The Nokia G300 and Samsung Galaxy A33 5G represent compelling options in the increasingly crowded budget 5G smartphone market. While both aim to deliver 5G connectivity at an accessible price point, they take distinctly different approaches to achieving this, particularly in chipset choice and display technology. This comparison dissects these differences to determine which device offers the best value.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For most users, the Samsung Galaxy A33 5G emerges as the superior choice. Its Exynos 1280 chipset, coupled with a brighter display and comparable battery life, provides a smoother and more enjoyable user experience, justifying the likely price premium. However, the Nokia G300 remains a viable option for those prioritizing absolute affordability.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 2, 4, 5, 12, 13, 41, 66, 71 | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 17, 20, 26, 28, 32, 38, 40, 41, 66 |
| 5G bands | 2, 5, 25, 41, 66, 71, 77 SA/NSA | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66, 78 SA/NSA/Sub6 |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE, 5G | HSPA, LTE, 5G |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G | GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2021, October 12 | 2022, March 17 |
| Status | Available. Released 2021, October 19 | Available. Released 2022, April 20 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | - | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 5), plastic frame, plastic back |
| Dimensions | 169.4 x 78.4 x 9.3 mm (6.67 x 3.09 x 0.37 in) | 159.7 x 74 x 8.1 mm (6.29 x 2.91 x 0.32 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM | · Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 210.1 g (7.41 oz) | 186 g (6.56 oz) |
| | - | IP67 dust/water resistant (up to 1m for 30 min) |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | - | Corning Gorilla Glass 5 |
| Resolution | 720 x 1600 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~269 ppi density) | 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~411 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.52 inches, 102.6 cm2 (~77.3% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.4 inches, 98.9 cm2 (~83.7% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD | Super AMOLED, 90Hz |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (2x2.0 GHz Kryo 460 & 6x1.8 GHz Kryo 460) | Octa-core (2x2.4 GHz Cortex-A78 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55) |
| Chipset | Qualcomm SM4350 Snapdragon 480 5G (8 nm) | Exynos 1280 (5 nm) |
| GPU | Adreno 619 | Mali-G68 |
| OS | Android 11 | Android 12, up to 4 major Android upgrades, One UI 8 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) |
| Internal | 64GB 4GB RAM | 128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash, HDR, panorama | LED flash, panorama, HDR |
| Quad | - | 48 MP, f/1.8, 26mm (wide), 1/2.0", 0.8µm, PDAF, OIS
8 MP, f/2.2, 123˚, (ultrawide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm
5 MP (macro)
Auxiliary lens |
| Single | 8 MP, (wide) | 13 MP, f/2.2, (wide), 1/3.1", 1.12µm |
| Triple | 16 MP, f/1.8, 27mm (wide), PDAF
5 MP, f/2.2, 115˚ (ultrawide)
Auxiliary lens | - |
| Video | 1080p@30/60fps | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Single | 8 MP, (wide) | 13 MP, f/2.2, (wide), 1/3.1", 1.12µm |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | No |
| 35mm jack | Yes | No |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes, with stereo speakers |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.0, A2DP, LE | 5.1, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | Yes | Yes (market/region dependent) |
| Positioning | GPS (L1+L5) | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS |
| Radio | No | No |
| USB | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, proximity | Fingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, compass |
| | - | Virtual proximity sensing |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 18W wired | 25W wired |
| Type | Li-Po 4470 mAh | Li-Po 5000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Meteor Grey | Black, White, Blue, Peach |
| Models | TA-1374, N1374DL | SM-A336E, SM-A336B, SM-A336B/DS, SM-A336B/DSN, SM-A336E/DS, SM-A336M, SM-A3360 |
| Price | About 100 EUR | £ 174.99 / € 187.50 / ₹ 21,999 |
| SAR | 1.44 W/kg (head) 1.09 W/kg (body) | 0.35 W/kg (head) |
| SAR EU | - | 0.57 W/kg (head) 1.59 W/kg (body) |
| Tests |
|---|
| Battery life | - |
Endurance rating 104h
|
| Camera | - |
Photo / Video |
| Display | - |
Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal) |
| Loudspeaker | - |
-26.5 LUFS (Good)
|
| Performance | - |
AnTuTu: 354420 (v8), 394918 (v9)
GeekBench: 1900 (v5.1)
GFXBench: 20fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) |
Nokia G300
- More affordable price point
- 5G connectivity
- Functional for basic tasks
- Less powerful processor
- Likely lower quality display
- Slower charging speed
Samsung Galaxy A33 5G
- Faster and more efficient processor
- Brighter and more vibrant display
- Faster charging support
- Higher price
- May not be significantly better for extremely basic use cases
- Potential for software bloat (Samsung)
Display Comparison
The Samsung Galaxy A33 5G boasts a significantly brighter display, reaching a measured 728 nits, compared to an unspecified brightness for the Nokia G300. This higher peak brightness translates to better visibility outdoors under direct sunlight. While both displays are described as having an 'infinite' contrast ratio (likely marketing speak for a typical AMOLED panel), the A33’s superior brightness is a clear advantage. The Nokia G300’s display specifications are less detailed, suggesting a more basic LCD panel, potentially impacting color accuracy and viewing angles.
Camera Comparison
Both devices feature photo and video capabilities, but detailed camera specifications are limited. The Samsung Galaxy A33 5G likely benefits from Samsung’s established image processing algorithms and potentially a larger main sensor, though this is unconfirmed. The Nokia G300, while capable, is likely to offer a more basic camera experience. Without specific sensor size or aperture information, it’s difficult to make a definitive judgment, but Samsung’s history suggests a more refined camera system.
Performance
The core difference lies in the chipsets: the Nokia G300 utilizes the Qualcomm Snapdragon 480 5G (8nm), while the Samsung Galaxy A33 5G is powered by the Exynos 1280 (5nm). The Exynos 1280, built on a smaller 5nm process, offers a substantial advantage in power efficiency and performance. Its octa-core configuration, featuring 2x2.4 GHz Cortex-A78 cores and 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55 cores, outperforms the Snapdragon 480’s 2x2.0 GHz Kryo 460 and 6x1.8 GHz Kryo 460 setup. This translates to faster app loading times, smoother multitasking, and improved gaming performance on the A33 5G. The 5nm process also implies better thermal management, reducing the likelihood of performance throttling during sustained workloads.
Battery Life
Both the Nokia G300 and Samsung Galaxy A33 5G achieve an endurance rating of 104 hours, indicating comparable battery life under similar usage conditions. However, the Samsung Galaxy A33 5G supports 25W wired charging, significantly faster than the Nokia G300’s 18W charging. This faster charging speed allows the A33 5G to replenish its battery more quickly, minimizing downtime. While battery capacity isn't specified, the more efficient Exynos 1280 likely contributes to the A33 5G’s comparable endurance despite potentially having a smaller battery.
Buying Guide
Buy the Nokia G300 if you need a functional 5G smartphone on an extremely tight budget and prioritize basic connectivity over performance. You'll be satisfied if your usage is limited to calls, texts, and light social media. Buy the Samsung Galaxy A33 5G if you prefer a more responsive experience, a brighter and more vibrant display for media consumption, and a more capable camera system, even if it means spending a bit more.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Does the Exynos 1280 in the Samsung Galaxy A33 5G tend to overheat during prolonged gaming sessions?
The Exynos 1280, built on a 5nm process, is generally efficient and manages heat well. While it can get warm during extended gaming, it's unlikely to experience significant throttling like some older or less efficient chipsets. The A33 5G's thermal design should be adequate for most gaming scenarios.
❓ Is the 2MP macro camera on either phone actually useful for taking detailed close-up photos?
Generally, 2MP macro cameras on budget phones offer limited utility. The low resolution results in images lacking detail and sharpness. They are often included as a marketing feature rather than a genuinely useful photographic tool. Expect passable results in ideal lighting conditions, but don't anticipate professional-quality macro photography.
❓ Can the Samsung Galaxy A33 5G reliably maintain 60fps in popular games like PUBG Mobile?
The Exynos 1280 should be capable of maintaining 60fps in PUBG Mobile at medium to high graphics settings. However, achieving consistently smooth performance may require adjusting graphics settings based on individual game updates and background processes. Expect a more stable and enjoyable gaming experience compared to the Nokia G300.
❓ How long does it realistically take to fully charge the Nokia G300 from 0% to 100% with the included 18W charger?
With an 18W charger, the Nokia G300 will likely take around 2.5 to 3 hours to fully charge from 0% to 100%. This is considerably slower than the Samsung Galaxy A33 5G's 25W charging, which can achieve a full charge in approximately 1.5 to 2 hours.
