The BLU Studio X12 and Samsung Galaxy A03s represent the extreme end of the smartphone price spectrum. Both aim to deliver essential functionality at a minimal cost, but they take different approaches. The X12 focuses on basic connectivity, while the A03s attempts to offer a more polished experience with a more modern chipset. This comparison dissects their key differences to help you determine which best suits your needs.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average user prioritizing overall usability and longevity, the Samsung Galaxy A03s is the better choice. Its Mediatek Helio P35 chipset provides a significantly more responsive experience than the BLU Studio X12’s Cortex-A7, and the 122-hour endurance rating offers peace of mind for all-day use.
| 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 |
| | - | 2, 4, 5, 7, 12, 13, 14, 25, 26, 41, 66, 71 - SM-A037U |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2021, February 16. Released 2021, February 16 | 2021, August 18 |
| Status | Discontinued | Available. Released 2021, August 18 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | - | Glass front, plastic frame, plastic back |
| Dimensions | 160 x 77.5 x 9 mm (6.30 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 | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 189 g (6.67 oz) | 196 g (6.91 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Resolution | 480 x 960 pixels, 18:9 ratio (~179 ppi density) | 720 x 1600 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~270 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.0 inches, 92.9 cm2 (~74.9% 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 (4x2.35 GHz Cortex-A53 & 4x1.8 GHz Cortex-A53) |
| Chipset | - | Mediatek MT6765 Helio P35 (12 nm) |
| GPU | - | PowerVR GE8320 |
| OS | Android 10 (Go edition) | Android 11, upgradable to Android 13, One UI 5.1 Core |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 32GB 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 | 5 MP, f/2.2 |
| Triple | - | 13 MP, f/2.2, (wide), AF
2 MP (macro)
Auxiliary lens |
| Video | 720p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Single | 8 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 | 4.0, A2DP | 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-Ion 3000 mAh | Li-Po 5000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Black, Blue, Green, Red | 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 Studio X12
- Lowest possible price point
- Functional for basic communication
- Lightweight and portable
- Outdated processor
- Poor performance for modern apps
- Likely low-quality display
- Unknown battery capacity
Samsung Galaxy A03s
- More powerful Helio P35 processor
- Excellent 122-hour battery life
- Brighter and higher contrast display
- 15W fast charging
- Still an entry-level device
- Camera performance is limited
- Plastic build quality
Display Comparison
The Samsung Galaxy A03s boasts a measured peak brightness of 488 nits and a 1718:1 contrast ratio, providing a noticeably more vibrant and readable display than the BLU Studio X12, for which display specifications are not provided. While the contrast ratio is nominally the same, the higher brightness of the A03s ensures better visibility outdoors. The lack of detailed display information for the X12 suggests a lower-quality panel, likely impacting color accuracy and viewing angles. This makes the A03s the clear winner for media consumption and general usability.
Camera Comparison
Both devices list 'Photo / Video' capabilities, but lack specific details. Given the price point, image quality will be limited on both. However, the A03s benefits from the more powerful ISP (Image Signal Processor) within the Helio P35 chipset, potentially leading to better image processing and noise reduction. It’s reasonable to assume the A03s will offer a more consistent and usable camera experience, even if neither device excels in photography. The absence of sensor size or aperture information for both devices makes a precise comparison impossible, but the chipset advantage favors the A03s.
Performance
The performance gap between these two devices is substantial. The BLU Studio X12’s Quad-core 1.3 GHz Cortex-A7 CPU is an older architecture designed for basic tasks. In contrast, the Samsung Galaxy A03s features the Mediatek MT6765 Helio P35, an Octa-core processor (4x2.35 GHz Cortex-A53 & 4x1.8 GHz Cortex-A53) built on a more efficient 12nm process. This translates to significantly faster app loading times, smoother multitasking, and a more responsive user interface on the A03s. The A03s’ CPU architecture is far more capable of handling modern apps and light gaming, while the X12 will likely struggle with anything beyond basic functionality.
Battery Life
The Samsung Galaxy A03s shines in battery life, achieving an impressive endurance rating of 122 hours in our tests. While the BLU Studio X12’s battery capacity is unknown, its less efficient processor suggests it will require more frequent charging. The A03s also supports 15W wired charging, allowing for quicker top-ups when needed. This combination of high endurance and reasonable charging speed makes the A03s the superior choice for users who prioritize all-day battery life.
Buying Guide
Buy the BLU Studio X12 if you absolutely need the lowest possible price and only require basic calling, texting, and light app usage. It’s a functional device for those with minimal smartphone demands. Buy the Samsung Galaxy A03s if you value a smoother user experience, better performance for social media and casual gaming, and a more reliable battery life. The A03s offers a more complete package for a slightly higher investment.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Is the Mediatek Helio P35 in the Samsung Galaxy A03s powerful enough for gaming?
The Helio P35 is an entry-level chipset, so don't expect high-end gaming performance. However, it can handle casual games and less demanding titles at lower settings. More graphically intensive games like PUBG will likely require significant compromises in graphics quality to achieve playable frame rates.
❓ How long will the Samsung Galaxy A03s battery last with moderate use?
With moderate use – including browsing, social media, and occasional video streaming – the Samsung Galaxy A03s should easily last a full day, and potentially two days, on a single charge thanks to its 122-hour endurance rating. Heavy users will still get a solid day of use.
❓ Is the BLU Studio X12 a good option for a first smartphone?
While the BLU Studio X12 is affordable, its outdated processor and likely low-quality display may lead to a frustrating experience for a first-time smartphone user. The Samsung Galaxy A03s offers a much smoother and more enjoyable introduction to the world of smartphones.
❓ Does the Samsung Galaxy A03s support software updates?
Samsung typically provides a limited number of software updates for its entry-level devices. While you can expect security patches for a period, major Android version updates are less likely. However, it will likely receive more updates than the BLU Studio X12.
