The Tecno Camon 15 Air and Samsung Galaxy A02s represent the extreme end of the smartphone price spectrum. Both aim to deliver essential smartphone functionality at a minimal cost, but they take different approaches to achieving this. This comparison dissects their key specifications to determine which device offers the best value for users prioritizing affordability.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average user, the Samsung Galaxy A02s emerges as the slightly better choice. While the Tecno Camon 15 Air offers a newer chipset, the A02s’s measured 406 nits of brightness and comparable battery endurance provide a more consistently usable experience, especially outdoors. Both phones are limited, but the A02s is more balanced.
| 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 | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28 | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41 |
| 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 / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2020, April 13. Released 2020, April 13 | 2020, November 24. Released 2021, January 04 |
| Status | Discontinued | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 3), plastic back, plastic frame | Glass front, plastic back, plastic frame |
| Dimensions | 164.5 x 76.5 x 9 mm (6.48 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· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | - | 196 g (6.91 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass 3 | Scratch-resistant glass |
| Resolution | 720 x 1600 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~266 ppi density) | 720 x 1600 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~270 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.6 inches, 105.2 cm2 (~83.6% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.5 inches, 102.0 cm2 (~81.8% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD | PLS LCD |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core 2.0 GHz Cortex-A53 | Octa-core 1.8 GHz Cortex-A53 |
| Chipset | Mediatek MT6762 Helio P22 (12 nm) | Qualcomm SDM450 Snapdragon 450 (14 nm) |
| GPU | PowerVR GE8320 | Adreno 506 |
| OS | Android 10, HIOS 6.0 | Android 10, upgradable to Android 12, One UI 4.1 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 64GB 3GB RAM | 16GB 1GB RAM, 32GB 2GB RAM, 32GB 3GB RAM, 32GB 4GB RAM, 64GB 3GB RAM, 64GB 4GB RAM |
| | eMMC 5.1 | eMMC 5.1 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | Quad-LED flash, panorama, HDR | LED flash |
| Quad | 48 MP, f/1.8, PDAF
2 MP (macro)
Auxiliary lenses | - |
| Single | 8 MP, AF | 3.15 MP |
| Triple | - | 13 MP, f/2.2, (wide), AF
2 MP (macro)
Auxiliary lens |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | Dual-LED flash, HDR | - |
| Single | 8 MP, f/2.0, (wide) | 5 MP, f/2.2 |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | - |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.0, A2DP, LE | 4.2, A2DP |
| NFC | No | No |
| Positioning | GPS | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS |
| Radio | FM radio | Unspecified |
| USB | microUSB 2.0, OTG | USB Type-C 2.0 |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, proximity | Accelerometer, proximity |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | - | 15W wired |
| Stand-by | Up to 384 h (3G) | Up to 530 h (2G) / Up to 530 h (3G) |
| Talk time | Up to 17 h (3G) | Up to 6 h 12 min (2G) / Up to 6 h 18 min (3G) |
| Type | 5000 mAh | Li-Po 5000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Malachite Blue, Ice lake Blue, Misty Gray | Black, White, Red, Blue |
| Models | CD6, CD6S | SM-A025F, SM-A025F/DS, SM-A025G, SM-A025G/DS, SM-A025M, SM-A025M/DS, SM-A025U, SM-A025V, SM-A025A, SM-A025U1, SM-A025AZ, SM-S124DL |
| Price | About 130 EUR | About 110 EUR |
| SAR | - | 1.15 W/kg (head) 0.79 W/kg (body) |
| SAR EU | - | 0.40 W/kg (head) 1.37 W/kg (body) |
| Tests |
|---|
| Audio quality | - |
Noise -81.4dB / Crosstalk -80.5dB |
| Battery life | - |
Endurance rating 114h
|
| Camera | - |
Photo / Video |
| Display | - |
Contrast ratio: 1765:1 (nominal) |
| Loudspeaker | - |
-29.8 LUFS (Average)
|
| Performance | - |
AnTuTu: 90811 (v8)
GeekBench: 495 (v5.1)
GFXBench: 6.1fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) |
Tecno Camon 15 Air
- Slightly newer processor (Helio P22)
- Potentially lower price point
- Octa-core CPU for multitasking
- Lack of published display brightness data
- No specified charging wattage
- Less established brand reputation
Samsung Galaxy A02s
- Brighter display (406 nits)
- 15W wired charging
- Established Samsung brand
- Older processor (Snapdragon 450)
- Lower CPU clock speed
- 2MP macro camera is largely ineffective
Display Comparison
The Samsung Galaxy A02s boasts a measured peak brightness of 406 nits, a significant advantage over the Tecno Camon 15 Air, which lacks published brightness data. The A02s’s 1765:1 contrast ratio (measured) suggests decent image quality, though both phones likely utilize LCD panels. The lack of detailed display specifications for the Camon 15 Air makes a direct comparison difficult, but the A02s’s brightness provides a more comfortable viewing experience in outdoor conditions. Bezels are expected to be substantial on both devices, typical of this price point.
Camera Comparison
Both devices feature 'Photo / Video' capabilities, but lack specific details regarding sensor size or image processing. Given the price bracket, image quality will be limited. The presence of a 2MP macro camera on the A02s is largely a marketing gimmick, offering minimal practical benefit. Without further information, it’s difficult to assess camera performance, but the A02s’s brand reputation suggests slightly more refined image processing. Expect both phones to struggle in low-light conditions.
Performance
The Tecno Camon 15 Air is equipped with the Mediatek Helio P22 (12nm), featuring an octa-core CPU clocked at 2.0 GHz. The Samsung Galaxy A02s utilizes the Qualcomm Snapdragon 450 (14nm) with an octa-core CPU clocked at 1.8 GHz. While the P22 has a slightly higher clock speed, the 14nm process of the Snapdragon 450 generally translates to better power efficiency. Both CPUs utilize Cortex-A53 cores, meaning real-world performance differences will be subtle, primarily noticeable in sustained workloads where thermal throttling becomes a factor. The A02s’s Snapdragon is likely to maintain performance for longer under load.
Battery Life
Both the Tecno Camon 15 Air and Samsung Galaxy A02s achieve an endurance rating of 114 hours. This suggests comparable battery life under similar usage patterns. The A02s supports 15W wired charging, a feature absent from the Camon 15 Air’s specifications. While the mAh capacity isn’t specified for either device, the A02s’s faster charging capability provides a convenience advantage, allowing for quicker top-ups when needed.
Buying Guide
Buy the Tecno Camon 15 Air if you prioritize a slightly newer processor and are comfortable potentially sacrificing display visibility and overall refinement. This phone is best suited for users who primarily use messaging apps and light social media. Buy the Samsung Galaxy A02s if you value a brighter, more visible display, reliable battery life, and the established Samsung brand reputation. This is the better option for users who need a dependable daily driver for basic tasks.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Will the Snapdragon 450 in the Galaxy A02s struggle with modern apps?
The Snapdragon 450 is an entry-level chipset, and will show its limitations with demanding apps and multitasking. However, for basic tasks like calling, texting, social media, and light web browsing, it provides adequate performance. Expect some slowdowns when running multiple apps simultaneously.
❓ Is the camera on either of these phones good enough for casual photos?
Both phones are capable of taking casual photos in good lighting conditions. However, image quality will be limited by the sensor size and image processing capabilities. Don't expect detailed images or excellent low-light performance. The 2MP macro camera on the A02s is unlikely to produce usable results.
❓ How long will it take to fully charge the Samsung Galaxy A02s with the 15W charger?
While a precise charging time isn't available, the 15W charger should fully charge the Galaxy A02s in approximately 2.5 to 3 hours, depending on usage during charging. This is significantly faster than charging a phone without fast charging support.
