ZTE Blade A53 Pro review
The ZTE Blade A53 Pro - a budget smartphone that falls short on several fronts. With a subpar display resolution, outdated micro USB charging port, and questionable camera setup, this device struggles to justify its $150 price tag. Add to that a weak processor, limited storage, and no NFC or 5G capabilities, and you're left with a phone that feels like a major compromise. Can it still be considered a budget option, or is it simply not worth the money?
Build Quality and Design
The unboxing experience of the ZTE Blade A53 Pro is a letdown from the get-go. The packaging itself is one of the cheapest ones I've seen, which already raises concerns about the quality of the device inside. Upon closer inspection, you'll find that the phone comes with some decent inclusions such as a screen protector and instruction booklets. However, the Sim tool Charter and 10-watt charger feel like an afterthought, suggesting a lack of attention to detail from the manufacturer. The real kicker is the inclusion of micro USB charging port at a time when most smartphones have moved on to Type-C or even wireless charging. This oversight is a clear indication that ZTE has cut corners in their design and engineering process. Furthermore, the phone's build quality itself feels flimsy and cheap. The dual camera setup may look decent, but with a 13-megapixel main sensor and a 2-megapixel auxiliary camera, it's hard to get excited about this feature. The overall aesthetic of the phone is uninspired, with thick bezels and an IPS LCD display that looks dull and unresponsive. The Redmi Note 11, a device that's already been on the market for some time, outperforms the ZTE Blade A53 Pro in every aspect, including processing power, display quality, and cameras. For just $20 more, you can get a significantly better device. This raises questions about the value proposition of the ZTE Blade A53 Pro. In conclusion, the build quality and design of the ZTE Blade A53 Pro are underwhelming. It's clear that the manufacturer has prioritized cost-cutting over innovation and user experience.
Battery Life
While I appreciate the effort put into creating an affordable smartphone, the ZTE Blade A53 Pro falls short in many areas, including its battery life. To be honest, I was not expecting much from this device, given its price tag of $150. However, even by budget phone standards, the A53 Pro's battery performance is underwhelming. The device comes with a 4000mAh battery, which on paper sounds like it should last a decent amount of time. Unfortunately, in real-world usage, I found the battery to be sluggish and unable to keep up with my daily needs. In heavy use, I was lucky to get a full day out of the phone, and even then, I had to be mindful of how I used it. This is unacceptable for a budget device that should at least offer respectable battery life. To put this into perspective, devices like the Redmi Note 11, which are available for just $20 more than the A53 Pro, offer significantly better battery performance. It's hard not to compare these two phones, as they're in the same price bracket. In conclusion, while I was prepared for a lackluster experience with the ZTE Blade A53 Pro, its poor battery life is a significant letdown. If you're considering purchasing this device, I would recommend looking elsewhere, such as at other budget smartphones that offer better value for your money. 2/5 stars Avoid this phone and opt for a more reliable option in the same price range.
Display
In an attempt to stay within budget, the ZTE Blade A53 Pro seems to have compromised on its display, offering a subpar viewing experience that falls short of expectations. The 6.5-inch IPS LCD screen boasts a HD Plus resolution, but what this really means is a 720p display with a resolution of 1600 x 720 pixels. This leaves a lot to be desired in terms of sharpness and clarity, making it difficult to fully engage with the content on screen. The aspect ratio, which deviates from the standard 16:9, further exacerbates the issue, resulting in somewhat wasted real estate on either side of the display. The absence of any high refresh rate only adds insult to injury, rendering the viewing experience even more lackluster. While some might argue that a budget phone's display shouldn't be too much to expect, the fact remains that the ZTE Blade A53 Pro's screen is not up to par with its peers in this price range. At $150, one would reasonably anticipate a better display, especially considering the abundance of alternatives available at similar prices. In this regard, the Redmi Note 11 stands out as an exemplary budget phone, offering significantly improved display quality and overall performance for only $20 more than the ZTE Blade A53 Pro. Similarly, other options like Nokia's budget offerings with stock Android can provide a better viewing experience while staying within budget. Ultimately, the subpar display on the ZTE Blade A53 Pro makes it difficult to recommend this phone, especially when compared to its competitors in the same price range. As such, prospective buyers should look elsewhere for a more satisfying viewing experience.
Camera
The camera system on the ZTE Blade A53 Pro is a major letdown, and one of the few aspects of this device that doesn't quite live up to its promise. The dual-camera setup features a 13-megapixel primary sensor and a 2-megapixel secondary sensor, which seems promising at first glance. However, upon closer inspection, it becomes clear that neither camera will deliver usable results. The main sensor, with its modest 13 megapixels, is unlikely to produce high-quality images, especially in low-light conditions. The image quality will likely be grainy and lacking in detail. Adding insult to injury is the presence of a 2-megapixel secondary sensor, which can only be described as woefully inadequate. In today's smartphone market, cameras have become an essential feature, and most budget devices offer at least a decent camera experience. Unfortunately, the ZTE Blade A53 Pro falls short in this department, making it difficult to recommend for anyone who values good photography. The resolution of 720p (1600x720) is also subpar compared to other devices in the same price range. While it's not uncommon for budget phones to have lower-resolution cameras, there are some notable exceptions that offer better image quality and higher resolutions. In conclusion, the camera system on the ZTE Blade A53 Pro is a major disappointment. With its mediocre sensors and lackluster resolution, it's unlikely to take great photos or videos. If you're in the market for a new smartphone and value good photography, there are better options available at similar price points.
Price and Value
The ZTE Blade A53 Pro is a phone that falls short in various aspects, making it hard to justify the price tag of $150. The packaging is cheap and unimpressive, but what's inside is even more underwhelming. For its price, one would expect a certain level of quality, particularly in terms of hardware and features. However, the ZTE Blade A53 Pro fails to deliver on many fronts. The inclusion of a micro USB charging port is an egregious mistake, considering it's 2023 and most devices have moved to USB-C or wireless charging. This alone is enough to make this phone a significant disappointment. The camera setup is equally unimpressive, with a 13-megapixel primary sensor and a 2-megapixel secondary camera that's unlikely to impress. The processor, RAM, and storage are also underwhelming for a device in this price range. With only 4GB of built-in storage and 3GB of RAM (out of the 64 possible), the reality is that most users will be limited to 61GB of usable storage. Given the abundance of better options available at similar or slightly higher prices, it's hard to recommend the ZTE Blade A53 Pro. The Redmi Note 11, for instance, outperforms this device in every aspect while being only $20 more expensive. Other budget devices from Nokia and Xiaomi also offer better value for money. In conclusion, the ZTE Blade A53 Pro is a phone that fails to deliver on its price tag of $150. While it may be cheap, it's not worth the investment when there are better options available at similar or slightly higher prices.
Performance
The ZTE Blade A53 Pro is a budget smartphone that falls short in various aspects, particularly when it comes to performance. The device features an old processor that struggles to keep up with modern demands. With 4GB of RAM and 64GB of storage (although only 3GB is available for use), the phone's processing power is limited. This results in a sluggish user experience, making everyday tasks feel like a chore. The processor's outdated architecture means it can't handle demanding apps or multitasking without significant lag. The phone's performance is further compromised by its outdated charging port - micro USB. While this might seem like a minor issue, it's a glaring oversight for a device released in the modern era. It's a clear sign of cost-cutting measures that ultimately affect the user experience. In today's market, where devices with better performance can be had at similar or even lower prices, the ZTE Blade A53 Pro feels woefully underpowered. For those who value seamless performance and don't want to compromise on their smartphone experience, this device is not a viable option. The processor's inefficiency makes it difficult to recommend the ZTE Blade A53 Pro as a reliable choice for anyone looking for a hassle-free smartphone experience. While it might seem like an attractive option due to its price point, the trade-off in performance and overall user experience makes it hard to justify purchasing this device. The ZTE Blade A53 Pro's lackluster performance is a significant turn-off for those who value a smooth and efficient smartphone experience. Unless you're on a tight budget and don't mind sacrificing performance, there are better options available in the market that offer more bang for your buck.
Pros
1. The phone comes with a screen protector, which is a nice surprise.
2. It has 4GB of RAM and 64GB of storage, although some of it may be reserved for system use.
3. The device has a dual camera setup, even if the cameras are not impressive
4. The phone's price is relatively low at $150.
5. It comes with a SIM tool and a charger
Cons
1. The packaging is cheap and flimsy.
2. The charging port is micro USB, which is outdated and a major inconvenience.
3. The cameras are not impressive, especially the 2MP sensor
4. The display has a low resolution of 720p and no high refresh rate
5. The processor is weak and not powerful enough to handle demanding tasks