The budget smartphone market is fiercely competitive, offering incredible value for those seeking essential features without breaking the bank. Today, we pit two contenders against each other: the Ulefone Note 14 and the Samsung Galaxy A03 Core. Let's dive into a detailed comparison to see which phone emerges as the winner.
🏆 Quick Verdict
The Ulefone Note 14 edges out the Galaxy A03 Core thanks to its slightly more powerful chipset and potentially better display. While both are budget options, the Ulefone offers a more responsive experience, though Samsung's brand recognition and software support remain appealing.
| 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, 12, 17, 19, 20, 28 | 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 |
| | eMMC 5.1 | - |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2022, September 29 | 2021, November 15 |
| Status | Available. Released 2022, September 29 | Available. Released 2021, December 06 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | - | Plastic back, plastic frame |
| Dimensions | 164.8 x 76 x 9 mm (6.49 x 2.99 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 | 189 g (6.67 oz) | 211 g (7.44 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Resolution | 720 x 1600 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~269 ppi density) | 720 x 1600 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~270 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.52 inches, 102.6 cm2 (~81.9% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.5 inches, 102.0 cm2 (~81.8% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD | 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 GE8300 | IMG8322 |
| OS | Android 12 | Android 11 (Go edition) |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 16GB 3GB RAM, 64GB 4GB RAM | 32GB 2GB RAM |
| | - | eMMC 5.1 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Dual | 13 MP, f/2.0, (wide), 1.12µm, AF (64/4 model)
8 MP, f/1.8, (wide), 1.12µm, AF (16/3 model)
Depth camera | - |
| Features | LED flash, HDR, panorama | LED flash |
| Single | 5 MP, f/2.0, (wide) | 8 MP, f/2.0, AF |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Single | 5 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, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS | GPS, GLONASS |
| Radio | Stereo FM radio, RDS, recording | Unspecified |
| USB | USB Type-C 2.0 | microUSB 2.0, OTG |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, proximity | Accelerometer, proximity |
| Battery |
|---|
| Type | Li-Po 4500 mAh | Li-Ion 5000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Midnight Black, Mint Green, Lavender Purple | Black, Blue |
| Models | - | SM-A032F, SM-A032F/DS, SM-A032M |
| Price | About 100 EUR | £ 74.99 |
| SAR | - | 0.30 W/kg (head) |
| SAR EU | - | 0.24 W/kg (head) 1.39 W/kg (body) |
Ulefone Note 14
- Potentially better performance
- Larger display
- Competitive price
- Decent battery life
- Less established brand
- Software updates may be less frequent
- Camera quality is average
Samsung Galaxy A03 Core
- Samsung brand recognition
- Reliable software support (One UI)
- Simple and user-friendly interface
- Decent battery life
- Lower performance
- Smaller display
- Average camera quality
- Slower charging
Display Comparison
The Ulefone Note 14 typically features a larger 6.5-inch display, often with an HD+ resolution, offering a more immersive viewing experience. The Galaxy A03 Core usually has a smaller 6.5-inch display, also with HD+ resolution. While both are adequate, the Ulefone's larger size gives it a slight advantage for media consumption and gaming.
Camera Comparison
Camera quality on both phones is modest, typical for their price range. The Ulefone Note 14 often boasts a higher megapixel count for its main camera (typically 13MP or higher), while the Galaxy A03 Core usually has a 13MP main camera. Image quality will depend heavily on software processing, and both phones will struggle in low-light conditions. Expect decent daytime shots but limited detail and noise in challenging lighting.
Performance
Here's where the Ulefone Note 14 pulls ahead. Its Mediatek Helio A22 chipset, though older, generally outperforms the Unisoc SC9863A in the Galaxy A03 Core. The Ulefone's quad-core 2.0 GHz CPU provides a smoother multitasking experience and better app responsiveness. The A03 Core's octa-core setup, while having more cores, doesn't translate to significantly better real-world performance.
Battery Life
Both phones typically offer a large 5000mAh battery, promising all-day battery life under moderate usage. Actual battery performance will vary depending on usage patterns, but both should comfortably last a full day. Charging speeds are likely to be slow on both devices, typically around 10W.
Buying Guide
The Ulefone Note 14 is ideal for users prioritizing performance and a larger display on a tight budget. The Samsung Galaxy A03 Core is a good choice for those who value brand reliability, a simpler user experience, and Samsung's One UI, even if it means sacrificing some processing power.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Which phone is better for gaming?
The Ulefone Note 14 is generally better for gaming due to its slightly more powerful chipset, although neither phone is a gaming powerhouse.
❓ How long will the battery last on each phone?
Both phones offer excellent battery life, typically lasting a full day with moderate usage. Expect around 8-10 hours of screen-on time.
