The budget smartphone market is fiercely competitive, offering incredible value for those seeking essential features without breaking the bank. Today, we're pitting two contenders against each other: the Tecno Pop 6 Pro and the Samsung Galaxy A03 Core. Let's dive into a detailed comparison to see which phone emerges as the winner.
🏆 Quick Verdict
The Tecno Pop 6 Pro edges out the Samsung Galaxy A03 Core thanks to its slightly more powerful chipset and potentially better software support. While both are budget options, the Pop 6 Pro offers a more responsive experience, making it the preferable choice for most users.
| 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, LTE | HSPA 21.1/5.76 Mbps, LTE |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2022, September 17 | 2021, November 15 |
| Status | Available. Released 2022, September 28 | Available. Released 2021, December 06 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front, plastic frame, plastic back | Plastic back, plastic frame |
| Dimensions | 164.9 x 76.3 x 8.8 mm (6.49 x 3.00 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 | 195 g (6.88 oz) | 211 g (7.44 oz) |
| | Splash resistant | - |
| Display |
|---|
| Resolution | 720 x 1612 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~269 ppi density) | 720 x 1600 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~270 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.56 inches, 103.4 cm2 (~82.2% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.5 inches, 102.0 cm2 (~81.8% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD, 480 nits (peak) | PLS LCD |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Quad-core 2.0 GHz Cortex-A53 | Octa-core (4x1.6 GHz Cortex-A55 & 4x1.2 GHz Cortex-A55) |
| Chipset | Mediatek MT6761 Helio A22 (12 nm) | Unisoc SC9863A (28 nm) |
| GPU | PowerVR GE8320 | IMG8322 |
| OS | Android 12 (Go edition), HiOS 8.6 | Android 11 (Go edition) |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 32GB 2GB RAM | 32GB 2GB RAM |
| | eMMC 5.1 | eMMC 5.1 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Dual | 8 MP, f/2.0
Auxiliary lens | - |
| Features | Dual-LED flash, HDR | LED flash |
| Single | 5 MP | 8 MP, f/2.0, AF |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash | - |
| Single | 5 MP | 5 MP, f/2.2 |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | Yes | 4.2, A2DP |
| NFC | No | No |
| Positioning | GPS | GPS, GLONASS |
| Radio | FM radio | Unspecified |
| USB | microUSB 2.0, OTG | microUSB 2.0, OTG |
| WLAN | Yes | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, proximity | Accelerometer, proximity |
| Battery |
|---|
| Type | 5000 mAh | Li-Ion 5000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Peaceful Blue, Polar Black | Black, Blue |
| Models | BE8 | SM-A032F, SM-A032F/DS, SM-A032M |
| Price | About 80 EUR | £ 74.99 |
| SAR | - | 0.30 W/kg (head) |
| SAR EU | - | 0.24 W/kg (head) 1.39 W/kg (body) |
Tecno Pop 6 Pro
- Slightly better performance
- Potentially better software updates
- Decent battery life
- Affordable price
- Basic display quality
- Modest camera
- Slow charging
Samsung Galaxy A03 Core
- Samsung brand recognition
- Reliable software (One UI Core)
- Decent battery life
- Affordable price
- Slower performance
- Basic display quality
- Modest camera
- Slow charging
Display Comparison
Both phones feature basic LCD displays, likely around 6.5 inches with HD+ resolution. Expect decent viewing angles but limited brightness and color accuracy. The Tecno Pop 6 Pro might have a slightly higher resolution, but the difference will be minimal in real-world usage.
Camera Comparison
Camera performance on both devices will be modest. The Tecno Pop 6 Pro likely features a 13MP main camera, while the A03 Core might have a similar resolution. Image quality will depend heavily on software processing, and neither phone is expected to excel in low-light conditions. Expect decent daylight shots but limited dynamic range.
Performance
Here's where the Tecno Pop 6 Pro has an advantage. The Mediatek Helio A22, despite being on a 12nm process, generally outperforms the Unisoc SC9863A (28nm) found in the A03 Core. Expect smoother multitasking and slightly faster app loading times on the Pop 6 Pro. The A03 Core's octa-core setup, while having more cores, doesn't translate to significantly better performance in this class.
Battery Life
Both phones likely pack a 5000mAh battery, offering all-day battery life with moderate usage. Charging speeds are likely to be slow, potentially around 10W. Battery optimization will be key to maximizing longevity.
Buying Guide
The Tecno Pop 6 Pro is ideal for users prioritizing a smoother experience for basic tasks and occasional gaming. The Samsung Galaxy A03 Core is a good option for those heavily invested in the Samsung ecosystem and seeking a reliable, albeit slower, device for calls, texts, and light browsing.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Which phone has better gaming performance?
The Tecno Pop 6 Pro generally offers slightly better gaming performance due to its more capable chipset.
❓ Is the Samsung Galaxy A03 Core worth it if I'm already using Samsung devices?
If you're heavily invested in the Samsung ecosystem and value One UI Core, the A03 Core might be a reasonable choice, but be prepared for slower performance compared to the Pop 6 Pro.
