Samsung Galaxy A01 vs A11: A Detailed Comparison of Budget Champions

The Samsung Galaxy A01 and A11 represent Samsung's entry into the ultra-budget smartphone market. While both aim to deliver essential smartphone functionality at a low price point, they differ in key areas, primarily their underlying chipsets. This comparison dissects those differences, focusing on how the Snapdragon 439 in the A01 stacks up against the Snapdragon 450 in the A11, and who each phone best serves.

Phones Images

🏆 Quick Verdict

For most users, the Samsung Galaxy A11 is the better choice. Its Snapdragon 450, built on a more efficient 14nm process, offers a slight performance edge and the inclusion of 15W fast charging provides a tangible benefit over the A01's slower charging. The A01 remains viable for extremely budget-conscious users prioritizing absolute lowest cost.

PHONES
Phone Names	Samsung Galaxy A01	Samsung Galaxy A11

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 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	1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 20, 25, 26, 28, 38, 39, 40, 41, 66, 71 - SM-A115U

Launch
Announced	2019, December 17. Released 2020, January	2020, March 13. Released 2020, May 01
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)	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	149 g (5.26 oz)	177 g (6.24 oz)

Display
Resolution	720 x 1520 pixels, 19:9 ratio (~294 ppi density)	720 x 1560 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~268 ppi density)
Size	5.7 inches, 81.6 cm2 (~78.8% screen-to-body ratio)	6.4 inches, 100.5 cm2 (~81.6% 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 Core 4.1

Memory
Card slot	microSDXC (dedicated slot)	microSDXC (dedicated slot)
Internal	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
Dual	13 MP, f/2.2, 28mm (wide), 1/3.1", 1.12µm, AF Auxiliary lens	-
Features	LED flash	LED flash, panorama, HDR
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/2.2, 1/5.0", 1.12µm	8 MP, f/2.0
Video	Yes	1080p@30fps

Sound
3.5mm jack	Yes	Yes
35mm jack	Yes	Yes
Loudspeaker	Yes	Yes

Comms
Bluetooth	4.2, A2DP, LE	4.2, A2DP, LE
NFC	No	No
Positioning	GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS	GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS
Radio	FM radio, RDS, recording	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, proximity	Fingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, proximity

Battery
Charging	-	15W wired
Type	Li-Ion 3000 mAh, non-removable	Li-Po 4000 mAh

Misc
Colors	Black, Blue, Red	Black, White, Blue, Red
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-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 200 EUR	About 160 EUR
SAR EU	0.35 W/kg (head) 1.56 W/kg (body)	0.52 W/kg (head) 0.99 W/kg (body)

Pricing
16GB 2GB RAM	$ 72.90	-
RENEWED	$ 88.00	-

Samsung Galaxy A01

Lowest possible price point for a Samsung smartphone
Octa-core processor offers decent performance for basic tasks
Compact and lightweight design

Slow charging speeds
Less efficient Snapdragon 439 chipset
Limited RAM (2GB) hinders multitasking

Samsung Galaxy A11

More efficient Snapdragon 450 chipset
15W fast charging support
Likely to receive longer software support

Slightly higher price than the A01
Still limited to 2GB of RAM
Display quality is basic

Display Comparison

Neither the A01 nor the A11 are display champions. Both likely feature LCD panels, typical for this price bracket. Specifics like resolution and peak brightness are not provided, but we can infer the A11's display is likely marginally better due to the slightly higher overall cost of the device. The absence of features like high refresh rates or even full HD resolution means both displays are geared towards basic visibility rather than immersive viewing.

Camera Comparison

Camera performance on both devices will be modest. Without sensor size or aperture information, it's difficult to make definitive claims. However, the A11 likely benefits from slightly improved image signal processing (ISP) capabilities within the Snapdragon 450. It's reasonable to assume the A11 will produce slightly more detailed and less noisy images, particularly in challenging lighting conditions. The prevalence of low-resolution auxiliary cameras (often 2MP) on both devices suggests these are primarily for marketing purposes and offer limited practical benefit.

Performance

The core difference lies in the chipsets. The A01's Snapdragon 439 (12nm) features an octa-core CPU split into two clusters: four cores clocked at 1.95 GHz and four at 1.45 GHz. The A11 utilizes the Snapdragon 450 (14nm) with eight cores running at a uniform 1.8 GHz. While the A01's higher clock speeds *suggest* faster performance, the 450's 14nm process is more efficient, potentially leading to better sustained performance and thermal management. The A11's CPU clock speed is lower, but the more efficient manufacturing process allows it to maintain that speed for longer without throttling. Both phones are paired with 2GB of RAM in the provided configuration, limiting multitasking capabilities on both devices.

Battery Life

Battery capacity isn't specified for either device, but both likely house batteries in the 3000-4000 mAh range, typical for this segment. The A11's key advantage is its 15W wired charging support. The A01 likely supports only 5W or 10W charging, resulting in significantly longer charge times. This difference in charging speed translates to a real-world convenience factor, allowing A11 users to quickly top up their battery when needed.

Buying Guide

Buy the Samsung Galaxy A01 if you need the absolute cheapest possible smartphone from a reputable brand and your usage is limited to basic tasks like calls, texts, and light social media. Buy the Samsung Galaxy A11 if you prefer a slightly smoother user experience, faster charging, and a phone that will likely remain supported with software updates for a longer period, even if it means spending a little more upfront.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Will the Snapdragon 450 in the A11 handle basic gaming like PUBG Mobile?

The Snapdragon 450 can run PUBG Mobile, but expect to play at the lowest graphics settings and potentially experience frame rate drops, especially during intense action. It's not designed for demanding gaming experiences.

❓ How much faster is the charging on the A11 compared to the A01?

The A11's 15W charging will significantly reduce charging times. While exact 0-100% times aren't available, expect the A11 to charge roughly twice as fast as the A01, which likely supports only 5W or 10W charging.

❓ Is the 2GB of RAM enough for everyday use on either phone?

2GB of RAM is the bare minimum for modern smartphone use. Both phones will struggle with heavy multitasking. Closing apps frequently will be necessary to maintain smooth performance.

❓ Which phone is more likely to receive future Android updates?

The Samsung Galaxy A11 is more likely to receive future Android updates. Samsung typically provides longer software support for slightly higher-tier devices like the A11.