The Honor 8A Prime and Samsung Galaxy A03 Core represent the extreme end of the smartphone spectrum – devices designed for first-time smartphone owners or those seeking a supremely affordable secondary device. Both aim to deliver basic functionality at a minimal cost, but they take drastically different approaches under the hood, particularly in their choice of system-on-chip (SoC). This comparison dissects those differences to determine which phone offers the best value.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average user prioritizing responsiveness and overall efficiency, the Honor 8A Prime emerges as the better choice. Its Mediatek Helio P35, built on a 12nm process, provides a noticeable performance advantage over the Samsung Galaxy A03 Core’s older, less efficient Unisoc SC9863A, despite the A03 Core’s newer Cortex-A55 cores.
| 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 | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41 |
| Speed | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE Cat4 150/50 Mbps | HSPA 21.1/5.76 Mbps, LTE |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2020, March 30. Released 2020, March 30 | 2021, November 15 |
| Status | Discontinued | Available. Released 2021, December 06 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | - | Plastic back, plastic frame |
| Dimensions | 156.3 x 73.5 x 8.2 mm (6.15 x 2.89 x 0.32 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 + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 150 g (5.29 oz) | 211 g (7.44 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Resolution | 720 x 1560 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~282 ppi density) | 720 x 1600 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~270 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.09 inches, 91.0 cm2 (~79.2% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.5 inches, 102.0 cm2 (~81.8% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD | PLS LCD |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (4x2.3 GHz Cortex-A53 & 4x1.8 GHz Cortex-A53) | Octa-core (4x1.6 GHz Cortex-A55 & 4x1.2 GHz Cortex-A55) |
| Chipset | Mediatek MT6765 Helio P35 (12 nm) | Unisoc SC9863A (28 nm) |
| GPU | PowerVR GE8320 | IMG8322 |
| OS | Android 9.0 (Pie), EMUI 9 | Android 11 (Go edition) |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 64GB 3GB RAM | 32GB 2GB RAM |
| | eMMC 5.1 | eMMC 5.1 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash, HDR, panorama | LED flash |
| Single | 13 MP, f/1.8, PDAF | 8 MP, f/2.0, AF |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | HDR | - |
| Single | 8 MP, f/2.0 | 5 MP, f/2.2 |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | - |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 4.2, A2DP, LE | 4.2, A2DP |
| NFC | Yes | No |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, BDS | GPS, GLONASS |
| Radio | FM radio | Unspecified |
| USB | microUSB 2.0 | microUSB 2.0, OTG |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, Wi-Fi Direct | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, proximity | Accelerometer, proximity |
| Battery |
|---|
| Type | Li-Po 3020 mAh | Li-Ion 5000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Black, Blue, Green | Black, Blue |
| Models | JAT-LX1 | SM-A032F, SM-A032F/DS, SM-A032M |
| Price | About 110 EUR | £ 74.99 |
| SAR | - | 0.30 W/kg (head) |
| SAR EU | - | 0.24 W/kg (head) 1.39 W/kg (body) |
Honor 8A Prime
- More efficient processor (12nm)
- Higher CPU clock speeds
- Potentially smoother multitasking
- Likely better sustained performance
- Older CPU architecture (Cortex-A53)
- Limited details on display quality
Samsung Galaxy A03 Core
- Newer CPU architecture (Cortex-A55)
- Potentially lower cost
- Simple and straightforward operation
- Less efficient processor (28nm)
- Lower CPU clock speeds
- Likely slower performance
- Higher power consumption
Display Comparison
Neither device is expected to deliver a stunning visual experience. Details regarding display quality (brightness, color accuracy) are unavailable, but the focus here is on the underlying processing power. The difference in chipsets will likely be more noticeable than any minor display variations. Both are likely to feature LCD panels, common in this price bracket.
Camera Comparison
Camera performance is unlikely to be a differentiating factor for either device. Both are expected to feature basic camera setups, and detailed sensor information is lacking. The focus in this segment is on computational photography, which is heavily reliant on processing power. Given the Helio P35’s advantage, the 8A Prime may exhibit slightly faster image processing and potentially better low-light performance, but expectations should remain low. The presence of a 2MP macro lens on either device is largely a marketing gimmick and won't significantly impact image quality.
Performance
The core difference lies in the chipsets. The Honor 8A Prime’s Mediatek Helio P35 (12nm) utilizes a combination of Cortex-A53 cores clocked up to 2.3 GHz. This older architecture is offset by the more efficient 12nm manufacturing process. Conversely, the Samsung Galaxy A03 Core employs the Unisoc SC9863A (28nm), featuring Cortex-A55 cores clocked lower at 1.6 GHz and 1.2 GHz. While the A55 cores are architecturally more advanced, the significantly larger 28nm process node results in higher power consumption and lower performance per watt. This means the 8A Prime will likely handle multitasking and app launches more smoothly, and sustain performance for longer periods. The 8A Prime's CPU clock speeds are also considerably higher, offering a theoretical performance boost.
Battery Life
Battery capacity details are unavailable for both devices. However, the Unisoc SC9863A’s 28nm process will likely result in higher power draw, potentially negating any advantage the A03 Core might have in battery capacity. The Helio P35’s efficiency could translate to longer battery life despite a potentially smaller battery size. Charging speeds are also unknown, but given the price point, neither device is expected to support fast charging.
Buying Guide
Buy the Honor 8A Prime if you need a phone that feels reasonably snappy for everyday tasks like browsing, social media, and light messaging. Its more modern chipset architecture translates to a smoother user experience. Buy the Samsung Galaxy A03 Core if your primary concern is absolute minimal cost and you anticipate extremely light usage – primarily calls and basic text messaging – and are willing to accept slower performance and potentially longer app loading times.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Will the Unisoc SC9863A struggle with popular apps like WhatsApp or Facebook?
The Unisoc SC9863A, while capable of running these apps, will likely exhibit noticeable lag and slower loading times, especially with multiple apps open simultaneously. The Honor 8A Prime’s Helio P35 will provide a smoother experience for these common applications.
❓ Is the Honor 8A Prime a good choice for playing mobile games?
Neither device is ideal for gaming. However, the Honor 8A Prime’s Helio P35 will offer a slightly better gaming experience than the A03 Core, allowing for playable frame rates in less demanding titles. Expect to play at low settings and potentially experience frame drops in more graphically intensive games.
❓ Does the Samsung Galaxy A03 Core support Android updates?
Samsung typically provides limited software support for its entry-level devices. The A03 Core may receive one major Android update, but long-term support is unlikely. The Honor 8A Prime's update path is also uncertain, but both devices are likely to become outdated relatively quickly.
❓ Which phone is better for someone completely new to smartphones?
Both phones are simple to use, but the Honor 8A Prime’s slightly more responsive interface might be less frustrating for a first-time user. The A03 Core’s slower performance could lead to a less intuitive experience.
