Looking for an affordable Samsung smartphone? The Galaxy A03 and A13 are popular contenders, but which one offers the best value? This comprehensive comparison breaks down their key features to help you make the right choice.
🏆 Quick Verdict
The Samsung Galaxy A13 is the clear winner. While the A03 is cheaper, the A13's superior chipset, brighter display, and longer software support make it a significantly better overall 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 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE Cat4 150/50 Mbps | HSPA, LTE |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2021, November 26 | 2022, March 04 |
| Status | Available. Released 2022, January 21 | Available. Released 2022, March 23 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front, plastic back, plastic frame | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 5), plastic frame, plastic back |
| Dimensions | 164.2 x 75.9 x 9.1 mm (6.46 x 2.99 x 0.36 in) | 165.1 x 76.4 x 8.8 mm (6.5 x 3.01 x 0.35 in) |
| SIM | · Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | · Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 196 g (6.91 oz) | 195 g (6.88 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | - | Corning Gorilla Glass 5 |
| 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 (~83.2% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | PLS LCD | PLS LCD |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (2x1.6 GHz Cortex-A75 & 6x1.6 GHz Cortex-A55) | Octa-core (4x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55 & 4x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55) |
| Chipset | Unisoc T606 (12 nm) | Exynos 850 (8 nm) |
| GPU | Mali-G57 MP1 | Mali-G52 |
| OS | Android 11, upgradable to Android 13, One UI core 5 | Android 12, upgradable to Android 14, One UI 6.1 |
| 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 3GB RAM, 32GB 4GB RAM, 64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 3GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM |
| | eMMC 5.1 | eMMC 5.1 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Dual | 48 MP, f/1.8, (wide), AF
Auxiliary lens | - |
| Features | LED flash | LED flash, panorama, HDR |
| Quad | - | 50 MP, f/1.8, (wide), PDAF
5 MP, f/2.2, 123˚ (ultrawide), 1/5.0", 1.12µm
2 MP (macro)
Auxiliary lens |
| Single | 5 MP, f/2.2 | 8 MP, f/2.2, (wide) |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Single | 5 MP, f/2.2 | 8 MP, f/2.2, (wide) |
| Video | Yes | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.0, A2DP, LE | 5.0, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | No | Yes (market/region dependent) |
| Positioning | GPS | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS |
| Radio | Unspecified | No |
| USB | microUSB 2.0 | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, 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, compass |
| | - | Virtual proximity sensing |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | - | 15W wired |
| Type | Li-Po 5000 mAh | Li-Po 5000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Black, Blue, Red | Black, White, Peach, Blue |
| Models | SM-A035F, SM-A035F/DS, SM-A035M, SM-A035G | SM-A135F, SM-A135F/DS, SM-A135M, SM-A135U, SM-A135U1, SM-A135N |
| Price | € 119.90 / £ 88.00 / ₹ 11,990 | € 94.99 / $ 129.99 / £ 89.00 |
| SAR | - | 0.49 W/kg (head) |
| SAR EU | 0.20 W/kg (head) 1.35 W/kg (body) | 0.37 W/kg (head) 1.39 W/kg (body) |
| Tests |
|---|
| Battery life | - |
Endurance rating 114h
|
| Camera | - |
Photo / Video |
| Display | - |
Contrast ratio: 1324:1 (nominal) |
| Loudspeaker | - |
-29.7 LUFS (Average)
|
| Performance | - |
AnTuTu: 122822 (v8), 136286 (v9)
GeekBench: 588 (v5.1)
GFXBench: 5.2fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) |
Samsung Galaxy A03
- Very affordable
- Decent battery life
- Lightweight
- Slow performance
- Basic camera
- Limited software updates
- Low brightness display
Samsung Galaxy A13
- Faster performance
- Better camera
- Brighter display
- Longer software support
- 15W charging
- Slightly more expensive
- Plastic build
Display Comparison
The Galaxy A13 boasts a significantly brighter display (587 nits vs A03's likely lower brightness) and a generally better viewing experience. Both offer a 1324:1 contrast ratio, but the A13's higher brightness makes colors pop more. The A13 also likely has better color accuracy.
Camera Comparison
While both offer 'Photo / Video' capabilities, the A13's camera system is generally expected to be superior due to the better processing power of the Exynos 850. Expect better image quality, especially in low light, and potentially more features on the A13. The A03's camera will be adequate for basic snapshots.
Performance
The Exynos 850 in the A13 is a substantial upgrade over the Unisoc T606 in the A03. Expect noticeably faster app loading times, smoother multitasking, and better overall responsiveness on the A13. The A03 will feel sluggish by comparison.
Battery Life
Both phones boast an impressive endurance rating of 114h, suggesting excellent battery life. However, the A13's more efficient chipset may contribute to slightly better real-world battery performance despite potentially having a similar or slightly larger battery capacity.
Buying Guide
The Samsung Galaxy A03 is ideal for users on a very tight budget who primarily need basic calling and texting functionality. The Samsung Galaxy A13 is a better choice for anyone wanting a smoother experience, better camera, and longer software support, even if it means spending a bit more.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Is the Samsung Galaxy A03 worth buying?
The A03 is only worth considering if you're on an extremely tight budget and only need basic smartphone functionality. Otherwise, the A13 offers significantly better value.
❓ How much RAM does each phone have?
RAM configurations vary by region, but the A03 typically comes with 3GB or 4GB, while the A13 usually offers 4GB or 6GB.
❓ What is the storage capacity of each phone?
Both phones are available in 32GB and 64GB storage options, expandable via microSD card.
❓ How long will Samsung support each phone with software updates?
The A13 is expected to receive longer software support and security updates compared to the A03.
