The BLU M8L 2022 and Samsung Galaxy A03s represent two distinct approaches to the ultra-budget smartphone market. The M8L aims to deliver a more responsive experience with a newer processor architecture, while the A03s prioritizes all-day battery life and brand recognition. This comparison dissects their key differences to help you determine which device best suits your needs.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For users prioritizing a smoother, more responsive experience, the BLU M8L 2022 is the better choice, thanks to its quad-core Cortex-A75 CPU. However, the Samsung Galaxy A03s wins for those who value long battery life and a well-established brand, offering a measured endurance rating of 122 hours.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700 / 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 |
| | - | 2, 4, 5, 7, 12, 13, 14, 25, 26, 41, 66, 71 - SM-A037U |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2022, February | 2021, August 18 |
| Status | Available. Released 2022, February | Available. Released 2021, August 18 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | - | Glass front, plastic frame, plastic back |
| Dimensions | 209 x 126 x 10.6 mm (8.23 x 4.96 x 0.42 in) | 164.2 x 75.9 x 9.1 mm (6.46 x 2.99 x 0.36 in) |
| SIM | Micro-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 360 g (12.70 oz) | 196 g (6.91 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Resolution | 800 x 1280 pixels, 16:10 ratio (~189 ppi density) | 720 x 1600 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~270 ppi density) |
| Size | 8.0 inches, 185.6 cm2 (~70.5% 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 2.0 GHz Cortex-A75 | Octa-core (4x2.35 GHz Cortex-A53 & 4x1.8 GHz Cortex-A53) |
| Chipset | - | Mediatek MT6765 Helio P35 (12 nm) |
| GPU | - | PowerVR GE8320 |
| OS | Android 11 (Go edition) | Android 11, upgradable to Android 13, One UI 5.1 Core |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 32GB 3GB 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 | 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 | 5 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 | Accelerometer | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, proximity |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | - | 15W wired |
| Type | Li-Po 4000 mAh | Li-Po 5000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Black, Bronze | 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 60 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 M8L 2022
- More modern CPU architecture (Cortex-A75)
- Potentially faster performance for demanding tasks
- Likely lower price point
- Battery life likely shorter than A03s
- Unknown display quality and brightness
- Less established brand reputation
Samsung Galaxy A03s
- Excellent battery life (122h endurance)
- Higher peak display brightness (488 nits)
- Established Samsung brand and ecosystem
- Older, less efficient CPU architecture (Helio P35)
- Potentially slower performance in demanding apps
- May be slightly more expensive
Display Comparison
Both the BLU M8L 2022 and Samsung Galaxy A03s share a contrast ratio of 1718:1, suggesting similar visual depth. However, the Galaxy A03s boasts a measured peak brightness of 488 nits, which will provide better visibility outdoors compared to the M8L, for which brightness data is unavailable. Without knowing the panel technology used in the M8L, it's difficult to assess color accuracy or viewing angles, but given the price point, it's unlikely to match the A03s's performance in these areas.
Camera Comparison
Both devices offer 'Photo / Video' capabilities, but lack specific details regarding sensor size or resolution. Given the market segment, image quality is unlikely to be a key differentiator. The presence of a 2MP macro camera on the A03s is a common, but often underwhelming, feature. Without further information, it's safe to assume both cameras are adequate for basic social media sharing in good lighting conditions, but will struggle in low-light scenarios.
Performance
The core difference lies in the processors. The BLU M8L 2022 utilizes a quad-core 2.0 GHz Cortex-A75, a more modern architecture designed for improved single-core performance compared to the Samsung Galaxy A03s’s MediaTek Helio P35. The Helio P35 is an octa-core chip (4x2.35 GHz Cortex-A53 & 4x1.8 GHz Cortex-A53) but relies on older, less efficient Cortex-A53 cores. While the A03s has more cores, the A75 in the M8L will likely deliver a snappier experience for demanding apps and multitasking. The M8L's CPU architecture is a generation ahead, offering a noticeable advantage in responsiveness.
Battery Life
The Samsung Galaxy A03s shines in battery endurance, achieving a measured 122-hour rating. This suggests excellent power efficiency from the Helio P35 chipset and optimized software. The BLU M8L 2022’s battery capacity is unknown, but its more powerful Cortex-A75 CPU will likely consume more power. The A03s also supports 15W wired charging, allowing for a reasonable recharge time, while the M8L’s charging capabilities are not specified.
Buying Guide
Buy the BLU M8L 2022 if you frequently multitask, play casual games, or simply dislike lag in everyday tasks. Its Cortex-A75 CPU offers a significant performance advantage. Buy the Samsung Galaxy A03s if you need a phone that can reliably last a full day (or more) on a single charge, and prefer the Samsung ecosystem and brand reputation, even if it means sacrificing some processing power.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Does the MediaTek Helio P35 in the Galaxy A03s struggle with multitasking?
The Helio P35 is a capable chip for basic tasks, but its older Cortex-A53 cores can become strained when running multiple apps simultaneously. Users who frequently switch between apps or use resource-intensive applications may experience lag or slowdowns. The BLU M8L's Cortex-A75 offers a more fluid multitasking experience.
❓ Is the 15W charging on the Galaxy A03s fast enough for daily use?
15W charging is relatively slow by today's standards, but adequate for the Galaxy A03s's battery capacity. Expect a full charge to take around 2-3 hours. The long battery life of the A03s mitigates the need for frequent, rapid charging.
❓ How does the Cortex-A75 in the BLU M8L 2022 compare to the Cortex-A53 in the Galaxy A03s for gaming?
While neither phone is a gaming powerhouse, the Cortex-A75 in the BLU M8L 2022 will provide a noticeably smoother experience in casual games. The A75's superior single-core performance translates to higher frame rates and reduced stuttering compared to the A03s's Cortex-A53 cores. Don't expect to run demanding titles at high settings, however.
