Looking for an affordable smartphone that doesn't completely break the bank? The Samsung Galaxy Core Plus and Sony Xperia M2 Aqua were popular budget contenders. But which one offers the best experience? We'll break down their specs, performance, and features to help you decide.
🏆 Quick Verdict
The Sony Xperia M2 Aqua edges out the Galaxy Core Plus thanks to its superior chipset (Snapdragon 400 vs. a basic dual-core), slightly better camera capabilities, and exceptional battery life. While both are budget options, the M2 Aqua provides a more modern and reliable experience.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 - G3500 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 - all models |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 2100 - D2403 |
| 4G bands | - | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20 - D2403 |
| Speed | HSPA 21.1/5.76 Mbps | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE Cat4 150/50 Mbps |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| | - | 2, 4, 7, 17 - D2406 |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2013, October. Released 2013, October | 2014, August. Released 2014, September |
| Status | Discontinued | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Dimensions | 129.7 x 66 x 9.5 mm (5.11 x 2.60 x 0.37 in) | 140 x 72 x 8.6 mm (5.51 x 2.83 x 0.34 in) |
| Keyboard | QWERTY | - |
| SIM | Single SIM (Micro-SIM) or Dual SIM (Micro-SIM, dual stand-by) | Micro-SIM |
| Weight | 132.5 g (4.66 oz) | 149 g (5.26 oz) |
| | - | IP68 dust/water resistant (up to 1.5m for 30 min) |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | - | Scratch-resistant glass |
| Resolution | 480 x 800 pixels, 5:3 ratio (~217 ppi density) | 540 x 960 pixels, 16:9 ratio (~229 ppi density) |
| Size | 4.3 inches, 52.6 cm2 (~61.5% screen-to-body ratio) | 4.8 inches, 63.5 cm2 (~63.0% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | TFT | IPS LCD |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Dual-core 1.2 GHz | Quad-core 1.2 GHz Cortex-A7 |
| Chipset | - | Qualcomm MSM8926-2 Snapdragon 400 (28 nm) |
| GPU | - | Adreno 305 |
| OS | Android 4.2 (Jelly Bean) | Android 4.4.2 (KitKat), upgradable to 5.1.1 (Lollipop) |
| Memory |
|---|
| Call records | Yes | - |
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDHC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 4GB | 8GB 1GB RAM |
| Phonebook | 1000 entries, Photocall | - |
| | - | eMMC 4.5 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash | LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Single | 5 MP, AF | 8 MP, f/2.4, AF |
| Video | 720p@30fps | 1080p@30fps, HDR |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Single | VGA | VGA |
| Video | | 480p |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Alert types | Vibration; Downloadable polyphonic, MP3 ringtones | - |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 3.0 | 4.0, A2DP, aptX, LE |
| NFC | Yes | Yes |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS | GPS, GLONASS |
| Radio | FM radio | FM radio, RDS |
| USB | microUSB 2.0 | microUSB 2.0, OTG |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, Wi-Fi Direct, hotspot | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct, DLNA, hotspot |
| Features |
|---|
| Browser | WAP 2.0/xHTML, HTML, Adobe Flash Lite | - |
| Games | Yes | - |
| Java | No | - |
| Messaging | SMS, MMS, Email | - |
| Sensors | Accelerometer, proximity | Accelerometer, proximity, compass |
| | - | ANT+ |
| Battery |
|---|
| Music play | Up to 40 h | Up to 37 h 11 min |
| Stand-by | Up to 320 h | Up to 595 h (2G) / Up to 641 h (3G) |
| Talk time | Up to 9 h | Up to 11 h 23 min (2G) / Up to 12 h 11 min (3G) |
| Type | Li-Ion 1800 mAh, removable | Li-Ion 2300 mAh, non-removable |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | White, Black, Pink | Black, White, Copper |
| Models | SM-G3502, SM-G350, SM-G352, SM-G3520, SM-G3502C, SM-G3502U | D2403, D2406 |
| Price | About 150 EUR | About 200 EUR |
| SAR | 0.61 W/kg (head) 1.11 W/kg (body) | 0.69 W/kg (head) 1.25 W/kg (body) |
| SAR EU | 0.54 W/kg (head) 0.46 W/kg (body) | 0.66 W/kg (head) 0.86 W/kg (body) |
| Tests |
|---|
| Audio quality |
Noise -91.8dB / Crosstalk -73.5dB | - |
| Battery life | - |
Endurance rating 71h
|
| Camera | - |
Photo / Video |
| Loudspeaker |
Voice 66dB / Noise 65dB / Ring 71dB | - |
Samsung Galaxy Core Plus
- Samsung's One UI
- Widely available
- Affordable
- Slow performance
- Limited camera quality
- Short battery life
- Outdated processor
Sony Xperia M2 Aqua
- Long battery life
- Better performance (Snapdragon 400)
- Water resistance
- Slightly better camera
- Older design
- Limited storage (likely expandable)
- Screen resolution not high
Display Comparison
Both phones feature relatively small, LCD displays (likely around 4.5-5 inches). The Xperia M2 Aqua might have slightly better color accuracy and viewing angles due to Sony's display technology, but both will be adequate for everyday use. Resolution is likely to be similar, around 854 x 480 or 960 x 540.
Camera Comparison
While both offer photo and video capabilities, the Xperia M2 Aqua likely has a slightly better camera sensor and image processing. Expect better low-light performance and more detailed photos from the M2 Aqua. Both cameras will likely be limited in video recording resolution (likely 720p).
Performance
The Xperia M2 Aqua's Qualcomm Snapdragon 400 chipset and quad-core processor provide a noticeable performance advantage over the Galaxy Core Plus's dual-core processor. Expect smoother multitasking, faster app loading times, and a more responsive user experience on the Xperia M2 Aqua. The Core Plus will feel sluggish by comparison.
Battery Life
The Xperia M2 Aqua shines in this category with an impressive endurance rating of 71 hours. The Galaxy Core Plus's battery life is significantly shorter, likely around 18-24 hours with moderate use. This is a major advantage for the M2 Aqua.
Buying Guide
The Samsung Galaxy Core Plus is a decent choice for users on an extremely tight budget who prioritize basic functionality and Samsung's One UI. The Sony Xperia M2 Aqua is ideal for those needing longer battery life, a slightly faster processor, and water resistance, making it a more versatile option overall.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Is the Galaxy Core Plus still worth buying?
Only if you're on an extremely tight budget and need a basic phone for calls and texts. Otherwise, the Xperia M2 Aqua offers significantly better value.
❓ Does the Xperia M2 Aqua have water resistance?
Yes, the Xperia M2 Aqua is IP67 certified, meaning it's dustproof and can withstand immersion in water up to 1 meter for 30 minutes.
