Samsung's A03 series targets the ultra-budget smartphone market, offering essential features at incredibly competitive prices. The Galaxy A03s and A03 represent slight variations within this segment, with key differences in their underlying chipsets. This comparison dives deep into those differences, analyzing how they impact real-world performance and battery life to help you choose the right device.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For most users, the Samsung Galaxy A03s is the better choice. Its Mediatek Helio P35 chipset, while older, offers a more mature architecture and generally better performance than the Unisoc T606 in the A03. The A03s also boasts a significantly better measured display brightness and endurance rating.
| 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 | 2021, November 26 |
| Status | Available. Released 2021, August 18 | Available. Released 2022, January 21 |
| 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 |
|---|
| 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 (2x1.6 GHz Cortex-A75 & 6x1.6 GHz Cortex-A55) |
| Chipset | Mediatek MT6765 Helio P35 (12 nm) | Unisoc T606 (12 nm) |
| GPU | PowerVR GE8320 | Mali-G57 MP1 |
| OS | Android 11, upgradable to Android 13, One UI 5.1 Core | Android 11, upgradable to Android 13, One UI core 5 |
| 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 | 32GB 2GB RAM, 32GB 3GB RAM, 32GB 4GB RAM, 64GB 4GB RAM, 64GB 3GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM |
| | eMMC 5.1 | eMMC 5.1 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Dual | - | 48 MP, f/1.8, (wide), AF
Auxiliary lens |
| Features | LED flash | LED flash |
| Single | 5 MP, f/2.2 | 5 MP, f/2.2 |
| Triple | 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 | Yes |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.0, A2DP | 5.0, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | Yes (market/region dependent) | No |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS | GPS |
| Radio | No | Unspecified |
| USB | USB Type-C 2.0 | microUSB 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 | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, proximity | Accelerometer, proximity |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 15W wired | - |
| Type | Li-Po 5000 mAh | Li-Po 5000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Black, Blue, White | Black, Blue, Red |
| Models | SM-A037F, SM-A037F/DS, SM-A037M, SM-A037G, SM-A037U, SM-S134DL, SM-A037W, SM-A037U1, SM-S135DL | SM-A035F, SM-A035F/DS, SM-A035M, SM-A035G |
| Price | $ 65.65 / £ 82.99 / ₹ 10,800 | € 119.90 / £ 88.00 / ₹ 11,990 |
| SAR EU | 0.36 W/kg (head) 1.09 W/kg (body) | 0.20 W/kg (head) 1.35 W/kg (body) |
| Tests |
|---|
| Battery life |
Endurance rating 122h
| - |
| Camera |
Photo / Video | - |
| Display |
Contrast ratio: 1718:1 (nominal) | - |
| Loudspeaker |
-27.4 LUFS (Good)
| - |
| Performance |
AnTuTu: 103465 (v8), 101299 (v9)
GeekBench: 889 (v5.1)
GFXBench: 5.5fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) | - |
Samsung Galaxy A03s
- Better overall performance with the Helio P35 chipset
- Brighter display for improved outdoor visibility
- Longer battery life (122h endurance rating)
- Older chipset architecture
- Limited camera specifications
Samsung Galaxy A03
- Potentially lower price point
- More modern CPU core design (Cortex-A75)
- Basic smartphone functionality
- Likely slower performance in real-world usage
- Display brightness data unavailable, likely lower than A03s
- Battery life data unavailable, likely shorter than A03s
Display Comparison
The Samsung Galaxy A03s features a display capable of reaching 488 nits of peak brightness, a substantial advantage over the A03 (brightness data unavailable). This higher brightness translates to better visibility outdoors and in brightly lit environments. Both displays share a 1718:1 contrast ratio, suggesting similar color reproduction quality. However, without information on panel technology (IPS vs. TFT) or color gamut coverage, it's difficult to assess the overall display experience beyond brightness and contrast. The A03s' brighter display is a clear win for users who spend significant time outdoors.
Camera Comparison
Both the A03s and A03 are equipped with basic photo and video capabilities, but detailed camera specifications are limited. Without information on sensor sizes, apertures, or image processing algorithms, a direct comparison is challenging. It's safe to assume both phones feature entry-level camera systems suitable for casual snapshots in good lighting conditions. The presence of a 2MP macro camera on both devices is largely inconsequential, offering limited practical benefit due to the low resolution and lack of optical image stabilization. The A03s' camera is likely to perform slightly better due to the more capable chipset handling image processing.
Performance
The core difference between these two devices lies in their chipsets. The A03s utilizes the Mediatek Helio P35, an octa-core processor built on a 12nm process, featuring a cluster of four Cortex-A53 cores clocked at 2.35 GHz and another four at 1.8 GHz. The A03, conversely, employs the Unisoc T606, also a 12nm chip, but with a different core configuration: two Cortex-A75 cores at 1.6 GHz and six Cortex-A55 cores at 1.6 GHz. While the T606's A75 cores are individually more powerful than the A53 cores in the P35, the P35's higher clock speeds and more balanced core configuration likely result in smoother overall performance, especially in multi-tasking scenarios. The A03s' chipset is more mature and has a proven track record, offering a more refined user experience.
Battery Life
The Samsung Galaxy A03s boasts an endurance rating of 122 hours, indicating excellent battery life. While the A03's battery life is not specified, the A03s' 15W wired charging capability provides a faster recharge time compared to the A03 (charging speed unavailable). The A03s' superior endurance rating suggests a more efficient chipset and optimized power management, allowing users to go longer between charges. This is a significant advantage for users who rely heavily on their smartphones throughout the day.
Buying Guide
Buy the Samsung Galaxy A03s if you prioritize consistent performance for everyday tasks like social media, browsing, and light gaming, and value a brighter, more visible display. Buy the Samsung Galaxy A03 if you are looking for the absolute lowest price point and your usage is extremely light, primarily consisting of calls and basic messaging, and are less concerned with responsiveness.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Will the Unisoc T606 in the A03 struggle with multitasking or demanding apps?
The Unisoc T606 is a basic chipset designed for light usage. While it can handle simple tasks like calls, messaging, and social media, it may exhibit lag or slowdowns when running multiple apps simultaneously or using more demanding applications. The A03s' Helio P35 is better equipped for these scenarios.
❓ Is the 15W charging on the A03s a significant improvement over the A03's charging speed (assuming it's slower)?
Yes, 15W charging is noticeably faster than the charging speeds typically found on ultra-budget phones. While it won't be as quick as fast charging on flagship devices, it will significantly reduce the time it takes to fully recharge the A03s, making it more convenient for users who need to top up their battery quickly.
❓ How does the older architecture of the Helio P35 in the A03s compare to the newer cores in the Unisoc T606?
While the Unisoc T606 features newer Cortex-A75 cores, the Helio P35's octa-core configuration and higher clock speeds provide a more balanced and responsive experience. The A75 cores are powerful individually, but the P35's overall architecture is better optimized for everyday tasks and multitasking.
