Looking for an affordable smartphone that doesn't completely break the bank? The Asus ZenFone Live (L2) and Samsung Galaxy A01 Core are both contenders in the budget phone arena. But which one offers the best bang for your buck? Let's dive into a detailed comparison.
🏆 Quick Verdict
The Samsung Galaxy A01 Core edges out the ZenFone Live (L2) thanks to its slightly faster processor and generally more polished Samsung experience. However, the ZenFone Live (L2)'s potential for slightly better camera performance (depending on the specific chipset variant) and often lower price point make it a viable alternative.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 - A version | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 40 - A version | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41 |
| Speed | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE Cat4 150/50 Mbps | HSPA 21.1/5.76 Mbps, LTE |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 17, 18 - D version | - |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2019, April. Released 2019, May | 2020, July 21. Released 2020, August 06 |
| Status | Discontinued | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | - | Plastic back, plastic frame |
| Dimensions | 147.3 x 71.8 x 8.2 mm (5.80 x 2.83 x 0.32 in) | 141.7 x 67.5 x 8.6 mm (5.58 x 2.66 x 0.34 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | · Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 140 g (4.94 oz) | 150 g (5.29 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Resolution | 720 x 1440 pixels, 18:9 ratio (~293 ppi density) | 720 x 1480 pixels, 18.5:9 ratio (~311 ppi density) |
| Size | 5.5 inches, 78.1 cm2 (~73.8% screen-to-body ratio) | 5.3 inches, 71.3 cm2 (~74.5% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD | PLS LCD |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Quad-core 1.4 GHz Cortex-A53Octa-core 1.4 GHz Cortex-A53 | Quad-core 1.5 GHz Cortex-A53 |
| Chipset | Qualcomm MSM8917 Snapdragon 425 (28 nm)Qualcomm MSM8937 Snapdragon 430 (28 nm) | Mediatek MT6739 (28 nm) |
| GPU | Adreno 308Adreno 505 | PowerVR GE8100 |
| OS | Android 8.0 Oreo (Go edition), ZenUI 5 | Android 10 (Go edition) |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 16GB 2GB RAM, 32GB 2GB RAM | 16GB 1GB RAM, 16GB 2GB RAM, 32GB 2GB RAM |
| | eMMC 5.1 | eMMC 5.1 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash, HDR, panorama | LED flash |
| Single | 8 MP or 13 MP, f/2.0, PDAF | 8 MP, f/2.2, AF |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash, HDR | - |
| Single | 5 MP, f/2.4 | 5 MP, f/2.4 |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 4.0, A2DP, LE | 5.0, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | No | No |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, BDS | GPS |
| Radio | FM radio | FM radio |
| USB | microUSB 2.0 | microUSB 2.0 |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, Wi-Fi Direct | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass | Accelerometer |
| Battery |
|---|
| Type | Li-Ion 3000 mAh, non-removable | Li-Ion 3000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Rocket Red, Cosmic Blue | 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) |
Asus ZenFone Live (L2)
- Potentially lower price
- Live streaming focused front camera
- Compact size
- Decent battery life
- Performance can be inconsistent depending on chipset variant
- Basic display
- Limited storage
- Low-light camera performance
Samsung Galaxy A01 Core
- Slightly better performance
- Familiar Samsung UI
- Reliable brand
- Good battery life
- Basic display
- Limited storage
- Low-light camera performance
- Can be slightly more expensive
Display Comparison
Both phones feature basic LCD displays, typically around 5.5 to 6.0 inches with HD+ resolution. The A01 Core's display might offer slightly better color accuracy due to Samsung's display technology, but the difference is minimal at this price point. Viewing angles and brightness are adequate for indoor use.
Camera Comparison
The ZenFone Live (L2) is marketed with a focus on live streaming, potentially offering better front-facing camera features. However, the rear camera performance is dependent on the specific chipset variant. Both phones feature basic rear cameras, likely around 8-13MP. Image quality in good lighting is acceptable, but low-light performance is expected to be poor on both.
Performance
The Samsung Galaxy A01 Core's MediaTek MT6739 chipset with a 1.5 GHz quad-core Cortex-A53 CPU generally provides slightly better performance than the ZenFone Live (L2), which has two chipset options: Qualcomm Snapdragon 425 or 430 (both with 1.4 GHz quad-core Cortex-A53). Expect smoother multitasking and app loading on the A01 Core. Gaming performance on both is limited to basic titles.
Battery Life
Both phones typically feature batteries around 3000-4000 mAh. Battery life is generally good, offering a full day of moderate use. The A01 Core's slightly more efficient processor might give it a slight edge in battery endurance.
Buying Guide
The Asus ZenFone Live (L2) is ideal for users prioritizing a live streaming-focused camera and a potentially lower price. The Samsung Galaxy A01 Core is a better choice for those seeking a smoother, more reliable daily driver with a familiar Samsung interface and a slightly more powerful processor.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Which phone is better for gaming?
The Samsung Galaxy A01 Core offers slightly better performance, making it marginally better for basic gaming. However, neither phone is designed for demanding games.
❓ Can I expand the storage on either phone?
Yes, both phones typically support microSD card expansion, allowing you to increase storage capacity.
❓ Which phone has a better user interface?
The Samsung Galaxy A01 Core benefits from Samsung's One UI, which is generally considered more polished and user-friendly than Asus's ZenUI.
