The Huawei Y8s and Samsung Galaxy A30s represent compelling options in the sub-$250 smartphone market. Both aim to deliver a solid experience without breaking the bank, but they achieve this through different approaches to chipset design and feature sets. This comparison dives deep into the specifics to determine which device offers the best value for your money.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average user prioritizing consistent performance and faster charging, the Samsung Galaxy A30s emerges as the better choice. While the Huawei Y8s offers a comparable CPU core count, the Exynos 7904’s 14nm process and slightly faster Cortex-A73 cores provide a noticeable edge in real-world usage, coupled with the convenience of 15W charging.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 2100 - JKM-LX2 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 28, 38, 40, 41 - JKM-LX2 | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66 |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE | HSPA, LTE |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20 - JKM-LX1 | - |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2020, May 6. Released 2020, May 21 | 2019, August 22. Released 2019, September 11 |
| Status | Discontinued | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | - | Glass front, plastic back, plastic frame |
| Dimensions | 162.4 x 77.1 x 8.1 mm (6.39 x 3.04 x 0.32 in) | 158.5 x 74.7 x 7.8 mm (6.24 x 2.94 x 0.31 in) |
| SIM | · Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | · Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 180 g (6.35 oz) | 169 g (5.96 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | - | Asahi Dragontrail Glass |
| Resolution | 1080 x 2340 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~396 ppi density) | 720 x 1560 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~268 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.5 inches, 103.7 cm2 (~82.8% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.4 inches, 100.5 cm2 (~84.9% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD | Super AMOLED |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (4x2.2 GHz Cortex-A73 & 4x1.7 GHz Cortex-A53) | Octa-core (2x1.8 GHz Cortex-A73 & 6x1.6 GHz Cortex-A53) |
| Chipset | Kirin 710 (12 nm) | Exynos 7904 (14 nm) |
| GPU | Mali-G51 MP4 | Mali-G71 MP2 |
| OS | Android 9.0 (Pie), EMUI 9.1, Google Play Services | Android 9.0 (Pie), upgradable to Android 11, One UI 3.1 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM | 32GB 3GB RAM, 64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM |
| | - | eMMC 5.1 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Dual | 48 MP, f/1.8, (wide), 1/2.0", 0.8µm, PDAF
Auxiliary lens | - |
| Features | LED flash, HDR, panorama | LED flash, panorama, HDR |
| Single | - | 13 MP, AF |
| Triple | - | 25 MP, f/1.7, 27mm (wide), PDAF
8 MP, f/2.2, 13mm (ultrawide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm
Auxiliary lens |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Dual | 8 MP, f/2.0, (wide)
2 MP, f/2.4, (depth) | - |
| Features | HDR | - |
| Single | - | 16 MP, f/2.0, 26mm (wide), 1/3.06", 1.0µm |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 4.2, A2DP, LE | 5.0, A2DP, LE |
| Infrared port | - | Yes |
| NFC | No | Yes (market/region dependent) |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, BDS | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS |
| Radio | FM radio | FM radio |
| USB | microUSB 2.0 | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, Wi-Fi Direct | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 10W wired | 15W wired |
| Type | Li-Po 4000 mAh | Li-Po 4000 mAh, non-removable |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Emerald Green, Midnight Black | Prism Crush Black, Prism Crush White, Prism Crush Green, Prism Crush Violet2 |
| Models | JKM-LX1, JKM-LX2, JKM-LX3 | SM-A307F, SM-A307FN, SM-A307G, SM-A307GN, SM-A307GT |
| Price | About 140 EUR | About 260 EUR |
| SAR | - | 0.87 W/kg (head) 0.43 W/kg (body) |
| SAR EU | - | 1.05 W/kg (head) 1.54 W/kg (body) |
| Pricing |
|---|
| 128GB 4GB RAM | - | $ 194.02 |
| 64GB 4GB RAM | - | $ 269.99 |
| RENEWED | - | £ 120.00 |
Huawei Y8s
- Potentially cleaner software experience (region dependent)
- Higher clocked Cortex-A73 cores (potential burst performance)
- Competitive price point
- Slower 10W charging
- Less efficient chipset (12nm)
- Limited software optimization compared to Exynos
Samsung Galaxy A30s
- Faster 15W charging
- More efficient chipset (14nm)
- Wider software support and optimization
- Competitive pricing, especially the 128GB model
- Slightly lower clocked Cortex-A73 cores
- Samsung’s One UI can be resource intensive
- Potential for bloatware
Display Comparison
Neither device boasts a standout display. Both likely utilize IPS LCD panels, common in this price bracket. The focus here isn't on cutting-edge tech, but on usability. Without specific display specs (resolution, brightness), it's difficult to declare a clear winner. However, Samsung generally has a slight edge in color calibration, even on budget devices. The absence of high refresh rates is expected at this price point.
Camera Comparison
Without detailed camera specs beyond the presence of a 2MP macro lens (which is largely irrelevant), a meaningful comparison is difficult. Both phones likely feature a primary sensor around 13-16MP. The image processing algorithms will be the key differentiator. Samsung’s image processing tends to be more vibrant and saturated, while Huawei often aims for a more natural look. The Exynos 7904’s ISP (Image Signal Processor) is likely more capable, offering better dynamic range and noise reduction, but this is speculative without sample images. The 2MP macro lens on both devices is a marketing gimmick and shouldn't influence purchasing decisions.
Performance
The core difference lies in the chipsets. Huawei’s Kirin 710 (12nm) and Samsung’s Exynos 7904 (14nm) both employ an octa-core configuration with a similar big.LITTLE architecture – 4x Cortex-A73 and 4x Cortex-A53 cores, or 2x Cortex-A73 and 6x Cortex-A53 respectively. However, the Exynos 7904’s 14nm process, while larger, allows for slightly higher clock speeds on the A73 cores (1.8GHz vs 2.2GHz on the Y8s), potentially leading to better sustained performance. The Kirin 710’s higher clock speed might offer a slight burst advantage, but the Exynos’s efficiency could translate to less thermal throttling during extended tasks. The A30s also benefits from the wider availability of optimized software for Exynos chips.
Battery Life
Battery capacity isn’t specified for the Y8s, but it’s likely in the 4000-4500mAh range, similar to the A30s’s 4000mAh battery. However, the charging speeds are significantly different. The A30s supports 15W wired charging, while the Y8s is limited to 10W. This translates to a noticeably faster 0-100% charge time on the A30s. While a larger battery capacity is desirable, the faster charging speed of the A30s mitigates the impact of a slightly smaller battery, offering more convenient top-ups throughout the day.
Buying Guide
Buy the Huawei Y8s if you prioritize a potentially cleaner software experience (depending on region and EMUI version) and are comfortable with slower charging speeds. Buy the Samsung Galaxy A30s if you value a more efficient chipset, faster charging, and a wider range of readily available accessories and support, especially given the price difference between the 64GB and 128GB models.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Does the Exynos 7904 in the Galaxy A30s tend to overheat during prolonged gaming sessions?
The Exynos 7904 is generally well-behaved in terms of thermal management. While it can get warm during extended gaming, it’s unlikely to experience significant throttling due to its 14nm process and relatively modest performance demands. Expect playable frame rates in most popular titles, but don't expect flagship-level sustained performance.
❓ Is the 2MP macro camera on either phone actually useful for taking detailed close-up photos?
Unfortunately, the 2MP macro cameras on both the Y8s and A30s are largely marketing gimmicks. The low resolution and lack of autofocus result in blurry, low-quality images. They are best avoided in favor of using the main camera to take close-up shots.
❓ Can the Samsung Galaxy A30s reliably run PUBG Mobile at 60fps?
The Galaxy A30s can run PUBG Mobile, but achieving a consistent 60fps experience will depend on the graphics settings. Lowering the graphics to 'Smooth' or 'Balanced' is recommended for a more stable frame rate. Expect some occasional frame drops during intense action sequences.
❓ How does Huawei's EMUI software compare to Samsung's One UI in terms of user experience and bloatware?
EMUI and One UI are both heavily customized Android skins. Historically, EMUI has been criticized for being more aggressive with battery optimization, potentially impacting background app performance. One UI, while feature-rich, often comes pre-loaded with Samsung apps (bloatware). The level of bloatware can vary by region and carrier. Both interfaces have improved over time, but user preference will ultimately dictate which is more enjoyable.
