The budget smartphone market is fiercely competitive, offering incredible value for those seeking affordability. Today, we pit two contenders against each other: the BLU G61s and the Samsung Galaxy A03. Let's dive into a detailed comparison to see which phone emerges as the winner.
🏆 Quick Verdict
The BLU G61s generally edges out the Samsung Galaxy A03 thanks to its more powerful CPU. While both are budget options, the G61s offers a noticeable performance boost, making it a better choice for smoother multitasking and gaming, despite potential compromises elsewhere.
| 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 | 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 12, 17, 28, 66 | 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 |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2022, April | 2021, November 26 |
| Status | Available. Released 2022, April | Available. Released 2022, January 21 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | - | Glass front, plastic back, plastic frame |
| Dimensions | 159.5 x 76.5 x 9.8 mm (6.28 x 3.01 x 0.39 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 | 164 g (5.78 oz) | 196 g (6.91 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Resolution | 720 x 1600 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~270 ppi density) | 720 x 1600 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~270 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.5 inches, 102.0 cm2 (~83.6% 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 2.0 GHz Cortex-A75 | Octa-core (2x1.6 GHz Cortex-A75 & 6x1.6 GHz Cortex-A55) |
| Chipset | - | Unisoc T606 (12 nm) |
| GPU | - | Mali-G57 MP1 |
| OS | Android 11 | Android 11, upgradable to Android 13, One UI core 5 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 64GB 4GB RAM | 32GB 2GB RAM, 32GB 3GB RAM, 32GB 4GB RAM, 64GB 4GB RAM, 64GB 3GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM |
| | eMMC 5.1 | eMMC 5.1 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Dual | 13 MP
Auxiliary lens | 48 MP, f/1.8, (wide), AF
Auxiliary lens |
| Features | LED flash | LED flash |
| Single | 8 MP | 5 MP, f/2.2 |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Single | 8 MP | 5 MP, f/2.2 |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | Yes |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 4.2, A2DP, LE | 5.0, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | No | No |
| Positioning | GPS | GPS |
| Radio | FM radio | Unspecified |
| USB | USB Type-C 2.0 | microUSB 2.0 |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n, Wi-Fi Direct | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, proximity | Accelerometer, proximity |
| Battery |
|---|
| Type | Li-Po 5000 mAh | Li-Po 5000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Bronze, Red, Green, Cyan, Black | Black, Blue, Red |
| Models | - | SM-A035F, SM-A035F/DS, SM-A035M, SM-A035G |
| Price | - | € 119.90 / £ 88.00 / ₹ 11,990 |
| SAR EU | - | 0.20 W/kg (head) 1.35 W/kg (body) |
BLU G61s
- More powerful CPU
- Potentially higher resolution display
- Slightly more premium feel
- Brand recognition less established
- Camera may be slightly inferior
- Software support potentially shorter
Samsung Galaxy A03
- Samsung brand reputation
- Reliable user experience
- Potentially longer software support
- Refined camera software
- Less powerful CPU
- Basic display
- Performance limitations with demanding apps
Display Comparison
Both phones feature relatively basic LCD displays, likely around 6.5 inches. The BLU G61s might offer a slightly higher resolution (potentially HD+ vs. the A03's HD+), but color accuracy and brightness are likely to be average for this price range. Expect similar viewing experiences overall.
Camera Comparison
Camera quality on both phones will be modest. The Galaxy A03 likely has a slightly more refined camera software and potentially better image processing due to Samsung's expertise. Expect a main camera around 13MP on both, with potentially a depth sensor on the A03. Low-light performance will be a weakness on both.
Performance
This is where the BLU G61s takes a clear lead. Its Octa-core 2.0 GHz Cortex-A75 CPU is significantly more powerful than the Unisoc T606 in the Galaxy A03. Expect smoother app loading, better multitasking, and a more responsive user interface on the G61s. The A03 will handle basic tasks adequately, but may struggle with demanding apps or games.
Battery Life
Both phones likely feature batteries in the 5000mAh range, offering all-day battery life for moderate users. Actual battery life will depend on usage patterns and screen brightness. Neither phone is likely to offer fast charging.
Buying Guide
The BLU G61s is ideal for users prioritizing performance and a slightly more premium feel within a tight budget. The Samsung Galaxy A03 is a good fit for those who value the Samsung brand, a reliable user experience, and potentially longer software support, even if it means sacrificing some processing power.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Which phone has better gaming performance?
The BLU G61s, thanks to its more powerful CPU, will offer significantly better gaming performance.
❓ How long will Samsung provide software updates for the Galaxy A03?
Samsung typically provides longer software support for its devices than BLU, so the Galaxy A03 is likely to receive updates for a longer period.
