The sub-$150 smartphone market is fiercely competitive. The Cubot Note 40 and Samsung Galaxy A05s represent two compelling options, but cater to slightly different priorities. The Cubot focuses on offering a functional device at an extremely low price point, while the Samsung A05s aims for a more balanced experience with a stronger emphasis on display quality and processing power.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For most users, the Samsung Galaxy A05s is the better choice. Its Snapdragon 680 chipset delivers significantly improved performance and efficiency compared to the Cubot Note 40’s Unisoc T606, and the brighter, higher-contrast display enhances the overall user experience. While the Cubot offers a lower entry price, the A05s provides better long-term value.
| 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 | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 17, 20, 28, 41 | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41 |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE | HSPA, LTE |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2023, October 16 | 2023, September 25 |
| Status | Available. Released 2023, October 16 | Available. Released 2023, October 18 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | - | Glass front, plastic back, plastic frame |
| Dimensions | 165.8 x 75.8 x 10.1 mm (6.53 x 2.98 x 0.40 in) | 168 x 77.8 x 8.8 mm (6.61 x 3.06 x 0.35 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | · Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 222 g (7.83 oz) | 194 g (6.84 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Resolution | 720 x 1612 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~269 ppi density) | 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~393 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.56 inches, 103.4 cm2 (~82.3% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.7 inches, 108.4 cm2 (~82.9% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD, 90Hz | PLS LCD, 90Hz |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (2x1.6 GHz Cortex-A75 & 6x1.6 GHz Cortex-A55) | Octa-core (4x2.4 GHz Kryo 265 Gold & 4x1.9 GHz Kryo 265 Silver) |
| Chipset | Unisoc T606 (12 nm) | Qualcomm SM6225 Snapdragon 680 4G (6 nm) |
| GPU | Mali-G57 MP1 | Adreno 610 |
| OS | Android 13 | Android 13, up to 2 major Android upgrades, One UI 7 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 256GB 6GB RAM | 64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Dual | 50 MP, (wide)
2 MP (macro) | - |
| Features | LED flash | LED flash |
| Triple | - | 50 MP, f/1.8, (wide), 1/2.8", 0.64µm, AF
2 MP (macro)
Auxiliary lens |
| Video | Yes | 1080p@30/60fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Single | 8 MP | 13 MP, f/2.0, (wide), 1/3.X", 1.12µm |
| Video | Yes | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 35mm jack | Unspecified | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.0, A2DP | 5.1, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | No | Yes (market/region dependent) |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS, QZSS |
| Radio | Unspecified | Unspecified |
| USB | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG | USB Type-C 2.0 |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Accelerometer, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, proximity |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 10W wired | 25W wired |
| Type | 5200 mAh | Li-Po 5000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Black, Purple, Green, Blue | Black, Silver, Light Green, Violet |
| Models | - | SM-A057F, SM-A057F/DS, SM-A057M, SM-A057M/DS, SM-A057G/DSN, SM-A057G |
| Price | About 90 EUR | $ 134.00 / C$ 146.99 / £ 83.94 / € 100.99 |
| SAR EU | - | 0.58 W/kg (head) 1.31 W/kg (body) |
Cubot Note 40
- Lowest possible price point
- Functional for basic tasks
- Potentially longer standby time (due to less powerful processor)
- Significantly slower performance
- Inferior display quality
- Slow charging speed (10W)
Samsung Galaxy A05s
- Faster and more efficient processor
- Brighter and higher-contrast display
- Faster charging (25W)
- Better battery life in active use
- Higher price than Cubot Note 40
- May not be the absolute cheapest option
Display Comparison
The Samsung Galaxy A05s boasts a significantly more refined display experience. With a measured peak brightness of 468 nits, it’s considerably brighter than what we’d expect from the Cubot Note 40, making it more usable outdoors. The 1418:1 contrast ratio further enhances image quality, providing deeper blacks and more vibrant colors. While the Cubot Note 40’s display specifications are not provided, it’s likely to feature a lower brightness and contrast ratio, resulting in a less immersive viewing experience. The A05s’s superior display is a clear advantage for media consumption and everyday use.
Camera Comparison
Both phones feature a camera, but details are limited. The Samsung Galaxy A05s likely features a more sophisticated image signal processor (ISP) within the Snapdragon 680, leading to better image quality, especially in challenging lighting conditions. While both may include a standard photo/video mode, the A05s’s processing capabilities will likely result in more detailed and accurate images. Without specific sensor details for the Cubot Note 40, it’s difficult to assess its camera performance, but it’s unlikely to match the A05s.
Performance
The performance gap between these two devices is substantial. The Samsung Galaxy A05s utilizes the Qualcomm Snapdragon 680 (6nm), featuring a combination of 4x2.4 GHz Kryo 265 Gold and 4x1.9 GHz Kryo 265 Silver cores. This is a more modern and efficient architecture than the Unisoc T606 (12nm) found in the Cubot Note 40, which employs 2x1.6 GHz Cortex-A75 and 6x1.6 GHz Cortex-A55 cores. The 6nm process node of the Snapdragon 680 translates to better thermal efficiency, reducing the likelihood of performance throttling during sustained tasks like gaming. The A05s will handle multitasking and demanding apps with greater ease.
Battery Life
The Samsung Galaxy A05s shines in battery life, achieving an active use score of 11 hours and 32 minutes. While the Cubot Note 40’s battery capacity is unknown, the A05s’s superior efficiency, thanks to the Snapdragon 680’s 6nm process, combined with its 25W wired charging, provides a significant advantage. The 25W charging will allow for a much faster 0-100% charge time compared to the Cubot Note 40’s slower 10W charging, minimizing downtime.
Buying Guide
Buy the Cubot Note 40 if you absolutely need the lowest possible price and prioritize basic functionality over performance. It’s suitable for users who primarily need a phone for calls, texts, and light social media. Buy the Samsung Galaxy A05s if you value a smoother user experience, better gaming capabilities, a more vibrant display, and faster charging – even if it means spending a little more upfront.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Will the Snapdragon 680 in the Samsung A05s handle popular games like PUBG Mobile?
Yes, the Snapdragon 680 is capable of running PUBG Mobile at medium settings with reasonable frame rates. While it won't deliver a flagship gaming experience, it provides a significantly smoother and more enjoyable gaming experience than the Unisoc T606 in the Cubot Note 40.
❓ How much faster is the 25W charging on the Samsung A05s compared to the 10W charging on the Cubot Note 40?
The 25W charging on the A05s will dramatically reduce charging times. Expect a full charge in approximately 1.5-2 hours, whereas the Cubot Note 40’s 10W charging could take 3+ hours to reach 100%.
❓ Is the difference in processor performance between the Unisoc T606 and Snapdragon 680 noticeable in everyday tasks?
Absolutely. The Snapdragon 680 offers a much smoother and more responsive experience when navigating the user interface, opening apps, and multitasking. The Unisoc T606 may exhibit noticeable lag or slowdowns during these tasks.
