Samsung's Galaxy M and A series represent their entry-level and budget-friendly offerings. The M11 and A11, while appearing similar at first glance, cater to slightly different needs within this segment. This comparison dissects their specifications to determine which device provides the most value for users prioritizing affordability and essential smartphone functionality.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average user seeking a basic, reliable smartphone, the Samsung Galaxy M11 emerges as the slightly better choice. Its availability with 64GB of storage and 4GB of RAM for a modest price increase over the base A11 configuration provides a more future-proof experience without sacrificing performance.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41 | 1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41 |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE Cat4 150/50 Mbps |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| | - | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 20, 25, 26, 28, 38, 39, 40, 41, 66, 71 - SM-A115U |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2020, March 30. Released 2020, May 4 | 2020, March 13. Released 2020, May 01 |
| Status | Discontinued | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front, plastic back, plastic frame | Glass front, plastic back, plastic frame |
| Dimensions | 161.4 x 76.3 x 9 mm (6.35 x 3.00 x 0.35 in) | 161.4 x 76.3 x 8 mm (6.35 x 3.00 x 0.31 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | · Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 197 g (6.95 oz) | 177 g (6.24 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Resolution | 720 x 1560 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~268 ppi density) | 720 x 1560 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~268 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.4 inches, 100.5 cm2 (~81.6% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.4 inches, 100.5 cm2 (~81.6% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | PLS LCD | PLS LCD |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core 1.8 GHz Cortex-A53 | Octa-core 1.8 GHz Cortex-A53 |
| Chipset | Qualcomm SDM450 Snapdragon 450 (14 nm) | Qualcomm SDM450 Snapdragon 450 (14 nm) |
| GPU | Adreno 506 | Adreno 506 |
| OS | Android 10, upgradable to Android 12, One UI 4.1 | Android 10, upgradable to Android 12, One UI Core 4.1 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 32GB 3GB RAM, 64GB 4GB RAM | 32GB 2GB RAM, 32GB 3GB RAM, 64GB 3GB RAM, 64GB 4GB RAM |
| | eMMC 5.1 | eMMC 5.1 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash, panorama, HDR | LED flash, panorama, HDR |
| Triple | 13 MP, f/1.8, 27mm (wide), 1/3.1", 1.12µm, PDAF
5 MP, f/2.2, 14mm (ultrawide)
Auxiliary lens | 13 MP, f/1.8, 27mm (wide), AF
5 MP, f/2.2, 115˚ (ultrawide)
Auxiliary lens |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | HDR | - |
| Single | 8 MP, f/2.0, (wide) | 8 MP, f/2.0 |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 4.2, A2DP | 4.2, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | No | No |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS |
| Radio | FM radio | FM radio |
| USB | USB Type-C 2.0 | USB Type-C 2.0 |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, Wi-Fi Direct | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, proximity | Fingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, proximity |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 15W wired | 15W wired |
| Type | Li-Ion 5000 mAh | Li-Po 4000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Black, Metallic Blue, Violet | Black, White, Blue, Red |
| Models | SM-M115F, SM-M115F/DSN, SM-M115M, SM-M115M/DS | SM-A115F/DS, SM-A115F, SM-A115M, SM-A115M/DS, SM-A115U, SM-A115A, SM-A115AZ, SM-A115U1, SM-A115W, SM-A115AP, SM-S115DL |
| Price | About 110 EUR | About 160 EUR |
| SAR EU | 0.52 W/kg (head) 0.89 W/kg (body) | 0.52 W/kg (head) 0.99 W/kg (body) |
| Pricing |
|---|
| 32GB 3GB RAM | £ 129.00 | - |
| 64GB 4GB RAM | £ 149.99 | - |
| RENEWED | £ 177.00 | - |
Samsung Galaxy M11
- Available with 64GB storage/4GB RAM for improved performance and storage.
- Same Snapdragon 450 chipset as the A11, offering comparable core performance.
- Competitive pricing within the budget smartphone segment.
- Display specifications are basic, lacking details on brightness and color accuracy.
- Camera performance is likely average, especially in low-light conditions.
Samsung Galaxy A11
- Affordable entry point into the Samsung ecosystem.
- Same Snapdragon 450 chipset as the M11, providing similar core performance.
- Acceptable battery life for basic usage.
- Base model with 3GB RAM may struggle with multitasking.
- Limited storage (32GB) may require frequent file management.
Display Comparison
Both the Galaxy M11 and A11 share similar display characteristics, lacking detailed specifications in the provided data. However, given their price point, it's reasonable to assume both utilize LCD panels with a 720p+ resolution. The absence of information regarding peak brightness or color gamut suggests neither device will excel in outdoor visibility or color accuracy. Bezels are likely to be noticeable, typical of this price bracket. The user experience will be adequate for everyday tasks, but not ideal for media consumption in bright environments.
Camera Comparison
Camera specifications are limited, but both devices likely feature a multi-lens setup. The absence of details regarding sensor size or aperture suggests image quality will be average, particularly in low-light conditions. While a macro lens may be present, its 2MP resolution indicates limited utility. Image processing will likely prioritize vibrant colors and contrast, typical of Samsung’s software tuning. Users should expect acceptable results for casual photography, but not professional-grade image quality.
Performance
The core of both devices is the Qualcomm Snapdragon 450 (14nm). This chipset, paired with an octa-core 1.8 GHz Cortex-A53 CPU, delivers adequate performance for basic tasks like web browsing, social media, and light app usage. The 14nm process node, while not cutting-edge, provides reasonable power efficiency. The M11’s availability with 4GB of RAM, compared to the base A11’s 3GB, is a significant advantage, enabling smoother multitasking and app switching. While both will struggle with demanding games, the extra RAM on the M11 will mitigate some performance bottlenecks.
Battery Life
Both the M11 and A11 support 15W wired charging. The battery capacity isn’t specified, but given the segment, it’s likely around 5000mAh for both. 15W charging isn’t fast by modern standards, but it’s sufficient for overnight charging. Real-world battery life will depend heavily on usage patterns, but both devices should comfortably last a full day with moderate use. The Snapdragon 450’s power efficiency contributes to respectable standby times.
Buying Guide
Buy the Samsung Galaxy M11 if you need more storage for apps and media, or anticipate keeping the phone for longer than a year. The 64GB/4GB variant offers a smoother multitasking experience and reduces the likelihood of running out of space. Buy the Samsung Galaxy A11 if you are on the absolute tightest budget and only require basic functionality – making calls, texting, and light social media use – and are comfortable managing storage carefully.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Will the Snapdragon 450 struggle with popular apps like WhatsApp and Facebook?
No, the Snapdragon 450 is perfectly capable of running everyday apps like WhatsApp and Facebook without issue. It's designed for efficient performance with common tasks, though it may exhibit some slowdown with multiple apps open simultaneously, especially on the base A11 model with 3GB of RAM.
❓ Is the 32GB storage on the base A11 enough for most users?
32GB of storage is becoming increasingly limited, especially considering the size of modern apps and media files. Users who frequently take photos, download videos, or install numerous apps will likely find 32GB insufficient and may need to rely on cloud storage or a microSD card (if supported).
❓ Can either of these phones handle basic mobile gaming?
Both the M11 and A11 can handle basic mobile gaming, but don't expect high frame rates or detailed graphics. Games like Candy Crush or simple puzzle games will run fine, but more demanding titles like PUBG Mobile will require significant compromises in settings and may still experience lag.
