The budget smartphone market is fiercely competitive, offering incredible value for those seeking essential features without breaking the bank. Today, we're pitting two contenders against each other: the BLU G51S and the Samsung Galaxy A03 Core. Let's dive into a detailed comparison to see which phone emerges as the winner.
🏆 Quick Verdict
The Samsung Galaxy A03 Core edges out the BLU G51S due to Samsung's brand reputation, slightly better chipset efficiency, and generally more consistent software support. While both are budget options, the A03 Core provides a more reliable and polished experience overall.
| 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 21.1/5.76 Mbps, LTE |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2022, January | 2021, November 15 |
| Status | Available. Released 2022, January | Available. Released 2021, December 06 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | - | Plastic back, plastic frame |
| Dimensions | 162.4 x 77.5 x 9 mm (6.39 x 3.05 x 0.35 in) | 164.2 x 75.9 x 9.1 mm (6.46 x 2.99 x 0.36 in) |
| SIM | Dual SIM (Nano-SIM, dual stand-by) | · Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 185 g (6.53 oz) | 211 g (7.44 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Resolution | 720 x 1560 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~268 ppi density) | 720 x 1600 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~270 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.4 inches, 100.5 cm2 (~79.9% 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 (4x1.6 GHz Cortex-A55 & 4x1.2 GHz Cortex-A55) |
| Chipset | - | Unisoc SC9863A (28 nm) |
| GPU | - | IMG8322 |
| OS | Android 11 (Go edition) | Android 11 (Go edition) |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 32GB 2GB RAM | 32GB 2GB RAM |
| | - | eMMC 5.1 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Dual | 13 MP
Auxiliary lens | - |
| Features | LED flash | LED flash |
| Single | - | 8 MP, f/2.0, AF |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Single | 8 MP | 5 MP, f/2.2 |
| Video | 720p@30fps | - |
| 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 | GPS, GLONASS |
| Radio | FM radio | Unspecified |
| USB | USB Type-C 2.0 | microUSB 2.0, OTG |
| 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 | Accelerometer, proximity |
| Battery |
|---|
| Type | Li-Po 4000 mAh | Li-Ion 5000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Bronze, Gradient Blue, Green, Red | Black, Blue |
| Models | - | SM-A032F, SM-A032F/DS, SM-A032M |
| Price | About 80 EUR | £ 74.99 |
| SAR | - | 0.30 W/kg (head) |
| SAR EU | - | 0.24 W/kg (head) 1.39 W/kg (body) |
BLU G51S
- Potentially larger display
- Often more RAM options
- Competitive price
- Less reliable brand reputation
- Potentially lower chipset efficiency
- Software updates may be infrequent
Samsung Galaxy A03 Core
- Reputable brand with better support
- Slightly more efficient chipset
- More consistent software experience
- Potentially smaller display
- May have less RAM
- Slower charging speeds
Display Comparison
Both phones feature large displays, typically around 6.5 inches, but the BLU G51S often boasts a higher resolution (e.g., 720+HD vs 720+HD). Panel quality is likely to be similar – expect IPS LCD panels with decent viewing angles but limited color accuracy. The BLU G51S might offer a slightly more immersive experience due to its potentially higher resolution.
Camera Comparison
Camera performance is generally modest on both devices. The BLU G51S typically features a multi-lens setup (e.g., 13MP main + 2MP macro + 2MP depth), while the A03 Core usually has a single 13MP main camera. Image quality will be heavily dependent on lighting conditions. Expect decent results in good light, but noise and lack of detail in low-light scenarios. Samsung's image processing might offer a slight edge.
Performance
The Samsung Galaxy A03 Core's Unisoc SC9863A chipset, despite being on a 28nm process, often demonstrates slightly better efficiency than the BLU G51S's single-core Cortex-A55 CPU. The A03 Core's octa-core configuration with a mix of 1.6 GHz and 1.2 GHz cores provides a more balanced performance profile for everyday tasks. Expect both phones to handle basic apps and browsing adequately, but demanding games will struggle.
Battery Life
Both phones typically feature batteries in the 5000mAh range, promising all-day battery life with moderate usage. However, the A03 Core's more efficient chipset could translate to slightly better real-world battery performance. Charging speeds are likely to be slow on both devices (typically 5W or 10W).
Buying Guide
The BLU G51S is a good choice for users prioritizing a larger display and potentially more RAM (depending on the variant) at the absolute lowest price point. The Samsung Galaxy A03 Core is ideal for those seeking a dependable, user-friendly experience with the backing of a major brand and slightly better performance.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ What is the difference between the processors in these phones?
The Samsung Galaxy A03 Core uses a Unisoc SC9863A chipset with a more balanced octa-core configuration, while the BLU G51S uses a single-core Cortex-A55. The A03 Core's chipset generally offers better efficiency and performance.
❓ Which phone will get software updates more frequently?
The Samsung Galaxy A03 Core is more likely to receive software updates and security patches due to Samsung's commitment to supporting its devices.