The Samsung Galaxy A02s and A03s represent Samsung’s continued commitment to the ultra-budget smartphone market. Both devices aim to deliver essential smartphone functionality at a low price point, but key differences in their chipsets and displays create distinct user experiences. This comparison dives deep into these differences to determine which phone offers the best value.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For most users, the Samsung Galaxy A03s is the better choice. Its Mediatek Helio P35 chipset, built on a more efficient 12nm process, provides a noticeable performance uplift over the A02s’ Snapdragon 450. While the battery life difference is modest, the brighter display of the A03s further enhances its usability.
| 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 |
| | 2, 4, 5, 7, 12, 13, 14, 25, 26, 41, 66, 71 - SM-A037U | - |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2021, August 18 | 2020, November 24. Released 2021, January 04 |
| Status | Available. Released 2021, August 18 | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front, plastic frame, plastic back | 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) | 164.2 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 |
| Weight | 196 g (6.91 oz) | 196 g (6.91 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | - | Scratch-resistant glass |
| 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 (~81.8% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | PLS LCD | PLS LCD |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (4x2.35 GHz Cortex-A53 & 4x1.8 GHz Cortex-A53) | Octa-core 1.8 GHz Cortex-A53 |
| Chipset | Mediatek MT6765 Helio P35 (12 nm) | Qualcomm SDM450 Snapdragon 450 (14 nm) |
| GPU | PowerVR GE8320 | Adreno 506 |
| OS | Android 11, upgradable to Android 13, One UI 5.1 Core | Android 10, upgradable to Android 12, One UI 4.1 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 32GB 2GB RAM, 32GB 3GB RAM, 32GB 4GB RAM, 64GB 3GB RAM, 64GB 4GB RAM | 16GB 1GB RAM, 32GB 2GB RAM, 32GB 3GB RAM, 32GB 4GB RAM, 64GB 3GB RAM, 64GB 4GB RAM |
| | eMMC 5.1 | eMMC 5.1 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash | LED flash |
| Single | 5 MP, f/2.2 | 3.15 MP |
| Triple | 13 MP, f/2.2, (wide), AF
2 MP (macro)
Auxiliary lens | 13 MP, f/2.2, (wide), AF
2 MP (macro)
Auxiliary lens |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Single | 5 MP, f/2.2 | 5 MP, f/2.2 |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | - |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.0, A2DP | 4.2, A2DP |
| NFC | Yes (market/region dependent) | No |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS |
| Radio | No | Unspecified |
| USB | USB Type-C 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 | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, proximity | Accelerometer, proximity |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 15W wired | 15W wired |
| Stand-by | - | Up to 530 h (2G) / Up to 530 h (3G) |
| Talk time | - | Up to 6 h 12 min (2G) / Up to 6 h 18 min (3G) |
| Type | Li-Po 5000 mAh | Li-Po 5000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Black, Blue, White | Black, White, Red, Blue |
| Models | SM-A037F, SM-A037F/DS, SM-A037M, SM-A037G, SM-A037U, SM-S134DL, SM-A037W, SM-A037U1, SM-S135DL | SM-A025F, SM-A025F/DS, SM-A025G, SM-A025G/DS, SM-A025M, SM-A025M/DS, SM-A025U, SM-A025V, SM-A025A, SM-A025U1, SM-A025AZ, SM-S124DL |
| Price | $ 65.65 / £ 82.99 / ₹ 10,800 | About 110 EUR |
| SAR | - | 1.15 W/kg (head) 0.79 W/kg (body) |
| SAR EU | 0.36 W/kg (head) 1.09 W/kg (body) | 0.40 W/kg (head) 1.37 W/kg (body) |
| Tests |
|---|
| Audio quality | - |
Noise -81.4dB / Crosstalk -80.5dB |
| Battery life |
Endurance rating 122h
|
Endurance rating 114h
|
| Camera |
Photo / Video |
Photo / Video |
| Display |
Contrast ratio: 1718:1 (nominal) |
Contrast ratio: 1765:1 (nominal) |
| Loudspeaker |
-27.4 LUFS (Good)
|
-29.8 LUFS (Average)
|
| Performance |
AnTuTu: 103465 (v8), 101299 (v9)
GeekBench: 889 (v5.1)
GFXBench: 5.5fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) |
AnTuTu: 90811 (v8)
GeekBench: 495 (v5.1)
GFXBench: 6.1fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) |
Samsung Galaxy A03s
- Brighter display for better outdoor visibility
- More powerful Mediatek Helio P35 chipset
- Slightly longer battery life
- Still a budget device with limited features
- Camera performance likely similar to A02s
Samsung Galaxy A02s
- Slightly better contrast ratio (though minimal difference)
- Lower price point (potentially)
- Reliable Qualcomm Snapdragon 450 chipset
- Dimmer display
- Less powerful chipset
- Shorter battery life
Display Comparison
The Galaxy A03s boasts a measured peak brightness of 488 nits, a significant improvement over the A02s’ 406 nits. This translates to better visibility outdoors and in brightly lit environments. While both displays share a similar nominal contrast ratio around 1700:1, the higher brightness of the A03s makes images appear more vibrant. Both devices likely utilize LCD panels, and detailed color accuracy data is unavailable, but the A03s’ brighter panel provides a superior viewing experience overall.
Camera Comparison
Both the A03s and A02s feature a similar camera setup, with details limited to 'Photo / Video' capabilities. Without specific sensor size or aperture information, it’s difficult to definitively assess camera quality. However, given the overall positioning of these devices, image quality is likely comparable, focusing on basic point-and-shoot functionality. The inclusion of a 2MP macro camera on both devices is largely a marketing feature, offering limited practical benefit due to the low resolution.
Performance
The core difference between these two phones lies in their chipsets. The A03s utilizes the Mediatek Helio P35, a 12nm octa-core processor, while the A02s features the Qualcomm Snapdragon 450, built on a less efficient 14nm process. The Helio P35’s architecture, with its 4x2.35 GHz Cortex-A53 cores and 4x1.8 GHz Cortex-A53 cores, offers a performance advantage over the A02s’ uniformly clocked 1.8 GHz Cortex-A53 cores. This translates to snappier app loading times and smoother multitasking. While neither phone is a gaming powerhouse, the A03s will handle less demanding titles with greater ease.
Battery Life
The Galaxy A03s offers an endurance rating of 122 hours, a slight improvement over the A02s’ 114 hours. Both phones support 15W wired charging. The more efficient 12nm Helio P35 in the A03s contributes to this slightly longer battery life, allowing for a few extra hours of usage on a single charge. While the difference isn’t dramatic, it’s a noticeable advantage for users who heavily rely on their smartphones throughout the day.
Buying Guide
Buy the Samsung Galaxy A03s if you prioritize slightly better performance for everyday tasks like social media and light gaming, and appreciate a brighter, more visible screen. Buy the Samsung Galaxy A02s if you are on an extremely tight budget and are primarily focused on basic communication features, and the slightly better contrast ratio is a priority.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Will the Helio P35 in the A03s struggle with demanding apps?
The Helio P35 is an entry-level chipset. While it handles everyday tasks well, it will likely struggle with graphically intensive games or demanding applications. Expect some lag and reduced frame rates in these scenarios.
❓ Is the 15W charging fast enough for quick top-ups?
15W charging is relatively slow by modern standards. A full charge from 0-100% will take approximately 2-3 hours. It's best suited for overnight charging rather than quick power boosts.
❓ How does the Snapdragon 450 handle multitasking compared to the Helio P35?
The Snapdragon 450 will exhibit more noticeable slowdowns when multitasking compared to the Helio P35. The A03s’ processor architecture and higher clock speeds allow for smoother switching between apps.
❓ Are there any significant differences in the build quality between the A03s and A02s?
Both phones utilize primarily plastic construction, typical for this price range. Build quality is likely comparable, with neither device offering a premium feel.
