Motorola Moto G Play (2023) vs Samsung Galaxy A03s: The Ultimate Budget Battle
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🏆 Quick Verdict
The Samsung Galaxy A03s edges out the Moto G Play (2023) thanks to its slightly faster chipset, faster charging, and potentially better display brightness. Both offer solid battery life, but the A03s' overall package feels a bit more polished for the price.
| PHONES | ||
|---|---|---|
| Phone Names | Motorola Moto G Play (2023) | Samsung Galaxy A03s |
| 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, 14, 17, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 29, 30, 38, 39, 40, 41, 66, 71 | 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 / CDMA / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| CDMA 800 / 1900 | 2, 4, 5, 7, 12, 13, 14, 25, 26, 41, 66, 71 - SM-A037U | |
| Launch | ||
|---|---|---|
| Announced | 2022, December 08 | 2021, August 18 |
| Status | Available. Released 2022, December 12 | Available. Released 2021, August 18 |
| Body | ||
|---|---|---|
| Build | Plastic frame, plastic back | Glass front, plastic frame, plastic back |
| Dimensions | 167.2 x 76.5 x 9.4 mm (6.58 x 3.01 x 0.37 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 |
| Weight | 203 g (7.20 oz) | 196 g (6.91 oz) |
| Water-repellent coating | - | |
| 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 (~79.7% 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 (4x2.3 GHz Cortex-A53 & 4x1.8 GHz Cortex-A53) | Octa-core (4x2.35 GHz Cortex-A53 & 4x1.8 GHz Cortex-A53) |
| Chipset | Mediatek MT6765 Helio G37 (12 nm) | Mediatek MT6765 Helio P35 (12 nm) |
| GPU | PowerVR GE8320 | PowerVR GE8320 |
| OS | Android 12 | Android 11, upgradable to Android 13, One UI 5.1 Core |
| Memory | ||
|---|---|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 32GB 3GB RAM | 32GB 2GB RAM, 32GB 3GB RAM, 32GB 4GB RAM, 64GB 3GB RAM, 64GB 4GB RAM |
| eMMC 5.1 | eMMC 5.1 | |
| Main Camera | ||
|---|---|---|
| Features | LED flash, HDR, panorama | LED flash |
| Single | - | 5 MP, f/2.2 |
| Triple | 16 MP, f/2.2, (wide), 1.12µm, PDAF 2 MP (macro) Auxiliary lens | 13 MP, f/2.2, (wide), AF 2 MP (macro) Auxiliary lens |
| Video | 1080p@30/60fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera | ||
|---|---|---|
| Features | HDR | - |
| Single | 5 MP, f/2.4, (wide), 1.12µm | 5 MP, f/2.2 |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound | ||
|---|---|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms | ||
|---|---|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.0, A2DP, LE | 5.0, A2DP |
| NFC | No | Yes (market/region dependent) |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS |
| Radio | No | No |
| USB | USB Type-C 2.0 | USB Type-C 2.0 |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features | ||
|---|---|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, proximity, barometer | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, proximity |
| Battery | ||
|---|---|---|
| Charging | 10W wired | 15W wired |
| Type | Li-Po 5000 mAh | Li-Po 5000 mAh |
| Misc | ||
|---|---|---|
| Colors | Deep Indigo | Black, Blue, White |
| Models | XT2271-1, XT2271-3, XT2271-5, XT2271-4 | SM-A037F, SM-A037F/DS, SM-A037M, SM-A037G, SM-A037U, SM-S134DL, SM-A037W, SM-A037U1, SM-S135DL |
| Price | $ 54.00 / C$ 129.00 | $ 65.65 / £ 82.99 / ₹ 10,800 |
| SAR EU | - | 0.36 W/kg (head) 1.09 W/kg (body) |
| Tests | ||
|---|---|---|
| Battery life | - | Endurance rating 122h |
| Camera | - | Photo / Video |
| Display | - | Contrast ratio: 1718:1 (nominal) |
| Loudspeaker | - | -27.4 LUFS (Good) |
| Performance | - | AnTuTu: 103465 (v8), 101299 (v9) GeekBench: 889 (v5.1) GFXBench: 5.5fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) |
Motorola Moto G Play (2023)
- Clean Android experience
- Excellent battery life
- Affordable price
- Slower chipset
- Slower charging (10W)
- Potentially lower display brightness
Samsung Galaxy A03s
- Slightly faster chipset
- Faster charging (15W)
- Potentially brighter display
- Samsung's brand recognition
- Samsung's One UI can be bloated
- Camera performance may be average
- Plastic build quality
Display Comparison
Both phones feature similar display technology (likely LCD) with a high contrast ratio. However, the Galaxy A03s boasts a measured peak brightness of 488 nits, which could translate to better visibility in direct sunlight compared to the Moto G Play (2023). Screen size and resolution are likely comparable, offering a decent viewing experience for everyday use.
Camera Comparison
Camera specifications are not fully detailed, but both phones feature a multi-lens setup. Image quality will likely be similar, with both phones struggling in low-light conditions. The Galaxy A03s might offer slightly better image processing due to Samsung's software optimization.
Performance
The Galaxy A03s utilizes a Mediatek Helio P35, which offers a slight performance advantage over the Moto G Play's Helio G37. While neither chipset is a powerhouse, the A03s should handle basic tasks and light gaming more smoothly. Expect both phones to struggle with demanding games or multitasking.
Battery Life
Both phones boast impressive battery life, with the Galaxy A03s claiming an endurance rating of 122 hours. The Moto G Play (2023) is also known for its long-lasting battery. Real-world usage will likely yield a full day of power for most users.
Buying Guide
The Motorola Moto G Play (2023) is ideal for users prioritizing a clean Android experience and extended battery life on a tight budget. The Samsung Galaxy A03s is a better choice for those who value slightly better performance, faster charging, and a potentially brighter display.