The Nokia 3.1 C and Samsung Galaxy A10e represent two distinct approaches to the ultra-budget smartphone market. The Nokia prioritizes a newer, if less powerful, Qualcomm chipset, while the Samsung opts for an older, but more complex, Exynos solution. This comparison dissects their key differences to determine which offers the best experience for the price-conscious consumer.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For most users, the Samsung Galaxy A10e emerges as the better choice. Its octa-core Exynos 7884 processor, featuring Cortex-A73 cores, provides a noticeable performance advantage over the Nokia 3.1 C’s quad-core Snapdragon 429, making it more capable for multitasking and demanding apps, despite the older 14nm process.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 | HSDPA 850 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 - AT&T |
| 4G bands | 2, 4, 5, 12, 14, 29, 30 | 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 12, 14, 29, 30, 66 - AT&T |
| Speed | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE Cat4 150/50 Mbps | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE Cat4 150/50 Mbps |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / LTE |
| | - | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 20, 25, 26, 28, 38, 39, 40, 41, 66, 71 - Metro PCS, T-Mobile |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2019, June. Released 2019, June | 2019, July. Released 2019, August |
| Status | Discontinued | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | - | Glass front, plastic back, plastic frame |
| Dimensions | 152.7 x 71.9 x 9.4 mm (6.01 x 2.83 x 0.37 in) | 147.3 x 69.6 x 8.4 mm (5.80 x 2.74 x 0.33 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 156 g (5.50 oz) | 141 g (4.97 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Resolution | 720 x 1440 pixels, 18:9 ratio (~295 ppi density) | 720 x 1560 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~295 ppi density) |
| Size | 5.45 inches, 76.7 cm2 (~69.8% screen-to-body ratio) | 5.83 inches, 83.4 cm2 (~81.4% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD | PLS LCD |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Quad-core 1.8 GHz Cortex-A53 | Octa-core (2x1.6 GHz Cortex-A73 & 6x1.35 GHz Cortex-A53) |
| Chipset | Qualcomm SDM429 Snapdragon 429 (12 nm) | Exynos 7884 (14 nm) |
| GPU | Adreno 504 | Mali-G71 MP2 |
| OS | Android 9.0 (Pie) | Android 9.0 (Pie), upgradable to Android 11, One UI 3.1 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 32GB 2GB RAM | 32GB 2GB RAM, 32GB 3GB RAM |
| | eMMC 5.1 | eMMC 5.1 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash, HDR, panorama | LED flash, panorama, HDR |
| Single | 8 MP, f/2.0, AF | 8 MP, f/1.9, AF
or
5 MP, AF |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | HDR | - |
| Single | 5 MP, f/2.2 | 5 MP, f/2.0
or
2 MP |
| Video | 720p@30fps | - |
| 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, BDS | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO |
| Radio | FM radio | No |
| USB | USB Type-C 2.0 | USB Type-C 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 | Accelerometer, gyro, proximity | Accelerometer, proximity |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 10W wired | - |
| Type | Li-Ion 2990 mAh, non-removable | Li-Ion 3000 mAh, non-removable |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | White | Black |
| Models | TA-1140 | SM-A102U, SM-S102DL, SM-A102U1, SM-A102W, SM-A102N |
| Price | - | About 80 EUR |
| SAR | 1.11 W/kg (head) 0.81 W/kg (body) | 0.47 W/kg (head) 0.54 W/kg (body) |
Nokia 3.1 C
- More power-efficient chipset (Snapdragon 429, 12nm)
- Clean Android experience (typically Nokia's strength)
- Potentially longer battery life under light use
- Significantly weaker CPU performance
- Less responsive user interface
- Limited multitasking capabilities
Samsung Galaxy A10e
- Faster and more responsive CPU (Exynos 7884, octa-core)
- Better multitasking performance
- Slightly better image processing
- Less power-efficient chipset (Exynos 7884, 14nm)
- Potentially shorter battery life under heavy use
- Samsung's software can include bloatware
Display Comparison
Neither device boasts a standout display. Both likely feature LCD panels, typical for this price bracket. The key difference lies under the hood. The Exynos 7884’s 14nm process likely contributes to higher power consumption, potentially impacting screen-on time. While specific brightness data is unavailable, Samsung’s history suggests a slightly brighter panel, though color accuracy is unlikely to be a strong point on either device. Bezels are expected to be substantial on both, reflecting their budget positioning.
Camera Comparison
Camera performance on both devices is expected to be basic. Without specific sensor details, it’s safe to assume both utilize low-resolution primary sensors. The A10e may benefit from Samsung’s image processing algorithms, potentially delivering slightly more pleasing results in good lighting conditions. However, the presence of a 2MP macro camera on the A10e is largely a marketing gimmick, offering minimal practical benefit due to its low resolution and lack of optical image stabilization (OIS). Focusing on the main sensor, the Exynos 7884’s ISP likely provides a slight edge in image processing capabilities.
Performance
The performance gap is the most significant differentiator. The Samsung Galaxy A10e’s Exynos 7884, with its octa-core configuration (2x1.6 GHz Cortex-A73 & 6x1.35 GHz Cortex-A53), offers a substantial advantage over the Nokia 3.1 C’s quad-core 1.8 GHz Cortex-A53 Snapdragon 429. The Cortex-A73 cores in the A10e provide a significant boost in single-core performance, crucial for app launch speeds and general responsiveness. While the Snapdragon 429 benefits from a more efficient 12nm process, the sheer core count and architectural advantage of the Exynos chip outweigh this benefit. The A10e will handle multitasking and moderately demanding apps with greater ease.
Battery Life
Both devices likely feature similar battery capacities, typical for their class. The Nokia 3.1 C’s 12nm Snapdragon 429 offers better power efficiency, potentially translating to slightly longer battery life under light usage. However, the Samsung Galaxy A10e’s 14nm Exynos 7884, while less efficient, may compensate with optimized software and power management features. Both support only 10W wired charging, meaning slow charging speeds are inevitable; expect several hours to reach a full charge from empty.
Buying Guide
Buy the Nokia 3.1 C if you prioritize a clean Android experience and a slightly newer chipset, understanding that performance will be basic. It’s ideal for users who primarily need a phone for calls, texts, and light social media. Buy the Samsung Galaxy A10e if you value smoother multitasking and a more responsive user interface, even if it means an older processor; it’s better suited for those who occasionally play mobile games or use more demanding applications.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Does the Exynos 7884 in the Galaxy A10e tend to overheat during prolonged use?
The Exynos 7884, built on a 14nm process, is more prone to thermal throttling than the Snapdragon 429. While it won't reach critical temperatures, expect performance to dip slightly during extended gaming sessions or when running multiple demanding apps simultaneously. The Nokia 3.1 C will likely maintain more consistent performance, albeit at a lower overall level.
❓ Is the 2MP macro camera on the Samsung Galaxy A10e actually useful for taking close-up photos?
Unfortunately, the 2MP macro camera on the A10e is largely a marketing feature. Its low resolution results in images lacking detail and sharpness. The fixed focus distance and lack of optical image stabilization further limit its usability. It's best to rely on the main sensor for all your photography needs.
❓ Can either of these phones run PUBG Mobile at 60fps?
Running PUBG Mobile at 60fps on either device is unlikely. Both the Snapdragon 429 and Exynos 7884 struggle with the game's demanding graphics. You'll likely need to settle for lower graphics settings and a 30fps frame rate for a playable experience, with the A10e offering slightly smoother performance due to its more powerful CPU.
❓ Which phone will receive more software updates?
Nokia historically provides more consistent and timely software updates, even for its budget devices. Samsung's update schedule for the A10e is likely limited, and it may not receive major Android version upgrades. If long-term software support is a priority, the Nokia 3.1 C is the better choice.
