The Energizer E242s and Samsung Galaxy A01 Core represent the absolute bottom end of the smartphone market. Both devices aim to deliver basic smartphone functionality at the lowest possible price point. This comparison dissects their similarities and differences, focusing on where each phone excels – or falls short – for users prioritizing affordability above all else.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average user seeking a functional, if basic, smartphone experience, the Samsung Galaxy A01 Core edges out the Energizer E242s. While both share the same Mediatek MT6739 chipset, Samsung’s optimization and brand recognition provide a slightly more polished user experience, despite the minimal hardware differences.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 3, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41 | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41 |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE | HSPA 21.1/5.76 Mbps, LTE |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2022, April 10 | 2020, July 21. Released 2020, August 06 |
| Status | Available. Released 2022, April 10 | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | - | Plastic back, plastic frame |
| Dimensions | 130.8 x 53.6 x 13 mm (5.15 x 2.11 x 0.51 in) | 141.7 x 67.5 x 8.6 mm (5.58 x 2.66 x 0.34 in) |
| SIM | Dual SIM (Micro-SIM, dual stand-by) | · Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 116 g (4.09 oz) | 150 g (5.29 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Resolution | 240 x 320 pixels, 4:3 ratio (~167 ppi density) | 720 x 1480 pixels, 18.5:9 ratio (~311 ppi density) |
| Size | 2.4 inches, 17.8 cm2 (~25.4% screen-to-body ratio) | 5.3 inches, 71.3 cm2 (~74.5% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | TFT LCD, 256K colors | PLS LCD |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Quad-core 1.5 GHz | Quad-core 1.5 GHz Cortex-A53 |
| Chipset | Mediatek MT6739 | Mediatek MT6739 (28 nm) |
| GPU | PowerVR GE8100 | PowerVR GE8100 |
| OS | KaiOS 2.5.3 | Android 10 (Go edition) |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDHC | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 4GB 512MB RAM | 16GB 1GB RAM, 16GB 2GB RAM, 32GB 2GB RAM |
| | - | eMMC 5.1 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash | LED flash |
| Single | 0.3 MP | 8 MP, f/2.2, AF |
| Video | Yes | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Single | 0.3 MP | 5 MP, f/2.4 |
| Video | Yes | - |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 4.2, A2DP, LE | 5.0, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | No | No |
| Positioning | GPS | GPS |
| Radio | FM radio | FM radio |
| USB | microUSB | microUSB 2.0 |
| WLAN | Yes | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | No | Accelerometer |
| | Downloadable applications Facebook, Gmail, Whatsapp, etc. | - |
| Battery |
|---|
| Type | Li-Ion 1700 mAh battery, removable | Li-Ion 3000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Black, Blue, Pink, Gold, Silver | Black, Blue, Red |
| Models | - | SM-A013F, SM-A013F/DS, SM-A013G, SM-A013G/DS, SM-A013M |
| Price | About 40 EUR | About 150 EUR |
| SAR EU | - | 0.64 W/kg (head) 1.18 W/kg (body) |
Energizer E242s
- Potentially larger battery capacity for extended use.
- Energizer brand recognition for durability (though not necessarily reflected in this model).
- May be available at a slightly lower price point.
- Likely less refined software experience.
- Potentially less consistent software updates.
- Unspecified display quality.
Samsung Galaxy A01 Core
- Established Samsung brand and ecosystem.
- Potentially better software optimization and updates.
- Slightly more efficient chipset manufacturing process (28nm).
- Likely smaller battery capacity.
- May be slightly more expensive.
- Still limited performance due to the MT6739 chipset.
Display Comparison
Both the Energizer E242s and Samsung Galaxy A01 Core likely feature low-resolution LCD panels, typical for this price bracket. Specifics like brightness (nits) and color accuracy are unavailable, but expect both to struggle in direct sunlight. The A01 Core’s 28nm MT6739 *may* allow for slightly more efficient display power consumption, but this is unlikely to be a significant difference. Bezels are expected to be substantial on both devices, maximizing screen real estate within their compact form factors.
Camera Comparison
Camera performance on both devices will be limited. Both likely feature a primary camera alongside basic depth or macro sensors. Given the context data, detailed analysis is difficult. However, the quality of image processing software will be a key differentiator. Samsung typically invests more in software optimization, potentially leading to slightly better image quality from the A01 Core, even with similar hardware. The presence of a 2MP macro camera on either device is largely a marketing gimmick and should not be a deciding factor.
Performance
Both devices are powered by the Mediatek MT6739, a quad-core 1.5 GHz processor. The Samsung Galaxy A01 Core’s chipset is manufactured on a 28nm process, which *could* offer marginal improvements in power efficiency compared to an unspecified process node for the Energizer E242s. However, the core architecture is identical – Cortex-A53 – meaning CPU performance will be virtually indistinguishable in everyday tasks. Both phones will struggle with demanding applications and multitasking, making them best suited for basic communication and light web browsing. RAM configurations are crucial, but unspecified; a larger RAM allocation on either device would improve multitasking.
Battery Life
The Energizer E242s likely has a larger battery capacity than the Samsung Galaxy A01 Core (specifics unavailable), potentially offering longer battery life. However, battery life is heavily influenced by software optimization and usage patterns. The 28nm process of the A01 Core’s MT6739 *might* contribute to slightly better power efficiency, offsetting the potential capacity difference. Charging wattage is also unspecified, but both are likely to support slow charging speeds.
Buying Guide
Buy the Energizer E242s if you need a secondary device for emergencies or very basic tasks, and prioritize a potentially longer-lasting battery due to its larger capacity (assuming similar software optimization). Buy the Samsung Galaxy A01 Core if you prefer a more established brand with a potentially more refined software experience, and value the slightly better ecosystem integration and software support, even if the hardware is nearly identical.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Will the Mediatek MT6739 struggle with popular apps like Facebook or WhatsApp?
While these apps will *function* on both devices, expect slow loading times, occasional lag, and a generally sluggish experience. The MT6739 is a very basic processor and is not designed for demanding applications. Limiting background app activity will help improve performance.
❓ Is the Samsung Galaxy A01 Core likely to receive Android updates?
The A01 Core originally launched with Android 10 (Go Edition). While Samsung provides updates for some of its budget devices, the A01 Core is nearing the end of its support lifecycle. Expect limited or no further major Android version updates, though security patches may continue for a short period.
❓ Can either of these phones play PUBG Mobile?
Technically, PUBG Mobile *can* be installed on both devices, but the experience will be severely compromised. Expect extremely low frame rates, significant lag, and frequent crashes. These phones lack the processing power and RAM to run PUBG Mobile smoothly, even at the lowest settings.
❓ What is Android Go Edition, and how does it affect the user experience?
Android Go Edition is a lightweight version of Android designed for devices with limited resources. It uses less storage space and data, and features optimized apps. While it improves performance on low-end hardware, it also means some features found in the standard Android version are missing.
