The sub-$200 smartphone market is fiercely competitive. The HMD Pulse+ aims to deliver essential smartphone functionality at an incredibly low price point, while the Samsung Galaxy A15 offers a more polished experience with a brighter display and faster charging. This comparison dissects the key differences to determine which device provides the best value for your money.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For most users, the Samsung Galaxy A15 is the superior choice. Its significantly brighter 808 nit display and faster 25W charging, coupled with the more powerful Mediatek Helio G99 chipset, outweigh the HMD Pulse+'s lower price. However, the Pulse+ remains a viable option for those prioritizing absolute affordability.
| 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, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40 | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41 |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE | HSPA, LTE |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2024, April 24 | 2023, December 11 |
| Status | Available. Released 2024, April 29 | Available. Released 2023, December 16 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | - | Glass front, plastic back, plastic frame |
| Dimensions | 163.2 x 75 x 8.5 mm (6.43 x 2.95 x 0.33 in) | 160.1 x 76.8 x 8.4 mm (6.30 x 3.02 x 0.33 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM | · Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 187 g (6.60 oz) | 200 g (7.05 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Resolution | 720 x 1612 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~265 ppi density) | 1080 x 2340 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~396 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.65 inches, 106.2 cm2 (~86.8% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.5 inches, 103.7 cm2 (~84.3% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD, 90Hz, 480 nits (typ), 600 nits (HBM) | Super AMOLED, 90Hz, 800 nits (HBM) |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (2x1.6 GHz Cortex-A75 & 6x1.6 GHz Cortex-A55) | Octa-core (2x2.2 GHz Cortex-A76 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55) |
| Chipset | Unisoc T606 (12 nm) | Mediatek Helio G99 (6 nm) |
| GPU | Mali-G57 MP1 | Mali-G57 MC2 |
| OS | Android 14 | Android 14, up to 4 major Android upgrades, One UI 7 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) |
| Internal | 128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM | 128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 6GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash, HDR | LED flash, panorama, HDR |
| Single | 50 MP, (wide), AF
Auxiliary lens | - |
| Triple | - | 50 MP, f/1.8, 26mm (wide), 1/2.8", 0.64µm, PDAF
5 MP, f/2.2, 17mm (ultrawide), 1/5.0", 1.12µm
2 MP (macro) |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Single | 8 MP | 13 MP, f/2.0, 26mm (wide), 1/3.06", 1.12µm |
| Video | Yes | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.0, A2DP, LE | 5.3, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | Yes | Yes (market/region dependent) |
| Positioning | GPS, GALILEO | GPS, GALILEO, GLONASS, BDS, QZSS |
| Radio | Unspecified | FM radio (market/region dependent) |
| USB | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG | USB Type-C 2.0 |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 10W wired | 25W wired |
| Type | 5000 mAh, user replaceable | 5000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Apricot Crush, Midnight Blue, Glacier Green | Brave Black, Optimistic Blue, Magical Blue, Personality Yellow |
| Models | - | SM-A155F, SM-A155F/DSN, SM-A155M, SM-A155M/DS, SM-A155P, SM-A155R |
| Price | About 90 EUR | € 168.99 / $ 125.00 / £ 113.00 |
| SAR EU | - | 0.42 W/kg (head) 1.29 W/kg (body) |
HMD Pulse+
- Extremely affordable price point
- Functional and reliable for basic tasks
- Potentially longer software support from HMD
- Significantly slower performance
- Lower display brightness and quality
- Slow 10W charging
Samsung Galaxy A15
- Brighter and more vibrant display
- Faster and more efficient processor
- 25W fast charging for quicker top-ups
- Higher price compared to HMD Pulse+
- Samsung’s One UI can be resource intensive
- May include bloatware
Display Comparison
The Samsung Galaxy A15 boasts a substantial advantage in display quality, achieving a measured peak brightness of 808 nits. This is crucial for outdoor visibility, a common pain point in this price segment. While the HMD Pulse+’s display specifications are not provided, it’s reasonable to assume it falls significantly below this level, based on its price point. The A15’s panel will offer a more vibrant and usable experience in direct sunlight. We can expect the A15 to have a 6.6-inch display, typical for this class, while the Pulse+ is likely similar in size, but with inferior brightness and color reproduction.
Camera Comparison
Without detailed camera specifications for the HMD Pulse+, it’s difficult to make a direct comparison. However, given the price difference, the Galaxy A15 likely features a more capable primary camera sensor. While both phones likely include multiple rear cameras, the A15’s image processing capabilities, backed by Samsung’s software, will likely produce more detailed and vibrant photos. The inclusion of Optical Image Stabilization (OIS) on the A15, if present (based on Samsung’s typical A-series features), would further enhance image quality, particularly in low-light conditions. We can assume the Pulse+ relies heavily on software processing to compensate for a less capable sensor.
Performance
The Mediatek Helio G99 in the Galaxy A15, fabricated on a 6nm process, represents a significant leap in efficiency and performance over the Unisoc T606 (12nm) found in the HMD Pulse+. The Helio G99’s Cortex-A76 cores, clocked at 2.2 GHz, provide a noticeable boost in CPU performance compared to the Pulse+'s 1.6 GHz Cortex-A75 cores. This translates to snappier app loading times, smoother multitasking, and a more responsive user experience. While both phones utilize an octa-core configuration, the architectural improvements and smaller node size of the Helio G99 give the A15 a clear edge. The A15 will handle demanding apps and light gaming with greater ease.
Battery Life
The Samsung Galaxy A15 delivers a compelling 15 hours and 28 minutes of active use, demonstrating excellent battery life. While the HMD Pulse+’s battery capacity isn’t specified, its less efficient Unisoc T606 chipset and slower 10W charging suggest it will require more frequent charging. The A15’s 25W wired charging capability significantly reduces downtime, allowing for a substantial charge in a short period. This is a critical advantage for users who rely heavily on their smartphones throughout the day. The A15’s efficiency allows it to extract more usage from its battery, even if the capacity is similar to the Pulse+.
Buying Guide
Buy the HMD Pulse+ if you need a functional smartphone with basic features and are operating on an extremely tight budget, prioritizing cost above all else. Buy the Samsung Galaxy A15 if you prefer a more enjoyable viewing experience with a brighter screen, faster charging speeds, and a noticeable performance boost for everyday tasks and light gaming.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Is the Mediatek Helio G99 in the Galaxy A15 capable of handling popular games like PUBG Mobile?
Yes, the Helio G99 is a capable chipset for gaming. While it won't deliver flagship-level performance, it can comfortably run PUBG Mobile at medium settings with stable frame rates. The 6nm process also helps to manage thermals during extended gaming sessions, preventing significant throttling.
❓ How long will it take to fully charge the Samsung Galaxy A15 from 0% to 100% with the 25W charger?
With the included 25W charger, the Samsung Galaxy A15 should fully charge from 0% to 100% in approximately 1 hour and 30 minutes to 2 hours, depending on usage during charging. This is a significant improvement over the much slower charging speeds of the HMD Pulse+.
❓ Does the HMD Pulse+ receive regular software updates and security patches?
HMD Global has a good track record of providing software updates and security patches for its devices, even in the budget segment. While the Pulse+ may not receive updates as frequently as higher-end Samsung phones, it's likely to receive at least a couple of years of security updates, ensuring a reasonably secure user experience.
❓ What type of storage does the Samsung Galaxy A15 use, and is it expandable?
The Samsung Galaxy A15 utilizes UFS 2.2 storage, which is faster and more efficient than the eMMC storage often found in ultra-budget phones. It also supports microSD card expansion, allowing you to increase the storage capacity to accommodate more photos, videos, and apps.
