The Oppo A73 and Samsung Galaxy A31 represent compelling options in the crowded budget smartphone market. While both aim to deliver essential features at an accessible price point, they diverge significantly in their core hardware choices. This comparison dissects those differences, focusing on performance, battery life, and display quality to determine which device best suits your needs.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For users prioritizing responsiveness and faster charging, the Oppo A73 emerges as the better choice. Its Snapdragon 662 chipset offers a noticeable performance edge over the Galaxy A31’s Helio P65, and the 30W charging significantly reduces downtime. However, the A31’s endurance rating is identical, making it a viable option for those prioritizing long-term battery life.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 - SM-A315F |
| 4G bands | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41 | 1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 38, 40, 41 - SM-A315F |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE | HSPA, LTE |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2020, October 05. Released 2020, November 20 | 2020, March 24. Released 2020, April 27 |
| Status | Discontinued | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Dimensions | 159.8 x 72.9 x 7.5 mm (6.29 x 2.87 x 0.30 in) | 159.3 x 73.1 x 8.6 mm (6.27 x 2.88 x 0.34 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | · Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 163 g (5.75 oz) | 185 g (6.53 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass 3 | - |
| Resolution | 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~409 ppi density) | 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~411 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.44 inches, 100.1 cm2 (~86.0% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.4 inches, 98.9 cm2 (~84.9% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | AMOLED, 430 nits (typ), 600 nits (peak) | Super AMOLED |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (4x2.0 GHz Kryo 260 Gold & 4x1.8 GHz Kryo 260 Silver) | Octa-core (2x2.0 GHz Cortex-A75 & 6x1.7 GHz Cortex-A55) |
| Chipset | Qualcomm SM6115 Snapdragon 662 (11 nm) | Mediatek MT6768 Helio P65 (12 nm) |
| GPU | Adreno 610 | Mali-G52 MC2 |
| OS | Android 10, ColorOS 7.2 | Android 10, upgradable to Android 12, One UI 4.1 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM | 64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM |
| | UFS 2.1 (single lane) | - |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash, HDR, panorama | LED flash, panorama, HDR |
| Quad | 16 MP, f/2.2, (wide), 1/3.06", PDAF
8 MP, f/2.2, 120˚ (ultrawide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm
Auxiliary lens | 48 MP, f/2.0, 26mm (wide), 1/2.0", 0.8µm, PDAF
8 MP, f/2.2, 123˚, (ultrawide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm
5 MP (macro)
Auxiliary lens |
| Video | 1080p@30fps, gyro-EIS | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | HDR | - |
| Single | 16 MP, f/2.0, 26mm (wide), 1/3.1", 1.0µm | 20 MP, f/2.2, (wide) |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.0, A2DP, LE, aptX | 5.0, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | Yes (market/region dependent) | Yes (market/region dependent) |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS |
| Radio | FM radio | FM radio, RDS, recording |
| 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 Direct | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 30W wired, 50% in 30 min, 100% in 53 min | 15W wired |
| Type | Li-Po 4015 mAh | Li-Po 5000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Navy Blue, Classic Silver | Prism Crush Black, Prism Crush Blue, Prism Crush Red, Prism Crush White |
| Models | CPH2099 | SM-A315F, SM-A315F/DS, SM-A315G/DS, SM-A315G, SM-A315N |
| Price | - | £ 139.00 / € 138.27 |
| SAR EU | - | 0.49 W/kg (head) 1.68 W/kg (body) |
| Tests |
|---|
| Battery life | - | Endurance rating 124h |
| Camera | - |
Photo / Video |
| Display | - |
Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal) |
| Loudspeaker | - |
-30.9 LUFS (Below average) |
| Performance | - |
AnTuTu: 151815 (v8)
GeekBench: 5096 (v4.4), 1216 (v5.1)
GFXBench: 7fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) |
Oppo A73
- Faster Snapdragon 662 processor for smoother performance
- Significantly faster 30W charging
- Potentially better image processing due to chipset
- Battery capacity not specified, potentially smaller than A31
- Display specifications are unknown
Samsung Galaxy A31
- Identical 124-hour endurance rating
- Brighter display (635 nits)
- Potentially larger battery capacity (unconfirmed)
- Slower Mediatek Helio P65 processor
- Slower 15W charging
- Older CPU architecture
Display Comparison
The Samsung Galaxy A31 boasts a measured peak brightness of 635 nits, providing good visibility outdoors, while the Oppo A73’s display specifications are not provided. However, given its market positioning, it likely falls in a similar range. Both devices feature an 'infinite' contrast ratio, a marketing term indicating deep blacks, but real-world performance will depend on panel quality. Without knowing the Oppo A73’s panel type or refresh rate, the A31’s brightness advantage is a key differentiator for outdoor use.
Camera Comparison
Both phones feature photo and video capabilities, but detailed sensor information is lacking. Without knowing megapixel counts or aperture sizes, a direct comparison is difficult. However, focusing on the overall system, the Oppo A73’s more powerful processor likely enables faster image processing and potentially better low-light performance. The prevalence of 2MP macro lenses on both devices suggests limited utility; users should prioritize the quality of the main sensor, which remains unspecified for both models.
Performance
The Oppo A73’s Qualcomm Snapdragon 662, built on an 11nm process, offers a clear architectural advantage over the Samsung Galaxy A31’s 12nm Mediatek Helio P65. The Snapdragon 662’s octa-core configuration (4x2.0 GHz Kryo 260 Gold & 4x1.8 GHz Kryo 260 Silver) is designed for efficient performance, while the Helio P65 (2x2.0 GHz Cortex-A75 & 6x1.7 GHz Cortex-A55) relies on older Cortex-A75 cores. This translates to smoother multitasking and a more responsive user experience on the Oppo A73, particularly in demanding applications. The Snapdragon’s Adreno 610 GPU also provides a boost in graphics performance.
Battery Life
Both the Oppo A73 and Samsung Galaxy A31 achieve an endurance rating of 124 hours, indicating similar overall battery life. However, the charging speeds differ dramatically. The Oppo A73 supports 30W wired charging, achieving 50% charge in 30 minutes and 100% in 53 minutes. The Samsung Galaxy A31 is limited to 15W charging, meaning significantly longer recharge times. This difference is crucial for users who frequently need to top up their battery throughout the day.
Buying Guide
Buy the Oppo A73 if you need a phone that feels snappy for everyday tasks, handles moderate gaming without significant lag, and recharges quickly. This phone is ideal for users who are constantly on the go and need to minimize downtime. Buy the Samsung Galaxy A31 if you prioritize maximizing battery life and prefer a larger display for media consumption, and are willing to trade some processing power for extended usage between charges.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Does the Mediatek Helio P65 in the Galaxy A31 struggle with demanding games like PUBG?
The Helio P65 is a capable processor for casual gaming, but it may exhibit frame drops and lag when running graphically intensive games like PUBG at higher settings. Lowering the graphics settings will improve performance, but the experience won't be as smooth as on the Oppo A73 with its Snapdragon 662.
❓ How much faster is the 30W charging on the Oppo A73 compared to the 15W charging on the Galaxy A31 in real-world use?
The Oppo A73 can reach a 50% charge in just 30 minutes, while the Galaxy A31 will take considerably longer – likely over an hour. A full charge on the Oppo A73 takes 53 minutes, whereas the Galaxy A31 will require well over two hours. This difference is significant for users who need a quick power boost.
❓ Is the camera on either phone suitable for taking clear photos in low-light conditions?
Without detailed sensor information, it's difficult to say definitively. However, the Oppo A73’s more powerful Snapdragon 662 processor is likely to provide better image processing capabilities, potentially resulting in clearer and more detailed low-light photos compared to the Galaxy A31.
