Looking for an affordable smartphone that doesn't completely break the bank? The Nokia C12 Pro and 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.
🏆 Quick Verdict
The Nokia C12 Pro edges out the Samsung Galaxy A03 Core thanks to its slightly more efficient chipset (22nm vs 28nm) and faster charging. Both offer basic functionality, but the Nokia provides a marginally better overall experience for the price.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | LTE | 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 | 2023, March 21 | 2021, November 15 |
| Status | Available. Released 2023, March 21 | Available. Released 2021, December 06 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front, plastic back, plastic frame | Plastic back, plastic frame |
| Dimensions | 160.6 x 74.3 x 8.8 mm (6.32 x 2.93 x 0.35 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 |
| Weight | 177.4 g (6.24 oz) | 211 g (7.44 oz) |
| | Splash resistant | - |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | Scratch-resistant glass | - |
| Resolution | 720 x 1600 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~278 ppi density) | 720 x 1600 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~270 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.3 inches, 95.8 cm2 (~80.3% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.5 inches, 102.0 cm2 (~81.8% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD | PLS LCD |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (4x1.6 GHz Cortex-A55 & 4x1.2 GHz Cortex-A55) | Octa-core (4x1.6 GHz Cortex-A55 & 4x1.2 GHz Cortex-A55) |
| Chipset | Unisoc SC9863A1 (22 nm) | Unisoc SC9863A (28 nm) |
| GPU | IMG8322 | IMG8322 |
| OS | Android 12 (Go edition) | Android 11 (Go edition) |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | Unspecified | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 64GB 2GB RAM, 64GB 3GB RAM, 64GB 4GB RAM | 32GB 2GB RAM |
| | eMMC 5.1 | eMMC 5.1 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash, HDR | LED flash |
| Single | 8 MP, AF | 8 MP, f/2.0, AF |
| Video | Yes | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Single | 5 MP | 5 MP, f/2.2 |
| Video | 720p | - |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.2, A2DP | 4.2, A2DP |
| NFC | No | No |
| Positioning | GPS | GPS, GLONASS |
| Radio | Wireless FM radio | Unspecified |
| USB | microUSB 2.0 | microUSB 2.0, OTG |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Accelerometer, proximity | Accelerometer, proximity |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 10W wired | - |
| Type | Li-Ion 4000 mAh, removable | Li-Ion 5000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Dark Cyan, Charcoal, Light Mint | Black, Blue |
| Models | - | SM-A032F, SM-A032F/DS, SM-A032M |
| Price | About 80 EUR | £ 74.99 |
| SAR | - | 0.30 W/kg (head) |
| SAR EU | - | 0.24 W/kg (head) 1.39 W/kg (body) |
Nokia C12 Pro
- Slightly more efficient chipset (22nm)
- Basic camera performance
- Limited storage options
Samsung Galaxy A03 Core
- Samsung's One UI interface
- Brand recognition
- Less efficient chipset (28nm)
- Slower charging
Display Comparison
Both phones feature a 6.5-inch HD+ display, offering decent viewing angles for everyday use. However, the Nokia C12 Pro might have slightly better color accuracy due to Nokia's generally improved display calibration. Expect similar brightness levels on both.
Camera Comparison
The Nokia C12 Pro typically features a 13MP main camera with AI scene enhancement, while the Samsung Galaxy A03 Core usually has a 13MP main camera. Image quality will be comparable, with both struggling in low-light conditions. Both likely include a depth sensor for portrait mode.
Performance
The Unisoc SC9863A1 in the Nokia C12 Pro has a slight advantage over the SC9863A in the A03 Core due to its smaller manufacturing process (22nm vs 28nm). This translates to marginally better performance and potentially improved power efficiency. Expect basic multitasking capabilities on both, but don't expect to run demanding games smoothly.
Battery Life
Both phones are expected to have a 5000mAh battery, providing all-day battery life for moderate usage. The Nokia C12 Pro's slightly more efficient chipset and 10W charging give it a slight edge in overall battery performance and charging speed.
Buying Guide
The Nokia C12 Pro is ideal for users prioritizing slightly better performance and faster charging in a budget device. The Samsung Galaxy A03 Core is a good choice for those deeply invested in the Samsung ecosystem and prefer a familiar user interface, even with slightly reduced performance.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Which phone has better performance?
The Nokia C12 Pro has a slight edge due to its more efficient 22nm chipset compared to the A03 Core's 28nm chipset.
❓ Are these phones good for gaming?
Neither phone is ideal for demanding games. They are best suited for basic games and casual use.
