The sub-$150 smartphone market is fiercely competitive. The Infinix Smart 9 and Samsung Galaxy A05s represent two compelling options, each prioritizing different strengths. The Smart 9 aims for processing power with its Helio G81, while the A05s focuses on longevity with a larger battery and faster charging. This comparison dissects their key differences to help you choose the right device for your needs.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average user prioritizing battery life and a reliably bright display, the Samsung Galaxy A05s is the better choice. Its 11:32h active use score and 468 nits brightness provide a smoother, longer-lasting experience. However, users who need more processing power for gaming or multitasking will find the Infinix Smart 9’s Helio G81 a more capable performer.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 20, 25, 26, 28, 38, 41, 40, 66 | 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, September 23 | 2023, September 25 |
| Status | Available. Released 2024, October | Available. Released 2023, October 18 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front, plastic back, plastic frame | Glass front, plastic back, plastic frame |
| Dimensions | 165.7 x 77.1 x 8.4 mm (6.52 x 3.04 x 0.33 in) | 168 x 77.8 x 8.8 mm (6.61 x 3.06 x 0.35 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | · Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 188 g (6.63 oz) | 194 g (6.84 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Resolution | 720 x 1600 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~262 ppi density) | 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~393 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.7 inches, 108.4 cm2 (~84.8% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.7 inches, 108.4 cm2 (~82.9% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD, 120Hz, 500 nits (peak) | PLS LCD, 90Hz |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (2x2.0 GHz Cortex-A75 & 6x1.7 GHz Cortex-A55) | Octa-core (4x2.4 GHz Kryo 265 Gold & 4x1.9 GHz Kryo 265 Silver) |
| Chipset | Mediatek Helio G81 | Qualcomm SM6225 Snapdragon 680 4G (6 nm) |
| GPU | Mali-G52 MC2 | Adreno 610 |
| OS | Android 14 (Go edition), XOS 14 | Android 13, up to 2 major Android upgrades, One UI 7 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 64GB 3GB RAM, 64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 3GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM | 64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash, HDR, panorama | LED flash |
| Single | 13 MP, f/1.9, 27mm (wide), 1/3.07", 1.12µm, AF
Auxiliary lens | - |
| Triple | - | 50 MP, f/1.8, (wide), 1/2.8", 0.64µm, AF
2 MP (macro)
Auxiliary lens |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30/60fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Single | 8 MP, f/2.0, 26mm (wide), 1/3.96", 1.12µm | 13 MP, f/2.0, (wide), 1/3.X", 1.12µm |
| Video | Yes | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes, with stereo speakers | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | Yes | 5.1, A2DP, LE |
| Infrared port | Yes | - |
| NFC | No | Yes (market/region dependent) |
| Positioning | GPS | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS, QZSS |
| Radio | FM radio | Unspecified |
| USB | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG | USB Type-C 2.0 |
| 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 | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, proximity |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 10W wired
Reverse wired | 25W wired |
| Type | 5000 mAh | Li-Po 5000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Metallic Black, Neo Titanium, Mint Green, Sandstone Gold | Black, Silver, Light Green, Violet |
| Models | X6532 | SM-A057F, SM-A057F/DS, SM-A057M, SM-A057M/DS, SM-A057G/DSN, SM-A057G |
| Price | About 70 EUR | $ 134.00 / C$ 146.99 / £ 83.94 / € 100.99 |
| SAR EU | - | 0.58 W/kg (head) 1.31 W/kg (body) |
Infinix Smart 9
- More powerful processor (Helio G81)
- Reverse wired charging capability
- Potentially lower price point
- Slower 10W charging
- Likely lower display brightness
- Unknown battery capacity
Samsung Galaxy A05s
- Excellent battery life (11:32h active use)
- Faster 25W charging
- Brighter display (468 nits)
- Less powerful processor (Snapdragon 680)
- Basic camera system
- Potentially higher price
Display Comparison
The Samsung Galaxy A05s boasts a significantly brighter display, reaching 468 nits, compared to an assumed lower brightness on the Infinix Smart 9 (typical for this price point). This translates to better visibility outdoors. While the Smart 9’s panel specifications are unknown, the A05s’ 1418:1 contrast ratio indicates a more vibrant and punchy image. The lack of information on the Smart 9’s panel type suggests it likely uses a standard IPS LCD, while the A05s’ contrast ratio hints at potential panel optimizations.
Camera Comparison
Both phones likely feature basic camera setups geared towards casual photography. The context data only mentions 'Photo / Video' for the A05s, suggesting a focus on simplicity. The Smart 9’s camera specifications are absent, implying a similar entry-level configuration. Without sensor size or aperture information, it’s difficult to make a definitive judgment. However, given Samsung’s image processing expertise, the A05s is likely to produce more consistently pleasing images, even with similar hardware. The absence of details on either phone suggests minimal emphasis on advanced camera features.
Performance
The Qualcomm Snapdragon 680 in the Galaxy A05s, built on a 6nm process, offers a clear architectural advantage over the MediaTek Helio G81 (likely 12nm) in the Infinix Smart 9. The Snapdragon 680’s Kryo 265 Gold cores, clocked at 2.4 GHz, provide a performance edge over the Helio G81’s 2.0 GHz Cortex-A75 cores. While both are octa-core CPUs, the Snapdragon’s more efficient process node translates to better thermal management and sustained performance under load. This means the A05s is likely to experience less throttling during extended gaming sessions, despite the Smart 9’s potentially higher clock speeds on its prime cores.
Battery Life
The Samsung Galaxy A05s clearly wins in battery performance, achieving an impressive 11:32h active use score. This is significantly better than what is typically seen with phones in this price range. While the Infinix Smart 9’s battery capacity is unknown, its 10W charging is a major disadvantage compared to the A05s’ 25W wired charging. The faster charging on the A05s allows for a quicker top-up, minimizing downtime. The A05s’ battery efficiency, combined with the Snapdragon 680’s 6nm process, contributes to its superior battery life.
Buying Guide
Buy the Infinix Smart 9 if you need a phone capable of handling moderate gaming and multitasking without significant slowdowns, and are willing to compromise on battery life and charging speed. Buy the Samsung Galaxy A05s if you prioritize all-day battery life, a brighter and more visible display in sunlight, and faster charging capabilities, even if it means slightly less processing power.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Will the Snapdragon 680 in the Galaxy A05s struggle with demanding games like PUBG Mobile?
While not a gaming powerhouse, the Snapdragon 680 is capable of running PUBG Mobile at medium settings with reasonable frame rates. The 6nm process helps mitigate throttling, but expect some performance dips during extended gaming sessions. The Infinix Smart 9’s Helio G81 might offer slightly better peak performance, but potentially at the cost of thermal stability.
❓ How long will it take to fully charge the Infinix Smart 9 with its 10W charging?
With 10W charging, a full charge from 0% will likely take over 3 hours, potentially closer to 4, depending on the battery capacity. This is a significant drawback compared to the Samsung Galaxy A05s’ 25W charging, which can fully charge the device in approximately 1.5 to 2 hours.
❓ Is the camera on the Samsung Galaxy A05s good enough for social media photos?
The Galaxy A05s’ camera is adequate for casual social media use in good lighting conditions. While it lacks advanced features like OIS or a high-resolution sensor, Samsung’s image processing algorithms generally produce acceptable results. Don’t expect professional-quality photos, but it’s sufficient for everyday snapshots.
❓ Does the Infinix Smart 9 support fast charging at all, or is 10W the maximum?
The provided specifications confirm that the Infinix Smart 9 supports only 10W wired charging. There is no mention of any support for faster charging protocols, meaning 10W is the maximum charging speed available.
