The Nokia C10 and Samsung Galaxy A02 represent the extreme end of the smartphone price spectrum. Both aim to deliver basic smartphone functionality at an incredibly affordable price point, but they achieve this with different hardware choices. This comparison dissects those choices, focusing on how they impact real-world performance and usability for budget-conscious consumers.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average user prioritizing a slightly smoother experience and more RAM options, the Samsung Galaxy A02 is the better choice. Its Mediatek MT6739W, clocked at 1.5 GHz, offers a modest performance advantage over the Nokia C10’s Unisoc SC7331E, and the availability of 3GB RAM configurations significantly improves multitasking capabilities.
| 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, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41 |
| Speed | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE Cat4 150/50 Mbps |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2021, April 08 | 2021, January 27 |
| Status | Available. Released 2021, June 29 | Available. Released 2021, January 27 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | - | Glass front, plastic back, plastic frame |
| Dimensions | 169.9 x 77.9 x 8.8 mm (6.69 x 3.07 x 0.35 in) | 164 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 |
| Weight | 191 g (6.74 oz) | 206 g (7.27 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | Panda Glass | - |
| Resolution | 720 x 1600 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~269 ppi density) | 720 x 1600 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~270 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.52 inches, 102.6 cm2 (~77.5% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.5 inches, 102.0 cm2 (~81.9% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD, 400 nits (typ) | PLS LCD |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Quad-core 1.3 GHz Cortex-A7 | Quad-core 1.5 GHz Cortex-A53 |
| Chipset | Unisoc SC7331E (28 nm) | Mediatek MT6739W (28 nm) |
| GPU | Mali-400 MP2 | PowerVR GE8100 |
| OS | Android 11 (Go edition) | Android 10, upgradable to Android 11, One UI Core 3.1 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 16GB 1GB RAM, 16GB 2GB RAM, 32GB 1GB RAM, 32GB 2GB RAM | 32GB 2GB RAM, 32GB 3GB RAM, 32GB 4GB RAM, 64GB 3GB RAM |
| | eMMC 5.1 | eMMC 5.1 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Dual | - | 13 MP, f/1.9, (wide), AF
2 MP (macro) |
| Features | LED flash, HDR | LED flash |
| Single | 5 MP, f/2.2 | - |
| Video | 720p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash | - |
| Single | 5 MP, f/2.2 | 5 MP, f/2.0 |
| Video | 720p | - |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 4.2, A2DP | 5.1, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | No | No |
| Positioning | GPS | GPS, GLONASS |
| Radio | FM radio | FM radio |
| USB | microUSB 2.0 | microUSB 2.0 |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Accelerometer, proximity | Accelerometer |
| | - | Virtual proximity sensing |
| Battery |
|---|
| Type | Li-Ion 3000 mAh, removable | Li-Po 5000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Gray, Light Purple | Black, Blue |
| Models | TA-1342 | SM-A022F, SM-A022F/DS, SM-A022M, SM-A022M/DS, SM-A022G, SM-A022G/DS |
| Price | About 80 EUR | € 97.46 |
| SAR EU | 0.36 W/kg (head) 1.44 W/kg (body) | 0.65 W/kg (head) 1.71 W/kg (body) |
| Pricing |
|---|
| 32GB 2GB RAM | - | $ 149.99 |
| 32GB 3GB RAM | - | $ 129.99 |
| 64GB 3GB RAM | - | $ 199.99 |
| RENEWED | - | £ 113.00 |
Nokia C10
- Lowest possible price point
- Clean Android Go Edition experience
- Potentially more durable build quality (Nokia's reputation)
- Significantly slower processor
- Limited RAM (likely 2GB)
- Inferior multitasking performance
Samsung Galaxy A02
- Slightly faster processor (Mediatek MT6739W)
- RAM options (2GB/3GB)
- Wider storage configurations (32GB/64GB)
- Samsung’s software can include bloatware
- Potentially less durable build quality
- Higher price than the Nokia C10
Display Comparison
Neither device boasts a standout display. Both are likely utilizing LCD panels, typical for this price bracket. Specifics like resolution and brightness are not provided, but we can assume they are similar – likely 720p+ and relatively low brightness. The focus here isn't on visual fidelity, but on basic readability. Bezels are expected to be substantial on both, maximizing screen real estate within a compact form factor.
Camera Comparison
Camera performance on both devices will be limited. Details are sparse, but both likely feature a primary camera and potentially a secondary depth sensor. The A02’s camera specifications, if any, are likely to be marginally better due to Samsung’s image processing algorithms. However, don’t expect high-quality photos in low light. The presence of a 2MP macro camera on the A02 (a common inclusion in this segment) is largely a marketing gimmick and offers minimal practical benefit.
Performance
The core difference lies in the chipsets. The Samsung Galaxy A02’s Mediatek MT6739W, with its quad-core Cortex-A53 CPUs clocked at 1.5 GHz, has a slight architectural and clock speed advantage over the Nokia C10’s Unisoc SC7331E (1.3 GHz Cortex-A7). While both are based on a 28nm process, the Cortex-A53 is a more modern architecture than the Cortex-A7, offering improved instructions per clock cycle. The A02’s availability with 2GB or 3GB of RAM is crucial; the 3GB variant will significantly reduce app reloading and improve multitasking compared to the C10’s likely 2GB configuration. This RAM difference is the biggest performance differentiator.
Battery Life
Battery capacity isn’t specified for either device, but both will likely feature around 3000-4000 mAh batteries. Given the low-power chipsets and basic displays, both should achieve all-day battery life with moderate usage. Charging speeds are also likely to be slow, utilizing Micro-USB, and 0-100% charge times will likely exceed 3 hours. The efficiency of the Mediatek chipset in the A02 might offer a slight edge in battery endurance, but the difference will be minimal.
Buying Guide
Buy the Nokia C10 if you absolutely need the lowest possible price and are comfortable with a very basic Android experience, primarily for calls, texts, and light app usage. Buy the Samsung Galaxy A02 if you prefer a slightly more responsive user interface, the option for more RAM (up to 3GB), and a wider range of storage configurations, making it better suited for occasional social media browsing and photo capture.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Will the Mediatek MT6739W in the Galaxy A02 overheat during prolonged use of apps like WhatsApp or Facebook?
The Mediatek MT6739W is a low-power chipset and is unlikely to overheat during typical usage scenarios like social media browsing. Its 28nm process isn't particularly efficient, but the low clock speed and limited processing demands of these apps won't push it to its thermal limits. However, demanding games are not recommended.
❓ Is the 2GB of RAM in the base Samsung Galaxy A02 sufficient for everyday tasks?
2GB of RAM is the bare minimum for a modern smartphone. While it will handle basic tasks like calls, texts, and light browsing, you'll likely experience noticeable lag when switching between apps or running multiple applications simultaneously. Upgrading to the 3GB RAM variant is highly recommended if your budget allows.
❓ Does the Nokia C10 support popular apps like Instagram and TikTok?
Yes, the Nokia C10, running Android Go Edition, can support apps like Instagram and TikTok. However, performance will be significantly slower compared to devices with more powerful processors and RAM. Expect longer loading times and potential stuttering, especially when recording or viewing videos.
❓ What type of charging port do both phones use, and how long does it take to fully charge?
Both the Nokia C10 and Samsung Galaxy A02 utilize a Micro-USB port for charging. Given their limited charging wattage (likely 5W or 10W), a full charge from 0% to 100% will likely take over 3 hours.
