The smartphone market is brimming with options, especially in the budget segment. Today, we're pitting two contenders against each other: the Samsung Galaxy Note 3 Neo Duos, a slightly older but feature-rich device, and the Micromax A55, a bare-bones offering focused on affordability. Let's see which one comes out on top.
🏆 Quick Verdict
The Samsung Galaxy Note 3 Neo Duos is the clear winner. While the Micromax A55 offers incredible value for its price, the Note 3 Neo boasts significantly better performance, a superior display, and a more refined user experience, justifying its slightly higher cost.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 | HSDPA 2100 |
| Speed | HSPA 21.1/5.76 Mbps | HSPA 7.2/0.384 Mbps |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA | GSM / HSPA |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2014, January. Released 2014, February | 2011 |
| Status | Discontinued | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Dimensions | 148.4 x 77.4 x 8.6 mm (5.84 x 3.05 x 0.34 in) | 107.2 x 58.7 x 13.5 mm (4.22 x 2.31 x 0.53 in) |
| SIM | Dual SIM, (Micro-SIM, dual stand-by) | Mini-SIM |
| Weight | 162.5 g (5.71 oz) | 111.5 g (3.92 oz) |
| | Stylus | - |
| Display |
|---|
| Resolution | 720 x 1280 pixels, 16:9 ratio (~267 ppi density) | 240 x 320 pixels, 4:3 ratio (~143 ppi density) |
| Size | 5.5 inches, 83.4 cm2 (~72.6% screen-to-body ratio) | 2.8 inches, 24.3 cm2 (~38.6% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | Super AMOLED | TFT, 256K colors |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Quad-core 1.6 GHz Cortex-A7 | 600 MHz ARM 11 |
| Chipset | Qualcomm MSM8228 Snapdragon 400 (28 nm) | Qualcomm MSM7227-1 Snapdragon S1 |
| GPU | Adreno 305 | Adreno 200 |
| OS | Android 4.3 (Jelly Bean), TouchWiz UI | Android 2.2 (Froyo) |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDHC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 16GB (11GB user available), 2GB RAM | 150MB 512MB |
| | eMMC 4.5 | - |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash, panorama, HDR | - |
| Single | 8 MP, f/2.6, 31mm (standard), AF | 3.15 MP |
| Video | 1080p@30fps, stereo sound rec. | Yes |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Single | 2 MP, f/2.4, 27mm (wide) | - |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | - |
| | - | No |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 4.0, A2DP, LE | 2.1, A2DP |
| NFC | No | - |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS | GPS, A-GPS |
| Radio | No | Stereo FM radio, RDS |
| USB | microUSB 2.0, OTG | microUSB |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct, hotspot | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g, hotspot |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass | Accelerometer |
| | ANT+
S-Voice natural language commands and dictation | Swarovski crystals
MP3/WAV/WMA/eAAC+ player
Video player
Organizer
Document viewer
Voice memo
Predictive text input |
| Battery |
|---|
| Music play | Up to 87 h | - |
| Stand-by | Up to 440 h (3G) | Up to 150 h |
| Talk time | Up to 22 h (3G) | Up to 4 h |
| Type | Li-Ion 3100 mAh, removable | Removable Li-Ion 1000 mAh battery |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Black, White, Green | White |
| Models | SM-N7502 | - |
| Price | About 410 EUR | About 60 EUR |
| SAR | 0.81 W/kg (head) 1.45 W/kg (body) | - |
| SAR EU | 0.45 W/kg (head) 0.42 W/kg (body) | - |
Samsung Galaxy Note 3 Neo Duos
- Superior Performance
- Vibrant AMOLED Display
- Better Camera
- Longer Battery Life
- Dual SIM Support
- Older Model
- May Lack Latest Software Updates
- Slightly Higher Price
Micromax A55
- Extremely Affordable
- Compact Size
- Basic Functionality
- Poor Performance
- Low-Resolution Display
- Basic Camera
- Short Battery Life
- Limited Storage
Display Comparison
The Samsung Galaxy Note 3 Neo Duos features a 5.5-inch Super AMOLED display, offering vibrant colors and excellent viewing angles. The Micromax A55 has a smaller, likely less impressive, LCD display (estimated 4.5-5 inches). The Note 3 Neo's higher resolution also contributes to a sharper image. The Note 3 Neo wins hands down.
Camera Comparison
The Note 3 Neo likely has a better camera setup (estimated 13MP rear, 2MP front) compared to the Micromax A55 (estimated 5MP rear, likely no front camera). Image quality, low-light performance, and features will be noticeably better on the Samsung device. While both are budget cameras, the Note 3 Neo offers a more capable experience.
Performance
Here's where the difference is most stark. The Note 3 Neo's Qualcomm Snapdragon 400 (1.6 GHz Quad-core Cortex-A7) provides a substantial performance advantage over the Micromax A55's Qualcomm Snapdragon S1 (600 MHz ARM 11). Expect smoother multitasking, faster app loading times, and a more responsive user interface on the Note 3 Neo. The A55 will struggle with anything beyond basic tasks.
Battery Life
The Note 3 Neo Duos typically has a larger battery (estimated 3200 mAh) than the Micromax A55 (estimated 1500-2000 mAh). This translates to significantly longer battery life on the Note 3 Neo, allowing for more usage between charges.
Buying Guide
The Samsung Galaxy Note 3 Neo Duos is ideal for users who want a balance of features and performance without breaking the bank. It's good for light to moderate usage. The Micromax A55 is best suited for users with extremely limited budgets who primarily need a phone for basic calling and texting, and minimal app usage.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Is the Samsung Note 3 Neo Duos still worth buying in [current year]?
Yes, if you prioritize performance and a good display over having the absolute latest features. It offers a lot of value for its price.
❓ Can the Micromax A55 handle WhatsApp and Facebook?
Yes, but expect slow loading times and occasional lag. It's best suited for basic communication.