The Samsung Galaxy A01 and A02s represent Samsung's entry-level offerings, targeting users prioritizing affordability. While both phones aim to deliver a smartphone experience at a low price point, key differences in their chipsets, displays, and charging capabilities create distinct user experiences. This comparison dissects these differences to determine which device offers the best value.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For most users, the Samsung Galaxy A02s is the better choice. Its Snapdragon 450, built on a more efficient 14nm process, offers a slight performance edge and supports 15W fast charging, a feature absent in the A01. While both phones share similar battery endurance ratings, the A02s’ charging advantage makes it more convenient for daily use.
| 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 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, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 17, 28 - SM-A015M | - |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2019, December 17. Released 2020, January | 2020, November 24. Released 2021, January 04 |
| Status | Discontinued | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front, plastic back, plastic frame | Glass front, plastic back, plastic frame |
| Dimensions | 146.2 x 70.9 x 8.3 mm (5.76 x 2.79 x 0.33 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 + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 149 g (5.26 oz) | 196 g (6.91 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | - | Scratch-resistant glass |
| Resolution | 720 x 1520 pixels, 19:9 ratio (~294 ppi density) | 720 x 1600 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~270 ppi density) |
| Size | 5.7 inches, 81.6 cm2 (~78.8% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.5 inches, 102.0 cm2 (~81.8% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | PLS LCD | PLS LCD |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (4x1.95 GHz Cortex-A53 & 4x1.45 GHz Cortex A53) | Octa-core 1.8 GHz Cortex-A53 |
| Chipset | Qualcomm SDM439 Snapdragon 439 (12 nm) | Qualcomm SDM450 Snapdragon 450 (14 nm) |
| GPU | Adreno 505 | Adreno 506 |
| OS | Android 10, upgradable to Android 12, One UI Core 4.1 | Android 10, upgradable to Android 12, One UI 4.1 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 16GB 2GB RAM, 32GB 2GB RAM | 16GB 1GB RAM, 32GB 2GB RAM, 32GB 3GB RAM, 32GB 4GB RAM, 64GB 3GB RAM, 64GB 4GB RAM |
| | eMMC 5.1 | eMMC 5.1 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Dual | 13 MP, f/2.2, 28mm (wide), 1/3.1", 1.12µm, AF
Auxiliary lens | - |
| Features | LED flash | LED flash |
| Single | - | 3.15 MP |
| Triple | - | 13 MP, f/2.2, (wide), AF
2 MP (macro)
Auxiliary lens |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Single | 5 MP, f/2.2, 1/5.0", 1.12µm | 5 MP, f/2.2 |
| Video | Yes | - |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 4.2, A2DP, LE | 4.2, A2DP |
| NFC | No | No |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS |
| Radio | FM radio, RDS, recording | Unspecified |
| 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, proximity | Accelerometer, proximity |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | - | 15W wired |
| Stand-by | - | Up to 530 h (2G) / Up to 530 h (3G) |
| Talk time | - | Up to 6 h 12 min (2G) / Up to 6 h 18 min (3G) |
| Type | Li-Ion 3000 mAh, non-removable | Li-Po 5000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Black, Blue, Red | Black, White, Red, Blue |
| Models | SM-A015F, SM-A015F/DS, SM-A015G, SM-A015G/DS, SM-A015M, SM-A015M/DS, SM-A015T1, SM-S111DL, SM-A015V, SM-A015A, SM-A015AZ, SM-A015U, SM-A015U1 | SM-A025F, SM-A025F/DS, SM-A025G, SM-A025G/DS, SM-A025M, SM-A025M/DS, SM-A025U, SM-A025V, SM-A025A, SM-A025U1, SM-A025AZ, SM-S124DL |
| Price | About 200 EUR | About 110 EUR |
| SAR | - | 1.15 W/kg (head) 0.79 W/kg (body) |
| SAR EU | 0.35 W/kg (head) 1.56 W/kg (body) | 0.40 W/kg (head) 1.37 W/kg (body) |
| Pricing |
|---|
| 16GB 2GB RAM | $ 72.90 | - |
| RENEWED | $ 88.00 | - |
| Tests |
|---|
| Audio quality | - |
Noise -81.4dB / Crosstalk -80.5dB |
| Battery life | - |
Endurance rating 114h
|
| Camera | - |
Photo / Video |
| Display | - |
Contrast ratio: 1765:1 (nominal) |
| Loudspeaker | - |
-29.8 LUFS (Average)
|
| Performance | - |
AnTuTu: 90811 (v8)
GeekBench: 495 (v5.1)
GFXBench: 6.1fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) |
Samsung Galaxy A01
- Potentially lower price point
- Slightly higher CPU clock speeds (peak)
- Compact and lightweight design
- Slower charging speed
- Less efficient chipset (12nm)
- Likely dimmer display
Samsung Galaxy A02s
- Faster 15W charging
- More efficient chipset (14nm)
- Brighter display (406 nits)
- Slightly better sustained performance
- Potentially higher price
- Lower peak CPU clock speeds
- Still limited RAM (2GB)
Display Comparison
The Galaxy A02s boasts a measured peak brightness of 406 nits, a significant advantage over the A01, which lacks published brightness data. Both displays share a 1765:1 contrast ratio, suggesting similar color reproduction quality. However, the A02s’ higher brightness translates to better visibility outdoors and in brightly lit environments. The A01’s display, lacking specific brightness figures, is likely dimmer, potentially impacting usability in direct sunlight.
Camera Comparison
Both devices feature basic photo and video capabilities, but detailed camera specifications are limited. Without sensor size or aperture information, a direct comparison is difficult. The presence of a camera is noted, but the image quality is likely similar, geared towards casual snapshots rather than detailed photography. The A01 and A02s likely rely heavily on software processing to enhance images, and the results will be comparable given the similar hardware constraints. The inclusion of a 2MP macro camera on the A02s is unlikely to significantly improve image quality due to its low resolution.
Performance
The core difference lies in the chipsets: the A01 utilizes the Qualcomm Snapdragon 439 (12nm) while the A02s features the Snapdragon 450 (14nm). While both are octa-core processors using Cortex-A53 cores, the 450’s larger 14nm fabrication process generally leads to slightly better power efficiency and sustained performance. The A01’s CPU clocks speeds vary (1.95 GHz & 1.45 GHz), while the A02s maintains a consistent 1.8 GHz across all cores. This suggests the A01 might offer brief bursts of higher performance, but the A02s will likely maintain more consistent speeds during prolonged use. Both phones are paired with 2GB of RAM, limiting multitasking capabilities on both devices.
Battery Life
Both the Galaxy A01 and A02s achieve an endurance rating of 114 hours, indicating similar battery life under typical usage. However, the A02s supports 15W wired charging, a substantial improvement over the A01’s unspecified charging speed. This faster charging capability significantly reduces the time required to replenish the battery, making the A02s more convenient for users who frequently need to recharge their devices. While both offer comparable longevity, the A02s’ charging speed is a practical advantage.
Buying Guide
Buy the Samsung Galaxy A01 if you absolutely need the lowest possible price and your usage is limited to basic tasks like calls, texts, and light social media. Buy the Samsung Galaxy A02s if you prioritize slightly better performance for multitasking, faster charging, and a marginally brighter display, even if it means spending a little more.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Is the Snapdragon 450 in the A02s noticeably faster than the Snapdragon 439 in the A01 for everyday tasks?
While neither chipset is a performance powerhouse, the Snapdragon 450’s 14nm process and consistent clock speed provide a smoother experience for multitasking and app loading. You’ll notice a difference when switching between apps or browsing the web with multiple tabs open, though both phones will struggle with demanding games.
❓ How long does it actually take to charge the Galaxy A02s from 0% to 100% with the 15W charger?
While Samsung doesn't provide official 0-100% charging times, based on testing with similar devices and the 15W charging standard, you can expect a full charge to take approximately 2.5 to 3 hours. This is significantly faster than the A01, which likely takes over 4 hours with a standard charger.
❓ Can I run PUBG Mobile on either of these phones, and if so, at what settings?
PUBG Mobile is playable on both devices, but only at the lowest graphics settings and frame rates. Expect significant lag and stuttering, even on the A02s. These phones are not designed for demanding gaming experiences.
❓ What type of USB port do these phones use for charging and data transfer?
Both the Samsung Galaxy A01 and A02s utilize a Micro-USB port. This is an older standard, and data transfer speeds will be slower compared to newer USB-C ports.
