Zte Blade A31 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 A31 Plus is a smartphone that was released on October 31, 2021. It is a budget-friendly device that boasts some impressive features, including a large display, decent camera, and a powerful processor.

Design and Build Quality

The ZTE Blade A31 Plus is a budget smartphone that boasts a sleek and modern design. The phone measures 159.2 x 77.5 x 9.6 mm, giving it a slim and lightweight profile that makes it easy to hold and use with one hand. The device comes in two colors, Blue and Gray, both of which have a matte finish that gives it a premium look and feel.

In terms of construction, the ZTE Blade A31 Plus is made of plastic, which is expected for a device in its price range. However, the phone still feels sturdy and well-built, with no creaks or flexing when pressure is applied. The back panel is removable, which allows for access to the battery, SIM cards, and microSD card slot.

The phone's ergonomics are on point, with the power and volume buttons placed on the right side of the device for easy access. The fingerprint sensor is located on the back of the phone and is conveniently placed for quick and accurate unlocking.

Overall, the ZTE Blade A31 Plus has a solid build quality that is impressive for a phone in its price range. The device's slim and lightweight profile, along with its matte finish, gives it a premium look and feel that belies its affordable price tag.

Display

The ZTE Blade A31 Plus features a 6.0-inch IPS LCD display with a resolution of 480 x 960 pixels, resulting in a pixel density of about 179ppi. While this may not be the highest resolution out there, it's more than enough to render images and videos with decent clarity. The display has an aspect ratio of 18:9, which means it's taller and narrower than the traditional 16:9 aspect ratio. This makes the phone easier to hold in one hand and provides a more immersive viewing experience.

The color accuracy and vibrancy of the display are good, providing a decent viewing experience. However, the brightness of the display could be better, especially when used outdoors in bright sunlight. Touch sensitivity and responsiveness are good, making for a smooth and seamless user experience.

Overall, the display on the ZTE Blade A31 Plus is decent, but it could be better in terms of brightness and resolution. However, given the price point of the phone, it's a fair compromise that most users would be willing to accept.

Performance

The ZTE Blade A31 Plus is equipped with an Unisoc SC9863A chipset and an octa-core processor (4x1.6 GHz Cortex-A55 & 4x1.2 GHz Cortex-A55), making it a capable device for everyday use. The 1GB RAM is enough to handle basic tasks like web browsing, social media, and light multitasking. However, users who demand more from their smartphones may find the limited RAM to be a hindrance.

The device runs on the Android 11 Go edition, which is designed to run smoothly on devices with lower-end hardware. The operating system is optimized to use less storage and memory, resulting in faster performance and better battery life. The ZTE Blade A31 Plus has 32GB of internal storage, which is expandable via a microSDXC card slot.

In terms of gaming, the ZTE Blade A31 Plus can handle basic games with ease. However, more demanding games may struggle to run smoothly due to the limited RAM and lower-end chipset. Benchmark scores reflect the phone's lower-end hardware, but real-world usage is generally smooth and snappy.

The ZTE Blade A31 Plus offers a decent performance for its price point. It's not the fastest or most powerful device out there, but it gets the job done for basic tasks and light usage. Heavy users and gamers may want to look elsewhere, but for those on a budget or looking for a backup device, the ZTE Blade A31 Plus is a solid choice.

Software and User Interface

The ZTE Blade A31 Plus comes with Android 11 Go edition out of the box, which is designed to be a lightweight version of the Android operating system. The user interface is clean and easy to navigate, with a few pre-installed apps and widgets on the home screen for convenience.

Customization options are limited, but users can still personalize their device with different wallpapers and icon packs from the Google Play Store. The phone also has a built-in themes app that offers a few different themes to choose from.

There is some bloatware on the device, but most of it can be uninstalled if not needed. The user-friendly interface makes it easy to manage and organize apps, and the app drawer is organized alphabetically for easy access.

In terms of updates and software support, ZTE has not been known for providing regular updates to their devices. However, the Blade A31 Plus is a relatively new device, so users can expect at least a few software updates in the future.

Overall, the software and user interface of the ZTE Blade A31 Plus are decent for a budget device. While there may be some limitations and bloatware, the clean interface and ease of use make it a good choice for those who don't need a lot of customization options.

Camera

The ZTE Blade A31 Plus comes with a single 5 MP (up-scaled to 8 MP) rear camera and a 2 MP (up-scaled to 5 MP) front-facing camera. While these specs may not seem impressive, the camera quality is decent for a budget phone.

The rear camera features LED flash and HDR, which helps in low-light conditions and improves the overall image quality. The camera app is user-friendly and offers various shooting modes such as panorama, beauty, and time-lapse, among others.

In terms of image quality, the ZTE Blade A31 Plus can take decent photos in good lighting conditions. The colors are vibrant and the details are sharp. However, in low-light conditions, the image quality suffers, and the photos can appear grainy and blurry. The lack of image stabilization also makes it difficult to capture clear shots in low light.

The front-facing camera is suitable for selfies and video calls, but the quality is not exceptional. The photos taken in daylight are decent, but the images taken in low-light conditions are not great. The camera app also offers various beauty and filter options to enhance your selfies.

Overall, the ZTE Blade A31 Plus camera is suitable for basic photography needs. While the camera quality is not exceptional, it is decent for a budget phone. If you are looking for a phone with a better camera, you may need to consider a higher-end model.

Battery Life

Connectivity and Networking

The ZTE Blade A31 Plus is equipped with various connectivity and networking features that cater to the needs of modern-day smartphone users. It is compatible with GSM, HSPA, and LTE networks, ensuring that users can stay connected to high-speed internet wherever they are. The phone also features dual SIM functionality, allowing users to use two SIM cards at the same time.

In terms of wireless connectivity, the ZTE Blade A31 Plus supports Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, enabling users to connect to Wi-Fi networks for faster internet speeds. It also has Bluetooth 4.2 with A2DP and LE, making it easy to pair with other Bluetooth-enabled devices for seamless data transfer.

Another notable feature of the ZTE Blade A31 Plus is its NFC capability, which enables users to make secure payments using their phone. GPS and GLONASS support are also present, providing accurate navigation and location tracking.

In terms of sensors, the ZTE Blade A31 Plus features an accelerometer, which is used to detect the phone's orientation and movements. This sensor is essential for various applications, such as gaming and fitness tracking.

Overall, the connectivity and networking features of the ZTE Blade A31 Plus are impressive, making it a great choice for users who value staying connected and up-to-date with the latest technology trends.

Additional Features

The ZTE Blade A31 Plus comes equipped with an array of additional features that enhance its overall functionality and user experience. One of the most notable features is its expandable storage option, which allows users to insert a microSD card to increase the device's storage capacity. This is particularly useful for those who enjoy storing a large amount of media files such as music, videos, and photos on their device.

Another great feature is the inclusion of a headphone jack, which is becoming increasingly rare in modern smartphones. This allows users to listen to music or watch videos without any disruptions or interruptions, and also provides a convenient alternative for those who do not want to use wireless earbuds.

The device also features a loudspeaker, which delivers clear and high-quality sound, making it perfect for music playback or hands-free phone calls. It also includes support for FM radio, which is a great feature for those who enjoy listening to local radio stations.

In addition, the ZTE Blade A31 Plus includes a number of sensors such as an accelerometer, which allows for automatic screen rotation and other motion-based features. It also includes support for NFC, which enables wireless payments and other contactless features.

Overall, the ZTE Blade A31 Plus is a feature-packed device that offers great value for its price. Its additional features provide added convenience and functionality, making it a great choice for users who are looking for a budget-friendly smartphone that doesn't compromise on performance or features.

Comparison with Other Related Phones

When comparing the ZTE Blade A31 Plus to other phones in its price range, it's clear that it offers a lot of value for the money. However, it's not the only option available on the market. Let's take a look at some of its competitors and see how they stack up.

First on the list is the Samsung Galaxy A02. Both phones have 6-inch displays, but the A02 has a higher resolution at 720 x 1600 pixels. The A02 also has a dual-camera setup on the back, which is an improvement over the A31 Plus's single camera. However, the A31 Plus has a faster processor and more RAM, which should make for better performance overall.

Next up is the Nokia C30. This phone has a larger 6.82-inch display, but it has a lower resolution than the A31 Plus at 720 x 1640 pixels. The C30 also has a similar processor and RAM, but it has a larger battery at 6000mAh. However, the A31 Plus has a better camera and a more user-friendly interface.

Another phone worth considering is the Realme C11. This phone has a slightly smaller 6.5-inch display, but it has a higher resolution at 720 x 1600 pixels. The C11 also has a dual-camera setup on the back, which is an improvement over the A31 Plus's single camera. However, the A31 Plus has a faster processor and more RAM, which should make for better performance overall.

Finally, we have the Xiaomi Redmi 9A. This phone has a slightly larger 6.53-inch display, but it has a lower resolution than the A31 Plus at 720 x 1600 pixels. The Redmi 9A also has a similar processor and RAM, but it has a larger battery at 5000mAh. However, the A31 Plus has a better camera and a more user-friendly interface.

Overall, the ZTE Blade A31 Plus offers a good combination of features and performance for its price range. While it may not be the best in every category, it's a solid choice for anyone looking for a budget-friendly smartphone.

Pros and Cons

Conclusion

In conclusion, the ZTE Blade A31 Plus is a budget smartphone that offers decent features for its price point. It has a simple and modern design, but it lacks in some areas such as its low-resolution display and limited RAM. However, it does have some strengths, including its long-lasting battery life, expandable storage option, and NFC support.

Overall, the ZTE Blade A31 Plus is suitable for casual users who prioritize battery life and expandable storage, and are not too concerned about the display or performance. It might not be the best option for power users or gamers, but it is a good affordable choice for those who need a basic smartphone for everyday use.

If you're looking for alternatives, some options to consider are the Xiaomi Redmi 9A or the Samsung Galaxy A02s, which offer similar features and price points. Ultimately, it's important to consider your personal needs and preferences when choosing a smartphone that fits your budget.