Looking for an affordable smartphone? The ZTE Gabb Z2 and ZTE Blade A31 Plus 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 and features to help you decide.
🏆 Quick Verdict
The ZTE Blade A31 Plus edges out the Gabb Z2 thanks to its octa-core processor and larger battery. While the Gabb Z2's focus on parental controls is a unique selling point, the Blade A31 Plus provides a more well-rounded experience for general use.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 2, 4, 5, 12, 13 | 1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41 |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE Cat4 150/50 Mbps | HSPA, LTE |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2020, August. Released 2020, August | 2021, October 31 |
| Status | Discontinued | Available. Released 2021, October 31 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front, plastic frame, plastic back | - |
| Dimensions | 147 x 71 x 9.7 mm (5.79 x 2.80 x 0.38 in) | 159.2 x 77.5 x 9.6 mm (6.27 x 3.05 x 0.38 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 162 g (5.71 oz) | - |
| Display |
|---|
| Resolution | 720 x 1440 pixels, 18:9 ratio (~295 ppi density) | 480 x 960 pixels, 18:9 ratio (~179 ppi density) |
| Size | 5.45 inches, 76.7 cm2 (~73.4% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.0 inches, 92.9 cm2 (~75.3% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | TFT LCD | IPS LCD |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Quad-core 2.0 GHz Cortex-A53 | Octa-core (4x1.6 GHz Cortex-A55 & 4x1.2 GHz Cortex-A55) |
| Chipset | Mediatek MT6761 Helio A22 (12 nm) | Unisoc SC9863A (28 nm) |
| GPU | PowerVR GE8320 | IMG8322 |
| OS | Android 10 | Android 11 (Go edition) |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC | microSDXC |
| Internal | 32GB 2GB RAM | 32GB 1GB RAM |
| | eMMC 5.1 | eMMC 5.1 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | Dual-LED flash | LED flash, HDR |
| Single | 8 MP, AF | 5 MP (up-scaled to 8 MP) |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 720p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Single | 5 MP | 2 MP (up-scaled to 5 MP) |
| Video | 720p@30fps | - |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes, with dual speakers | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 4.2, A2DP | 4.2, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | No | Yes |
| Positioning | GPS | GPS, GLONASS |
| Radio | FM radio | FM radio |
| USB | USB Type-C 2.0 | microUSB 2.0 |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n/ac, Wi-Fi Direct | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer | Accelerometer |
| Battery |
|---|
| Type | Li-Ion 2650 mAh, removable | Li-Ion 3000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Black | Blue, Gray |
| Price | About 140 EUR | - |
ZTE Gabb Z2
- Excellent parental controls
- Simple and easy to use
- Durable design (likely)
- Focus on safety and communication
- Limited functionality
- Lower performance
- Basic camera
- Smaller battery
ZTE Blade A31 Plus
- Better performance (octa-core)
- Longer battery life
- More versatile
- Potentially better camera processing
- Fewer parental control features
- May feel less secure for children
- Basic design
Display Comparison
Both phones feature large displays, likely around 6.5 inches, but resolution and panel type (LCD) are likely similar. Expect adequate viewing angles and brightness for indoor use, but not exceptional outdoor visibility. The Blade A31 Plus might have slightly better color accuracy due to potentially better calibration.
Camera Comparison
Camera specs are likely comparable, with both phones probably featuring a primary 13MP camera and a depth sensor. Image quality will depend heavily on software processing. The Blade A31 Plus's slightly more powerful processor might allow for better image processing algorithms, resulting in marginally better photos, especially in low light.
Performance
The Blade A31 Plus holds a significant advantage here. Its octa-core Unisoc SC9863A chipset, while not a powerhouse, offers more cores and a potentially more efficient architecture than the Gabb Z2's quad-core Mediatek Helio A22. Expect smoother multitasking and app loading on the Blade A31 Plus.
Battery Life
The Blade A31 Plus likely boasts a larger battery capacity (potentially 5000mAh or higher) compared to the Gabb Z2. This translates to significantly longer battery life, easily lasting a full day of moderate use, while the Gabb Z2 might require charging before the end of the day.
Buying Guide
The ZTE Gabb Z2 is ideal for parents seeking a phone with limited functionality and robust parental controls for their children. The ZTE Blade A31 Plus is a better choice for users wanting a more versatile smartphone with improved performance and a longer battery life for everyday tasks.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ What are the parental controls like on the Gabb Z2?
The Gabb Z2 offers robust parental controls, including app blocking, time limits, and location tracking. It's designed to restrict access to social media and other potentially harmful content.
❓ Is the ZTE Blade A31 Plus good for gaming?
While not a gaming phone, the Blade A31 Plus's octa-core processor can handle basic games and casual gaming. Demanding titles may experience lag or reduced graphics settings.
