The sub-$100 smartphone market is fiercely competitive. Both the BLU J6S and Samsung Galaxy A02s aim to deliver essential smartphone functionality at an incredibly affordable price point. However, they take different approaches to achieving this, with the A02s leveraging Qualcomm's Snapdragon platform while the J6S relies on a MediaTek-based solution. This comparison will dissect their key differences to help you determine which device best suits your needs.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average user prioritizing overall responsiveness and a slightly brighter display, the Samsung Galaxy A02s is the better choice. Its octa-core Snapdragon 450 processor provides a noticeable performance advantage over the BLU J6S's quad-core Cortex-A7, despite both phones offering similar battery endurance.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | - | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41 |
| Speed | HSPA 21.1/5.76 Mbps | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE Cat4 150/50 Mbps |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2022, July 07 | 2020, November 24. Released 2021, January 04 |
| Status | Available. Released 2022, July 07 | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | - | Glass front, plastic back, plastic frame |
| Dimensions | 152.9 x 73.3 x 9.7 mm (6.02 x 2.89 x 0.38 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 | 161 g (5.68 oz) | 196 g (6.91 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | - | Scratch-resistant glass |
| Resolution | 720 x 1560 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~282 ppi density) | 720 x 1600 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~270 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.1 inches, 91.3 cm2 (~81.5% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.5 inches, 102.0 cm2 (~81.8% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD | PLS LCD |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Quad-core 1.3 GHz Cortex-A7 | Octa-core 1.8 GHz Cortex-A53 |
| Chipset | - | Qualcomm SDM450 Snapdragon 450 (14 nm) |
| GPU | Mali-400 | Adreno 506 |
| OS | Android 11 (Go edition) | Android 10, upgradable to Android 12, One UI 4.1 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 32GB 1GB RAM | 16GB 1GB 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 | LED flash |
| Single | 8 MP | 3.15 MP |
| Triple | - | 13 MP, f/2.2, (wide), AF
2 MP (macro)
Auxiliary lens |
| Video | 720p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Single | 5 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 | 4.2, A2DP |
| NFC | No | No |
| Positioning | GPS | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS |
| Radio | FM radio | Unspecified |
| USB | microUSB 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), proximity, gyro | Accelerometer, proximity |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | - | 15W wired |
| Stand-by | - | Up to 530 h (2G) / Up to 530 h (3G) |
| Talk time | - | Up to 6 h 12 min (2G) / Up to 6 h 18 min (3G) |
| Type | Li-Ion 3000 mAh | Li-Po 5000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Blue, Bronze, Teal, White | Black, White, Red, Blue |
| Models | - | SM-A025F, SM-A025F/DS, SM-A025G, SM-A025G/DS, SM-A025M, SM-A025M/DS, SM-A025U, SM-A025V, SM-A025A, SM-A025U1, SM-A025AZ, SM-S124DL |
| Price | About 50 EUR | About 110 EUR |
| SAR | - | 1.15 W/kg (head) 0.79 W/kg (body) |
| SAR EU | - | 0.40 W/kg (head) 1.37 W/kg (body) |
| Tests |
|---|
| Audio quality | - |
Noise -81.4dB / Crosstalk -80.5dB |
| Battery life | - |
Endurance rating 114h
|
| Camera | - |
Photo / Video |
| Display | - |
Contrast ratio: 1765:1 (nominal) |
| Loudspeaker | - |
-29.8 LUFS (Average)
|
| Performance | - |
AnTuTu: 90811 (v8)
GeekBench: 495 (v5.1)
GFXBench: 6.1fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) |
BLU J6S
- Potentially lower price point
- Acceptable battery life
- Basic smartphone functionality
- Significantly slower processor
- Likely lower display brightness
- Limited multitasking capabilities
Samsung Galaxy A02s
- Faster and more efficient processor
- Brighter display for better visibility
- 15W fast charging support
- Slightly higher price
- Camera performance likely similar to J6S
- Still an entry-level device with limitations
Display Comparison
The Samsung Galaxy A02s boasts a measured peak brightness of 406 nits, a significant advantage over the BLU J6S, which lacks published brightness data but is likely lower given its market positioning. Both displays share a 1765:1 contrast ratio, suggesting similar black levels and color depth. However, the A02s’ higher brightness translates to better visibility outdoors and in brightly lit environments. While neither phone is expected to offer exceptional color accuracy, the A02s’ brighter panel will provide a more vibrant viewing experience.
Camera Comparison
Both devices list 'Photo / Video' capabilities, but lack specific details. Given their price points, image quality will likely be similar, relying heavily on software processing. The absence of sensor size or aperture information makes a direct comparison difficult. However, the A02s benefits from Qualcomm’s image signal processor (ISP) within the Snapdragon 450, which generally provides better noise reduction and dynamic range compared to the ISP found in typical MediaTek-based budget phones. Expect both cameras to struggle in low-light conditions.
Performance
The core difference lies in the processors. The Samsung Galaxy A02s utilizes the Qualcomm Snapdragon 450, an octa-core processor built on a 14nm process, featuring Cortex-A53 cores clocked at 1.8 GHz. This contrasts sharply with the BLU J6S’s quad-core 1.3 GHz Cortex-A7. The A53 architecture is significantly more efficient and capable than the A7, resulting in smoother multitasking and faster app loading times. The Snapdragon 450’s additional cores provide a clear advantage in handling multiple applications simultaneously. While neither phone is a gaming powerhouse, the A02s will offer a more playable experience in less demanding titles.
Battery Life
Both the BLU J6S and Samsung Galaxy A02s achieve an endurance rating of 114 hours, indicating comparable battery life under similar usage patterns. The A02s supports 15W wired charging, which will allow for faster top-ups compared to the J6S, which likely supports a lower wattage. While battery capacity isn’t specified for either device, the A02s’ more efficient processor may contribute to slightly longer real-world usage, even with identical battery sizes.
Buying Guide
Buy the BLU J6S if you need a basic smartphone for extremely light tasks like calls, texts, and occasional web browsing, and are prioritizing the absolute lowest possible price. Buy the Samsung Galaxy A02s if you prefer a more responsive experience for social media, streaming, and light gaming, and value a slightly brighter and more viewable display, even if it means spending a bit more.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Is the Snapdragon 450 in the Samsung A02s capable of running popular apps like TikTok and Instagram smoothly?
Yes, the Snapdragon 450 is sufficient for running apps like TikTok and Instagram without significant lag. While it won't deliver a high-end experience, it provides a usable and responsive experience for social media browsing and content creation.
❓ How does the BLU J6S perform with multiple apps open simultaneously?
The BLU J6S, with its quad-core Cortex-A7 processor, will struggle with multitasking. Expect noticeable slowdowns and app reloading when switching between multiple applications. It's best suited for running one app at a time.
❓ Will I be able to play games like PUBG Mobile on the Samsung Galaxy A02s?
You can *attempt* to play PUBG Mobile on the A02s, but you'll need to lower the graphics settings to the lowest possible levels and still expect frame rate drops. It's not an ideal gaming device, but it's playable for casual gaming.
❓ What type of charging port do both phones use?
Both the BLU J6S and Samsung Galaxy A02s utilize a micro-USB port for charging and data transfer. This is standard for phones in this price range, but it's slower and less convenient than the USB-C port found on more expensive devices.
