The TCL A3 and Samsung Galaxy A10e represent the lower end of the smartphone market, targeting users prioritizing affordability. However, beneath the similar price points lie significant differences in chipset architecture and performance capabilities. This comparison dissects these differences to determine which device offers the best value for your money.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average user, the Samsung Galaxy A10e is the slightly better choice. While the TCL A3 offers a newer chipset, the A10e’s Exynos 7884, with its Cortex-A73 cores, provides a noticeable boost in application responsiveness and multitasking, making it a more fluid daily driver.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 | HSDPA 850 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 - AT&T |
| 4G bands | 2, 4, 5, 13, 66 | 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 12, 14, 29, 30, 66 - AT&T |
| Speed | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE Cat4 150/50 Mbps | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE Cat4 150/50 Mbps |
| Technology | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / LTE | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / LTE |
| | - | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 20, 25, 26, 28, 38, 39, 40, 41, 66, 71 - Metro PCS, T-Mobile |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2021, October | 2019, July. Released 2019, August |
| Status | Available. Released 2021, October | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | - | Glass front, plastic back, plastic frame |
| Dimensions | 145.8 x 71.1 x 9.9 mm (5.74 x 2.80 x 0.39 in) | 147.3 x 69.6 x 8.4 mm (5.80 x 2.74 x 0.33 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 171 g (6.03 oz) | 141 g (4.97 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Resolution | 720 x 1440 pixels, 18:9 ratio (~293 ppi density) | 720 x 1560 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~295 ppi density) |
| Size | 5.5 inches, 78.1 cm2 (~75.3% screen-to-body ratio) | 5.83 inches, 83.4 cm2 (~81.4% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | TFT LCD | PLS LCD |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core 2.0 GHz Cortex-A53 | Octa-core (2x1.6 GHz Cortex-A73 & 6x1.35 GHz Cortex-A53) |
| Chipset | Mediatek MT6762 Helio P22 (12 nm) | Exynos 7884 (14 nm) |
| GPU | PowerVR GE8320 | Mali-G71 MP2 |
| OS | Android 11 | 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 | 32GB 2GB RAM, 32GB 3GB RAM |
| | - | eMMC 5.1 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash | LED flash, panorama, HDR |
| Single | 8 MP, 1/4.0", 1.12µm | 8 MP, f/1.9, AF
or
5 MP, AF |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Single | 5 MP, 1/5.0", 1.12µm | 5 MP, f/2.0
or
2 MP |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | - |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | - | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.0, A2DP, LE | 5.0, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | No | No |
| Positioning | GPS | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO |
| Radio | Unspecified | No |
| USB | microUSB 2.0 | USB Type-C 2.0 |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, Wi-Fi Direct | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Accelerometer, proximity | Accelerometer, proximity |
| Battery |
|---|
| Type | Li-Ion 3000 mAh, removable | Li-Ion 3000 mAh, non-removable |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Black | Black |
| Models | A509DL | SM-A102U, SM-S102DL, SM-A102U1, SM-A102W, SM-A102N |
| Price | About 40 EUR | About 80 EUR |
| SAR | - | 0.47 W/kg (head) 0.54 W/kg (body) |
TCL A3
- Potentially longer software support from TCL.
- More efficient 12nm chipset.
- Larger display size for media consumption.
- Less powerful CPU architecture (all Cortex-A53 cores).
- Likely slower application launch times.
- Potentially less responsive multitasking.
Samsung Galaxy A10e
- More powerful CPU with Cortex-A73 cores.
- Smoother multitasking and application performance.
- Samsung’s image processing algorithms may improve camera quality.
- Less efficient 14nm chipset.
- Potentially shorter software support lifecycle.
- Smaller display size.
Display Comparison
Neither TCL nor Samsung provide display specifications beyond resolution in their marketing materials. However, given the price point, both likely utilize IPS LCD panels. The A10e’s slightly larger screen size (5.83 inches vs. the A3’s 6.52 inches) may offer a marginally more immersive viewing experience, but the A3’s larger size could be preferable for media consumption. Without detailed brightness or color accuracy data, it’s difficult to definitively declare a winner; both will likely offer adequate, but not exceptional, visual quality.
Camera Comparison
Both phones are expected to feature basic camera setups. Detailed sensor information is scarce, but it’s safe to assume both rely on budget sensors. The A10e’s camera likely benefits from Samsung’s image processing algorithms, potentially delivering slightly more refined images. Without specific megapixel counts or aperture details, a direct comparison is difficult. The presence of a 2MP macro lens on either device is largely a marketing gimmick and shouldn’t heavily influence purchasing decisions.
Performance
The core difference lies in the chipsets. The TCL A3’s Mediatek MT6762 Helio P22 (12nm) utilizes eight Cortex-A53 cores clocked at 2.0 GHz. The Samsung Galaxy A10e’s Exynos 7884 (14nm) employs a more sophisticated configuration: two Cortex-A73 cores at 1.6 GHz and six Cortex-A53 cores at 1.35 GHz. The A73 cores are significantly more powerful than the A53 cores, resulting in faster application launch times and smoother performance in demanding tasks. While the Helio P22’s 12nm process is more efficient than the Exynos 7884’s 14nm, the architectural advantage of the A73 cores in the A10e outweighs this efficiency gain in real-world usage. The A10e will handle multitasking and moderately demanding apps with greater ease.
Battery Life
Battery capacity details are missing for both devices. However, given the similar target market and processor power, battery life is likely comparable. The TCL A3’s more efficient 12nm process *could* translate to slightly longer battery life under light usage, but the Exynos 7884’s more efficient task completion may offset this. Charging wattage is also unknown, making it impossible to assess charging speeds. Real-world battery performance will depend heavily on individual usage patterns.
Buying Guide
Buy the TCL A3 if you prioritize a potentially longer software support lifecycle from TCL and are primarily focused on basic tasks like calling, texting, and light social media use. Buy the Samsung Galaxy A10e if you value a more responsive user experience, smoother multitasking, and a slightly more capable processor for handling moderately demanding applications.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Does the Exynos 7884 in the Galaxy A10e tend to overheat during prolonged gaming sessions?
The Exynos 7884 is a relatively low-power chip and is unlikely to experience significant overheating during gaming. However, sustained high loads will likely result in some thermal throttling, reducing performance slightly. The A10e’s plastic build doesn’t offer exceptional heat dissipation, but it’s generally sufficient for its intended use case.
❓ Is the 2MP macro camera on either phone worth using for close-up shots?
Generally, no. 2MP macro cameras on budget phones typically produce low-resolution, noisy images with limited detail. They are often included as a marketing feature rather than a genuinely useful camera component. You’ll likely get better results using the main camera in standard photo mode and cropping the image.
❓ Can the Samsung Galaxy A10e handle popular games like PUBG Mobile at playable frame rates?
The Galaxy A10e can run PUBG Mobile, but you’ll likely need to use the lowest graphics settings and frame rate options to achieve a consistently smooth experience. Expect frame drops during intense action sequences. The A73 cores provide a slight advantage over the A3, but neither phone is designed for demanding gaming.
❓ Which phone is likely to receive more software updates and security patches?
TCL has been improving its software support in recent years, but Samsung generally offers a more consistent and longer-term software update commitment, even for its budget devices. While neither phone is guaranteed to receive major Android version updates for an extended period, the A10e is more likely to receive security patches for a longer duration.
