The Tecno Pop 5S and Samsung Galaxy A03 Core represent the absolute bottom end of the smartphone market, targeting first-time buyers or those needing a reliable secondary device. Both aim to deliver essential functionality at the lowest possible price point, but they approach this goal with different hardware and software strategies. This comparison dissects their strengths and weaknesses to determine which offers the best experience for the money.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average user prioritizing brand recognition and a slightly more refined software experience, the Samsung Galaxy A03 Core is the better choice. Its Unisoc SC9863A chipset, while not powerful, provides a more consistent performance than the largely unknown internals of the Tecno Pop 5S, and benefits from Samsung’s established software optimization.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | LTE | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41 |
| Speed | HSPA 21.1/5.76 Mbps, LTE | HSPA 21.1/5.76 Mbps, LTE |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| | eMMC 5.1 | - |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2022, February 07 | 2021, November 15 |
| Status | Available. Released 2022, February 07 | Available. Released 2021, December 06 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front, plastic frame, plastic back | Plastic back, plastic frame |
| Dimensions | 148 x 72.3 x 9.9 mm (5.83 x 2.85 x 0.39 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 | 160 g (5.64 oz) | 211 g (7.44 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Resolution | 720 x 1520 pixels, 19:9 ratio (~295 ppi density) | 720 x 1600 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~270 ppi density) |
| Size | 5.7 inches, 81.1 cm2 (~75.8% 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 (4x1.6 GHz Cortex-A55 & 4x1.2 GHz Cortex-A55) |
| Chipset | - | Unisoc SC9863A (28 nm) |
| GPU | - | IMG8322 |
| OS | Android 10 (Go edition), HiOS | Android 11 (Go edition) |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 32GB 2GB RAM | 32GB 2GB RAM |
| | - | eMMC 5.1 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Dual | 5 MP
Auxiliary lens | - |
| Features | LED flash | LED flash |
| Single | 2 MP | 8 MP, f/2.0, AF |
| Video | - | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash | - |
| Single | 2 MP | 5 MP, f/2.2 |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 4.2, A2DP | 4.2, A2DP |
| NFC | No | No |
| Positioning | GPS | GPS, GLONASS |
| Radio | FM radio | Unspecified |
| USB | microUSB 2.0, OTG | microUSB 2.0, OTG |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Accelerometer, proximity | Accelerometer, proximity |
| Battery |
|---|
| Type | Li-Ion 3020 mAh | Li-Ion 5000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Light Purple, Deep Blue | Black, Blue |
| Models | - | SM-A032F, SM-A032F/DS, SM-A032M |
| Price | About 60 EUR | £ 74.99 |
| SAR | - | 0.30 W/kg (head) |
| SAR EU | - | 0.24 W/kg (head) 1.39 W/kg (body) |
Tecno Pop 5S
- Potentially the lowest price point available.
- Likely large battery capacity.
- May offer expandable storage via microSD card.
- Unknown processor performance.
- Lack of brand recognition.
- Potentially poor software support.
Samsung Galaxy A03 Core
- Recognizable Samsung brand.
- Unisoc SC9863A chipset offers documented performance.
- Android Go Edition for smoother performance on limited hardware.
- Slow 10W charging.
- Basic camera system.
- Limited processing power for demanding tasks.
Display Comparison
Specific display details for the Tecno Pop 5S are unavailable, making a direct comparison difficult. However, given its price point, it likely features a basic LCD panel with a resolution around 720x1600. The Samsung Galaxy A03 Core also utilizes a 6.6-inch PLS LCD, a technology similar to IPS LCD, offering decent viewing angles. The A03 Core’s display is likely to have a slightly better color calibration due to Samsung’s display expertise, but neither device will offer vibrant colors or high brightness levels. Both will likely struggle in direct sunlight.
Camera Comparison
Camera specifications for the Tecno Pop 5S are unavailable. The Samsung Galaxy A03 Core features a single 8MP main camera. While 8MP isn’t impressive, it’s a known quantity and will produce acceptable photos in good lighting conditions. The A03 Core also includes a depth sensor, which assists with portrait mode effects, but image quality will still be limited by the main sensor. Both devices likely lack optical image stabilization (OIS), meaning low-light performance will be poor. The absence of detailed camera specs for the Pop 5S makes it impossible to assess its image quality, but it’s reasonable to assume it will be comparable or slightly inferior to the A03 Core.
Performance
The Samsung Galaxy A03 Core is powered by the Unisoc SC9863A, a 28nm octa-core processor with a split core configuration (4x1.6 GHz Cortex-A55 & 4x1.2 GHz Cortex-A55). This chipset is designed for basic tasks like calling, texting, and light web browsing. The Tecno Pop 5S’s processor remains unknown, but given its price bracket, it’s likely a less efficient and less powerful chipset. The Unisoc SC9863A benefits from ARM’s Cortex-A55 architecture, offering improved efficiency compared to older Cortex-A53 designs. This translates to slightly better battery life and smoother multitasking on the A03 Core. The A03 Core’s performance will be adequate for Android Go Edition, but will struggle with demanding applications.
Battery Life
Battery capacity for the Tecno Pop 5S is unknown, but it likely features a large battery (around 5000mAh) to compensate for a less efficient processor. The Samsung Galaxy A03 Core packs a 5000mAh battery, paired with the relatively efficient Unisoc SC9863A. The A03 Core supports 10W charging, which is slow but sufficient for overnight charging. Given the unknown processor efficiency of the Pop 5S, it’s difficult to predict real-world battery life, but the A03 Core’s combination of battery size and chipset efficiency should provide all-day battery life for light users.
Buying Guide
Buy the Tecno Pop 5S if you absolutely need the lowest possible price and are comfortable with a less-established brand. It likely targets users who prioritize basic connectivity and minimal app usage. Buy the Samsung Galaxy A03 Core if you prefer a more recognizable brand, a slightly smoother user experience, and a chipset with documented performance characteristics, even if it's still entry-level.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Is the Unisoc SC9863A chipset in the Samsung Galaxy A03 Core capable of running popular social media apps like Facebook and Instagram?
Yes, the Unisoc SC9863A is sufficient for running most popular social media apps, especially when paired with Android Go Edition. However, expect some lag when switching between apps or loading media-heavy content. It's designed for basic usage, not intensive multitasking.
❓ Does the Samsung Galaxy A03 Core support over-the-air (OTA) software updates?
Yes, the Samsung Galaxy A03 Core supports OTA updates, providing security patches and potential feature enhancements. Samsung typically provides a limited number of updates for its entry-level devices, but users can expect to receive at least some security updates during the device's lifespan.
❓ Can I expand the storage on either the Tecno Pop 5S or the Samsung Galaxy A03 Core using a microSD card?
While not explicitly confirmed for the Tecno Pop 5S, both devices in this price range typically include a microSD card slot for expandable storage. The Samsung Galaxy A03 Core does support microSD cards up to 512GB, allowing users to significantly increase the device's storage capacity.
