The BLU M8L Plus 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 to achieving this. This comparison dissects their key specifications to determine which device offers the best value for users prioritizing affordability.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average user seeking a balance of performance and reliability, the Samsung Galaxy A03s emerges as the slightly better choice. While the BLU M8L Plus offers a newer CPU architecture, the A03s’s more powerful chipset and established brand reputation provide a more consistent user experience.
| 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 | 2020, August. Released 2020, August | 2021, August 18 |
| Status | Discontinued | Available. Released 2021, August 18 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | - | Glass front, plastic frame, plastic back |
| Dimensions | 208 x 123.7 x 10.5 mm (8.19 x 4.87 x 0.41 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 |
| Weight | 383 g (13.51 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 (~72.1% 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 | - | 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 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 | 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 | 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 | Accelerometer | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, proximity |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | - | 15W wired |
| Type | Li-Po 4300 mAh | Li-Po 5000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Blue | 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 Plus
- Potentially newer CPU architecture (Cortex-A55)
- Lower price point (likely)
- May offer a more modern design
- Less established brand reputation
- Missing key specifications (battery capacity, display resolution)
- Likely lower performance compared to the A03s
Samsung Galaxy A03s
- Proven endurance rating (122 hours)
- More powerful chipset (Helio P35)
- Established brand reliability (Samsung)
- Older CPU architecture (Cortex-A53)
- Potentially slower software updates
- Basic camera capabilities
Display Comparison
Both the BLU M8L Plus and Samsung Galaxy A03s feature displays with a 1718:1 contrast ratio, suggesting similar visual pop. However, the Galaxy A03s boasts a measured peak brightness of 488 nits, significantly brighter than what we'd expect from the M8L Plus, making it more usable outdoors. While both share the same contrast ratio, the A03s’s higher brightness provides a superior viewing experience in bright conditions. Details regarding panel technology (IPS vs. TFT) and resolution are missing for the BLU M8L Plus, suggesting a potentially lower-quality display experience.
Camera Comparison
Both devices list 'Photo / Video' capabilities, but lack specific details regarding sensor size, aperture, or image processing. Given the price point, expectations should be tempered. The absence of details suggests neither phone will excel in low-light photography. The presence of a 2MP macro camera on the A03s is likely a marketing feature with limited practical benefit, as image quality will be significantly lower than the main sensor. Without further information, it’s difficult to definitively declare a camera winner, but Samsung’s image processing algorithms generally offer more refined results.
Performance
The Samsung Galaxy A03s is equipped with the Mediatek Helio P35 (12nm), an octa-core processor featuring a cluster of four Cortex-A53 cores clocked at 2.35 GHz and another four at 1.8 GHz. This contrasts with the BLU M8L Plus’s octa-core 1.6 GHz Cortex-A55 processor. While the A55 architecture is more efficient, the higher clock speeds of the A53 cores in the Helio P35 likely translate to better overall performance, particularly in demanding tasks. The 12nm manufacturing process of the Helio P35 also contributes to better power efficiency compared to a potentially larger node process for the BLU device. The A03s will likely handle multitasking and app loading more smoothly.
Battery Life
The Samsung Galaxy A03s has an endurance rating of 122 hours, indicating solid battery life for typical usage. While the BLU M8L Plus’s battery capacity is unknown, the A03s’s 15W wired charging provides a reasonable charging speed. The endurance rating suggests the A03s can comfortably last a full day on a single charge for moderate users. Without knowing the M8L Plus’s battery capacity and charging speed, it’s difficult to assess its battery performance, but the A03s has a clear advantage based on the provided endurance rating.
Buying Guide
Buy the BLU M8L Plus if you prioritize a newer CPU architecture and are comfortable with a less established brand. This phone is best suited for users who primarily need basic functionality like calling, texting, and light social media use. Buy the Samsung Galaxy A03s if you value brand reliability, a slightly more powerful processor for smoother multitasking, and a proven endurance rating. This is the better option for users who want a dependable device for everyday tasks and occasional media consumption.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Does the Mediatek Helio P35 in the Samsung Galaxy A03s tend to overheat during prolonged gaming sessions?
The Helio P35 is a relatively low-power chipset and generally doesn't exhibit significant overheating issues, even during moderate gaming. However, demanding titles at high settings may cause some thermal throttling, leading to a slight performance decrease. The A03s isn't designed for intensive gaming, but it should handle casual gaming without major problems.
❓ Is the 2MP macro camera on the Samsung Galaxy A03s actually useful for taking detailed close-up photos?
Unfortunately, the 2MP macro camera on the A03s is largely a marketing feature. The low resolution and lack of autofocus result in images that are often soft, noisy, and lack detail. It's best to rely on the main camera for most photography needs.
❓ How does the Cortex-A55 architecture in the BLU M8L Plus compare to the Cortex-A53 in the Samsung Galaxy A03s in terms of power efficiency?
The Cortex-A55 architecture is more power-efficient than the Cortex-A53. However, the higher clock speeds of the A53 cores in the Helio P35, combined with the 12nm manufacturing process, likely offset the architectural advantage of the A55 in the BLU M8L Plus. Real-world power consumption will depend on usage patterns.
