Samsung Galaxy A01 vs. A10e: Which Budget Phone Wins?

The Samsung Galaxy A01 and A10e represent Samsung’s entry-level offerings, often found at incredibly competitive price points. While both aim to deliver a smartphone experience to budget-conscious consumers, they differ significantly in their internal hardware. This comparison dissects those differences, focusing on how the Snapdragon 439 in the A01 stacks up against the Exynos 7884 in the A10e, and which phone provides the best value.
Phones Images

🏆 Quick Verdict

For most users, the Samsung Galaxy A10e is the better choice. Its Exynos 7884 chipset, featuring Cortex-A73 cores, provides a noticeable performance advantage over the A01’s Snapdragon 439, especially in multitasking and app loading. While the A01 is cheaper, the A10e’s improved processing power justifies the slight price premium.

PHONES
Phone Names Samsung Galaxy A01 Samsung Galaxy A10e
Network
2G bandsGSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
3G bandsHSDPA 850 / 900 / 2100HSDPA 850 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 - AT&T
4G bands1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 412, 3, 4, 5, 7, 12, 14, 29, 30, 66 - AT&T
SpeedHSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE Cat4 150/50 MbpsHSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE Cat4 150/50 Mbps
TechnologyGSM / HSPA / LTEGSM / CDMA / HSPA / LTE
 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 17, 28 - SM-A015M1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 20, 25, 26, 28, 38, 39, 40, 41, 66, 71 - Metro PCS, T-Mobile
Launch
Announced2019, December 17. Released 2020, January2019, July. Released 2019, August
StatusDiscontinuedDiscontinued
Body
BuildGlass front, plastic back, plastic frameGlass front, plastic back, plastic frame
Dimensions146.2 x 70.9 x 8.3 mm (5.76 x 2.79 x 0.33 in)147.3 x 69.6 x 8.4 mm (5.80 x 2.74 x 0.33 in)
SIM· Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIMNano-SIM
Weight149 g (5.26 oz)141 g (4.97 oz)
Display
Resolution720 x 1520 pixels, 19:9 ratio (~294 ppi density)720 x 1560 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~295 ppi density)
Size5.7 inches, 81.6 cm2 (~78.8% screen-to-body ratio)5.83 inches, 83.4 cm2 (~81.4% screen-to-body ratio)
TypePLS LCDPLS LCD
Platform
CPUOcta-core (4x1.95 GHz Cortex-A53 & 4x1.45 GHz Cortex A53)Octa-core (2x1.6 GHz Cortex-A73 & 6x1.35 GHz Cortex-A53)
ChipsetQualcomm SDM439 Snapdragon 439 (12 nm)Exynos 7884 (14 nm)
GPUAdreno 505Mali-G71 MP2
OSAndroid 10, upgradable to Android 12, One UI Core 4.1Android 9.0 (Pie), upgradable to Android 11, One UI 3.1
Memory
Card slotmicroSDXC (dedicated slot)microSDXC (dedicated slot)
Internal16GB 2GB RAM, 32GB 2GB RAM32GB 2GB RAM, 32GB 3GB RAM
 eMMC 5.1eMMC 5.1
Main Camera
Dual13 MP, f/2.2, 28mm (wide), 1/3.1", 1.12µm, AF Auxiliary lens-
FeaturesLED flashLED flash, panorama, HDR
Single-8 MP, f/1.9, AF or 5 MP, AF
Video1080p@30fps1080p@30fps
Selfie camera
Single5 MP, f/2.2, 1/5.0", 1.12µm5 MP, f/2.0 or 2 MP
VideoYes-
Sound
3.5mm jack YesYes
35mm jackYesYes
Loudspeaker YesYes
Comms
Bluetooth4.2, A2DP, LE5.0, A2DP, LE
NFCNoNo
PositioningGPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDSGPS, GLONASS, GALILEO
RadioFM radio, RDS, recordingNo
USBmicroUSB 2.0USB Type-C 2.0
WLANWi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, Wi-Fi DirectWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct
Features
SensorsAccelerometer, proximityAccelerometer, proximity
Battery
TypeLi-Ion 3000 mAh, non-removableLi-Ion 3000 mAh, non-removable
Misc
ColorsBlack, Blue, RedBlack
ModelsSM-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-A015U1SM-A102U, SM-S102DL, SM-A102U1, SM-A102W, SM-A102N
PriceAbout 200 EURAbout 80 EUR
SAR-0.47 W/kg (head)     0.54 W/kg (body)
SAR EU0.35 W/kg (head)     1.56 W/kg (body)-
Pricing
16GB 2GB RAM$ 72.90-
RENEWED$ 88.00-

Samsung Galaxy A01

  • Potentially lower price point
  • Snapdragon 439 offers good power efficiency
  • Functional for basic smartphone tasks

  • Significantly slower performance than the A10e
  • Less responsive user experience
  • Limited multitasking capabilities

Samsung Galaxy A10e

  • Faster performance thanks to Cortex-A73 cores
  • Smoother multitasking and app loading
  • More responsive user experience

  • Slightly higher price
  • Exynos 7884 is less power efficient than Snapdragon 439
  • May not offer significantly better camera performance

Display Comparison

Neither the A01 nor the A10e are display champions. Specific display specs (resolution, brightness) are not provided, but both likely feature LCD panels typical of this price bracket. The A10e’s Exynos 7884 may offer slightly better display processing capabilities, potentially resulting in smoother scrolling. However, the real difference lies in the chipset’s ability to drive the display efficiently, which favors the A10e. Bezels are expected to be substantial on both devices, reflecting their budget nature.

Camera Comparison

Camera performance on both devices is expected to be basic. Without specific sensor details, it’s safe to assume both feature a primary camera and potentially a depth sensor. The A10e’s more powerful chipset could offer slightly better image processing capabilities, leading to marginally improved image quality. However, the difference will likely be minimal. The presence of a 2MP macro camera on either device is largely a marketing gimmick and shouldn’t be a deciding factor.

Performance

The core difference between these phones is the chipset. The A01’s Qualcomm Snapdragon 439 (12nm) utilizes eight Cortex-A53 cores, split into two clusters – 4x1.95 GHz and 4x1.45 GHz. This is a power-efficient but relatively slow configuration. The A10e’s Exynos 7884 (14nm) employs a more sophisticated arrangement: 2x1.6 GHz Cortex-A73 cores for performance and 6x1.35 GHz Cortex-A53 cores for efficiency. The Cortex-A73 cores are significantly more powerful than the A53 cores, resulting in faster app launches, smoother multitasking, and a more responsive overall experience. The 14nm process node on the Exynos is less efficient than the A01’s 12nm, but the architectural advantage of the A73 cores outweighs this.

Battery Life

Battery capacity isn’t specified for either device, but both likely house batteries in the 3000-4000 mAh range. The Snapdragon 439’s power efficiency might give the A01 a slight edge in battery life under light usage. However, the A10e’s more efficient chipset utilization could offset this during more demanding tasks. Charging wattage is also unknown, but both are likely to support slow charging speeds.

Buying Guide

Buy the Samsung Galaxy A01 if you prioritize absolute lowest cost and primarily need a phone for basic communication – calls, texts, and light social media. It’s a functional device for those with minimal smartphone demands. Buy the Samsung Galaxy A10e if you value smoother performance for everyday tasks, occasional gaming, and a more responsive user experience. The A10e is the better option for anyone who doesn’t want to constantly fight lag.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Does the Exynos 7884 in the A10e tend to overheat during prolonged use, like gaming?
The Exynos 7884 is not a particularly power-hungry chip, and thermal throttling shouldn't be a major issue with the A10e, especially given its plastic construction. While it won't deliver flagship-level gaming performance, it should handle moderate gaming sessions without significant overheating.
❓ Is the difference in performance between the Snapdragon 439 and Exynos 7884 noticeable in everyday tasks like browsing and social media?
Yes, the difference is noticeable. The A10e’s Cortex-A73 cores provide a significant boost in responsiveness, resulting in faster app launches, smoother scrolling, and a more fluid overall experience when browsing the web or using social media apps. The A01 will feel noticeably slower and more sluggish.
❓ Are software updates guaranteed for either of these devices?
Samsung’s update policy for these entry-level devices is limited. While they may receive occasional security patches, major Android version updates are unlikely. Expect limited long-term software support for both the A01 and A10e.