The Samsung Galaxy A series offers excellent value, but choosing between models can be tricky. Today, we're pitting the Galaxy A30s against the A50s to see which one delivers the best experience for your money. We'll break down everything from performance to cameras to help you make an informed decision.
🏆 Quick Verdict
The Galaxy A50s generally wins thanks to its superior chipset and slightly better camera. However, the A30s offers a compelling value proposition, especially with the 128GB storage option. If performance is key, choose the A50s; if budget is your priority, the A30s is a solid choice.
| 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 |
| 4G bands | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66 | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41 |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE | HSPA, LTE |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2019, August 22. Released 2019, September 11 | 2019, August 22. Released 2019, September |
| Status | Discontinued | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front, plastic back, plastic frame | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 3), plastic back, plastic frame |
| Dimensions | 158.5 x 74.7 x 7.8 mm (6.24 x 2.94 x 0.31 in) | 158.5 x 74.5 x 7.7 mm (6.24 x 2.93 x 0.30 in) |
| SIM | · Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | · Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 169 g (5.96 oz) | 169 g (5.96 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | Asahi Dragontrail Glass | Corning Gorilla Glass 3 |
| Resolution | 720 x 1560 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~268 ppi density) | 1080 x 2340 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~403 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.4 inches, 100.5 cm2 (~84.9% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.4 inches, 100.5 cm2 (~85.1% 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 (4x2.3 GHz Cortex-A73 & 4x1.7 GHz Cortex-A53) |
| Chipset | Exynos 7904 (14 nm) | Exynos 9611 (10 nm) |
| GPU | Mali-G71 MP2 | Mali-G72 MP3 |
| OS | Android 9.0 (Pie), upgradable to Android 11, One UI 3.1 | Android 9.0 (Pie), upgradable to Android 11, One UI 3.1 |
| 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 |
| | eMMC 5.1 | UFS 2.1 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash, panorama, HDR | LED flash, panorama, HDR |
| 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 | 48 MP, f/2.0, 26mm (wide), 1/2.0", 0.8µm, PDAF
8 MP, f/2.2, 13mm (ultrawide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm
Auxiliary lens |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | - | HDR |
| Single | 16 MP, f/2.0, 26mm (wide), 1/3.06", 1.0µm | 32 MP, f/2.0, 25mm (wide), 1/2.8", 0.8µm |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 4K@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 |
| 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, proximity, compass |
| | - | ANT+ |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 15W wired | 15W wired |
| Type | Li-Po 4000 mAh, non-removable | Li-Po 4000 mAh, non-removable |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Prism Crush Black, Prism Crush White, Prism Crush Green, Prism Crush Violet2 | Prism Crush Black, Prism Crush White, Prism Crush Green, Prism Crush Violet2 |
| Models | SM-A307F, SM-A307FN, SM-A307G, SM-A307GN, SM-A307GT | SM-A507F, SM-A507FN, SM-A5070 |
| Price | About 260 EUR | About 290 EUR |
| SAR | 0.87 W/kg (head) 0.43 W/kg (body) | - |
| SAR EU | 1.05 W/kg (head) 1.54 W/kg (body) | 0.43 W/kg (head) 1.55 W/kg (body) |
| Pricing |
|---|
| 128GB 4GB RAM | $ 194.02 | - |
| 64GB 4GB RAM | $ 269.99 | - |
| RENEWED | £ 120.00 | - |
| Tests |
|---|
| Performance | - |
AnTuTu: 154761 (v7)
GeekBench: 5295 (v4.4)
GFXBench: 9.2fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) |
Samsung Galaxy A30s
- Affordable
- Decent display
- Good value for money (especially 128GB version)
- Reliable Samsung brand
- Older chipset
- Slower performance
- Less impressive camera
- Slow charging
Samsung Galaxy A50s
- Better performance
- Slightly better camera
- More modern chipset
- Vibrant Super AMOLED display
- Slightly more expensive
- Slow charging
- Plastic build
Display Comparison
Both phones feature a 6.5-inch Super AMOLED display with a Full HD+ resolution. The A50s might have slightly better color accuracy due to its newer chipset, but the difference is minimal. Both offer vibrant colors and excellent viewing angles.
Camera Comparison
The A50s generally has a slightly better camera system. Both have a triple-camera setup: A30s (48MP main, 8MP ultrawide, 5MP depth) and A50s (48MP main, 5MP ultrawide, 2MP depth). The A50s' improved image processing and slightly better low-light performance give it an edge. Both record video up to 4K.
Performance
The A50s boasts a significant performance advantage thanks to its Exynos 9611 chipset (10nm) compared to the A30s' Exynos 7904 (14nm). The A50s' CPU configuration (4x2.3 GHz Cortex-A73 & 4x1.7 GHz Cortex-A53) provides noticeably faster processing speeds and smoother multitasking. The A30s can feel sluggish under heavy load.
Battery Life
Both phones have a 4000mAh battery. Battery life is comparable, offering a full day of moderate use. Charging is 15W wired for both, which is relatively slow by today's standards.
Buying Guide
Who should buy the Samsung Galaxy A30s? Users on a tighter budget who still want a reliable Samsung experience with a decent display and camera. Who should buy the Samsung Galaxy A50s? Users who prioritize performance, a slightly better camera, and a more modern chipset for smoother multitasking and future-proofing.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Is the A50s worth the extra money?
If performance and camera quality are important to you, then yes. The A50s offers a noticeable upgrade over the A30s. However, if you're on a strict budget, the A30s remains a viable option.
❓ Which phone has better software support?
Both phones are likely to receive similar software updates, as they are both Samsung devices. However, the A50s' newer chipset might give it a slight edge in terms of longevity.
