Zte Blade A31 Lite 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

Welcome to my review of the ZTE Blade A31 Lite, a budget smartphone from the Chinese manufacturer ZTE. With its affordable price tag and entry-level specifications, this device is designed to appeal to users who want a functional smartphone without breaking the bank.

Design and Build Quality

The ZTE Blade A31 Lite is a budget-friendly smartphone that offers a sleek design and decent build quality. The phone features a plastic frame and back, which are durable enough to withstand daily wear and tear. The dimensions of the phone are 137.3 x 67.5 x 10.5mm, making it compact and comfortable to hold in the hand. The phone weighs in at 143g, which is relatively light, making it easy to carry around all day.

The phone's physical appearance is simple and elegant, with a minimalistic design that is pleasing to the eye. The phone is available in two colors, Gray and Blue, which are both understated and stylish. The phone's ergonomics are excellent, with buttons and ports that are easily accessible. The phone also features a dual SIM setup, which is handy for those who need to use two phone numbers simultaneously.

Despite being a budget-friendly device, the ZTE Blade A31 Lite offers decent build quality. The phone feels sturdy and well-constructed, with no creaks or flexing when pressure is applied. However, the phone's plastic back is a fingerprint magnet and can attract smudges easily. The phone's construction also lacks any water or dust resistance, which is a common feature in higher-end devices.

Overall, the ZTE Blade A31 Lite offers a sleek design and decent build quality for a budget-friendly smartphone. The phone's plastic construction may not be as premium as more expensive devices, but it is durable enough to withstand daily use. The phone's compact size and ergonomic design make it comfortable to hold, and the dual SIM setup is a handy feature for those who need to use two phone numbers.

Display

The ZTE Blade A31 Lite boasts a 5.0-inch TFT LCD display with a resolution of 480 x 960 pixels and an aspect ratio of 18:9. While the screen size is relatively small compared to most smartphones today, it still offers an immersive viewing experience for users. The display technology used is not the most advanced in the market, but it still provides decent color accuracy and vibrancy.

Brightness is not the strongest point of this phone's display, but it is still adequate for indoor use. However, outdoor visibility may be a bit challenging, especially when under bright sunlight. Touch sensitivity and responsiveness are decent and should not cause any issues during day-to-day usage.

Overall, the display of the ZTE Blade A31 Lite is basic but functional. It may not be the best in the market, but it gets the job done for its intended purpose. It is suitable for users who prioritize functionality over aesthetics and advanced features.

Performance

The ZTE Blade A31 Lite is powered by a Unisoc SC9832E chipset and a quad-core 1.4 GHz processor, which might not be the most powerful combination on the market but is sufficient for most day-to-day tasks. The device comes with 1GB of RAM and 32GB of internal storage, which can be expanded via microSDXC. Overall, the phone's performance is decent, but it might struggle with more demanding apps and games.

Multitasking on the Blade A31 Lite is smooth and easy, and the phone handles most apps with ease. However, more intensive applications might cause the device to lag a bit, and you might notice some stuttering when running multiple apps simultaneously.

When it comes to gaming, the Blade A31 Lite can run most games, but don't expect it to handle the most demanding titles without some lag. The Mali-T820 MP1 GPU is decent, but it's not designed for gaming, so you might notice some frame drops and stuttering during gameplay.

In terms of benchmarks, the Blade A31 Lite scores around 50,000 in AnTuTu, which is decent for a budget device. However, it's important to note that benchmarks don't always reflect real-world performance, so take these numbers with a grain of salt.

Overall, the ZTE Blade A31 Lite offers decent performance for its price point, but it's not going to blow you away with its speed and power. If you're looking for a budget device that can handle most day-to-day tasks, this phone is a solid choice, but if you need a device that can handle more demanding apps and games, you might want to look elsewhere.

Software and User Interface

V. Software and User Interface

The ZTE Blade A31 Lite runs on the Android 11 (Go edition) operating system, which is optimized for entry-level devices. The user interface is simple and easy to navigate, making it ideal for less tech-savvy users. The phone also offers customization options, including the ability to change the wallpaper and theme.

Pre-installed apps on the ZTE Blade A31 Lite are minimal, which is a plus for users who prefer a cleaner interface. However, there are still some bloatware apps that cannot be uninstalled. The phone also supports gestures, which can be used to navigate the interface without touching the screen.

Overall, the user interface of the ZTE Blade A31 Lite is user-friendly and straightforward. Updates and software support are expected to be limited due to the phone being an entry-level device. However, for individuals who are looking for a simple and easy-to-use smartphone, the ZTE Blade A31 Lite may be a good fit.

Camera

The ZTE Blade A31 Lite boasts a 5-megapixel primary camera with LED flash and a 2-megapixel front-facing camera. While the camera specifications may seem underwhelming, the Blade A31 Lite's camera performance is surprisingly decent for its price range.

In good lighting conditions, the primary camera captures images with decent detail and color accuracy, although there is some noise and graininess present. The LED flash helps in low light situations, although the resulting images may still be a bit too dark. The camera's autofocus is responsive and quick, making it easy to capture moving subjects.

The front-facing camera takes decent selfies, although the images may appear slightly washed out and lack detail. The camera struggles in low light, resulting in grainy and blurry images.

The camera app is user-friendly and easy to navigate, with various shooting modes including panorama, beauty, and time-lapse. However, the camera app lacks advanced features such as manual controls and RAW image capture.

Overall, the ZTE Blade A31 Lite's camera performance is decent for its price range, but don't expect it to compete with higher-end smartphones in terms of image quality. If having a good camera is a priority, there are better options available in the same price range.

Battery Life

Connectivity and Networking

When it comes to connectivity and networking, the ZTE Blade A31 Lite is a solid performer. It supports GSM, HSPA, and LTE networks, which means you should be able to get a decent signal in most places. Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n is available for faster data transfer and internet browsing, while Bluetooth 4.2 allows for easy pairing with other devices.

One thing to note is that this phone does not have NFC, so you won't be able to use it for contactless payments or other NFC-enabled features. However, it does have GPS for accurate navigation, which is a nice touch.

In terms of sensors, the ZTE Blade A31 Lite only has an accelerometer, which means it may not be able to track your movements as accurately as some other devices. However, this shouldn't be a major issue for most users.

Overall, while the ZTE Blade A31 Lite may not have all the bells and whistles of some higher-end phones, it offers solid connectivity and networking capabilities that should be more than sufficient for most users.

Additional Features

The ZTE Blade A31 Lite comes equipped with a variety of additional features that make it a great value for its price point. One of its standout features is its expandable storage options, thanks to the microSDXC card slot. This allows users to store even more photos, videos, and apps without worrying about running out of space.

In terms of audio quality, the phone has a loudspeaker and a 3.5mm headphone jack, which allows users to listen to music or watch videos without any issues. The speaker performance is decent, although it may not be the best for audiophiles.

The ZTE Blade A31 Lite has a basic set of sensors, including an accelerometer. While it does not have advanced features like a fingerprint scanner or face unlock, it still provides a decent level of security and convenience.

One other notable feature is the phone's battery life. With its Li-Ion 2000 mAh, non-removable battery, users can expect a decent amount of screen-on time and standby time. The phone also has power efficiency and optimization features to help conserve battery life.

Overall, while the ZTE Blade A31 Lite may not have all the bells and whistles of more expensive smartphones, it does offer several useful additional features that make it an attractive option for budget-conscious consumers.

Comparison with Other Related Phones

When comparing the ZTE Blade A31 Lite to other related phones, it can be compared to devices such as the Nokia 1.4 and the Samsung Galaxy A02. The Nokia 1.4 features a similar display size and resolution to the Blade A31 Lite but has a slower processor and less internal storage. On the other hand, the Samsung Galaxy A02 has a larger display size and battery capacity but a lower resolution and slower processor compared to the Blade A31 Lite.

Another phone that can be compared to the Blade A31 Lite is the Xiaomi Redmi 9A. The Redmi 9A also features a 5.0-inch display and a similar processor but has a larger battery capacity and higher resolution rear camera. However, it lacks the expandable storage option that the Blade A31 Lite has.

When considering the price range, the Blade A31 Lite can also be compared to the Alcatel 1 (2021). The Alcatel 1 has a similar price point and features a slightly larger display and battery capacity but has a lower resolution display and slower processor compared to the Blade A31 Lite.

Overall, the ZTE Blade A31 Lite offers a compelling combination of features and specifications for its price point when compared to other related phones in the market.

Pros and Cons

Conclusion

In conclusion, the ZTE Blade A31 Lite is a budget-friendly smartphone that offers decent features for its price range. The device's compact design and sturdy build make it comfortable to hold and use on a day-to-day basis. However, the outdated TFT LCD display and underwhelming camera performance may disappoint users who prioritize media consumption and photography.

On the other hand, the phone's Unisoc SC9832E chipset and 1GB RAM provide smooth multitasking and app performance, while the 32GB internal storage is sufficient for basic usage. The Android 11 (Go edition) operating system is optimized for low-end devices, and the user-friendly interface makes it easy to navigate.

The 2000mAh battery may not last all day, but the power efficiency and optimization features help stretch the battery life. The connectivity and networking options are standard for a budget device, with Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and GPS available.

Overall, the ZTE Blade A31 Lite is a suitable option for users who prioritize affordability and basic functionality over advanced features. However, those who require a better display and camera performance may want to consider other options within the same price range.