The Samsung Galaxy A series offers excellent value, but choosing between models can be tricky. Today, we're pitting the Galaxy A30s against the A31 to see which phone reigns supreme in the budget smartphone arena. Let's dive into a detailed comparison to help you make the right decision.
🏆 Quick Verdict
The Galaxy A31 generally edges out the A30s thanks to its slightly more powerful processor, brighter display, and impressive battery life. However, the A30s can be a better value depending on current pricing and your specific needs. It's a close call!
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 - SM-A315F |
| 4G bands | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66 | 1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 38, 40, 41 - SM-A315F |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE | HSPA, LTE |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2019, August 22. Released 2019, September 11 | 2020, March 24. Released 2020, April 27 |
| Status | Discontinued | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front, plastic back, plastic frame | - |
| Dimensions | 158.5 x 74.7 x 7.8 mm (6.24 x 2.94 x 0.31 in) | 159.3 x 73.1 x 8.6 mm (6.27 x 2.88 x 0.34 in) |
| SIM | · Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | · Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 169 g (5.96 oz) | 185 g (6.53 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | Asahi Dragontrail Glass | - |
| Resolution | 720 x 1560 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~268 ppi density) | 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~411 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.4 inches, 100.5 cm2 (~84.9% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.4 inches, 98.9 cm2 (~84.9% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | Super AMOLED | Super AMOLED |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (2x1.8 GHz Cortex-A73 & 6x1.6 GHz Cortex-A53) | Octa-core (2x2.0 GHz Cortex-A75 & 6x1.7 GHz Cortex-A55) |
| Chipset | Exynos 7904 (14 nm) | Mediatek MT6768 Helio P65 (12 nm) |
| GPU | Mali-G71 MP2 | Mali-G52 MC2 |
| OS | Android 9.0 (Pie), upgradable to Android 11, One UI 3.1 | Android 10, upgradable to Android 12, One UI 4.1 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 32GB 3GB RAM, 64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM | 64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM |
| | eMMC 5.1 | - |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash, panorama, HDR | LED flash, panorama, HDR |
| Quad | - | 48 MP, f/2.0, 26mm (wide), 1/2.0", 0.8µm, PDAF
8 MP, f/2.2, 123˚, (ultrawide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm
5 MP (macro)
Auxiliary lens |
| Single | 13 MP, AF | - |
| Triple | 25 MP, f/1.7, 27mm (wide), PDAF
8 MP, f/2.2, 13mm (ultrawide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm
Auxiliary lens | - |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Single | 16 MP, f/2.0, 26mm (wide), 1/3.06", 1.0µm | 20 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, LE | 5.0, A2DP, LE |
| Infrared port | Yes | - |
| NFC | Yes (market/region dependent) | Yes (market/region dependent) |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS |
| Radio | FM radio | FM radio, RDS, recording |
| USB | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG | 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 | Fingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 15W wired | 15W wired |
| Type | Li-Po 4000 mAh, non-removable | Li-Po 5000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Prism Crush Black, Prism Crush White, Prism Crush Green, Prism Crush Violet2 | Prism Crush Black, Prism Crush Blue, Prism Crush Red, Prism Crush White |
| Models | SM-A307F, SM-A307FN, SM-A307G, SM-A307GN, SM-A307GT | SM-A315F, SM-A315F/DS, SM-A315G/DS, SM-A315G, SM-A315N |
| Price | About 260 EUR | £ 139.00 / € 138.27 |
| SAR | 0.87 W/kg (head) 0.43 W/kg (body) | - |
| SAR EU | 1.05 W/kg (head) 1.54 W/kg (body) | 0.49 W/kg (head) 1.68 W/kg (body) |
| Pricing |
|---|
| 128GB 4GB RAM | $ 194.02 | - |
| 64GB 4GB RAM | $ 269.99 | - |
| RENEWED | £ 120.00 | - |
| Tests |
|---|
| Battery life | - | Endurance rating 124h |
| Camera | - |
Photo / Video |
| Display | - |
Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal) |
| Loudspeaker | - |
-30.9 LUFS (Below average) |
| Performance | - |
AnTuTu: 151815 (v8)
GeekBench: 5096 (v4.4), 1216 (v5.1)
GFXBench: 7fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) |
Samsung Galaxy A30s
- Slightly lower price (potentially)
- Decent display quality
- Good value for money (when on sale)
- Older chipset
- Lower brightness display
- Slightly shorter battery life
Samsung Galaxy A31
- Brighter display
- More powerful chipset
- Excellent battery life
- Generally better camera
- Slightly higher price
- Plastic build (common for this price range)
Display Comparison
The Galaxy A31 boasts a measured peak brightness of 635 nits, significantly brighter than the A30s. While both feature Super AMOLED displays offering vibrant colors and deep blacks, the A31's increased brightness makes it more usable outdoors. The A31 also advertises an 'infinite' contrast ratio, though this is a nominal value.
Camera Comparison
Both phones feature a multi-lens camera setup, but the A31 generally delivers better image quality, particularly in well-lit conditions. The A31's camera software also tends to be more refined. Specific camera specs are not fully detailed, but reviews suggest the A31 has a slight edge in both photo and video.
Performance
The A31's Mediatek Helio P65 chipset (12nm) offers a performance boost over the A30s' Exynos 7904 (14nm). The A31's Cortex-A75 cores provide a noticeable improvement in responsiveness and multitasking. Both phones have 4GB of RAM, which is adequate for everyday tasks but may struggle with demanding games.
Battery Life
The Galaxy A31 shines in battery life, boasting an endurance rating of 124 hours. While the A30s offers respectable battery performance, the A31's larger battery capacity and more efficient chipset contribute to significantly longer usage times.
Buying Guide
Who should buy the Samsung Galaxy A30s? Users prioritizing a slightly lower price point and are comfortable with slightly older hardware. Who should buy the Samsung Galaxy A31? Those seeking a brighter display, a more modern chipset, and extended battery life, even at a slightly higher cost.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Which phone is better for gaming?
The Galaxy A31 is generally better for gaming due to its more powerful chipset. However, neither phone is a gaming powerhouse.
❓ Is the A30s still a good phone in 2024?
Yes, the A30s can still be a decent option if you find it at a very low price. However, the A31 offers a more modern experience and better performance.
