The sub-$150 smartphone market is fiercely competitive. The Umidigi G9C and Samsung Galaxy A05s represent two compelling options, but cater to slightly different priorities. The G9C focuses on offering a functional experience at an extremely low price point, while the A05s leverages Samsung’s brand recognition and a more efficient chipset to deliver a more refined, albeit still budget-focused, experience.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average user prioritizing all-around usability and battery life, the Samsung Galaxy A05s is the better choice. Its Snapdragon 680 chipset, coupled with a measured 11:32h active use battery score, provides a smoother experience and longer runtime than the Umidigi G9C, despite the latter’s lower price.
| 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, 17, 18, 19, 20, 26, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66 | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41 |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE | HSPA, LTE |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2024, September | 2023, September 25 |
| Status | Available. Released 2024, September | Available. Released 2023, October 18 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | - | Glass front, plastic back, plastic frame |
| Dimensions | 167.2 x 77 x 7.9 mm (6.58 x 3.03 x 0.31 in) | 168 x 77.8 x 8.8 mm (6.61 x 3.06 x 0.35 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | · Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 189 g (6.67 oz) | 194 g (6.84 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Resolution | 720 x 1600 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~260 ppi density) | 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~393 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.75 inches, 110.0 cm2 (~85.4% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.7 inches, 108.4 cm2 (~82.9% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD, 90Hz | PLS LCD, 90Hz |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (4x2.2 GHz Cortex-A53 & 4x1.6 GHz Cortex-A53) | Octa-core (4x2.4 GHz Kryo 265 Gold & 4x1.9 GHz Kryo 265 Silver) |
| Chipset | Mediatek Helio G36 (12 nm) | Qualcomm SM6225 Snapdragon 680 4G (6 nm) |
| GPU | PowerVR GE8320 | Adreno 610 |
| OS | Android 14 | Android 13, up to 2 major Android upgrades, One UI 7 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 128GB 6GB RAM | 64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Dual | 50 MP, (wide)
Auxiliary lens | - |
| Features | LED flash | LED flash |
| Triple | - | 50 MP, f/1.8, (wide), 1/2.8", 0.64µm, AF
2 MP (macro)
Auxiliary lens |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30/60fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Single | 8 MP, (wide) | 13 MP, f/2.0, (wide), 1/3.X", 1.12µm |
| Video | Yes | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.4, A2DP, LE | 5.1, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | Yes | Yes (market/region dependent) |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS, QZSS |
| Radio | FM radio | Unspecified |
| USB | USB Type-C, OTG | USB Type-C 2.0 |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, compass | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, proximity |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 18W wired | 25W wired |
| Type | 5000 mAh | Li-Po 5000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Rock Black, Grass Green | Black, Silver, Light Green, Violet |
| Models | - | SM-A057F, SM-A057F/DS, SM-A057M, SM-A057M/DS, SM-A057G/DSN, SM-A057G |
| Price | - | $ 134.00 / C$ 146.99 / £ 83.94 / € 100.99 |
| SAR EU | - | 0.58 W/kg (head) 1.31 W/kg (body) |
Umidigi G9C
- Lower price point makes it highly accessible.
- Functional for basic smartphone tasks.
- Potentially lighter due to simpler components.
- Less powerful chipset leads to slower performance.
- Likely inferior display quality.
- Unknown battery capacity and potentially shorter runtime.
Samsung Galaxy A05s
- More efficient Snapdragon 680 chipset for smoother performance.
- Excellent battery life (11:32h active use).
- Brighter and higher contrast display.
- Higher price compared to the Umidigi G9C.
- Camera details are limited.
- Still a budget phone with inherent limitations.
Display Comparison
The Samsung Galaxy A05s boasts a significantly brighter display, reaching 468 nits, compared to the unmeasured display of the Umidigi G9C. This higher brightness translates to better visibility outdoors. While both likely utilize LCD panels, the A05s’ 1418:1 contrast ratio suggests a more vibrant image. The G9C’s display specifications are unavailable, making a direct comparison difficult, but it’s reasonable to assume it will be less impressive in terms of both brightness and contrast.
Camera Comparison
Both phones feature basic camera setups, but details are limited. The Samsung Galaxy A05s is described as having a Photo/Video camera, but specific sensor details are missing. The Umidigi G9C’s camera specifications are also unavailable. Given the price point, it’s safe to assume both will struggle in low-light conditions and offer limited dynamic range. The presence of a 2MP macro camera on many phones in this segment is largely a marketing tactic, offering minimal practical benefit.
Performance
The core difference lies in the chipsets. The Samsung Galaxy A05s utilizes the Qualcomm Snapdragon 680 (6nm), featuring a more modern architecture with 4x2.4 GHz Kryo 265 Gold and 4x1.9 GHz Kryo 265 Silver cores. This contrasts with the Umidigi G9C’s MediaTek Helio G36 (12nm) and its older Cortex-A53 cores clocked at 2.2 GHz and 1.6 GHz. The 6nm process of the Snapdragon 680 offers superior power efficiency, leading to less heat generation and potentially sustained performance. While both are octa-core CPUs, the Snapdragon 680’s architecture provides a noticeable performance advantage in demanding tasks and multitasking.
Battery Life
The Samsung Galaxy A05s shines in battery life, achieving an impressive 11 hours and 32 minutes of active use. The Umidigi G9C’s battery capacity is unknown, but its less efficient Helio G36 chipset and 18W charging suggest it will require more frequent charging. The A05s’ 25W wired charging also provides a faster top-up time, minimizing downtime. The Snapdragon 680’s 6nm process contributes significantly to the A05s’ superior battery performance.
Buying Guide
Buy the Umidigi G9C if you need a functional smartphone for basic tasks like calls, messaging, and light social media, and are operating on an extremely tight budget. Buy the Samsung Galaxy A05s if you prefer a more responsive user experience, longer battery life, and the peace of mind that comes with the Samsung brand, even if it means spending a bit more.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Is the Snapdragon 680 in the Galaxy A05s powerful enough for casual gaming?
The Snapdragon 680 is capable of handling most casual mobile games at medium settings. While it won't deliver a high-end gaming experience, it provides a smoother and more consistent frame rate than the Helio G36 in the Umidigi G9C, especially during prolonged gaming sessions due to its superior thermal efficiency.
❓ How much faster is the 25W charging on the Galaxy A05s compared to the 18W charging on the Umidigi G9C?
While exact charging times depend on various factors, the 25W charging on the Galaxy A05s will significantly reduce charging time compared to the 18W charging on the G9C. Expect a noticeably quicker top-up, allowing you to get back to using your phone sooner.
❓ Does the Samsung Galaxy A05s support software updates for security patches and Android versions?
Samsung generally provides several years of security updates for its A-series devices, including the A05s. While major Android version updates may be limited, you can expect consistent security patches to protect your device from vulnerabilities. Umidigi's update track record is less consistent.
