex-A78 and 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55 cores – provides a substantial performance leap for demanding applications and multitasking. The 5nm fabrication process also contributes to improved power efficiency, meaning less heat and potentially more sustained performance. While both phones utilize an octa-core CPU, the A25’s core configuration and manufacturing process give it a distinct edge. The Blade V50 likely relies on a more power-efficient, but less performant, chipset to keep costs down.
Battery Life
The Samsung Galaxy A25 shines in battery life, achieving an impressive 10:19 hours of active use. While the ZTE Blade V50’s battery capacity is unknown, the A25’s endurance is a significant advantage. The A25’s 25W wired charging is slower than the Blade V50’s 33W, but the longer battery life mitigates this concern. The Exynos 1280’s 5nm efficiency also contributes to the A25’s superior battery performance. Users who prioritize all-day battery life will strongly favor the Galaxy A25.
Buying Guide
Buy the ZTE Blade V50 if you prioritize fast charging and need a functional smartphone for basic tasks like calls, texts, and light social media. Buy the Samsung Galaxy A25 if you value a brighter, more enjoyable display, smoother performance for multitasking and gaming, and longer battery life, even if it means slightly slower charging.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Does the Exynos 1280 in the Galaxy A25 tend to overheat during prolonged gaming sessions?
The Exynos 1280, built on a 5nm process, is relatively efficient. While it can get warm during extended gaming, it's unlikely to experience significant throttling unless under extreme load. Samsung's thermal management is generally effective in preventing overheating issues in the A25.
❓ Is the 33W charging on the ZTE Blade V50 significantly faster in real-world use compared to the 25W on the Galaxy A25?
While 33W is numerically faster, the Galaxy A25’s superior battery optimization means the difference in 0-100% charge time will be less dramatic than expected. The A25’s longer battery life also reduces the frequency with which you’ll need to charge it.
❓ How does the camera performance of the Galaxy A25 compare to other phones in its price range?
The Galaxy A25’s camera is generally considered to be above average for its price point. Samsung’s image processing algorithms deliver vibrant and detailed photos, particularly in good lighting conditions. It’s likely to outperform many other budget phones in terms of image quality and video stabilization.
