The budget smartphone market is fiercely competitive, offering incredible value for those seeking affordability. Today, we pit two contenders against each other: the Lenovo K14 Plus and the Samsung Galaxy A03. Let's dive into a detailed comparison to see which phone reigns supreme.
🏆 Quick Verdict
The Samsung Galaxy A03 edges out the Lenovo K14 Plus thanks to its slightly more powerful chipset and generally better software support. While both are budget options, the A03 provides a smoother experience and a more recognizable brand reputation, making it the slightly better choice overall.
| 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 | LTE | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41 |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE Cat4 150/50 Mbps |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2022, February 15 | 2021, November 26 |
| Status | Available. Released 2022, March | Available. Released 2022, January 21 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front, plastic frame, plastic back | Glass front, plastic back, plastic frame |
| Dimensions | 165.1 x 75.7 x 9.1 mm (6.5 x 2.98 x 0.36 in) | 164.2 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 + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 198 g (6.98 oz) | 196 g (6.91 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Resolution | 720 x 1600 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~270 ppi density) | 720 x 1600 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~270 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.5 inches, 102.0 cm2 (~81.6% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.5 inches, 102.0 cm2 (~81.8% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD, 90Hz | PLS LCD |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core 1.8 GHz | Octa-core (2x1.6 GHz Cortex-A75 & 6x1.6 GHz Cortex-A55) |
| Chipset | Unisoc T700 | Unisoc T606 (12 nm) |
| GPU | Mali G52 | Mali-G57 MP1 |
| OS | Android 11 | Android 11, upgradable to Android 13, One UI core 5 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 64GB 4GB RAM | 32GB 2GB RAM, 32GB 3GB RAM, 32GB 4GB RAM, 64GB 4GB RAM, 64GB 3GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM |
| | UFS 2.1 | eMMC 5.1 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Dual | - | 48 MP, f/1.8, (wide), AF
Auxiliary lens |
| Features | LED flash, HDR, panorama | LED flash |
| Single | - | 5 MP, f/2.2 |
| Triple | 48 MP, f/1.8, (wide), PDAF
2 MP (macro)
Auxiliary lens | - |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Single | 8 MP, f/2.0 | 5 MP, f/2.2 |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | Yes |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.0, A2DP, LE | 5.0, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | No | No |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO | GPS |
| Radio | FM radio | Unspecified |
| USB | USB Type-C 2.0 | microUSB 2.0 |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, proximity | Accelerometer, proximity |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 10W wired | - |
| Type | Li-Po 5000 mAh | Li-Po 5000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Black, Gold | Black, Blue, Red |
| Models | - | SM-A035F, SM-A035F/DS, SM-A035M, SM-A035G |
| Price | About 200 EUR | € 119.90 / £ 88.00 / ₹ 11,990 |
| SAR EU | - | 0.20 W/kg (head) 1.35 W/kg (body) |
Lenovo K14 Plus
- Large Display
- Affordable Price
- Decent Battery Life
- Weaker Processor
- Slow Charging (10W)
- Limited Software Updates
Samsung Galaxy A03
- Better Performance
- Samsung Brand Reputation
- Slightly Better Software Support
- Slightly Higher Price
- Basic Camera
- Limited Gaming Capabilities
Display Comparison
Both phones feature large displays, likely around 6.5 inches, but the Samsung Galaxy A03 likely has slightly better color accuracy and brightness due to Samsung's display technology. Resolution is likely to be HD+ on both, so don't expect stunning visuals, but adequate for everyday use.
Camera Comparison
Camera specs are likely similar – both will probably have a primary 13MP camera and a depth sensor. Image quality will be decent in good lighting, but expect noise and limited detail in low-light conditions. Samsung's image processing might give it a slight edge.
Performance
The Samsung Galaxy A03's Unisoc T606 chipset, particularly its Cortex-A75 cores, offers a noticeable performance advantage over the Lenovo K14 Plus's Unisoc T700. Expect smoother multitasking and app loading on the A03. Gaming performance will be limited on both, but the A03 will handle it marginally better.
Battery Life
Both phones likely have a 5000mAh battery, offering all-day battery life with moderate usage. However, the Samsung Galaxy A03's more efficient chipset could translate to slightly better battery endurance.
Buying Guide
The Lenovo K14 Plus is ideal for users prioritizing a large display and basic functionality on an extremely tight budget. The Samsung Galaxy A03 is a better fit for those who want a more reliable experience, slightly better performance, and the assurance of Samsung's software updates, even if it means a slightly higher price.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Which phone has better performance?
The Samsung Galaxy A03 generally offers better performance due to its Unisoc T606 chipset with Cortex-A75 cores, providing smoother multitasking and app loading.
❓ How does the charging speed compare?
The Lenovo K14 Plus has significantly slower charging (10W) compared to the Samsung Galaxy A03, which likely supports a slightly faster charging standard, although it's still relatively slow for modern smartphones.
