The Nokia C30 and Samsung Galaxy A03 represent the extreme end of the smartphone price spectrum, targeting users prioritizing affordability above all else. Both rely on Unisoc chipsets to deliver a functional Android experience, but significant architectural differences exist that impact real-world performance and usability. This comparison dissects those differences to determine which device offers the best value.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average user, the Samsung Galaxy A03 emerges as the better choice. Its newer Unisoc T606 chipset, built on a more efficient 12nm process, provides a noticeable performance uplift over the Nokia C30’s older 28nm SC9863A, translating to smoother multitasking and app loading. While both offer basic functionality, the A03’s improved processing power justifies the potentially slight price premium.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 2100 - International | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41 - International | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41 |
| 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 / HSPA / LTE |
| | 1, 3, 7, 20, 28 - Australia, UK, Ireland | - |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2021, July 27 | 2021, November 26 |
| Status | Available. Released 2021, October 12 | Available. Released 2022, January 21 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | - | Glass front, plastic back, plastic frame |
| Dimensions | 177.7 x 79.1 x 9.9 mm (7.00 x 3.11 x 0.39 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 | 237 g (8.36 oz) | 196 g (6.91 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Resolution | 720 x 1600 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~257 ppi density) | 720 x 1600 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~270 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.82 inches, 112.3 cm2 (~79.9% 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 (2x1.6 GHz Cortex-A75 & 6x1.6 GHz Cortex-A55) |
| Chipset | Unisoc SC9863A (28 nm) | Unisoc T606 (12 nm) |
| GPU | IMG8322 | Mali-G57 MP1 |
| OS | Android 11 (Go edition) | Android 11, upgradable to Android 13, One UI core 5 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 32GB 2GB RAM, 32GB 3GB RAM, 64GB 2GB RAM, 64GB 3GB RAM, 64GB 4GB RAM | 32GB 2GB RAM, 32GB 3GB RAM, 32GB 4GB RAM, 64GB 4GB RAM, 64GB 3GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM |
| | eMMC 5.1 | eMMC 5.1 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Dual | 13 MP, (wide)
Auxiliary lens | 48 MP, f/1.8, (wide), AF
Auxiliary lens |
| Features | LED flash | LED flash |
| Single | 5 MP | 5 MP, f/2.2 |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Single | 5 MP | 5 MP, f/2.2 |
| Video | Unspecified | Yes |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 4.2, A2DP | 5.0, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | No | No |
| Positioning | GPS | GPS |
| Radio | FM radio | Unspecified |
| USB | microUSB 2.0, OTG | microUSB 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 | Fingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, proximity | Accelerometer, proximity |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 10W wired | - |
| Type | Li-Po 6000 mAh | Li-Po 5000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Green, White, Dark Grey | Black, Blue, Red |
| Models | TA-1357, TA-1377, TA-1369, TA-1360, TA-1359 | SM-A035F, SM-A035F/DS, SM-A035M, SM-A035G |
| Price | About 100 EUR | € 119.90 / £ 88.00 / ₹ 11,990 |
| SAR | 0.33 W/kg (head) 1.19 W/kg (body) | - |
| SAR EU | 0.41 W/kg (head) 1.29 W/kg (body) | 0.20 W/kg (head) 1.35 W/kg (body) |
Nokia C30
- Potentially larger display size for media consumption.
- Simple and straightforward user experience.
- Very affordable price point.
- Outdated Unisoc SC9863A chipset.
- Slow performance and potential lag.
- Limited long-term software support.
Samsung Galaxy A03
- More powerful Unisoc T606 chipset.
- Improved performance for multitasking and gaming.
- More efficient 12nm process for better battery life.
- Slow 10W charging.
- Basic camera performance.
- May be slightly more expensive than the C30.
Display Comparison
Neither device boasts a standout display. Both likely utilize LCD panels, a common cost-saving measure in this segment. However, display specs are not provided, so a direct comparison is limited. The Nokia C30’s larger 6.52-inch display may be preferable for media viewing, but without knowing the resolution or brightness, it’s difficult to assess its quality. The Galaxy A03’s display size is not provided, but it is likely similar. Both will likely suffer from limited outdoor visibility due to the lack of high brightness.
Camera Comparison
Camera performance is likely to be similar on both devices, leaning towards basic functionality. Neither phone is expected to excel in image quality. Without sensor size or aperture information, it’s difficult to make a definitive statement. However, the A03’s image processing pipeline, benefiting from the more powerful chipset, may yield slightly better results in favorable lighting conditions. The inclusion of a 2MP macro camera on the A03 is largely a marketing gimmick and unlikely to produce usable images.
Performance
The core difference lies in the chipsets. The Samsung Galaxy A03’s Unisoc T606 (12nm) is a clear upgrade over the Nokia C30’s Unisoc SC9863A (28nm). The 12nm process node allows for greater transistor density and improved power efficiency. Crucially, the A03 features 2x Cortex-A75 cores alongside 6x Cortex-A55 cores, while the C30 has 4x Cortex-A55 cores at 1.6GHz and 4x at 1.2GHz. The A75 cores provide a significant boost in single-core performance, impacting app launch times and overall responsiveness. This translates to a smoother experience when switching between apps and browsing the web. The C30’s older architecture will struggle with more demanding tasks.
Battery Life
Battery capacity is not provided for either device, making a direct comparison challenging. However, the Unisoc T606 in the Galaxy A03’s more efficient 12nm process will likely result in better battery life despite potentially having a similar capacity to the C30. Both phones feature slow 10W charging, meaning a full charge will take a considerable amount of time. Users should expect to charge overnight to ensure a full battery for the next day.
Buying Guide
Buy the Nokia C30 if you absolutely need the largest possible display for media consumption on a very tight budget and prioritize simplicity. It’s a good option for first-time smartphone users or those needing a basic communication device. Buy the Samsung Galaxy A03 if you value a more responsive user experience, slightly better performance for social media and light gaming, and a more modern chipset architecture that may offer better long-term software support.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Will the Samsung Galaxy A03 handle popular social media apps like TikTok and Instagram smoothly?
The Unisoc T606 in the Galaxy A03 is significantly more capable than the SC9863A in the C30. While it won't offer a flagship-level experience, it should handle TikTok and Instagram with acceptable smoothness, especially with moderate usage. The C30 may exhibit noticeable lag and stuttering when running these apps.
❓ Is the 10W charging on either phone sufficient for daily use?
No, 10W charging is quite slow by modern standards. Both the Nokia C30 and Samsung Galaxy A03 will require several hours to fully charge. It’s best to charge them overnight to ensure they are ready for the next day. Consider this a trade-off for the extremely low price point.
❓ Can the Samsung Galaxy A03 run popular mobile games like PUBG Mobile?
The Galaxy A03 can *run* PUBG Mobile, but not at high settings. Expect to play at the lowest graphics settings and potentially with a lower frame rate to maintain a playable experience. The Nokia C30 will struggle significantly with PUBG Mobile and is unlikely to provide an enjoyable gaming experience.
❓ Which phone is likely to receive more software updates?
Samsung generally provides better software support than Nokia, even for its budget devices. While neither phone is guaranteed to receive extensive updates, the Galaxy A03 is more likely to receive at least one major Android version update and security patches for a longer period.
