Cubot P80 vs Samsung Galaxy A34: A Detailed Comparison for Budget-Conscious Buyers

The smartphone market is flooded with options, but finding a balance between price and performance can be challenging. We pit the Cubot P80, a value-focused device, against the Samsung Galaxy A34, a popular mid-range contender, to determine which offers the best experience for the money. This comparison focuses on core performance, display quality, and battery life, helping you make an informed decision.
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🏆 Quick Verdict

For the average user prioritizing a smoother overall experience and a brighter, more vibrant display, the Samsung Galaxy A34 is the better choice. Its Mediatek Dimensity 1080 chipset provides a noticeable performance edge, and the 1009 nit display offers superior visibility. However, the Cubot P80 presents a compelling option for those on a very tight budget.

PHONES
Phone Names Cubot P80 Samsung Galaxy A34
Network
2G bandsGSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
3G bandsHSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100
4G bands1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 18, 19, 20, 26, 28, 38, 39, 40, 41, 661, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 17, 20, 26, 28, 32, 38, 40, 41, 66
5G bands-1, 3, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41, 77, 78 SA/NSA/Sub6
SpeedHSPA, LTEHSPA, LTE, 5G
TechnologyGSM / HSPA / LTEGSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G
Launch
Announced20232023, March 14
StatusAvailable. Released 2023Available. Released 2023, March 24
Body
Build-Glass front (Gorilla Glass 5), plastic frame, plastic back
Dimensions165.8 x 75.8 x 9.8 mm (6.53 x 2.98 x 0.39 in)161.3 x 78.1 x 8.2 mm (6.35 x 3.07 x 0.32 in)
SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM
Weight217 g (7.65 oz)199 g (7.02 oz)
 -IP67 dust/water resistant (up to 1m for 30 min)
Display
Protection-Corning Gorilla Glass 5
Resolution1080 x 2408 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~401 ppi density)1080 x 2340 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~390 ppi density)
Size6.58 inches, 104.3 cm2 (~83.0% screen-to-body ratio)6.6 inches, 106.9 cm2 (~84.9% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeIPS LCDSuper AMOLED, 120Hz, 1000 nits (HBM)
Platform
CPUOcta-core (4x2.0 GHz Cortex-A73 & 4x2.0 GHz Cortex-A53)Octa-core (2x2.6 GHz Cortex-A78 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55)
ChipsetMediatek MT8788V/WAMediatek Dimensity 1080 (6 nm)
GPU-Mali-G68 MC4
OSAndroid 13Android 13, up to 4 major Android upgrades, One UI 6.1
Memory
Card slotmicroSDXC (uses shared SIM slot)microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot)
Internal256GB 8GB RAM, 512GB 8GB RAM128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 6GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM
Main Camera
FeaturesLED flashLED flash, panorama, HDR
Triple48 MP, (wide), PDAF 2 MP (macro) 0.3 MP48 MP, f/1.8, 26mm (wide), 1/2.0", 0.8µm, PDAF, OIS 8 MP, f/2.2, 123˚, (ultrawide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm 5 MP (macro)
VideoYes4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60fps, 720p@480fps
Selfie camera
Single24 MP13 MP, f/2.2, 26mm (wide), 1/3.1", 1.12µm
VideoYes4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps
Sound
3.5mm jack -No
35mm jackUnspecifiedNo
Loudspeaker YesYes, with stereo speakers
Comms
Bluetooth4.2, A2DP5.3, A2DP, LE
NFCYesYes (market/region dependent)
PositioningGPS, GLONASS, GALILEOGPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS
RadioUnspecifiedNo
USBUSB Type-C, OTGUSB Type-C 2.0, OTG
WLANWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-bandWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct
Features
SensorsFingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compassFingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, compass
 -Virtual proximity sensing
Battery
Charging-25W wired
Type5200 mAhLi-Ion 5000 mAh
Misc
ColorsBlack, Blue, Purple, Pink, Light BlueLime, Graphite, Violet, Silver
Models-SM-A346E, SM-A346B, SM-A346B/DS, SM-A346B/DSN, SM-A346E/DS, SM-A346E/DSN, SM-A346M, SM-A346M/N, SM-A346M/DSN, SM-A3460
PriceAbout 160 EUR€ 169.99 / $ 175.00 / £ 164.99 / ₹ 23,999
SAR EU-0.55 W/kg (head)     1.49 W/kg (body)
Tests
Battery life- Endurance rating 133h
Camera- Photo / Video
Display- Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal)
Loudspeaker- -26.1 LUFS (Good)
Performance- AnTuTu: 472126 (v9) GeekBench: 2316 (v5.5), 2518 (v6) GFXBench: 23fps (ES 3.1 onscreen)

Cubot P80

  • Potentially lower price point
  • Acceptable battery life (133h endurance)
  • Functional for basic smartphone tasks

  • Outdated chipset (MT8788V)
  • Likely inferior display quality
  • Limited performance for demanding apps

Samsung Galaxy A34

  • Superior performance (Dimensity 1080)
  • Brighter and more vibrant display (1009 nits)
  • Faster charging (25W)
  • Samsung’s software and support

  • Higher price compared to Cubot P80
  • May still exhibit some throttling under heavy load
  • Software bloatware (typical of Samsung)

Display Comparison

The Samsung Galaxy A34 boasts a significantly brighter display, reaching a measured 1009 nits, compared to the Cubot P80’s unspecified brightness. This translates to better outdoor visibility, especially in direct sunlight. While the Cubot P80’s display specs are missing, the A34’s ‘Infinite’ contrast ratio (nominal) suggests a typical AMOLED panel, offering deep blacks and vibrant colors. The A34’s panel technology likely supports higher refresh rates, contributing to smoother scrolling and animations, a feature absent from the P80’s specifications. This difference in display quality will be most noticeable when consuming media or gaming.

Camera Comparison

Both devices offer photo and video capabilities, but detailed camera specifications are limited for the Cubot P80. The Samsung Galaxy A34 likely benefits from Samsung’s image processing algorithms, which are known for producing vibrant and detailed images. Without knowing the sensor size or aperture of the P80’s camera, it’s difficult to assess its low-light performance. The A34’s camera system likely includes Optical Image Stabilization (OIS), a feature that helps reduce blur in photos and videos, particularly in challenging lighting conditions. The presence of a 2MP macro camera on either device is largely inconsequential, as image quality is typically poor.

Performance

The Samsung Galaxy A34’s Mediatek Dimensity 1080 (6nm) chipset represents a substantial upgrade over the Cubot P80’s Mediatek MT8788V/WA. The Dimensity 1080 utilizes a more modern CPU architecture – 2x2.6 GHz Cortex-A78 cores and 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55 cores – compared to the P80’s 4x2.0 GHz Cortex-A73 and 4x2.0 GHz Cortex-A53 configuration. The Cortex-A78 cores in the A34 offer significantly improved single-core performance, crucial for responsive app launches and general usability. The 6nm manufacturing process of the Dimensity 1080 also contributes to better power efficiency and thermal management, reducing the likelihood of performance throttling during sustained workloads. The P80’s older chipset will struggle with demanding tasks and multitasking.

Battery Life

Both the Cubot P80 and Samsung Galaxy A34 share an endurance rating of 133 hours, suggesting comparable battery life under similar usage conditions. However, the Samsung Galaxy A34 supports 25W wired charging, allowing for faster replenishment of the battery compared to the Cubot P80, whose charging speed is unspecified. While both phones offer similar overall battery endurance, the A34’s faster charging capability provides a more convenient user experience, minimizing downtime.

Buying Guide

Buy the Cubot P80 if you need a functional smartphone for basic tasks like calling, texting, and light social media use, and your budget is extremely limited. You'll be making compromises on performance and display quality. Buy the Samsung Galaxy A34 if you prioritize a smoother user experience, better gaming performance, a brighter and more enjoyable display, and the reliability of the Samsung brand, even if it means spending a bit more.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Does the Mediatek Dimensity 1080 in the Galaxy A34 get hot during extended gaming sessions?
While the Dimensity 1080 is a capable chipset, it can experience some thermal throttling during prolonged, graphically intensive gaming. However, the 6nm process node and Samsung’s thermal management system generally keep temperatures within acceptable limits, preventing significant performance drops. Expect some frame rate dips after 30-60 minutes of continuous gaming.
❓ Is the camera on the Samsung Galaxy A34 good enough for casual photography and social media?
Yes, the Samsung Galaxy A34’s camera is well-suited for casual photography and social media sharing. Samsung’s image processing typically produces vibrant and detailed images in good lighting conditions. While low-light performance may not rival flagship phones, it’s generally sufficient for everyday use. The inclusion of OIS helps to stabilize videos and improve image clarity.
❓ Can the Cubot P80 handle popular games like PUBG Mobile or Call of Duty Mobile?
The Cubot P80’s Mediatek MT8788V chipset will struggle to deliver a smooth gaming experience in demanding titles like PUBG Mobile or Call of Duty Mobile. You’ll likely need to lower graphics settings to the minimum and still experience frame rate drops and lag. It’s best suited for less demanding games.
❓ What kind of software updates can I expect on the Cubot P80?
Cubot’s software update track record is less consistent than Samsung’s. Expect fewer major Android version updates and security patches compared to the Galaxy A34. This is a significant consideration for long-term security and feature support.