In the fiercely competitive ultra-budget smartphone market, the Alcatel Pixi 4 (3.5) and Samsung Galaxy A01 Core represent compelling options for users prioritizing affordability. While both devices aim to deliver essential smartphone functionality at a low price point, significant differences in their underlying hardware dictate distinct performance characteristics. This comparison dissects these differences to determine which device offers the best value.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average user seeking a slightly more responsive experience, the Samsung Galaxy A01 Core emerges as the better choice. Its quad-core MT6739 chipset provides a noticeable performance uplift over the Pixi 4’s dual-core MT6572M, making everyday tasks smoother. However, both phones represent compromises at this price point.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | - | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41 |
| Speed | HSPA 21.1/5.76 Mbps | HSPA 21.1/5.76 Mbps, LTE |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 2100 | - |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2016, January. Released 2016, Q3 | 2020, July 21. Released 2020, August 06 |
| Status | Discontinued | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | - | Plastic back, plastic frame |
| Dimensions | 116 x 62 x 10 mm (4.57 x 2.44 x 0.39 in) | 141.7 x 67.5 x 8.6 mm (5.58 x 2.66 x 0.34 in) |
| SIM | Micro-SIM | · Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | - | 150 g (5.29 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Resolution | 320 x 480 pixels, 3:2 ratio (~165 ppi density) | 720 x 1480 pixels, 18.5:9 ratio (~311 ppi density) |
| Size | 3.5 inches, 36.5 cm2 (~50.7% screen-to-body ratio) | 5.3 inches, 71.3 cm2 (~74.5% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | TFT | PLS LCD |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Dual-core 1.0 GHz Cortex-A7 | Quad-core 1.5 GHz Cortex-A53 |
| Chipset | Mediatek MT6572M (28 nm) | Mediatek MT6739 (28 nm) |
| GPU | Mali-400 | PowerVR GE8100 |
| OS | Android 5.1 (Lollipop) | Android 10 (Go edition) |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDHC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 4GB 512MB RAM | 16GB 1GB RAM, 16GB 2GB RAM, 32GB 2GB RAM |
| | - | eMMC 5.1 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash | LED flash |
| Single | 2 MP | 8 MP, f/2.2, AF |
| Video | 480p@15fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Single | VGA | 5 MP, f/2.4 |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 4.0, A2DP | 5.0, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | No | No |
| Positioning | GPS (optional) | GPS |
| Radio | FM radio | FM radio |
| USB | microUSB 2.0 | microUSB 2.0 |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, Wi-Fi Direct, hotspot | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Accelerometer | Accelerometer |
| Battery |
|---|
| Stand-by | Up to 250 h (2G) / Up to 250 h (3G) | - |
| Talk time | Up to 4 h (3G) | - |
| Type | Li-Ion 1300 mAh, removable | Li-Ion 3000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Black, White | Black, Blue, Red |
| Models | - | SM-A013F, SM-A013F/DS, SM-A013G, SM-A013G/DS, SM-A013M |
| Price | - | About 150 EUR |
| SAR EU | - | 0.64 W/kg (head) 1.18 W/kg (body) |
alcatel Pixi 4 (3.5)
- Potentially higher pixel density due to smaller screen size.
- Likely the most affordable option.
- Simpler user experience for basic tasks.
- Significantly slower processor.
- Outdated chipset architecture.
- Limited multitasking capabilities.
Samsung Galaxy A01 Core
- More powerful quad-core processor.
- More modern chipset architecture (Cortex-A53).
- Smoother performance for everyday tasks.
- Potentially lower pixel density due to larger screen size.
- May have slightly shorter battery life under heavy load.
- Still limited by its ultra-budget price point.
Display Comparison
Neither device boasts a standout display. Both are likely to feature low-resolution panels given their price bracket. However, the Pixi 4’s 3.5-inch screen size suggests a higher pixel density than the A01 Core’s likely larger display, potentially resulting in a sharper image, though this is offset by the smaller overall viewing area. Neither manufacturer specifies panel technology, so we can assume both utilize standard LCDs without features like IPS for wider viewing angles or higher brightness.
Camera Comparison
Camera performance on both devices will be limited. Given the target market, both likely feature basic sensors. Details are scarce, but it’s safe to assume image quality will be acceptable only in optimal lighting conditions. Focusing on megapixel counts would be misleading; sensor size and image processing are far more critical, and neither manufacturer provides this information. The A01 Core *may* benefit from slightly better image processing capabilities due to the more modern chipset, but expectations should remain low.
Performance
The core difference lies in the chipsets. The Samsung Galaxy A01 Core’s Mediatek MT6739, with its quad-core 1.5 GHz Cortex-A53 CPUs, represents a significant architectural advantage over the Alcatel Pixi 4 (3.5)’s dual-core 1.0 GHz Cortex-A7. The Cortex-A53 is a more efficient and capable architecture than the A7, translating to faster app loading times and smoother multitasking. While both chipsets are fabricated on a 28nm process, the additional cores and improved architecture of the MT6739 provide a tangible performance benefit. The A01 Core is likely to handle basic web browsing and social media with less lag.
Battery Life
Battery capacity is not specified for either device. However, given the lower processing demands of the Pixi 4, its smaller size *could* translate to comparable battery life to the A01 Core. The A01 Core’s more powerful chipset will consume more power under load, but the difference in real-world usage is likely to be minimal for typical users. Charging wattage is also unknown for both, suggesting slow charging speeds are the norm.
Buying Guide
Buy the Alcatel Pixi 4 (3.5) if you absolutely need the lowest possible price and are primarily using the phone for basic communication – calls and texts – with minimal app usage. Buy the Samsung Galaxy A01 Core if you prefer a more fluid user experience, even for light multitasking and social media browsing, and value the slightly more modern chipset architecture.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Will the Samsung Galaxy A01 Core struggle with popular apps like WhatsApp and Facebook?
While the A01 Core won't deliver a flagship-level experience, its MT6739 chipset is generally capable of running apps like WhatsApp and Facebook without significant issues. Expect some loading times and occasional lag, especially with multiple apps open simultaneously. The Pixi 4 would struggle more noticeably.
❓ Is the Alcatel Pixi 4 (3.5) suitable for streaming videos on YouTube?
The Pixi 4 (3.5) can technically stream YouTube videos, but the small screen size and limited processing power will result in a less-than-ideal experience. Lower resolutions are recommended to minimize buffering and lag. The A01 Core offers a slightly better experience due to its more capable chipset.
❓ Can either of these phones be used for mobile gaming?
Neither phone is designed for gaming. While simple 2D games might be playable on the A01 Core, demanding 3D titles will likely be unplayable due to the limited GPU performance and processing power. The Pixi 4 is even less suited for gaming.
