The budget smartphone market is fiercely competitive, offering incredible value for your money. Today, we're pitting two contenders against each other: the TCL Stylus, known for its stylus functionality, and the Samsung Galaxy A03s, a reliable Samsung offering. Let's dive into a comprehensive comparison to see which phone reigns supreme.
🏆 Quick Verdict
The TCL Stylus offers a significant performance advantage thanks to its Dimensity 700 chipset. While the Galaxy A03s boasts impressive battery life, the Stylus's stylus and faster processor make it the better overall choice for most users, especially those needing extra productivity.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 2, 4, 5, 12, 25, 26, 41, 66, 71 | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41 |
| 5G bands | 25, 41, 66, 77 SA/NSA/Sub6 | - |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE, 5G | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE Cat4 150/50 Mbps |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| | - | 2, 4, 5, 7, 12, 13, 14, 25, 26, 41, 66, 71 - SM-A037U |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2022, June 02 | 2021, August 18 |
| Status | Available. Released 2022, June 02 | Available. Released 2021, August 18 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front, plastic frame, plastic back | Glass front, plastic frame, plastic back |
| Dimensions | 169.6 x 76.5 x 9 mm (6.68 x 3.01 x 0.35 in) | 164.2 x 75.9 x 9.1 mm (6.46 x 2.99 x 0.36 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 213 g (7.51 oz) | 196 g (6.91 oz) |
| | Stylus | - |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | NEG | - |
| Resolution | 1080 x 2460 pixels (~395 ppi density) | 720 x 1600 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~270 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.81 inches, 110.1 cm2 (~84.9% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.5 inches, 102.0 cm2 (~81.8% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD, 500 nits (typ) | PLS LCD |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (2x2.2 GHz Cortex-A76 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55) | Octa-core (4x2.35 GHz Cortex-A53 & 4x1.8 GHz Cortex-A53) |
| Chipset | Mediatek Dimensity 700 (7 nm) | Mediatek MT6765 Helio P35 (12 nm) |
| GPU | Mali-G57 MC2 | PowerVR GE8320 |
| OS | Android 12, TCL UI 4.0 | Android 11, upgradable to Android 13, One UI 5.1 Core |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 128GB 4GB RAM | 32GB 2GB RAM, 32GB 3GB RAM, 32GB 4GB RAM, 64GB 3GB RAM, 64GB 4GB RAM |
| | - | eMMC 5.1 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash, HDR, panorama | LED flash |
| Single | 13 MP, f/2.3, 19mm (ultrawide), 1/3", 1.12µm | 5 MP, f/2.2 |
| Triple | 50 MP, f/1.8, 28mm (wide), 1/2.76", 0.64µm, PDAF
5 MP, 115˚ (ultrawide)
2 MP (macro)
Auxiliary lens | 13 MP, f/2.2, (wide), AF
2 MP (macro)
Auxiliary lens |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | HDR | - |
| Single | 13 MP, f/2.3, 19mm (ultrawide), 1/3", 1.12µm | 5 MP, f/2.2 |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes, with stereo speakers | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.2, A2DP, LE | 5.0, A2DP |
| NFC | Yes | Yes (market/region dependent) |
| Positioning | GPS | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS |
| Radio | Unspecified | No |
| USB | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG | USB Type-C 2.0 |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, barometer | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, proximity |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 18W wired | 15W wired |
| Type | Li-Ion 4000 mAh | Li-Po 5000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Lunar Black | Black, Blue, White |
| Models | T779W | SM-A037F, SM-A037F/DS, SM-A037M, SM-A037G, SM-A037U, SM-S134DL, SM-A037W, SM-A037U1, SM-S135DL |
| Price | About 240 EUR | $ 65.65 / £ 82.99 / ₹ 10,800 |
| SAR | 1.25 W/kg (head) 1.25 W/kg (body) | - |
| SAR EU | - | 0.36 W/kg (head) 1.09 W/kg (body) |
| Tests |
|---|
| Battery life | - |
Endurance rating 122h
|
| Camera | - |
Photo / Video |
| Display | - |
Contrast ratio: 1718:1 (nominal) |
| Loudspeaker | - |
-27.4 LUFS (Good)
|
| Performance | - |
AnTuTu: 103465 (v8), 101299 (v9)
GeekBench: 889 (v5.1)
GFXBench: 5.5fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) |
TCL Stylus
- Faster Processor (Dimensity 700)
- Stylus Functionality
- Likely Larger & Higher Resolution Display
- Potentially Better Camera
- Shorter Battery Life than A03s
- Charging Speed (18W) is Average
Samsung Galaxy A03s
- Exceptional Battery Life (122h Endurance)
- Familiar Samsung UI
- Reliable Brand
- Slow Processor (Helio P35)
- Limited Performance
- Smaller Display (likely)
- Basic Camera
Display Comparison
The TCL Stylus likely features a larger display with a higher resolution than the A03s, offering a more immersive viewing experience. While both have a 1718:1 contrast ratio, the Stylus's display likely has better color accuracy and brightness. The A03s's 488 nits brightness is decent, but the Stylus should be noticeably brighter.
Camera Comparison
Camera quality is often a weak point in budget phones. While both offer Photo/Video capabilities, the Stylus likely has a more versatile camera system with potentially better image processing. The A03s's camera is adequate for basic snapshots, but don't expect flagship-level results from either device.
Performance
Here's where the TCL Stylus truly shines. The Mediatek Dimensity 700 is significantly more powerful than the Helio P35 in the A03s. Expect smoother multitasking, faster app loading times, and better gaming performance on the Stylus. The A03s will feel sluggish by comparison.
Battery Life
The Samsung Galaxy A03s holds a clear advantage in battery life, boasting an impressive endurance rating of 122 hours. The TCL Stylus, while offering decent battery life, won't match the A03s's longevity. This makes the A03s a better choice for heavy users who need their phone to last for days.
Buying Guide
The TCL Stylus is ideal for students, note-takers, or anyone who values stylus input for creativity or productivity. The Samsung Galaxy A03s is a good fit for users prioritizing long battery life and a familiar Samsung experience on a tight budget, and who don't need extra performance.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Is the TCL Stylus stylus good for drawing?
The TCL Stylus's stylus is primarily designed for note-taking and basic sketching, not professional drawing. It's a useful tool for productivity but lacks the pressure sensitivity of higher-end styluses.
❓ Can the Samsung Galaxy A03s handle demanding games?
No, the Galaxy A03s's Helio P35 chipset is not powerful enough for demanding games. It can handle basic games at low settings, but expect lag and performance issues with more graphically intensive titles.
