Zte Blade A31 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 A31 is a budget-friendly smartphone that was released on July 13, 2021. This phone packs a decent set of features and specifications for its price range, which makes it an attractive option for cost-conscious users.

Design and Build Quality

The ZTE Blade A31 is a budget smartphone that boasts a sleek and modern design. The phone measures 140 x 71 x 8.9 mm (5.51 x 2.80 x 0.35 in) and weighs 166 g, making it lightweight and comfortable to hold. The device comes in two color options: Blue and Gray, which are both stylish and trendy.

The phone is constructed using durable materials that give it a premium feel. The back panel has a matte finish that resists fingerprints and smudges, while the frame is made of sturdy plastic that provides ample protection against accidental drops and bumps.

The ZTE Blade A31's ergonomics are well designed, with the power and volume buttons located on the right-hand side of the device and easy to reach with one hand. The device's speaker and headphone jack are located at the bottom, while the micro-USB port is situated at the top.

In terms of durability, the ZTE Blade A31 has a solid build quality that can withstand everyday usage. However, it does not have any official IP rating for water or dust resistance, so users should take extra care when using it in wet conditions.

Overall, the ZTE Blade A31 is a well-designed and well-constructed budget smartphone that provides an excellent user experience. Its lightweight and ergonomic design make it comfortable to use for extended periods, while its durable build quality ensures it can withstand everyday usage.

Display

The ZTE Blade A31 boasts a 5.45-inch IPS LCD screen with a resolution of 720 x 1440 pixels and an aspect ratio of 18:9, resulting in a pixel density of around 295 pixels per inch. The display on the Blade A31 is certainly not the most impressive in the market, but it gets the job done for everyday use.

The color accuracy and vibrancy of the screen are decent, but not particularly remarkable. The display is not the brightest, so outdoor visibility may be a bit of a challenge under direct sunlight. However, the touch sensitivity and responsiveness of the screen are commendable, making it easy and convenient to navigate through the phone's interface.

Overall, the display on the ZTE Blade A31 is satisfactory for everyday use. Perhaps the most significant advantage of this display is that it strikes a balance between cost and quality, making it an affordable option for budget-conscious consumers. While it may not be the best display in the market, it is certainly adequate for basic tasks such as browsing the internet and texting.

Performance

When it comes to performance, the ZTE Blade A31 packs quite a punch for its price range. Powered by an octa-core Unisoc SC9863A chipset, the phone is capable of handling moderate to heavy usage with ease. The processor is accompanied by 2GB of RAM, which may not sound like much, but is sufficient for most day-to-day tasks. Multitasking is smooth and apps open quickly, with only occasional lag during prolonged usage.

In terms of gaming, the Blade A31 is capable of handling most casual games with ease. However, more graphics-intensive games may experience some lag and frame drops. Nevertheless, for its price range, the phone performs admirably well.

The phone scored a respectable 76,584 on the AnTuTu benchmark, which is impressive considering its budget-friendly status. Real-world usage also reflects this, as the phone is quick and responsive during everyday use.

Overall, the ZTE Blade A31's performance is more than satisfactory for its price range. While it may not be the most powerful phone on the market, it certainly holds its own and is capable of handling most day-to-day tasks with ease.

Software and User Interface

The ZTE Blade A31 runs on the Android 11 (Go edition) operating system, which is optimized for low-end devices with limited storage and processing power. The user interface is clean and simple, with app icons arranged in a grid pattern on the home screen. The default launcher is customizable, allowing users to change the icon pack and add widgets to the home screen.

The device comes with a few pre-installed apps, including Google apps such as YouTube, Gmail, Google Maps, and the Google Play Store. These apps are essential for most users, but they can also take up significant storage space. Fortunately, the device has a microSDXC card slot that allows users to expand the storage up to 512GB.

The ZTE Blade A31 offers some customization options, including the ability to change the wallpaper and the lock screen style. The device also supports themes, which can be downloaded from the Google Play Store. However, the number of available themes is limited, and the majority of them require an in-app purchase to access all the features.

The user interface is user-friendly and easy to navigate, with a notification panel that can be accessed by swiping down from the top of the screen. The settings menu is well-organized, with options arranged into categories such as Wireless & networks, Device, and Personal.

Overall, the ZTE Blade A31 offers a decent user interface and software experience, especially for its price point. The device is suitable for users who need a budget smartphone for basic tasks such as browsing the web, using social media apps, and making calls. However, users who need more advanced features and customization options may want to consider other devices in the same price range.

Camera

VI. Camera

When it comes to the camera, the ZTE Blade A31 offers decent specs for an entry-level device. It has a single 8-megapixel rear camera with LED flash and HDR, while the front-facing camera is a 2-megapixel shooter that is up-scaled to 5 megapixels.

In daylight conditions, the rear camera takes decent photos with good color reproduction and sharpness. However, in low-light conditions, the camera struggles to capture clear and detailed images, and noise becomes visible. The camera also lacks image stabilization, which can result in blurry photos if your hands shake while taking pictures.

The camera app has a simple and user-friendly interface with basic features such as panorama, beauty mode, and a few filters. Unfortunately, the camera app does not offer any advanced settings, such as manual control over exposure, ISO, or shutter speed.

The video recording capabilities of the ZTE Blade A31 are limited to 720p at 30fps, which is not the best quality, but it is still decent enough for casual recording. The lack of image stabilization becomes more apparent when recording videos, as the footage can appear shaky and unstable.

The front-facing camera is suitable for taking selfies, but it is not the best in terms of quality. The up-scaling to 5 megapixels can result in some loss of details and sharpness, and the camera struggles in low-light conditions.

Overall, the ZTE Blade A31's camera is decent for an entry-level device, but it is not the best in its price range. If you are looking for a phone with a better camera, you may want to consider other options in the market.

Battery Life

Connectivity and Networking

The ZTE Blade A31 offers a decent set of connectivity and networking features, making it a reliable device for staying connected on the go. It supports various cellular network compatibility options, including GSM, HSPA, and LTE, ensuring that users can enjoy fast and reliable internet speeds.

For Wi-Fi and Bluetooth capabilities, the device supports Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n and Bluetooth 4.2 with A2DP and LE. This means that users can easily connect to Wi-Fi networks and enjoy faster data transfer rates between devices.

The device also features NFC technology, which allows for wireless payment support and quick sharing of files between compatible devices. The GPS and GLONASS positioning ensure that users can easily navigate through unfamiliar terrain with accurate location tracking.

In terms of sensor availability, the ZTE Blade A31 comes with an accelerometer, allowing users to track motion and orientation. However, there is no fingerprint or face unlock feature, which may be a downside for some users.

Overall, the ZTE Blade A31 offers a reliable set of connectivity and networking features, making it a suitable device for those who need to stay connected on the go. However, the lack of some advanced features such as face unlock may be a downside for some users.

Additional Features

The ZTE Blade A31 is a budget smartphone that comes packed with a few additional features that make it stand out in its price range. While it may not have all the bells and whistles of high-end devices, it still offers some impressive specs for its affordable price point.

One of the notable features of the ZTE Blade A31 is its water and dust resistance. This is a feature that is not commonly found in budget smartphones, making it a unique selling point for the device. This feature ensures that accidental spills or exposure to dust won't damage the phone.

Another feature that sets the ZTE Blade A31 apart is its expandable storage options. The device comes with a microSDXC card slot, allowing users to increase their storage capacity up to 1TB. This is particularly useful for those who need to store large files such as photos, videos, and music.

The phone also has decent audio quality and a headphone jack, which is always appreciated by users who prefer wired headphones. The loudspeaker is also loud and clear, allowing users to enjoy media content without needing external speakers.

In terms of other unique features, the ZTE Blade A31 comes with NFC and wireless payment support, which is a handy feature for those who like to make contactless payments. The device also has an FM radio, which is a rarity in modern smartphones.

Overall, while the ZTE Blade A31 may not have all the advanced features of high-end devices, it does offer some impressive additional features that make it stand out in its price range.

Comparison with Other Related Phones

When it comes to budget smartphones, the ZTE Blade A31 faces some stiff competition from other devices in the market. One such device is the Samsung Galaxy A02s. Both devices are similarly priced and offer comparable features such as a 720p display, 2GB of RAM, and a 3000mAh battery. However, the Galaxy A02s comes with a larger 6.5-inch display and a triple camera setup, making it a more versatile device for photography enthusiasts.

Another competitor in this range is the Nokia 1.4. The Nokia 1.4 offers a slightly larger 6.51-inch display and a more powerful Qualcomm Snapdragon 215 processor. It also comes with a larger 4000mAh battery, which may offer better battery life compared to the ZTE Blade A31. However, the Nokia 1.4 has a lower resolution display and only offers 1GB of RAM, which may impact its overall performance.

Finally, the Realme C11 2021 is another device that is comparable to the ZTE Blade A31. It offers a similar 6.5-inch display, but with a higher resolution. It also comes with a larger 5000mAh battery, which could provide better battery life. The Realme C11 2021 also offers a dual-camera setup, which could be more appealing to users who prioritize photography. However, the Realme C11 2021 has a slightly less powerful processor compared to the ZTE Blade A31, which could impact its overall performance.

Pros and Cons

Conclusion

In conclusion, the ZTE Blade A31 is a budget-friendly smartphone that offers a decent set of features. Its compact design, vibrant display, and snappy performance make it a great choice for those who prioritize convenience and affordability. However, its limited storage capacity and average camera performance may be a deal-breaker for some users who are looking for more advanced features.

Overall, the ZTE Blade A31 is a reliable device that can handle basic tasks with ease. If you are a casual user who simply needs a phone for browsing the web, taking photos, and staying connected with friends and family, then this phone is definitely worth considering. However, if you require more advanced features such as extensive storage, high-end camera performance, and faster processing speeds, then you may want to consider other devices in the market.

In essence, the ZTE Blade A31 is a solid budget option that delivers a good balance of features and affordability. It is a suitable phone for those who prioritize convenience and value for money over high-end features and premium design.