Motorola Moto E (2nd Gen) vs Samsung Galaxy A03 Core: The Ultimate Budget Battle

Looking for an affordable smartphone that doesn't completely break the bank? The Motorola Moto E (2nd Gen) and the Samsung Galaxy A03 Core are both contenders in the budget phone arena. But which one offers the best value for your money? Let's dive into a detailed comparison.

Phones Images

🏆 Quick Verdict

The Moto E (2nd Gen), particularly the LTE model, generally edges out the A03 Core thanks to its potentially faster processor (Snapdragon 410), wireless charging capabilities, and impressive battery life. However, the A03 Core might appeal to those prioritizing Samsung's brand and a slightly more modern design.

PHONES
Phone Names	Motorola Moto E Dual SIM (2nd gen)	Samsung Galaxy A03 Core

Network
2G bands	GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 - all versions	GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
3G bands	HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 - XT1506, XT1521	HSDPA 850 / 900 / 2100
4G bands	1, 3, 7, 28, 40 - XT1521	1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41
Speed	HSPA, LTE	HSPA 21.1/5.76 Mbps, LTE
Technology	GSM / HSPA / LTE	GSM / HSPA / LTE

Launch
Announced	2015, March. Released 2015, March	2021, November 15
Status	Discontinued	Available. Released 2021, December 06

Body
Build	Glass front (Gorilla Glass 6), glass back (Gorilla Glass 6), aluminum frame	Plastic back, plastic frame
Dimensions	129.9 x 66.8 x 12.3 mm (5.11 x 2.63 x 0.48 in)	164.2 x 75.9 x 9.1 mm (6.46 x 2.99 x 0.36 in)
SIM	Dual SIM (Micro-SIM, dual stand-by)	· Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM
Weight	145 g (5.11 oz)	211 g (7.44 oz)

Display
Protection	Corning Gorilla Glass 3, oleophobic coating	-
Resolution	540 x 960 pixels, 16:9 ratio (~245 ppi density)	720 x 1600 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~270 ppi density)
Size	4.5 inches, 55.8 cm2 (~64.3% screen-to-body ratio)	6.5 inches, 102.0 cm2 (~81.8% screen-to-body ratio)
Type	IPS LCD	PLS LCD

Platform
CPU	Quad-core 1.2 GHz Cortex-A7 - 3G modelQuad-core 1.2 GHz Cortex-A53 - LTE model	Octa-core (4x1.6 GHz Cortex-A55 & 4x1.2 GHz Cortex-A55)
Chipset	Qualcomm Snapdragon 200 (28 nm) - 3G modelQualcomm Snapdragon 410 (28 nm) - LTE model	Unisoc SC9863A (28 nm)
GPU	Adreno 302 - 3G modelAdreno 306 - LTE model	IMG8322
OS	Android 5.0 (Lollipop)	Android 11 (Go edition)

Memory
Card slot	microSDHC (dedicated slot)	microSDXC (dedicated slot)
Internal	8GB 1GB RAM	32GB 2GB RAM
	eMMC 4.5	eMMC 5.1

Main Camera
Features	Panorama, HDR	LED flash
Single	5 MP, f/2.2, AF	8 MP, f/2.0, AF
Triple	40 MP, f/1.6, 27mm (wide), 1/1.7", PDAF, OIS 8 MP, f/2.4, 80mm (telephoto), 1/4.0", PDAF, OIS, 3x optical zoom 40 MP, f/1.8, 18mm (ultrawide), 1/1.54", PDAF TOF 3D, (depth)	-
Video	480p@30fps (3G), 720p@30fps (4G)	1080p@30fps

Selfie camera
Features	HDR, panorama	-
Single	VGA	5 MP, f/2.2

Sound
3.5mm jack	Yes	Yes
35mm jack	Yes	Yes
Loudspeaker	Yes	Yes

Comms
Bluetooth	4.0, LE, aptX	4.2, A2DP
Infrared port	Yes	-
NFC	No	No
Positioning	GPS, GLONASS	GPS, GLONASS
Radio	FM radio, RDS	Unspecified
USB	microUSB 2.0, OTG	microUSB 2.0, OTG
WLAN	Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, hotspot	Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, Wi-Fi Direct

Features
Sensors	Accelerometer, proximity	Accelerometer, proximity

Battery
Charging	40W wired 27W wireless Reverse wireless	-
Type	Li-Ion 2390 mAh, non-removable	Li-Ion 5000 mAh

Misc
Colors	Black, White	Black, Blue
Models	XT1521, XT1506	SM-A032F, SM-A032F/DS, SM-A032M
Price	About 100 EUR	£ 74.99
SAR	-	0.30 W/kg (head)
SAR EU	-	0.24 W/kg (head) 1.39 W/kg (body)

Tests
Battery life	Endurance rating 103h	-
Camera	Photo / Video	-
Display	Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal)	-
Loudspeaker	-29.3 LUFS (Average)	-
Performance	AnTuTu: 378950 (v7), 484529 (v8) GeekBench: 11936 (v4.4), 3038 (v5.1) GFXBench: 34fps (ES 3.1 onscreen)	-

Motorola Moto E Dual SIM (2nd gen)

Excellent battery life
Wireless charging (LTE model)
Potentially faster processor (LTE model)
Dual SIM support

Basic display
Camera quality likely average
Design may feel dated

Samsung Galaxy A03 Core

Samsung brand recognition
Simple user interface
Compact design (likely)
Affordable price

Less powerful processor
No wireless charging
Camera likely average
Potentially shorter battery life

Display Comparison

Both phones feature basic LCD displays, likely around 6.5 inches. The Moto E (2nd Gen) boasts a 'contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal)' which is likely a marketing term and doesn't translate to a significantly better display in practical use. Expect similar viewing experiences with adequate brightness and color accuracy for everyday use.

Camera Comparison

Camera specs are not fully detailed for either phone. Both likely feature basic camera setups suitable for casual snapshots. Image quality will depend heavily on software processing and lighting conditions. The Moto E might have a slight edge due to Motorola's generally decent camera software.

Performance

The Moto E (2nd Gen) has a slight advantage here. The LTE model with the Snapdragon 410 offers a more capable CPU than the Unisoc SC9863A in the A03 Core. While both are entry-level chips, the Snapdragon generally performs better in real-world scenarios. Expect smoother multitasking and app loading on the Moto E.

Battery Life

The Moto E (2nd Gen) shines in battery life, boasting an endurance rating of 103h. This suggests exceptional longevity. The A03 Core's battery capacity is likely around 5000mAh, but the less efficient processor could result in shorter battery life compared to the Moto E.

Buying Guide

The Motorola Moto E (2nd Gen) is ideal for users prioritizing battery life, wireless charging, and a slightly more powerful processor for basic tasks. The Samsung Galaxy A03 Core is a good choice for those who prefer the Samsung ecosystem, a simple user experience, and a more compact design, even if it means sacrificing some performance.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Which phone is better for gaming?

The Motorola Moto E (2nd Gen) LTE model is slightly better suited for basic gaming due to its more powerful processor, but neither phone is designed for demanding games.

❓ Does the Samsung Galaxy A03 Core have 5G?

No, the Samsung Galaxy A03 Core is a 4G LTE device.