Ulefone Note 14 vs Samsung Galaxy A03s: Which Budget Phone Reigns Supreme?

Looking for an affordable smartphone that doesn't completely break the bank? The Ulefone Note 14 and Samsung Galaxy A03s are both contenders in the budget phone arena. But which one offers the best bang for your buck? Let's dive into a detailed comparison.

Phones Images

🏆 Quick Verdict

The Samsung Galaxy A03s edges out the Ulefone Note 14 thanks to its slightly more powerful chipset, better overall software support, and reliable brand reputation. While the Ulefone offers competitive specs, Samsung's polish and longevity give it the advantage.

PHONES
Phone Names	Ulefone Note 14	Samsung Galaxy A03s

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 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE Cat4 150/50 Mbps
Technology	GSM / HSPA / LTE	GSM / HSPA / LTE
	eMMC 5.1	2, 4, 5, 7, 12, 13, 14, 25, 26, 41, 66, 71 - SM-A037U

Launch
Announced	2022, September 29	2021, August 18
Status	Available. Released 2022, September 29	Available. Released 2021, August 18

Body
Build	-	Glass front, plastic frame, plastic back
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
Weight	189 g (6.67 oz)	196 g (6.91 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 (4x2.35 GHz Cortex-A53 & 4x1.8 GHz Cortex-A53)
Chipset	Mediatek MT6761 Helio A22 (12 nm)	Mediatek MT6765 Helio P35 (12 nm)
GPU	PowerVR GE8300	PowerVR GE8320
OS	Android 12	Android 11, upgradable to Android 13, One UI 5.1 Core

Memory
Card slot	microSDXC (dedicated slot)	microSDXC (dedicated slot)
Internal	16GB 3GB RAM, 64GB 4GB RAM	32GB 2GB RAM, 32GB 3GB RAM, 32GB 4GB RAM, 64GB 3GB RAM, 64GB 4GB 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)	5 MP, f/2.2
Triple	-	13 MP, f/2.2, (wide), AF 2 MP (macro) Auxiliary lens
Video	1080p@30fps	1080p@30fps

Selfie camera
Single	5 MP, f/2.0, (wide)	5 MP, f/2.2
Video	1080p@30fps	1080p@30fps

Sound
3.5mm jack	Yes	Yes
35mm jack	Yes	Yes
Loudspeaker	Yes	Yes

Comms
Bluetooth	5.0, A2DP, LE	5.0, A2DP
NFC	No	Yes (market/region dependent)
Positioning	GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS	GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS
Radio	Stereo FM radio, RDS, recording	No
USB	USB Type-C 2.0	USB Type-C 2.0
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	Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, proximity

Battery
Charging	-	15W wired
Type	Li-Po 4500 mAh	Li-Po 5000 mAh

Misc
Colors	Midnight Black, Mint Green, Lavender Purple	Black, Blue, White
Models	-	SM-A037F, SM-A037F/DS, SM-A037M, SM-A037G, SM-A037U, SM-S134DL, SM-A037W, SM-A037U1, SM-S135DL
Price	About 100 EUR	$ 65.65 / £ 82.99 / ₹ 10,800
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)

Ulefone Note 14

Potentially larger battery capacity
Competitive price
Large display

Slower performance
Less reliable software support
Lower brightness display
Unknown camera quality

Samsung Galaxy A03s

Better performance (Helio P35)
Samsung's software support
Brighter display (488 nits)
Reliable brand reputation

May be slightly more expensive
Basic camera features
15W charging is relatively slow

Display Comparison

Both phones feature similar display technology (likely IPS LCD) with a respectable 1718:1 contrast ratio. However, the Galaxy A03s boasts a measured 488 nits max brightness, which should provide better visibility in sunlight compared to the Note 14's likely lower brightness. Screen size is likely comparable, around 6.5 inches.

Camera Comparison

Camera specs are generally similar, both offering basic camera setups. However, Samsung's image processing is typically superior, resulting in better-looking photos, especially in challenging lighting conditions. The A03s likely has a slight edge in video recording quality as well.

Performance

The Samsung Galaxy A03s holds a performance advantage with its Mediatek Helio P35 chipset and octa-core CPU. The Ulefone Note 14's Helio A22 and quad-core CPU will feel noticeably slower, especially when multitasking or running demanding apps. Expect smoother navigation and app loading on the A03s.

Battery Life

Both phones boast impressive battery life, with the Galaxy A03s claiming an endurance rating of 122h. While the Note 14's battery capacity might be slightly larger, the A03s's more efficient chipset likely contributes to comparable real-world battery performance. 15W wired charging is available on the A03s.

Buying Guide

The Ulefone Note 14 is ideal for users prioritizing a large display and basic functionality on a very tight budget. The Samsung Galaxy A03s is a better choice for those seeking a more reliable experience, slightly better performance, and the assurance of Samsung's software updates.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Which phone has better gaming performance?

The Samsung Galaxy A03s's Helio P35 chipset provides noticeably better gaming performance compared to the Ulefone Note 14's Helio A22.

❓ How long will Samsung provide software updates for the Galaxy A03s?

Samsung typically provides longer software update support for its devices compared to lesser-known brands like Ulefone. Expect at least one major Android update and several security patches for the A03s.