The HTC A103 Plus and Samsung Galaxy A13 (SM-A137) represent two approaches to the ultra-budget smartphone market. The A103 Plus aims for simplicity and affordability, while the A13 attempts to deliver a more modern experience with a slightly higher price point. This comparison dissects their core components to determine which device offers the best value for your money.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For most users, the Samsung Galaxy A13 emerges as the better choice. Its Mediatek Helio G80 chipset provides a noticeable performance uplift over the HTC A103 Plus’s MT8768A, translating to smoother multitasking and a more responsive user experience. While the A103 Plus is cheaper, the A13’s extra performance justifies the price difference.
| 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, 38, 40, 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, July 19 | 2022, June |
| Status | Available. Released 2023, August | Available. Released 2022, July |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | - | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 5), plastic frame, plastic back |
| Dimensions | 239.2 x 157.9 x 7.9 mm (9.42 x 6.22 x 0.31 in) | 165.1 x 76.4 x 8.8 mm (6.5 x 3.01 x 0.35 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | · Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 430 g (15.17 oz) | 195 g (6.88 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | - | Corning Gorilla Glass 5 |
| Resolution | 1200 x 1920 pixels, 16:10 ratio (~224 ppi density) | 1080 x 2408 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~400 ppi density) |
| Size | 10.1 inches, 295.8 cm2 (~78.3% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.6 inches, 104.9 cm2 (~83.2% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD | PLS LCD |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (4x2.0 GHz Cortex-A53 & 4x1.5 GHz Cortex-A53) | Octa-core (2x2.0 GHz Cortex-A75 & 6x1.8 GHz Cortex-A55) |
| Chipset | Mediatek MT8768A (12 nm) | Mediatek MT6769V/CU Helio G80 (12 nm) |
| GPU | PowerVR GE8320 | Mali-G52 MC2 |
| OS | Android 13 | Android 12, upgradable to Android 14, One UI 6.1 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 64GB 4GB RAM | 32GB 3GB RAM, 32GB 4GB RAM, 64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM |
| | - | eMMC 5.1 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash | LED flash, panorama, HDR |
| Quad | - | 50 MP, f/1.8, (wide), PDAF
5 MP, f/2.2, 123˚ (ultrawide), 1/5.0", 1.12µm
2 MP (macro)
Auxiliary lens |
| Single | 5 MP, f/2.2, AF | 8 MP, f/2.2, (wide) |
| Video | 1080p | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Single | 5 MP | 8 MP, f/2.2, (wide) |
| Video | 1080p | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | - | Yes |
| 35mm jack | No | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.0, A2DP, LE | 5.2, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | No | Yes |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS |
| Radio | No | No |
| USB | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG |
| 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, gyro, proximity | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, compass |
| | - | Virtual proximity sensing |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 10W wired | 15W wired |
| Type | Li-Po 6000 mAh | Li-Po 5000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Gray | Black, White, Blue |
| Models | - | SM-A137F, SM-A137F/DSN, SM-A137F/DS |
| Price | About 190 EUR | About 180 EUR |
| SAR EU | - | 0.35 W/kg (head) 1.22 W/kg (body) |
HTC A103 Plus
- Lower price point makes it highly accessible.
- Simple and straightforward user experience.
- Potentially longer battery life if it has a larger capacity (unconfirmed).
- Significantly weaker performance compared to the A13.
- Slower charging speed.
- Likely limited software support and updates.
Samsung Galaxy A13 (SM-A137)
- Faster and more responsive performance thanks to the Helio G80.
- Faster 15W charging.
- More modern feature set and potentially better software support.
- Slightly higher price.
- May not offer significantly better camera quality.
- Still an entry-level device with limitations.
Display Comparison
Neither device boasts a standout display. Both utilize 12nm chipsets, suggesting a focus on cost reduction over premium display features. While specific display specs (resolution, panel type) are missing for the A103 Plus, it’s likely a basic IPS LCD. The A13, similarly, is expected to have a standard LCD panel. The real difference lies in the processing power driving the display; the A13’s Helio G80 will likely handle UI animations and scrolling more smoothly, even on a comparable panel.
Camera Comparison
Without detailed camera specifications, a direct comparison is difficult. However, both phones likely feature basic camera setups geared towards casual photography. The A13’s chipset likely offers slightly better image signal processing (ISP) capabilities, potentially resulting in more detailed and vibrant photos. The presence of a 2MP macro camera on the A13 is largely a marketing gimmick; its image quality will be limited. The A103 Plus’s camera performance will likely be adequate for basic snapshots in good lighting conditions.
Performance
The Samsung Galaxy A13’s Mediatek Helio G80 (MT6769V/CU) is the clear winner in the performance department. Its CPU configuration – 2x2.0 GHz Cortex-A75 & 6x1.8 GHz Cortex-A55 – is a significant upgrade over the HTC A103 Plus’s Mediatek MT8768A, which uses 4x2.0 GHz Cortex-A53 & 4x1.5 GHz Cortex-A53 cores. The Cortex-A75 cores in the A13 offer substantially higher single-core performance, crucial for app launch times and general responsiveness. The A13’s GPU will also provide a better gaming experience, even if limited to lower settings. The A103 Plus will struggle with demanding applications and multitasking.
Battery Life
The battery capacity for both devices is not provided. However, the Samsung Galaxy A13’s 15W wired charging is a notable advantage over the HTC A103 Plus’s 10W charging. This means the A13 will recharge significantly faster, reducing downtime. Even if the A103 Plus has a slightly larger battery, the A13’s faster charging will likely result in a more convenient user experience. The Helio G80’s efficiency, while not class-leading, is also likely to contribute to reasonable battery life on the A13.
Buying Guide
Buy the HTC A103 Plus if you prioritize absolute affordability and need a basic smartphone for calls, texts, and light web browsing. It’s a suitable option for first-time smartphone users or those on a very tight budget. Buy the Samsung Galaxy A13 (SM-A137) if you value a more fluid user experience, occasional gaming, and a slightly more modern feature set. The A13 is ideal for users who want a phone that can handle everyday tasks without significant lag.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Will the Samsung Galaxy A13 struggle with popular games like PUBG Mobile?
While the Helio G80 isn't a gaming powerhouse, the Galaxy A13 can run PUBG Mobile at lower settings (balanced graphics, medium frame rate). Expect some occasional frame drops during intense action, but it's playable. The HTC A103 Plus will likely struggle to provide a smooth gaming experience.
❓ How long will software updates be supported on the HTC A103 Plus?
HTC's software update track record for budget devices is limited. Expect minimal updates beyond the initial Android version. The Samsung Galaxy A13, benefiting from Samsung's broader software support, is likely to receive at least one major Android update and several security patches.
❓ Is the 10W charging on the HTC A103 Plus noticeably slow?
Yes, 10W charging is significantly slower than the 15W charging on the A13. Expect a full charge to take considerably longer, potentially over 3 hours. This can be inconvenient for users who need to quickly top up their battery.
