The ultra-budget smartphone market is fiercely competitive. Both the TCL 205 and Samsung Galaxy A02 aim to deliver essential smartphone functionality at the lowest possible price. However, they take different approaches to achieving this, with the TCL 205 boasting a more modern octa-core processor while the Galaxy A02 offers a range of storage/RAM configurations and Samsung's brand recognition. This comparison dives deep into the specifications to determine which device offers the best value.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average user prioritizing responsiveness and multitasking, the TCL 205 emerges as the better choice. Its Unisoc SC9863A octa-core processor provides a noticeable performance advantage over the Samsung Galaxy A02’s aging Mediatek MT6739W quad-core, making everyday tasks smoother. While the A02 offers storage options, the performance trade-off isn't worth it for most.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 3, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41 | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41 |
| Speed | HSPA 21.1/5.76 Mbps, LTE Cat4 150/50 Mbps | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE Cat4 150/50 Mbps |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2021, October 08 | 2021, January 27 |
| Status | Available. Released 2021, October | Available. Released 2021, January 27 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front, plastic frame, plastic back | Glass front, plastic back, plastic frame |
| Dimensions | 159.2 x 75.2 x 8.7 mm (6.27 x 2.96 x 0.34 in) | 164 x 75.9 x 9.1 mm (6.46 x 2.99 x 0.36 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | · Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 170.3 g (6.00 oz) | 206 g (7.27 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Resolution | 720 x 1520 pixels, 19:9 ratio (~270 ppi density) | 720 x 1600 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~270 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.22 inches, 96.6 cm2 (~80.7% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.5 inches, 102.0 cm2 (~81.9% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD | PLS LCD |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (4x1.6 GHz Cortex-A55 & 4x1.2 GHz Cortex-A55) | Quad-core 1.5 GHz Cortex-A53 |
| Chipset | Unisoc SC9863A (28 nm) | Mediatek MT6739W (28 nm) |
| GPU | IMG8322 | PowerVR GE8100 |
| OS | Android 11 (Go edition), TCL UI | Android 10, upgradable to Android 11, One UI Core 3.1 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 32GB 2GB RAM | 32GB 2GB RAM, 32GB 3GB RAM, 32GB 4GB RAM, 64GB 3GB RAM |
| | eMMC 5.1 | eMMC 5.1 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Dual | 13 MP, f/2.2, (wide) 1/3.06", 1.12µm, AF
Auxiliary lens | 13 MP, f/1.9, (wide), AF
2 MP (macro) |
| Features | LED flash, HDR, panorama | LED flash |
| Single | 5 MP, f/2.2, (wide) 1/5.0", 1.12µm | - |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | HDR | - |
| Single | 5 MP, f/2.2, (wide) 1/5.0", 1.12µm | 5 MP, f/2.0 |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | - |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.0, A2DP | 5.1, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | No | No |
| Positioning | GPS | GPS, GLONASS |
| Radio | No | FM radio |
| USB | microUSB 2.0 | microUSB 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 | Accelerometer, proximity | Accelerometer |
| | - | Virtual proximity sensing |
| Battery |
|---|
| Type | Li-Po 4000 mAh | Li-Po 5000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Power Gray, Atlantic Blue | Black, Blue |
| Models | 4187D | SM-A022F, SM-A022F/DS, SM-A022M, SM-A022M/DS, SM-A022G, SM-A022G/DS |
| Price | About 110 EUR | € 97.46 |
| SAR EU | - | 0.65 W/kg (head) 1.71 W/kg (body) |
| Pricing |
|---|
| 32GB 2GB RAM | - | $ 149.99 |
| 32GB 3GB RAM | - | $ 129.99 |
| 64GB 3GB RAM | - | $ 199.99 |
| RENEWED | - | £ 113.00 |
TCL 205
- More powerful octa-core processor for smoother performance
- More modern CPU architecture (Cortex-A55)
- Potentially better multitasking capabilities
- Limited storage options (details missing)
- Brand recognition is lower than Samsung
Samsung Galaxy A02
- Multiple storage/RAM configurations available
- Samsung brand recognition and ecosystem
- Potentially wider availability
- Significantly slower quad-core processor
- Older CPU architecture (Cortex-A53)
- Performance may struggle with multitasking
Display Comparison
Neither device boasts a standout display. Both utilize 28nm chipsets, suggesting similar power constraints impacting display capabilities. Specific display specs (resolution, brightness) are missing, but given the price point, expect basic LCD panels. The TCL 205’s potential for slightly better image processing due to its more powerful chipset *could* translate to marginally better color reproduction, but this is speculative. Bezels are likely to be substantial on both devices, reflecting their budget nature.
Camera Comparison
Camera performance is likely to be similar, and largely unimpressive, on both devices. Details on sensor size and aperture are unavailable, but both likely feature basic sensors. The Galaxy A02’s available configurations include 32GB/2GB, 32GB/3GB, and 64GB/3GB RAM options, but this doesn’t directly impact camera *hardware*. Image processing will be limited on both, and low-light performance will be poor. Any 2MP macro or depth sensors included on either device should be considered marketing features rather than genuinely useful components.
Performance
The core difference lies in the processors. The TCL 205’s Unisoc SC9863A is an octa-core chip featuring four Cortex-A55 cores clocked at 1.6 GHz and four at 1.2 GHz. This contrasts sharply with the Samsung Galaxy A02’s Mediatek MT6739W, a quad-core processor with Cortex-A53 cores clocked at 1.5 GHz. The Cortex-A55 architecture is more efficient than the A53, and the eight cores of the TCL 205 provide a significant advantage in multitasking and handling more demanding applications. While both are built on a 28nm process, the TCL 205 will likely exhibit smoother performance in app switching and general navigation. The A02’s performance will feel noticeably slower, especially with the 2GB RAM configuration.
Battery Life
Battery capacity details are missing for both devices. However, given the low-power chipsets and basic displays, both should achieve all-day battery life with moderate usage. Charging wattage is also unknown, but likely to be slow (5W-10W) on both. The TCL 205’s more efficient processor *could* translate to slightly longer battery life, but the difference will likely be minimal. The real-world impact will depend heavily on user habits and network conditions.
Buying Guide
Buy the TCL 205 if you need a phone that feels responsive for basic tasks like browsing, social media, and messaging, and you value a more modern processor architecture. Buy the Samsung Galaxy A02 if you absolutely require a specific storage configuration (64GB) and prioritize Samsung’s established ecosystem, even at the cost of performance. The A02 is also a reasonable choice for users who primarily need a very basic calling and texting device.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Will the Mediatek MT6739W in the Galaxy A02 struggle with popular apps like Facebook or WhatsApp?
Yes, the Mediatek MT6739W is a relatively old and underpowered processor. While it can handle basic apps like Facebook and WhatsApp, you may experience noticeable lag and slowdowns, especially with multiple apps open or when scrolling through image-heavy feeds. The TCL 205’s Unisoc SC9863A will provide a much smoother experience.
❓ Is the 2GB of RAM in some Galaxy A02 configurations enough for a good user experience?
2GB of RAM is increasingly insufficient for a modern smartphone experience. With the Galaxy A02, 2GB of RAM will severely limit multitasking capabilities and cause apps to frequently reload in the background. Upgrading to the 3GB RAM version is highly recommended, but even then, the TCL 205’s processor advantage will likely provide a better overall experience.
❓ Does the TCL 205 support software updates and security patches?
TCL’s software update track record is inconsistent. While the 205 will likely receive some updates, don’t expect the same level of long-term support as Samsung devices. Security patches may be infrequent. This is a common trade-off with ultra-budget smartphones.
❓ Which phone is better for playing mobile games?
Neither phone is ideal for gaming. However, the TCL 205’s octa-core processor and more modern architecture will provide a slightly better gaming experience, allowing for marginally higher frame rates and smoother gameplay in less demanding titles. Don’t expect to play graphically intensive games at high settings on either device.
