The sub-$150 smartphone market is fiercely competitive. The Lava Blaze 2 Pro and Samsung Galaxy A15 both aim to deliver essential features at an accessible price point, but they take different approaches. The Blaze 2 Pro focuses on a streamlined experience, while the Galaxy A15 leverages Samsung’s brand recognition and a more efficient chipset.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For most users, the Samsung Galaxy A15 is the better choice. Its Mediatek Helio G99 chipset, coupled with a significantly longer battery life of 15:28 hours in active use, provides a smoother and more reliable experience than the Lava Blaze 2 Pro’s Unisoc Tiger T616. While the Blaze 2 Pro is a viable option, the A15 offers superior overall value.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 900 / 1800 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 3, 5, 8, 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, September 11 | 2023, December 11 |
| Status | Available. Released 2023, September 11 | Available. Released 2023, December 16 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | - | Glass front, plastic back, plastic frame |
| Dimensions | 163 x 75.2 x 8.5 mm (6.42 x 2.96 x 0.33 in) | 160.1 x 76.8 x 8.4 mm (6.30 x 3.02 x 0.33 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | · Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 190 g (6.70 oz) | 200 g (7.05 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Resolution | 720 x 1600 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~270 ppi density) | 1080 x 2340 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~396 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.5 inches, 102.0 cm2 (~83.2% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.5 inches, 103.7 cm2 (~84.3% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD, 90Hz | Super AMOLED, 90Hz, 800 nits (HBM) |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (2x2.0 GHz Cortex-A75 & 6x1.8 GHz Cortex-A55) | Octa-core (2x2.2 GHz Cortex-A76 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55) |
| Chipset | Unisoc Tiger T616 (12 nm) | Mediatek Helio G99 (6 nm) |
| GPU | Mali-G57 MP1 | Mali-G57 MC2 |
| OS | Android 12 | Android 14, up to 4 major Android upgrades, One UI 7 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) |
| Internal | 128GB 8GB RAM | 128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 6GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash | LED flash, panorama, HDR |
| Triple | 50 MP, (wide), AF
2 MP
2 MP | 50 MP, f/1.8, 26mm (wide), 1/2.8", 0.64µm, PDAF
5 MP, f/2.2, 17mm (ultrawide), 1/5.0", 1.12µm
2 MP (macro) |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Single | 8 MP, (wide) | 13 MP, f/2.0, 26mm (wide), 1/3.06", 1.12µm |
| Video | Yes | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.0, A2DP, LE | 5.3, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | No | Yes (market/region dependent) |
| Positioning | GPS | GPS, GALILEO, GLONASS, BDS, QZSS |
| Radio | FM radio | FM radio (market/region dependent) |
| USB | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG | USB Type-C 2.0 |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n/ac | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, proximity | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 18W wired | 25W wired |
| Type | Li-Po 5000 mAh | 5000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Thunder Black, Swag Blue, Cool Green | Brave Black, Optimistic Blue, Magical Blue, Personality Yellow |
| Models | - | SM-A155F, SM-A155F/DSN, SM-A155M, SM-A155M/DS, SM-A155P, SM-A155R |
| Price | About 110 EUR | € 168.99 / $ 125.00 / £ 113.00 |
| SAR EU | - | 0.42 W/kg (head) 1.29 W/kg (body) |
Lava Blaze 2 Pro
- Potentially lower price point
- Simple, uncluttered Android experience
- May include features not found on the A15 (dependent on specific model)
- Less powerful chipset (Unisoc Tiger T616)
- Likely shorter battery life
- Lower display brightness
Samsung Galaxy A15
- More powerful and efficient chipset (Helio G99)
- Significantly longer battery life (15:28h active use)
- Brighter display (808 nits)
- Samsung’s software support and brand reputation
- Potentially higher price
- Samsung’s One UI can be resource-intensive
Display Comparison
The Samsung Galaxy A15 boasts a significantly brighter display, reaching a measured peak brightness of 808 nits. This is crucial for outdoor use, where the Blaze 2 Pro’s display (brightness unspecified) will likely struggle. While both likely utilize LCD panels given the price point, the A15’s higher brightness translates to a more usable experience in direct sunlight. We expect both to have similar resolutions, likely 1080p+, but the A15’s brightness is a clear advantage.
Camera Comparison
Without detailed camera specs for the Lava Blaze 2 Pro, a direct comparison is limited. However, given the price bracket, both phones likely feature a primary camera as the key component. The Galaxy A15’s image processing benefits from Samsung’s established algorithms, potentially delivering more consistent and pleasing results. It’s reasonable to assume the A15 will offer better low-light performance and dynamic range. The inclusion of a 2MP macro camera on either device is largely a marketing tactic, offering minimal practical benefit due to the small sensor size and lack of optical image stabilization (OIS).
Performance
The Mediatek Helio G99 in the Galaxy A15, fabricated on a 6nm process, offers a substantial advantage over the Unisoc Tiger T616 (12nm) in the Lava Blaze 2 Pro. The G99’s Cortex-A76 cores, clocked at 2.2 GHz, outperform the Blaze 2 Pro’s Cortex-A75 cores at 2.0 GHz. This translates to faster app loading times, smoother multitasking, and improved gaming performance. The 6nm process also contributes to better thermal efficiency, reducing the likelihood of performance throttling during extended use. While both are octa-core CPUs, the architectural differences and process node give the A15 a clear edge.
Battery Life
The Samsung Galaxy A15 shines in battery life, achieving an impressive 15:28 hours of active use. While the Lava Blaze 2 Pro’s battery capacity is unknown, the A15’s efficiency, combined with its 25W wired charging, provides a significant advantage. The A15’s faster charging will reduce downtime, allowing users to quickly top up the battery when needed. The Blaze 2 Pro’s 18W charging is comparatively slower, requiring more time to reach a full charge.
Buying Guide
Buy the Lava Blaze 2 Pro if you prioritize a simple, no-frills Android experience and are comfortable with potentially slower performance in demanding tasks. Buy the Samsung Galaxy A15 if you value longer battery life, a brighter display for outdoor visibility, and the assurance of Samsung’s software support and brand reliability. The A15 is the better all-rounder for the average user.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Does the Mediatek Helio G99 in the Galaxy A15 get hot during prolonged gaming sessions?
The Helio G99 is designed for efficiency, and its 6nm process helps mitigate heat buildup. While it will warm up during extended gaming, it’s less prone to significant throttling compared to less efficient chipsets. Samsung’s thermal management also plays a role in keeping temperatures under control.
❓ Is the 18W charging on the Lava Blaze 2 Pro slow compared to the Galaxy A15’s 25W?
Yes, 18W charging is noticeably slower than 25W. While both will eventually reach 100%, the Galaxy A15 will significantly reduce charging time, allowing you to get back to using your phone much faster. Expect a substantial difference in 0-100% charge times.
❓ How does the software experience differ between the Lava Blaze 2 Pro and the Samsung Galaxy A15?
The Lava Blaze 2 Pro likely runs a near-stock version of Android, offering a cleaner and more streamlined experience. The Samsung Galaxy A15 features Samsung’s One UI, which includes additional features and customization options, but can also be more resource-intensive and include pre-installed apps (bloatware).
❓ Will the Lava Blaze 2 Pro receive regular software updates?
Lava’s update track record is less established than Samsung’s. The Galaxy A15 is more likely to receive consistent security patches and potentially even Android version updates for a longer period, providing a more secure and up-to-date user experience.
