The BLU G50 and Samsung Galaxy A03s represent the extreme end of the smartphone price spectrum. Both aim to deliver essential smartphone functionality at a minimal cost, but they take different approaches. This comparison dissects their specifications to determine which device offers the best value for users prioritizing affordability.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For most users, the Samsung Galaxy A03s is the better choice. While the BLU G50 is cheaper, the A03s’s more powerful (though older) chipset and slightly faster 15W charging provide a noticeably smoother user experience and quicker top-ups, justifying the small price difference.
| 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, 17, 28 | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41 |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE Cat4 150/50 Mbps |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| | - | 2, 4, 5, 7, 12, 13, 14, 25, 26, 41, 66, 71 - SM-A037U |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2020, September 18. Released 2020, September 18 | 2021, August 18 |
| Status | Discontinued | Available. Released 2021, August 18 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | - | Glass front, plastic frame, plastic back |
| Dimensions | 147.8 x 70.9 x 10.1 mm (5.82 x 2.79 x 0.40 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 |
| Weight | 190 g (6.70 oz) | 196 g (6.91 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Resolution | 720 x 1440 pixels, 18:9 ratio (~293 ppi density) | 720 x 1600 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~270 ppi density) |
| Size | 5.5 inches, 78.1 cm2 (~74.5% 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 1.6 GHz Cortex-A55 | Octa-core (4x2.35 GHz Cortex-A53 & 4x1.8 GHz Cortex-A53) |
| Chipset | - | Mediatek MT6765 Helio P35 (12 nm) |
| GPU | IMG8322 | PowerVR GE8320 |
| OS | Android 10 | Android 11, upgradable to Android 13, One UI 5.1 Core |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 32GB 2GB RAM | 32GB 2GB RAM, 32GB 3GB RAM, 32GB 4GB RAM, 64GB 3GB RAM, 64GB 4GB RAM |
| | eMMC 5.1 | eMMC 5.1 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash, HDR, panorama | LED flash |
| Single | 13 MP, AF | 5 MP, f/2.2 |
| Triple | - | 13 MP, f/2.2, (wide), AF
2 MP (macro)
Auxiliary lens |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Single | 8 MP | 5 MP, f/2.2 |
| Video | 720p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 4.1, A2DP, LE | 5.0, A2DP |
| NFC | No | Yes (market/region dependent) |
| Positioning | GPS | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS |
| Radio | FM radio | No |
| USB | USB Type-C 2.0 | USB Type-C 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 | Fingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, proximity | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, proximity |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 10W wired | 15W wired |
| Type | Li-Po 4000 mAh | Li-Po 5000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Black, Blue, Red, Green | Black, Blue, White |
| Models | - | SM-A037F, SM-A037F/DS, SM-A037M, SM-A037G, SM-A037U, SM-S134DL, SM-A037W, SM-A037U1, SM-S135DL |
| Price | About 70 EUR | $ 65.65 / £ 82.99 / ₹ 10,800 |
| SAR EU | - | 0.36 W/kg (head) 1.09 W/kg (body) |
| Tests |
|---|
| Battery life | - |
Endurance rating 122h
|
| Camera | - |
Photo / Video |
| Display | - |
Contrast ratio: 1718:1 (nominal) |
| Loudspeaker | - |
-27.4 LUFS (Good)
|
| Performance | - |
AnTuTu: 103465 (v8), 101299 (v9)
GeekBench: 889 (v5.1)
GFXBench: 5.5fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) |
BLU G50
- Lowest possible price point
- Acceptable battery life (122h endurance)
- Functional for basic communication
- Slow processor performance
- Slow 10W charging
- Likely limited software support
Samsung Galaxy A03s
- More powerful Helio P35 chipset
- Faster 15W charging
- Brighter display (488 nits)
- Samsung brand recognition and support
- Slightly higher price
- Still an entry-level device with limitations
- Camera quality likely limited
Display Comparison
Both the BLU G50 and Samsung Galaxy A03s share a contrast ratio of 1718:1, suggesting similar panel characteristics in terms of black levels. However, the Galaxy A03s boasts a measured peak brightness of 488 nits, significantly brighter than what is expected from the G50, making it more usable outdoors. While neither display is expected to be color accurate, the higher brightness of the A03s provides a superior viewing experience in most conditions.
Camera Comparison
Both devices feature 'Photo / Video' capabilities, but lack detailed camera specifications. Given the price point, image quality will likely be similar, relying heavily on software processing. The absence of information regarding sensor size or aperture makes a direct comparison difficult. It's safe to assume both phones will struggle in low-light conditions, and the usefulness of any included macro cameras (often 2MP) will be limited. The A03s may benefit from Samsung’s image processing algorithms, potentially offering slightly more refined results.
Performance
The Samsung Galaxy A03s utilizes the Mediatek Helio P35 (MT6765), a 12nm chipset with an octa-core CPU configuration featuring both Cortex-A53 cores clocked at 2.35 GHz and 1.8 GHz. This contrasts with the BLU G50’s octa-core Cortex-A55 processor clocked at 1.6 GHz. The Helio P35’s higher clock speeds and more varied core configuration translate to better performance in demanding tasks, despite being an older architecture. The A53 cores in the A03s are more capable than the A55 cores in the G50, resulting in smoother app launches and multitasking. The G50's processor is geared towards efficiency, but at the cost of responsiveness.
Battery Life
Both the BLU G50 and Samsung Galaxy A03s achieve an endurance rating of 122 hours, indicating comparable battery life under similar usage patterns. However, the Galaxy A03s supports 15W wired charging, while the BLU G50 is limited to 10W. This means the A03s will recharge significantly faster, reducing downtime. While both will likely last a full day on a single charge for moderate users, the faster charging of the A03s is a practical advantage.
Buying Guide
Buy the BLU G50 if you absolutely need the lowest possible price and are willing to compromise on performance for basic tasks like calls and messaging. Buy the Samsung Galaxy A03s if you prioritize a more responsive user experience, slightly better charging speeds, and a brand with wider support and software updates, even if it means spending a little more.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Does the Mediatek Helio P35 in the Galaxy A03s get excessively hot during prolonged use?
The Helio P35 is a 12nm chip, which is relatively efficient. While it can get warm during extended gaming or video playback, it's unlikely to overheat to the point of causing performance throttling, especially given the phone's plastic construction and limited thermal headroom. It's not a powerhouse, but it's generally well-behaved.
❓ Is the 10W charging on the BLU G50 noticeably slow compared to the 15W on the A03s?
Yes, the difference is significant. 10W charging will take considerably longer to reach a full charge, potentially adding several hours to your charging time. The 15W charging on the A03s provides a much more convenient and practical charging experience, especially for users who need to quickly top up their battery.
❓ Can either of these phones handle popular games like PUBG Mobile or Call of Duty Mobile?
Both phones will struggle with demanding games like PUBG Mobile or Call of Duty Mobile. You'll likely need to play at the lowest graphics settings and frame rates to achieve a playable experience, and even then, expect occasional stuttering. The A03s will perform slightly better due to its more powerful chipset, but neither is designed for serious gaming.
