Looking for an affordable Samsung smartphone? The Galaxy A01 Core and A11 are popular choices, but which one is right for you? This comprehensive comparison dives deep into their specs, performance, and features to help you make an informed decision.
🏆 Quick Verdict
The Samsung Galaxy A11 offers a noticeable upgrade in performance thanks to its octa-core processor and faster clock speed. While the A01 Core is a budget champion, the A11's improved chipset, larger screen, and faster charging make it the better overall value 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 / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41 | 1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41 |
| Speed | HSPA 21.1/5.76 Mbps, LTE | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE Cat4 150/50 Mbps |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| | - | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 20, 25, 26, 28, 38, 39, 40, 41, 66, 71 - SM-A115U |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2020, July 21. Released 2020, August 06 | 2020, March 13. Released 2020, May 01 |
| Status | Discontinued | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Plastic back, plastic frame | Glass front, plastic back, plastic frame |
| Dimensions | 141.7 x 67.5 x 8.6 mm (5.58 x 2.66 x 0.34 in) | 161.4 x 76.3 x 8 mm (6.35 x 3.00 x 0.31 in) |
| SIM | · Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | · Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 150 g (5.29 oz) | 177 g (6.24 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Resolution | 720 x 1480 pixels, 18.5:9 ratio (~311 ppi density) | 720 x 1560 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~268 ppi density) |
| Size | 5.3 inches, 71.3 cm2 (~74.5% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.4 inches, 100.5 cm2 (~81.6% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | PLS LCD | PLS LCD |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Quad-core 1.5 GHz Cortex-A53 | Octa-core 1.8 GHz Cortex-A53 |
| Chipset | Mediatek MT6739 (28 nm) | Qualcomm SDM450 Snapdragon 450 (14 nm) |
| GPU | PowerVR GE8100 | Adreno 506 |
| OS | Android 10 (Go edition) | Android 10, upgradable to Android 12, One UI Core 4.1 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 16GB 1GB RAM, 16GB 2GB RAM, 32GB 2GB RAM | 32GB 2GB RAM, 32GB 3GB RAM, 64GB 3GB RAM, 64GB 4GB RAM |
| | eMMC 5.1 | eMMC 5.1 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash | LED flash, panorama, HDR |
| Single | 8 MP, f/2.2, AF | - |
| Triple | - | 13 MP, f/1.8, 27mm (wide), AF
5 MP, f/2.2, 115˚ (ultrawide)
Auxiliary lens |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Single | 5 MP, f/2.4 | 8 MP, f/2.0 |
| Video | - | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.0, A2DP, LE | 4.2, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | No | No |
| Positioning | GPS | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS |
| Radio | FM radio | FM radio |
| USB | microUSB 2.0 | USB Type-C 2.0 |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, Wi-Fi Direct | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Accelerometer | Fingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, proximity |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | - | 15W wired |
| Type | Li-Ion 3000 mAh | Li-Po 4000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Black, Blue, Red | Black, White, Blue, Red |
| Models | SM-A013F, SM-A013F/DS, SM-A013G, SM-A013G/DS, SM-A013M | SM-A115F/DS, SM-A115F, SM-A115M, SM-A115M/DS, SM-A115U, SM-A115A, SM-A115AZ, SM-A115U1, SM-A115W, SM-A115AP, SM-S115DL |
| Price | About 150 EUR | About 160 EUR |
| SAR EU | 0.64 W/kg (head) 1.18 W/kg (body) | 0.52 W/kg (head) 0.99 W/kg (body) |
Samsung Galaxy A01 Core
- Extremely affordable
- Compact and lightweight
- Decent battery life for basic usage
- Slow performance
- Limited features
- Low-resolution display
- No front-facing camera
Samsung Galaxy A11
- Better performance
- Larger display
- Versatile triple-camera system
- Fast charging
- Front-facing camera
- Slightly more expensive than A01 Core
- Still a budget phone with limitations
Display Comparison
The Galaxy A11 boasts a larger 6.5-inch display compared to the A01 Core's 5.8-inch screen. Both feature HD+ resolution, but the A11's larger size provides a more immersive viewing experience for media consumption and gaming. The A11 also generally has slightly better color accuracy.
Camera Comparison
The A11 features a triple-camera setup (13MP main, 5MP ultrawide, 2MP depth sensor) offering more versatility than the A01 Core's single 8MP camera. The A11 also generally captures better images in various lighting conditions, with improved dynamic range and detail. The A11 also has a front-facing camera, while the A01 Core does not.
Performance
This is where the A11 shines. Its Qualcomm Snapdragon 450 chipset with an octa-core 1.8 GHz processor significantly outperforms the A01 Core's Mediatek MT6739 with a quad-core 1.5 GHz processor. Expect smoother multitasking, faster app loading times, and a more responsive user interface on the A11.
Battery Life
Both phones offer decent battery life, typically lasting a full day with moderate usage. However, the A11's 4000mAh battery is slightly larger than the A01 Core's 3000mAh battery, potentially providing a bit more longevity. The A11 also supports 15W fast charging, a feature absent in the A01 Core.
Buying Guide
The Samsung Galaxy A01 Core is ideal for users on a very tight budget who primarily need a basic phone for calls, texts, and light app usage. The Samsung Galaxy A11 is a better choice for those who want a smoother experience, a larger display, a better camera, and faster charging without breaking the bank.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Is the Samsung Galaxy A01 Core good for gaming?
The A01 Core's processor is quite weak, so it's not ideal for demanding games. Simple, less graphically intensive games might be playable, but expect lag and low frame rates.
❓ Does the Samsung Galaxy A11 have NFC?
No, the Samsung Galaxy A11 does not have NFC capabilities.