The Blackview A70 and Samsung Galaxy A03 Core occupy the ultra-budget smartphone segment, a space where value is paramount. Surprisingly, both devices are powered by the exact same Unisoc SC9863A chipset, raising the question: what differentiates these phones, and which offers the better experience for the money?
🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average user prioritizing brand recognition and software support, the Samsung Galaxy A03 Core is the safer bet. However, the Blackview A70 presents a compelling alternative for those willing to trade brand prestige for potentially lower cost, given their identical core performance.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 3, 7, 8, 20, 40, 41 | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41 |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE | HSPA 21.1/5.76 Mbps, LTE |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2021, January 26 | 2021, November 15 |
| Status | Available. Released 2021, February | Available. Released 2021, December 06 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | - | Plastic back, plastic frame |
| Dimensions | 165.3 x 77.5 x 8.3 mm (6.51 x 3.05 x 0.33 in) | 164.2 x 75.9 x 9.1 mm (6.46 x 2.99 x 0.36 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | · Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 205 g (7.23 oz) | 211 g (7.44 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Resolution | 720 x 1600 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~269 ppi density) | 720 x 1600 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~270 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.52 inches, 102.6 cm2 (~80.1% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.5 inches, 102.0 cm2 (~81.8% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD | PLS LCD |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (4x1.6 GHz Cortex-A55 & 4x1.2 GHz Cortex-A55) | Octa-core (4x1.6 GHz Cortex-A55 & 4x1.2 GHz Cortex-A55) |
| Chipset | Unisoc SC9863A (28 nm) | Unisoc SC9863A (28 nm) |
| GPU | IMG8322 | IMG8322 |
| OS | Android 11 | Android 11 (Go edition) |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 32GB 3GB RAM | 32GB 2GB RAM |
| | eMMC | eMMC 5.1 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash | LED flash |
| Single | 5 MP, f/2.2, (wide) | 8 MP, f/2.0, AF |
| Triple | 13 MP, f/2.2, (wide), AF
other unspecified cameras | - |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Single | 5 MP, f/2.2, (wide) | 5 MP, f/2.2 |
| Video | Yes | - |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 4.2, A2DP, LE | 4.2, A2DP |
| NFC | No | No |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, BDS | GPS, GLONASS |
| Radio | FM radio | Unspecified |
| USB | microUSB 2.0, OTG | microUSB 2.0, OTG |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, proximity | Accelerometer, proximity |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 10W wired | - |
| Type | 5380 mAh | Li-Ion 5000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Black, Blue, Red, Green | Black, Blue |
| Models | - | SM-A032F, SM-A032F/DS, SM-A032M |
| Price | About 120 EUR | £ 74.99 |
| SAR | - | 0.30 W/kg (head) |
| SAR EU | - | 0.24 W/kg (head) 1.39 W/kg (body) |
Blackview A70
- Potentially lower price point
- Identical performance to the A03 Core
- May offer more storage for the price
- Less established brand reputation
- Potentially shorter software support lifespan
- Unknown camera quality
Samsung Galaxy A03 Core
- Samsung brand recognition and reliability
- Samsung One UI software experience
- Potentially longer software update support
- Higher price for identical hardware
- Limited performance due to the chipset
- Slow 10W charging
Display Comparison
Both the Blackview A70 and Samsung Galaxy A03 Core utilize displays that are likely LCD panels, given their price point. Specific details like resolution and brightness are not provided, but we can assume they are similar, targeting basic visibility for everyday tasks. The 28nm Unisoc SC9863A chipset isn't powerful enough to drive high-refresh-rate displays, so both phones will likely operate at the standard 60Hz. The absence of details suggests neither phone prioritizes display quality as a key selling point.
Camera Comparison
Camera specifications are not detailed enough to draw meaningful conclusions. Both phones likely feature a primary camera and potentially a secondary depth or macro sensor. However, without knowing sensor size, aperture, or image processing algorithms, it's impossible to determine which phone captures better images. The 28nm chipset's image signal processor (ISP) will be a limiting factor in image quality, particularly in low-light conditions. Expect basic photography capabilities suitable for casual snapshots.
Performance
The core of this comparison lies in the identical Unisoc SC9863A chipset. This 28nm SoC features an octa-core configuration with four Cortex-A55 cores clocked at 1.6 GHz and another four at 1.2 GHz. This architecture is geared towards efficiency rather than raw power, making it suitable for basic tasks like calling, texting, and light social media browsing. The lack of a more modern fabrication process (like 12nm or smaller) means thermal throttling could become a factor during sustained workloads, but given the chipset's low power draw, this is less of a concern. RAM capacity is not specified, but it's likely both phones will feature 2GB or 3GB, which is sufficient for their intended use case but will limit multitasking capabilities.
Battery Life
Battery capacity is not specified for either device. However, given the power efficiency of the Unisoc SC9863A chipset and the likely low-resolution displays, both phones should offer all-day battery life with moderate usage. Both devices support 10W wired charging, which is relatively slow by modern standards. Expect a charge time of several hours from 0% to 100%. The lack of fast charging support is typical for phones in this price range.
Buying Guide
Buy the Blackview A70 if you need a functional smartphone at the absolute lowest possible price and are comfortable with a less established brand. You'll get the same core performance as the A03 Core for potentially less money. Buy the Samsung Galaxy A03 Core if you prioritize Samsung's One UI software experience, established brand reliability, and potentially longer software update support, even if it means paying a premium for the same underlying hardware.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Will the Unisoc SC9863A struggle with popular apps like WhatsApp and Facebook?
The Unisoc SC9863A is designed for basic smartphone tasks. While it can run apps like WhatsApp and Facebook, expect some lag and slower loading times, especially with multiple apps open simultaneously. It's not a chipset designed for demanding applications.
❓ How long will software updates be supported on the Samsung Galaxy A03 Core?
Samsung typically provides at least two years of security updates for its A-series devices. While the A03 Core is an entry-level model, it's likely to receive at least a couple of Android version updates and several years of security patches, offering better long-term support than the Blackview A70.
❓ Can either of these phones play PUBG Mobile?
While PUBG Mobile *might* be playable on the lowest graphics settings, the experience will likely be poor. The Unisoc SC9863A lacks the graphical horsepower for smooth gameplay, and you'll likely encounter significant frame rate drops and stuttering.
