Looking for an affordable Samsung smartphone? The Galaxy A03 Core and A14 are popular contenders in the budget segment. But which one offers the best value for your money? This comprehensive comparison dives deep into their features, performance, and overall user experience.
🏆 Quick Verdict
The Samsung Galaxy A14 is the clear winner. While the A03 Core is incredibly budget-friendly, the A14's superior chipset, better camera, and improved display offer a significantly smoother and more enjoyable experience, justifying the slightly higher price.
| 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 21.1/5.76 Mbps, LTE | HSPA, LTE |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2021, November 15 | 2023, February 28 |
| Status | Available. Released 2021, December 06 | Available. Released 2023, March 27 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Plastic back, plastic frame | Glass front, plastic back, plastic frame |
| Dimensions | 164.2 x 75.9 x 9.1 mm (6.46 x 2.99 x 0.36 in) | 167.7 x 78 x 9.1 mm (6.60 x 3.07 x 0.36 in) |
| SIM | · Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | · Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 211 g (7.44 oz) | 201 g (7.09 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Resolution | 720 x 1600 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~270 ppi density) | 1080 x 2408 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~400 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.5 inches, 102.0 cm2 (~81.8% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.6 inches, 104.9 cm2 (~80.2% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | PLS LCD | PLS LCD |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (4x1.6 GHz Cortex-A55 & 4x1.2 GHz Cortex-A55) | Octa-core (2x2.0 GHz Cortex-A75 & 6x1.8 GHz Cortex-A55) - Version AOcta-core (4x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55 & 4x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55) - Version B |
| Chipset | Unisoc SC9863A (28 nm) | Mediatek MT6769 Helio G80 (12 nm) - Version AExynos 850 (8 nm) - Version B |
| GPU | IMG8322 | Mali-G52 MC2 |
| OS | Android 11 (Go edition) | Android 13, upgradable to Android 15, One UI 7 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 32GB 2GB RAM | 64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM |
| | eMMC 5.1 | - |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash | LED flash, panorama, HDR |
| Single | 8 MP, f/2.0, AF | 13 MP, f/2.0, (wide) |
| Triple | - | 50 MP, f/1.8, 26mm (wide), 1/2.75", 0.64µm, PDAF
5 MP, f/2.2, 17mm (ultrawide), 1/5.0", 1.12µm
2 MP (macro) |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Single | 5 MP, f/2.2 | 13 MP, f/2.0, 26mm (wide), 1/3.1", 1.12µm |
| Video | - | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 4.2, A2DP | 5.1 or 5.3, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | No | Yes (market/region dependent) |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS | GPS, GALILEO, GLONASS, BDS, QZSS |
| Radio | Unspecified | Unspecified |
| USB | microUSB 2.0, OTG | USB Type-C 2.0 |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, Wi-Fi Direct | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Accelerometer, proximity | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, proximity, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | - | 15W wired |
| Type | Li-Ion 5000 mAh | Li-Po 5000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Black, Blue | Black, Dark Red, Silver, Green |
| Models | SM-A032F, SM-A032F/DS, SM-A032M | SM-A145F, SM-A145F/DSN, SM-A145M, SM-A145M/DS, SM-A145P, SM-A145R |
| Price | £ 74.99 | € 85.76 / $ 147.60 / £ 79.95 |
| SAR | 0.30 W/kg (head) | - |
| SAR EU | 0.24 W/kg (head) 1.39 W/kg (body) | 0.46 W/kg (head) 1.37 W/kg (body) |
Samsung Galaxy A03 Core
- Extremely affordable
- Compact and lightweight
- Decent battery life for basic use
- Weak performance
- Low-resolution display
- Basic camera
- Limited storage
Samsung Galaxy A14
- Better performance
- Larger and higher-resolution display
- Versatile camera system
- Longer battery life
- 15W fast charging
- Slightly more expensive
- Plastic build quality
Display Comparison
The Galaxy A14 boasts a larger 6.6-inch display with a higher resolution (1080 x 2408 pixels) compared to the A03 Core's smaller 6.5-inch display (720 x 1600 pixels). This results in sharper visuals and a more immersive viewing experience on the A14. Both have similar LCD panels, but the A14's size and resolution give it a noticeable edge.
Camera Comparison
The Galaxy A14 features a triple-camera system (50MP main, 5MP ultrawide, 2MP macro) offering more versatility and better image quality than the A03 Core's single 13MP camera. The A14's camera also benefits from improved image processing, resulting in brighter and more detailed photos, especially in low light.
Performance
Here's where the A14 truly shines. The A14's Mediatek Helio G80 (or Exynos 850) chipset is significantly more powerful than the A03 Core's Unisoc SC9863A. Expect smoother multitasking, faster app loading times, and better overall responsiveness on the A14. The A03 Core can feel sluggish, especially with demanding apps.
Battery Life
Both phones offer decent battery life, but the A14's larger battery capacity (5000 mAh) and more efficient chipset give it a slight advantage. While the A03 Core's battery is adequate, the A14 will likely last longer on a single charge, especially with heavier usage.
Buying Guide
The Samsung Galaxy A03 Core is ideal for users on the tightest budget who primarily need a basic phone for calls, texts, and light social media use. The Samsung Galaxy A14 is a better choice for those who want a more capable device for everyday tasks, photography, and occasional gaming, without breaking the bank.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Is the Samsung Galaxy A03 Core good for gaming?
No, the A03 Core's weak processor makes it unsuitable for demanding games. It can handle very basic games, but expect low frame rates and lag.
❓ How much storage do the phones have?
The A03 Core typically comes with 32GB or 64GB of storage, while the A14 offers 64GB or 128GB. Both support microSD card expansion.
❓ Which phone has better software support?
The Galaxy A14 is likely to receive longer software support and updates compared to the A03 Core, as it's a newer and higher-tier device.
