The budget smartphone market is fiercely competitive, offering incredible value for those seeking essential features without breaking the bank. Today, we pit two contenders against each other: the Realme C20A and the Samsung Galaxy A03 Core. Let's dive into a detailed comparison to see which phone emerges as the winner.
🏆 Quick Verdict
The Realme C20A generally edges out the Galaxy A03 Core thanks to its more powerful chipset and slightly better overall performance. While both are budget options, the C20A provides a smoother experience for everyday tasks and light gaming, making it the more compelling choice for most users.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41 | 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 | 2021, May 11 | 2021, November 15 |
| Status | Available. Released 2021, May 11 | Available. Released 2021, December 06 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front, plastic frame, plastic back | Plastic back, plastic frame |
| Dimensions | 165.2 x 76.4 x 8.9 mm (6.50 x 3.01 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 | 190 g (6.70 oz) | 211 g (7.44 oz) |
| | Splash-resistant design | - |
| Display |
|---|
| Resolution | 720 x 1600 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~270 ppi density) | 720 x 1600 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~270 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.5 inches, 102.0 cm2 (~80.8% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.5 inches, 102.0 cm2 (~81.8% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD, 400 nits (typ) | PLS LCD |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (4x2.3 GHz Cortex-A53 & 4x1.8 GHz Cortex-A53) | Octa-core (4x1.6 GHz Cortex-A55 & 4x1.2 GHz Cortex-A55) |
| Chipset | Mediatek MT6765G Helio G35 (12 nm) | Unisoc SC9863A (28 nm) |
| GPU | PowerVR GE8320 | IMG8322 |
| OS | Android 10, Realme UI | Android 11 (Go edition) |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 32GB 2GB RAM | 32GB 2GB RAM |
| | eMMC 5.1 | eMMC 5.1 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash, HDR, panorama | LED flash |
| Single | 8 MP, f/2.0, (wide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm, AF | 8 MP, f/2.0, AF |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | HDR | - |
| Single | 5 MP, f/2.2, (wide), 1/5.0", 1.12µm | 5 MP, f/2.2 |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | - |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.0, A2DP | 4.2, A2DP |
| NFC | No | No |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS | GPS, GLONASS |
| Radio | FM radio | Unspecified |
| USB | microUSB 2.0, OTG | microUSB 2.0, OTG |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, Wi-Fi Direct | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Accelerometer, proximity, compass | Accelerometer, proximity |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | Reverse wired | - |
| Type | 5000 mAh | Li-Ion 5000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Iron Grey, Lake Blue | Black, Blue |
| Models | - | SM-A032F, SM-A032F/DS, SM-A032M |
| Price | About 90 EUR | £ 74.99 |
| SAR | - | 0.30 W/kg (head) |
| SAR EU | - | 0.24 W/kg (head) 1.39 W/kg (body) |
Realme C20A
- More powerful chipset
- Smoother performance
- Reverse wired charging
- Generally better value
- Basic camera quality
- Slow charging speeds
- Plastic build
Samsung Galaxy A03 Core
- Samsung brand recognition
- Potentially slightly better software optimization
- Large battery
- Weaker chipset
- Slower performance
- 28nm process (less efficient)
- Basic camera quality
Display Comparison
Both phones feature basic LCD displays, typically around 6.5 inches with HD+ resolution. Expect decent viewing angles but limited brightness and color accuracy. The Realme C20A might have a slightly better panel based on typical Realme implementations, but the difference is minimal.
Camera Comparison
Both phones feature basic camera setups, likely with a 13MP main sensor and a depth sensor. Image quality will be adequate in good lighting conditions, but expect noise and limited detail in low light. The Samsung might have slightly better image processing due to Samsung's software optimization, but the hardware difference is small.
Performance
This is where the Realme C20A shines. The Mediatek Helio G35 chipset, while not a powerhouse, is significantly more capable than the Unisoc SC9863A in the A03 Core. Expect smoother multitasking, faster app loading times, and better gaming performance on the C20A. The A03 Core will struggle with more demanding apps.
Battery Life
Both phones typically offer a large 5000mAh battery, providing all-day battery life under moderate usage. Charging speeds are likely to be slow on both devices, typically around 10W.
Buying Guide
Who should buy the Realme C20A? Users prioritizing performance and a slightly smoother experience, even on a tight budget. Who should buy the Samsung Galaxy A03 Core? Those heavily invested in the Samsung ecosystem or prioritizing brand recognition and potentially a slightly more refined software experience, despite the performance trade-off.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Which phone is better for gaming?
The Realme C20A is significantly better for gaming due to its more powerful chipset. While neither phone is a gaming powerhouse, the C20A will handle basic games more smoothly.
❓ Is the Samsung Galaxy A03 Core worth buying just for the Samsung brand?
If you're heavily invested in the Samsung ecosystem and prioritize brand recognition, it might be worth considering. However, the performance trade-off is significant, and the Realme C20A offers better value overall.
