The sub-$150 smartphone market is fiercely competitive, and the Infinix Smart 5 and Samsung Galaxy A02 represent two of the most popular options. Both aim to deliver essential smartphone functionality at an incredibly low price point, but they achieve this with different hardware choices. This comparison dissects those choices, revealing which device offers the best experience for the money.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average user prioritizing responsiveness and future-proofing, the Infinix Smart 5 emerges as the better choice. Its newer Mediatek Helio A20 chipset, built on a more efficient 12nm process, provides a noticeable performance advantage over the Samsung Galaxy A02’s older 28nm MT6739W, despite similar core counts.
| 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 21.1/5.76 Mbps, LTE Cat4 150/50 Mbps | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE Cat4 150/50 Mbps |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2020, August 13. Released 2020, August 20 | 2021, January 27 |
| Status | Discontinued | Available. Released 2021, January 27 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front, plastic back, plastic frame | Glass front, plastic back, plastic frame |
| Dimensions | 165.4 x 76.4 x 8.8 mm (6.51 x 3.01 x 0.35 in) | 164 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 | 183 g (6.46 oz) | 206 g (7.27 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Resolution | 720 x 1600 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~266 ppi density) | 720 x 1600 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~270 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.6 inches, 105.2 cm2 (~83.2% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.5 inches, 102.0 cm2 (~81.9% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD | PLS LCD |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Quad-core 1.8 GHz Cortex-A53 | Quad-core 1.5 GHz Cortex-A53 |
| Chipset | Mediatek MT6761D Helio A20 (12 nm) | Mediatek MT6739W (28 nm) |
| GPU | PowerVR GE8320 | PowerVR GE8100 |
| OS | Android 10 (Go edition) | Android 10, upgradable to Android 11, One UI Core 3.1 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 32GB 2GB RAM, 64GB 3GB RAM | 32GB 2GB RAM, 32GB 3GB RAM, 32GB 4GB RAM, 64GB 3GB RAM |
| | eMMC 5.1 | eMMC 5.1 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Dual | - | 13 MP, f/1.9, (wide), AF
2 MP (macro) |
| Features | Triple-LED flash | LED flash |
| Triple | 13 MP + Auxiliary lenses (X657 model)
or
8 MP + Auxiliary lens (X657C model) | - |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | Dual-LED flash | - |
| Single | 8 MP | 5 MP, f/2.0 |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | - |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 4.2, A2DP | 5.1, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | No | No |
| Positioning | GPS | GPS, GLONASS |
| Radio | FM radio | FM radio |
| USB | microUSB 2.0 | microUSB 2.0 |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity | Accelerometer |
| | - | Virtual proximity sensing |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 10W wired | - |
| Type | 5000 mAh | Li-Po 5000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Ocean Wave, Quetzal Cyan, Midnight Black | Black, Blue |
| Models | X657, X657C, MZ-Infinix X657C, MZ-Infinix X657B | SM-A022F, SM-A022F/DS, SM-A022M, SM-A022M/DS, SM-A022G, SM-A022G/DS |
| Price | About 70 EUR | € 97.46 |
| SAR EU | - | 0.65 W/kg (head) 1.71 W/kg (body) |
| Pricing |
|---|
| 32GB 2GB RAM | Rp 1,600,000 | $ 149.99 |
| 32GB 3GB RAM | - | $ 129.99 |
| 64GB 3GB RAM | Rp 1,525,000 | $ 199.99 |
| RENEWED | - | £ 113.00 |
Infinix Smart 5
- More powerful and efficient processor (Helio A20)
- Better multitasking performance
- Potentially longer battery life due to chipset efficiency
- Brand recognition is lower than Samsung
- Display specifications are unknown
Samsung Galaxy A02
- Strong brand recognition (Samsung)
- Potentially lower price in some regions
- Wider availability in certain markets
- Older, less efficient processor (MT6739W)
- Slower performance and potential for lag
- Less future-proof
Display Comparison
Neither the Infinix Smart 5 nor the Samsung Galaxy A02 boast impressive displays. Both are likely utilizing basic IPS LCD panels, and detailed specifications like brightness and color accuracy are unavailable. However, the focus here isn't display quality, but rather the impact of the underlying hardware. The display serves as a window to the performance, and the Smart 5’s superior processor will translate to smoother scrolling and app loading, even on a similar-quality panel.
Camera Comparison
Both phones feature basic camera setups, and detailed image quality analysis is limited by the available data. Both likely feature a primary camera and a depth sensor, with the A02 offering a 64GB variant with a 3GB RAM option. The inclusion of a 2MP macro camera on the A02 is largely inconsequential; its low resolution provides minimal detail. The focus should be on the primary sensor, and while specific megapixel counts aren’t provided, the Smart 5’s more powerful processor will likely contribute to faster image processing and potentially better low-light performance.
Performance
The core difference lies in the chipsets. The Infinix Smart 5’s Mediatek Helio A20 (MT6761D), fabricated on a 12nm process, is a significant upgrade over the Samsung Galaxy A02’s Mediatek MT6739W (28nm). While both are quad-core Cortex-A53 designs, the smaller node size of the Helio A20 translates to improved power efficiency and, crucially, higher clock speeds (1.8 GHz vs 1.5 GHz). This means the Smart 5 will handle multitasking and app launches with less lag. The 28nm process of the MT6739W is older and less efficient, leading to potentially more heat and throttling under sustained load.
Battery Life
Both devices feature modest battery capacities, and neither supports fast charging. The Infinix Smart 5 includes 10W wired charging. The A02’s battery capacity is not specified, but given the segment, it’s likely comparable. The Helio A20’s improved power efficiency in the Smart 5 will contribute to longer battery life during typical usage, offsetting any potential capacity differences. The lack of fast charging means a full charge will take several hours on both devices.
Buying Guide
Buy the Infinix Smart 5 if you need a phone that feels reasonably snappy for everyday tasks like WhatsApp, browsing, and light social media. Its more modern chipset offers a better user experience, especially with the 3GB RAM variant. Buy the Samsung Galaxy A02 if brand recognition and a slightly wider availability are paramount, and your usage is extremely light – primarily calls and basic messaging. The A02’s price can be lower depending on region, making it a viable option for the most budget-conscious buyers.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Will the Mediatek MT6739W in the Galaxy A02 struggle with popular apps like Facebook or WhatsApp?
The MT6739W is a relatively old processor, and while it can handle basic apps like Facebook and WhatsApp, you may experience noticeable lag when switching between apps or loading complex content. The Infinix Smart 5’s Helio A20 will provide a smoother experience with these apps.
❓ Is the 3GB RAM option on either phone worth the extra cost?
Yes, absolutely. For both the Infinix Smart 5 and the Samsung Galaxy A02, opting for the 3GB RAM variant is highly recommended. It significantly improves multitasking capabilities and prevents apps from constantly reloading in the background, leading to a much more fluid user experience.
❓ Can either of these phones play PUBG Mobile, and if so, at what settings?
While technically possible to launch PUBG Mobile on both devices, the experience will be far from ideal. Expect very low frame rates and significant lag, even on the lowest settings. These phones are not designed for demanding games like PUBG.
❓ What type of storage does each phone use, and is it expandable?
Both phones utilize eMMC storage, which is slower than the UFS storage found in more expensive devices. Both the Infinix Smart 5 and Samsung Galaxy A02 support microSD card expansion, allowing you to increase storage capacity.
