The budget smartphone market is fiercely competitive, offering incredible value for money. Today, we're pitting two contenders against each other: the Alcatel 3v (2019) and the Samsung Galaxy A13. Both aim to deliver a solid experience without breaking the bank, but which one comes out on top?
🏆 Quick Verdict
The Samsung Galaxy A13 wins this comparison. While the Alcatel 3v offers a decent experience, the A13's superior processor, improved camera, and generally more polished software make it the better choice for most users seeking a reliable budget phone.
| 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 | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 12, 13, 17, 20, 25, 26, 41, 66, 71 | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41 |
| Speed | HSPA 42.2/11.5 Mbps, LTE Cat4 150/50 Mbps | HSPA, LTE |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2019, Q2. Released 2019, Q4 | 2022, June |
| Status | Discontinued | Available. Released 2022, July |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front (DragonTrail Pro glass), plastic back, plastic frame | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 5), plastic frame, plastic back |
| Dimensions | 174.5 x 83.3 x 8.4 mm (6.87 x 3.28 x 0.33 in) | 165.1 x 76.4 x 8.8 mm (6.5 x 3.01 x 0.35 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM | · Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 197.9 g (6.98 oz) | 195 g (6.88 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | DragonTrail Pro | Corning Gorilla Glass 5 |
| Resolution | 720 x 1440 pixels, 18:9 ratio (~240 ppi density) | 1080 x 2408 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~400 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.7 inches, 115.8 cm2 (~79.7% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.6 inches, 104.9 cm2 (~83.2% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD | PLS LCD |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core 2.0 GHz Cortex-A53 | Octa-core (2x2.0 GHz Cortex-A75 & 6x1.8 GHz Cortex-A55) |
| Chipset | Mediatek MT6762 Helio P22 (12 nm) | Mediatek MT6769V/CU Helio G80 (12 nm) |
| GPU | PowerVR GE8320 | Mali-G52 MC2 |
| OS | Android 9.0 (Pie) | Android 12, upgradable to Android 14, One UI 6.1 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 32GB 3GB RAM | 32GB 3GB RAM, 32GB 4GB RAM, 64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM |
| | eMMC 5.1 | eMMC 5.1 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Dual | 16 MP, PDAF
Auxiliary lens | - |
| Features | LED flash, HDR, panorama | LED flash, panorama, HDR |
| Quad | - | 50 MP, f/1.8, (wide), PDAF
5 MP, f/2.2, 123˚ (ultrawide), 1/5.0", 1.12µm
2 MP (macro)
Auxiliary lens |
| Single | - | 8 MP, f/2.2, (wide) |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Single | 8 MP | 8 MP, f/2.2, (wide) |
| Video | 720p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes, with stereo speakers | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 4.2, A2DP, LE | 5.2, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | No | Yes |
| Positioning | GPS | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS |
| Radio | FM radio | No |
| USB | USB Type-C 2.0 | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, compass |
| | - | Virtual proximity sensing |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 15W wired | 15W wired |
| Type | Li-Po 4000 mAh | Li-Po 5000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Elegant Black | Black, White, Blue |
| Models | 5032W | SM-A137F, SM-A137F/DSN, SM-A137F/DS |
| Price | About 170 EUR | About 180 EUR |
| SAR EU | - | 0.35 W/kg (head) 1.22 W/kg (body) |
alcatel 3v (2019)
- Large Display
- Very Affordable
- Decent Battery Life
- Outdated Processor
- Mediocre Camera
- Less Polished Software
Samsung Galaxy A13 (SM-A137)
- Better Performance (Helio G80)
- Improved Camera
- Samsung Brand Reliability
- Modern Software
- Slightly Smaller Display
- 15W Charging (Slow)
Display Comparison
The Alcatel 3v boasts a large 6.7-inch display, offering ample screen real estate for media consumption. The Galaxy A13 features a slightly smaller 6.6-inch display. Both utilize IPS LCD technology, providing decent color accuracy and viewing angles, though neither excels in brightness compared to higher-end devices. The A13's display likely has slightly better color calibration.
Camera Comparison
The Galaxy A13 generally offers a more versatile and capable camera system. While specific megapixel counts may be similar, the A13's image processing and software features are superior. Expect better low-light performance and more detailed photos from the A13. The 3v's camera is adequate for basic snapshots, but lacks the refinement of the A13.
Performance
Here's where the Galaxy A13 pulls ahead significantly. Its Helio G80 chipset is a noticeable upgrade over the 3v's Helio P22. The G80's dual Cortex-A75 cores provide a substantial boost in processing power, resulting in smoother multitasking, faster app loading times, and a more responsive overall experience. Gaming performance will also be considerably better on the A13.
Battery Life
Both phones feature a 5000mAh battery, promising all-day battery life. However, the A13's more efficient processor and optimized software likely result in slightly better real-world battery performance. Charging speeds are identical at 15W wired.
Buying Guide
Who should buy the Alcatel 3v (2019)? Users prioritizing a large display and a very budget-friendly price point might find the 3v appealing. Who should buy the Samsung Galaxy A13 (SM-A137)? Anyone seeking a more modern experience with better performance, a more capable camera, and the reliability of the Samsung brand should opt for the A13.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Which phone has better gaming performance?
The Samsung Galaxy A13, thanks to its Helio G80 chipset, offers significantly better gaming performance than the Alcatel 3v.
❓ Is the Alcatel 3v a good option if I'm on a very tight budget?
Yes, the Alcatel 3v is a very affordable option. However, be prepared for compromises in performance and camera quality compared to the Galaxy A13.