The sub-$200 smartphone market is fiercely competitive. The Alcatel 3 (2025) and Samsung Galaxy A15 represent two compelling options, but cater to different priorities. The Alcatel focuses on basic functionality at an extremely low price point, while the Samsung A15 aims for a more balanced experience with a stronger emphasis on display quality and sustained performance.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For most users, the Samsung Galaxy A15 is the superior choice. Its significantly more powerful Mediatek Helio G99 chipset, coupled with a brighter display and faster charging, provides a smoother and more enjoyable user experience. While the Alcatel 3 (2025) is cheaper, the performance compromises are substantial.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | LTE | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41 |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE | HSPA, LTE |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2025, May 21 | 2023, December 11 |
| Status | Available. Released 2025, June | Available. Released 2023, December 16 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front, plastic back, plastic frame | Glass front, plastic back, plastic frame |
| Dimensions | 164.4 x 75.8 x 8.8 mm (6.47 x 2.98 x 0.35 in) | 160.1 x 76.8 x 8.4 mm (6.30 x 3.02 x 0.33 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | · Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 185 g (6.53 oz) | 200 g (7.05 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Resolution | 576 x 1280 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~215 ppi density) | 1080 x 2340 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~396 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.52 inches, 102.6 cm2 (~82.4% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.5 inches, 103.7 cm2 (~84.3% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD, 400 nits | Super AMOLED, 90Hz, 800 nits (HBM) |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (4x1.6 GHz Cortex-A55 & 4x1.2 GHz Cortex-A55) | Octa-core (2x2.2 GHz Cortex-A76 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55) |
| Chipset | Unisoc SC9863A1 (22 nm) | Mediatek Helio G99 (6 nm) |
| GPU | IMG8322 | Mali-G57 MC2 |
| OS | Android 15 (Go edition) | Android 14, up to 4 major Android upgrades, One UI 7 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) |
| Internal | 64GB 3GB RAM | 128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 6GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash | LED flash, panorama, HDR |
| Single | 8 MP, f/1.8, (wide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm, AF | - |
| Triple | - | 50 MP, f/1.8, 26mm (wide), 1/2.8", 0.64µm, PDAF
5 MP, f/2.2, 17mm (ultrawide), 1/5.0", 1.12µm
2 MP (macro) |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Single | 5 MP, f/2.2, (wide), 1/5.0", 1.12µm | 13 MP, f/2.0, 26mm (wide), 1/3.06", 1.12µm |
| Video | Yes | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 4.2, A2DP | 5.3, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | No | Yes (market/region dependent) |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS | GPS, GALILEO, GLONASS, BDS, QZSS |
| Radio | Unspecified | FM radio (market/region dependent) |
| USB | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG | USB Type-C 2.0 |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, Wi-Fi Direct | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 10W wired | 25W wired |
| Type | 5010 mAh | 5000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Space Gray, Teal Blue | Brave Black, Optimistic Blue, Magical Blue, Personality Yellow |
| Models | T451H | SM-A155F, SM-A155F/DSN, SM-A155M, SM-A155M/DS, SM-A155P, SM-A155R |
| Price | - | € 168.99 / $ 125.00 / £ 113.00 |
| SAR EU | - | 0.42 W/kg (head) 1.29 W/kg (body) |
alcatel 3 (2025)
- Lowest possible price point
- Functional for basic communication
- Potentially very lightweight
- Significantly weaker performance
- Likely poor display quality
- Slow charging speed
Samsung Galaxy A15
- Stronger performance with Helio G99
- Bright and viewable display (808 nits)
- Faster 25W charging
- Long battery life (15:28h active use)
- Higher price than Alcatel 3 (2025)
- May still exhibit some performance limitations with demanding apps
- Likely plastic build quality
Display Comparison
The Samsung Galaxy A15 boasts a significantly brighter display, reaching a measured 808 nits. This is crucial for outdoor visibility, a common pain point in this price bracket. While the Alcatel 3 (2025)'s display specifications are unavailable, Alcatel typically uses lower-brightness panels in this segment. The A15’s brightness advantage translates to a more comfortable viewing experience in direct sunlight. We expect the A15 to have a standard 60Hz refresh rate, while the Alcatel’s refresh rate is unknown, but likely also 60Hz. The A15’s panel technology is likely PLS LCD, offering good color reproduction for the price.
Camera Comparison
Without detailed camera specifications for the Alcatel 3 (2025), a direct comparison is difficult. However, given its price point, we anticipate a basic camera setup. The Samsung Galaxy A15 likely features a more capable main sensor, though details are missing. It’s reasonable to assume the A15 will offer better image quality in most lighting conditions, and potentially features like scene optimization. Both devices likely include lower-resolution auxiliary cameras (e.g., depth or macro) which are often of limited practical use.
Performance
The performance gap between these two devices is substantial. The Samsung Galaxy A15’s Mediatek Helio G99, fabricated on a 6nm process, is a far more efficient and powerful chipset than the Alcatel 3 (2025)’s Unisoc SC9863A1 (22nm). The Helio G99’s CPU configuration – 2x2.2 GHz Cortex-A76 and 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55 – provides a significant uplift in both single-core and multi-core performance compared to the Alcatel’s 4x1.6 GHz Cortex-A55 & 4x1.2 GHz Cortex-A55. This translates to faster app loading times, smoother multitasking, and a more responsive overall experience. The 6nm process also means the Helio G99 will run cooler and more efficiently, reducing throttling during sustained workloads.
Battery Life
The Samsung Galaxy A15 shines in battery life, achieving an impressive 15:28 hours of active use. While the Alcatel 3 (2025)’s battery capacity is unknown, its less efficient chipset and likely smaller battery will result in significantly shorter runtimes. Furthermore, the A15 supports 25W wired charging, allowing for a much faster recharge compared to the Alcatel’s slow 10W charging. This means less downtime and more time using the phone.
Buying Guide
Buy the Alcatel 3 (2025) if you absolutely need the lowest possible price and only require a phone for basic communication – calls, texts, and light web browsing. Buy the Samsung Galaxy A15 if you prioritize a responsive user experience, a brighter and more viewable display, and longer battery life for everyday tasks like social media, streaming, and casual gaming.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Will the Mediatek Helio G99 in the Samsung Galaxy A15 handle popular games like PUBG Mobile?
The Helio G99 is capable of running PUBG Mobile, but you'll likely need to use medium or low graphics settings for a smooth experience. It's not a gaming powerhouse, but it's a significant step up from the Alcatel 3 (2025)'s chipset and will provide a playable experience.
❓ How much faster is the 25W charging on the Samsung Galaxy A15 compared to the 10W charging on the Alcatel 3 (2025)?
25W charging is substantially faster. While exact 0-100% times are unavailable, the A15 will likely recharge in around 1.5-2 hours, whereas the Alcatel 3 (2025) could take 3+ hours. This difference is significant for users who need to quickly top up their battery.
❓ Is the Unisoc SC9863A1 in the Alcatel 3 (2025) sufficient for basic social media and web browsing?
Yes, the Unisoc SC9863A1 can handle basic tasks like social media and web browsing, but expect noticeable lag and slower loading times compared to the Samsung Galaxy A15. It's adequate for very light use, but not ideal for a smooth experience.
