Looking for an affordable Samsung smartphone? The Galaxy A03 and A02 are popular contenders in the budget segment. But which one offers the best value for your money? This comprehensive comparison dives deep into their specs, performance, and features to help you decide.
🏆 Quick Verdict
The Galaxy A03 generally edges out the A02 thanks to its more powerful chipset and slightly improved display. However, the A02's more competitive pricing, especially for the 3GB/64GB variant, makes it a strong contender for budget-conscious buyers. It depends on your priorities!
| 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 |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2021, November 26 | 2021, January 27 |
| Status | Available. Released 2022, January 21 | Available. Released 2021, January 27 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front, 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) | 164 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 | 196 g (6.91 oz) | 206 g (7.27 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Resolution | 720 x 1600 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~270 ppi density) | 720 x 1600 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~270 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.5 inches, 102.0 cm2 (~81.8% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.5 inches, 102.0 cm2 (~81.9% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | PLS LCD | PLS LCD |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (2x1.6 GHz Cortex-A75 & 6x1.6 GHz Cortex-A55) | Quad-core 1.5 GHz Cortex-A53 |
| Chipset | Unisoc T606 (12 nm) | Mediatek MT6739W (28 nm) |
| GPU | Mali-G57 MP1 | PowerVR GE8100 |
| OS | Android 11, upgradable to Android 13, One UI core 5 | Android 10, upgradable to Android 11, One UI Core 3.1 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 32GB 2GB RAM, 32GB 3GB RAM, 32GB 4GB RAM, 64GB 4GB RAM, 64GB 3GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM | 32GB 2GB RAM, 32GB 3GB RAM, 32GB 4GB RAM, 64GB 3GB RAM |
| | eMMC 5.1 | eMMC 5.1 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Dual | 48 MP, f/1.8, (wide), AF
Auxiliary lens | 13 MP, f/1.9, (wide), AF
2 MP (macro) |
| Features | LED flash | LED flash |
| Single | 5 MP, f/2.2 | - |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Single | 5 MP, f/2.2 | 5 MP, f/2.0 |
| Video | Yes | - |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.0, A2DP, LE | 5.1, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | No | No |
| Positioning | GPS | GPS, GLONASS |
| Radio | Unspecified | FM radio |
| USB | microUSB 2.0 | microUSB 2.0 |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Accelerometer, proximity | Accelerometer |
| | - | Virtual proximity sensing |
| Battery |
|---|
| Type | Li-Po 5000 mAh | Li-Po 5000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Black, Blue, Red | Black, Blue |
| Models | SM-A035F, SM-A035F/DS, SM-A035M, SM-A035G | SM-A022F, SM-A022F/DS, SM-A022M, SM-A022M/DS, SM-A022G, SM-A022G/DS |
| Price | € 119.90 / £ 88.00 / ₹ 11,990 | € 97.46 |
| SAR EU | 0.20 W/kg (head) 1.35 W/kg (body) | 0.65 W/kg (head) 1.71 W/kg (body) |
| Pricing |
|---|
| 32GB 2GB RAM | - | $ 149.99 |
| 32GB 3GB RAM | - | $ 129.99 |
| 64GB 3GB RAM | - | $ 199.99 |
| RENEWED | - | £ 113.00 |
Samsung Galaxy A03
- More powerful chipset
- Larger display
- Higher resolution main camera
- Modern design
- Potentially higher price
- Unisoc chipset reputation (though improved)
Samsung Galaxy A02
- More affordable (especially 3GB/64GB variant)
- Reliable Samsung brand
- Large battery
- Slower performance
- Older chipset
- Lower resolution main camera
Display Comparison
The Galaxy A03 features a larger 6.5-inch display compared to the A02's 6.5-inch display. Both offer HD+ resolution, but the A03's newer chipset might offer slightly better color accuracy and brightness. The A02's display is perfectly adequate for everyday use.
Camera Comparison
Both phones feature a dual-camera setup. The A03 typically has a 48MP main sensor and a 2MP depth sensor, while the A02 has a 13MP main sensor and a 2MP depth sensor. While megapixels aren't everything, the A03's higher resolution main sensor should capture more detail in good lighting conditions. Low-light performance is likely similar on both.
Performance
Here's where the A03 shines. Its Unisoc T606 chipset is significantly more powerful than the A02's MT6739W. Expect smoother multitasking, faster app loading times, and a better overall user experience on the A03. The A02 can feel sluggish at times, especially with heavier apps.
Battery Life
Both phones offer a large 5000mAh battery, promising all-day battery life. Actual battery performance will depend on usage, but both should comfortably last a full day for moderate users.
Buying Guide
The Samsung Galaxy A03 is ideal for users who prioritize performance and a slightly better display experience. The Galaxy A02 is a great choice for those on a tight budget who still want a reliable Samsung device, particularly if you can find a good deal on the 3GB/64GB model.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Is the Samsung Galaxy A03 worth the extra money?
If performance is a priority, then yes. The A03's chipset provides a noticeably smoother experience. However, if you're on a very tight budget, the A02 remains a viable option.
❓ Which phone has better software support?
Both phones will receive updates for a limited time. Samsung generally provides decent software support for its budget devices, but don't expect major Android version upgrades.
