Samsung's A-series caters to the budget-conscious consumer, but navigating the options can be tricky. The Galaxy A03s and A13 represent two distinct approaches within this segment. The A03s prioritizes maximizing endurance, while the A13 aims for a more modern chipset and brighter display. This comparison dissects the key differences to determine which device delivers the best value.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For most users, the Samsung Galaxy A13 is the better choice. Its Exynos 850 chipset provides a noticeable performance uplift over the A03s' Helio P35, translating to smoother multitasking and app loading. While the A03s boasts slightly better battery endurance, the A13's improved display and processing power justify the trade-off.
| 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 |
| | 2, 4, 5, 7, 12, 13, 14, 25, 26, 41, 66, 71 - SM-A037U | - |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2021, August 18 | 2022, March 04 |
| Status | Available. Released 2021, August 18 | Available. Released 2022, March 23 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front, plastic frame, plastic back | 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 |
| 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 (4x2.35 GHz Cortex-A53 & 4x1.8 GHz Cortex-A53) | Octa-core (4x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55 & 4x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55) |
| Chipset | Mediatek MT6765 Helio P35 (12 nm) | Exynos 850 (8 nm) |
| GPU | PowerVR GE8320 | Mali-G52 |
| OS | Android 11, upgradable to Android 13, One UI 5.1 Core | 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 3GB RAM, 64GB 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 |
|---|
| 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) |
| 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 | 8 MP, f/2.2, (wide) |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| 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) | Yes (market/region dependent) |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS |
| Radio | No | No |
| USB | USB Type-C 2.0 | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG |
| 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 | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, compass |
| | - | Virtual proximity sensing |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 15W wired | 15W wired |
| Type | Li-Po 5000 mAh | Li-Po 5000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Black, Blue, White | Black, White, Peach, Blue |
| Models | SM-A037F, SM-A037F/DS, SM-A037M, SM-A037G, SM-A037U, SM-S134DL, SM-A037W, SM-A037U1, SM-S135DL | SM-A135F, SM-A135F/DS, SM-A135M, SM-A135U, SM-A135U1, SM-A135N |
| Price | $ 65.65 / £ 82.99 / ₹ 10,800 | € 94.99 / $ 129.99 / £ 89.00 |
| SAR | - | 0.49 W/kg (head) |
| SAR EU | 0.36 W/kg (head) 1.09 W/kg (body) | 0.37 W/kg (head) 1.39 W/kg (body) |
| Tests |
|---|
| Battery life |
Endurance rating 122h
|
Endurance rating 114h
|
| Camera |
Photo / Video |
Photo / Video |
| Display |
Contrast ratio: 1718:1 (nominal) |
Contrast ratio: 1324:1 (nominal) |
| Loudspeaker |
-27.4 LUFS (Good)
|
-29.7 LUFS (Average)
|
| Performance |
AnTuTu: 103465 (v8), 101299 (v9)
GeekBench: 889 (v5.1)
GFXBench: 5.5fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) |
AnTuTu: 122822 (v8), 136286 (v9)
GeekBench: 588 (v5.1)
GFXBench: 5.2fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) |
Samsung Galaxy A03s
- Longer battery life (122h endurance)
- Higher contrast ratio for potentially deeper blacks
- More affordable price point (likely)
- Significantly slower processor (Helio P35)
- Less responsive user experience
- Dimmer display
Samsung Galaxy A13
- Faster and more efficient processor (Exynos 850)
- Brighter display for better outdoor visibility
- Smoother multitasking and app loading
- Slightly shorter battery life (114h endurance)
- Lower contrast ratio
- Potentially higher price
Display Comparison
The Galaxy A13 features a brighter display, achieving 587 nits compared to the A03s’ 488 nits. This translates to better visibility outdoors. However, the A03s counters with a superior contrast ratio of 1718:1 versus the A13’s 1324:1, potentially offering deeper blacks. Both displays utilize LCD technology, and neither boasts high refresh rates, so the primary difference lies in brightness and contrast, favoring the A13 for outdoor use and the A03s for potentially richer blacks.
Camera Comparison
Both devices feature a 'Photo / Video' camera setup, but detailed sensor information is lacking. Given the price points, image quality will likely be similar in good lighting conditions. The A13’s processing capabilities, thanks to the Exynos 850, may offer slightly better image processing and noise reduction. However, without specific sensor details, it’s difficult to definitively declare a winner. Expect both phones to struggle in low-light scenarios, and the inclusion of 2MP macro lenses on both is largely a marketing tactic with limited real-world utility.
Performance
The core difference between these phones lies in their chipsets. The A13’s Exynos 850, built on an 8nm process, is a significant upgrade over the A03s’ 12nm Mediatek Helio P35. The Exynos 850 utilizes newer Cortex-A55 cores across all eight threads, offering improved efficiency and performance compared to the A03s’ mix of Cortex-A53 cores. This means faster app launches, smoother multitasking, and a more responsive user experience on the A13. While both phones likely share similar RAM configurations, the chipset difference is the defining factor.
Battery Life
The Galaxy A03s boasts an endurance rating of 122 hours, slightly exceeding the A13’s 114 hours. This suggests the A03s will last longer on a single charge, particularly with light usage. Both phones support 15W wired charging, meaning charging times will be comparable. The A13’s more powerful processor will consume more power, offsetting some of the potential battery capacity advantage. The A03s is the clear winner for users prioritizing maximum uptime.
Buying Guide
Buy the Samsung Galaxy A03s if you absolutely prioritize battery life above all else and primarily use your phone for basic tasks like calls, texts, and light social media. Buy the Samsung Galaxy A13 if you want a more responsive experience for everyday use, enjoy media consumption, and appreciate a brighter, more vibrant display, even if it means slightly reduced battery longevity.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Does the Exynos 850 in the A13 get noticeably warm during extended use, like gaming?
The Exynos 850 is an 8nm chip, which generally runs cooler than the A03s' 12nm Helio P35. While it will warm up during demanding tasks, it's unlikely to experience significant throttling or overheating under normal usage scenarios. It's a more efficient chip overall.
❓ Is the 2MP macro camera on either phone worth using for close-up shots?
Realistically, no. 2MP macro cameras on budget phones typically lack the detail and clarity to produce truly impressive close-up photos. They are often included as a marketing feature but deliver underwhelming results. Stick to the main camera for most shots.
❓ Can the Samsung Galaxy A13 handle popular games like PUBG Mobile at reasonable frame rates?
The A13 should be able to run PUBG Mobile at medium settings with acceptable frame rates. However, don't expect a consistently smooth experience at the highest settings. The Exynos 850 is capable, but it's not a gaming powerhouse. The A03s would struggle significantly with PUBG Mobile.
❓ How long does it realistically take to fully charge either phone with the 15W charger?
With the included 15W charger, expect a full charge to take approximately 2.5 to 3 hours for both devices. While 15W isn't fast charging, it's adequate for overnight charging or topping up throughout the day. The A13's larger battery may take slightly longer.
