Zte Blade A3 Plus Review

• Overview
• Design and Build Quality
• Display
• Performance
• Software and User Interface
• Camera
• Battery Life
• Connectivity and Networking
• Additional Features
• Comparison with Other Related Phones
• Pros and Cons
• Conclusion

Overview

The ZTE Blade A3 2022 edition is a budget-friendly smartphone that promises to deliver a decent user experience without breaking the bank. This device was announced in January 2022 and released in the same month, making it a relatively new addition to the market.

Design and Build Quality

The ZTE Blade A3 2022 has a compact and lightweight design, with dimensions of 137 x 68 x 10.5mm and a weight of just 188g. Its slim profile makes it easy to carry around, and it fits comfortably in the hand. The phone's body is made of plastic, which is expected at this price point, but it still feels sturdy and well-built.

The device has a minimalist design with a plain back panel and a simple camera module located at the top left corner. The power and volume buttons are conveniently placed on the right side of the phone, and the headphone jack and charging port are located at the bottom.

The phone's back panel is removable, allowing users to access the battery and SIM card slots. The phone's build quality is decent, but it may not survive extreme conditions. However, it should hold up well for regular daily use.

Overall, the ZTE Blade A3 2022 has a simple but functional design that should appeal to users who prefer a minimalist look. The build quality is decent, and it feels sturdy and well-built.

Display

The ZTE Blade A3 2022 edition comes with a 5.0-inch TFT LCD display that offers a resolution of 480 x 960 pixels and an aspect ratio of 18:9. While the screen size might be considered small by some, it is an appropriate size for a budget phone and offers a decent viewing experience.

The display technology used in the ZTE Blade A3 2022 may not be as advanced as some of the more expensive smartphones on the market, but it still offers good color accuracy and vibrancy. The colors on the screen are bright and vivid, making it ideal for watching videos or browsing through photos.

The brightness levels of the ZTE Blade A3 2022 are decent, but it may not be the best option for outdoor use. The display can be a bit difficult to see in direct sunlight, and the lack of an auto-brightness feature means that you will have to manually adjust the brightness levels yourself.

The touch sensitivity and responsiveness of the ZTE Blade A3 2022's display are impressive, making it easy to navigate through menus and apps with ease. The touch interface is smooth and responsive, and there are no noticeable lags or delays while using the phone.

Overall, the display on the ZTE Blade A3 2022 is decent for a budget phone, and it is certainly one of the device's stronger features. While it may not be as advanced as some of the more expensive phones on the market, it still offers a good viewing experience with impressive color accuracy and touch sensitivity.

Performance

The ZTE Blade A3 2022 is powered by a quad-core 1.5 GHz Cortex-A53 processor and a PowerVR GE8100 GPU. It also comes with 2GB of RAM and 16GB of internal storage, which can be expanded using a microSDHC card. This configuration is not the most powerful in the market, but it's certainly impressive for a budget device.

In terms of multitasking, the Blade A3 2022 performs decently well, with no noticeable lag or stuttering. However, the device may struggle with more demanding apps and games, especially those that require a lot of graphics processing power.

Speaking of gaming, the Blade A3 2022 can handle most casual games with ease. However, more graphics-intensive games may cause the device to heat up and become sluggish. In terms of benchmark scores, the Blade A3 2022 performs reasonably well for a device in its price range.

Overall, the ZTE Blade A3 2022 offers decent performance for its price point. While it may not be the most powerful device out there, it should be more than sufficient for most day-to-day tasks and casual gaming.

Software and User Interface

The ZTE Blade A3 2022 runs on Android 11 (Go edition) which is a lightweight version of the operating system designed to run smoothly on entry-level devices with low RAM and storage. The user interface is simple and easy to navigate, making it ideal for users who are not tech-savvy. With the Go edition, the phone boots up quickly, and apps open and close without any lag.

The phone comes with a few pre-installed apps, but they do not take up a significant amount of storage space or interfere with the user experience. The device has customization options, allowing users to change the wallpaper, icons, and themes to their liking. However, the options are limited compared to other Android devices.

The ZTE Blade A3 2022 has a user-friendly interface, with large icons and clear text that is easy to read. The phone has a simple navigation system, with a back button, home button, and recent apps button. The phone also supports gesture navigation, which is becoming increasingly popular among users.

In terms of updates and software support, ZTE has not been consistent in providing timely updates for their devices. This may be a concern for some users who prioritize having the latest security patches and features. However, the phone does come with a one-year warranty, which provides a level of support and protection for the device.

Overall, the software and user interface of the ZTE Blade A3 2022 are suitable for users who want a simple and straightforward experience. The Go edition of Android 11 runs smoothly, and the user interface is easy to navigate. However, users who prioritize timely updates and customization options may want to consider other devices.

Camera

The ZTE Blade A3 2022 is equipped with a 5-megapixel rear camera and a 3-megapixel front-facing camera. While the resolution may not be on par with high-end devices, the cameras still offer decent performance for everyday use.

The rear camera comes with an LED flash and can shoot video at 720p@30fps. It provides good results in well-lit conditions, producing images that are sharp and detailed. However, the camera struggles in low-light situations, with images appearing grainy and lacking detail.

The front-facing camera is suitable for video calls and selfies. It produces decent quality images in good lighting conditions, but again, struggles in low light. There is no front-facing flash, which may be a downside for some users.

The camera app is straightforward and easy to use, with various shooting modes and filters available. However, there is no manual mode for advanced users who want more control over their photography.

Overall, the ZTE Blade A3 2022 camera performance is decent for its price point. It is suitable for everyday use and casual photography, but it may not satisfy users looking for high-quality photos or advanced camera features.

Battery Life

Connectivity and Networking

The ZTE Blade A3 2022 edition offers various connectivity and networking options to suit the needs of its users. It has a dual-SIM slot that supports both 4G and 3G networks, ensuring that users can stay connected to the internet and make calls without any interruption. The Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n feature allows for fast internet connection speeds, while Bluetooth 4.2 technology enables seamless connectivity to other devices such as headsets, speakers, and smartwatches.

However, the phone doesn't come with NFC connectivity, which may be a deal-breaker for users who rely on contactless payments. Additionally, the lack of GPS support could be a disadvantage for users who require accurate location tracking, such as travelers and hikers.

On the other hand, the phone does come with a microUSB 2.0 port for charging and data transfer. The device also has a 3.5mm headphone jack for those who prefer wired audio solutions.

Overall, the ZTE Blade A3 2022 edition offers a decent selection of connectivity and networking features, but its lack of NFC and GPS support may limit its appeal to some users.

Additional Features

The ZTE Blade A3 2022 has a few additional features that are worth mentioning. Firstly, while it doesn't have an official IP rating for water and dust resistance, it does have a removable battery which can be a plus for those who like to carry a spare battery. Additionally, it has a dedicated microSD card slot, which can be used to expand the internal storage by up to 256GB, providing plenty of storage space for your apps, photos, and videos.

The audio quality on the device is quite good, and it has a standard 3.5mm headphone jack, which is becoming more and more rare in modern smartphones. The loudspeaker on the device is also quite loud, although it can become distorted at high volumes.

One unique feature of the ZTE Blade A3 2022 is its ability to support multiple user profiles, allowing different users to have their own customized settings and apps on the same device. This can be useful for families or small businesses who want to share a device while still maintaining some level of privacy and personalization.

Overall, while the ZTE Blade A3 2022 doesn't have any standout additional features, it does have some useful and practical features that add to its overall value and usability.

Comparison with Other Related Phones

When comparing the ZTE Blade A3 2022 to other related phones, we can see that it sits in the budget-friendly category of devices. Other phones in this category include the Samsung Galaxy A02s, the Nokia C3, and the Motorola Moto E7i Power.

Compared to the Samsung Galaxy A02s, the ZTE Blade A3 2022 has a smaller screen, lower resolution, and less RAM. However, it has a slightly better processor and a higher front-facing camera resolution. The Nokia C3, on the other hand, has a larger screen and battery capacity, but a lower resolution and less RAM. It also has a less powerful processor. Finally, the Motorola Moto E7i Power has a larger screen and battery capacity, but a lower resolution and less RAM. It also has a less powerful processor and a lower rear camera resolution.

Overall, the ZTE Blade A3 2022 can hold its own against these other budget-friendly phones. It offers solid performance, a decent camera, and a compact form factor. However, users looking for a larger screen or more storage options may want to consider other devices in this price range.

Pros and Cons

Conclusion

In conclusion, the ZTE Blade A3 2022 budget smartphone offers decent features for its price point. The device has a compact design, making it easy to handle and carry around. The display quality is not the best, but it is satisfactory for basic tasks such as browsing, social media, and messaging. The performance is adequate for everyday tasks, but it may struggle with more demanding apps and games.

The camera quality is average, and it may not be the best choice for photography enthusiasts. However, it can capture decent photos in good lighting conditions. The battery life is good, and the device can last for a full day with moderate usage.

While it lacks some features, such as NFC and a fingerprint sensor, it still offers good connectivity options and a headphone jack. The phone runs on Android 11 (Go edition), which is optimized for low-end devices and comes with pre-installed Google apps.

Overall, the ZTE Blade A3 2022 is a suitable option for those on a tight budget who need a simple and functional smartphone. However, if you require more advanced features and performance, you may need to consider other options.