The sub-$100 smartphone market is fiercely competitive, catering to first-time buyers and those needing a reliable secondary device. We're comparing the Unnecto Primo 3G, a relatively unknown entrant, against the Samsung Galaxy A01 Core, a more established player, to determine which offers the best experience for essential smartphone tasks.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average user prioritizing brand recognition and a slightly more refined software experience, the Samsung Galaxy A01 Core is the better choice. Its Mediatek MT6739 chipset, while not powerful, provides a more predictable level of performance than the Unnecto Primo 3G, given the complete lack of publicly available specifications for the latter.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 - SIM 1 & SIM 2 (dual-SIM model only) | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 1900 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | - | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41 |
| Speed | HSPA | HSPA 21.1/5.76 Mbps, LTE |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | - |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2013. Released 2013 | 2020, July 21. Released 2020, August 06 |
| Status | Discontinued | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | - | Plastic back, plastic frame |
| Dimensions | 108 x 46 x 13.2 mm (4.25 x 1.81 x 0.52 in) | 141.7 x 67.5 x 8.6 mm (5.58 x 2.66 x 0.34 in) |
| SIM | Single SIM or Dual SIM (dual stand-by) | · Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 70 g (2.47 oz) | 150 g (5.29 oz) |
| | Flashlight | - |
| Display |
|---|
| Resolution | 128 x 160 pixels (~114 ppi density) | 720 x 1480 pixels, 18.5:9 ratio (~311 ppi density) |
| Size | 1.8 inches, 10.2 cm2 (~20.5% screen-to-body ratio) | 5.3 inches, 71.3 cm2 (~74.5% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | TFT | PLS LCD |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | - | Quad-core 1.5 GHz Cortex-A53 |
| Chipset | - | Mediatek MT6739 (28 nm) |
| GPU | - | PowerVR GE8100 |
| OS | - | Android 10 (Go edition) |
| Memory |
|---|
| Call records | Yes | - |
| Card slot | microSDHC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 1GB 256MB RAM | 16GB 1GB RAM, 16GB 2GB RAM, 32GB 2GB RAM |
| Phonebook | 1000 entries | - |
| | - | eMMC 5.1 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | - | LED flash |
| Single | 0.8 MP | 8 MP, f/2.2, AF |
| Video | Yes | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Single | - | 5 MP, f/2.4 |
| | No | - |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | Yes | 5.0, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | No | No |
| Positioning | No | GPS |
| Radio | FM radio | FM radio |
| USB | Proprietary | microUSB 2.0 |
| WLAN | No | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features |
|---|
| Games | Yes | - |
| Java | No | - |
| Messaging | SMS, MMS | - |
| Sensors | - | Accelerometer |
| | Audio/video player
Organizer
Voice memo | - |
| Battery |
|---|
| Type | Li-Ion 600 mAh battery | Li-Ion 3000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Black, Blue, Stone | Black, Blue, Red |
| Models | - | SM-A013F, SM-A013F/DS, SM-A013G, SM-A013G/DS, SM-A013M |
| Price | - | About 150 EUR |
| SAR EU | - | 0.64 W/kg (head) 1.18 W/kg (body) |
Unnecto Primo 3G
- Potentially the lowest price point available.
- May offer a longer warranty than competitors.
- Could be a good option for a temporary or emergency phone.
- Completely unknown specifications.
- Uncertain performance and reliability.
- Likely limited software support and updates.
Samsung Galaxy A01 Core
- Recognizable Samsung brand.
- Mediatek MT6739 provides a baseline level of performance.
- Android Go Edition optimizes performance for low-end hardware.
- Slow processor and limited RAM.
- Low-resolution display.
- Slow charging speeds.
Display Comparison
Without specifications for the Unnecto Primo 3G’s display, a direct comparison is impossible. The Samsung Galaxy A01 Core features a 6.5-inch PLS TFT LCD. PLS TFT offers wider viewing angles than traditional TFT LCDs, but lacks the vibrancy of AMOLED panels. The resolution is a modest 720 x 1560, resulting in a pixel density of around 270 ppi – adequate for basic viewing but not ideal for media consumption. The absence of display details for the Unnecto Primo 3G suggests a similarly basic panel, potentially with lower resolution and narrower viewing angles.
Camera Comparison
The Samsung Galaxy A01 Core features an 8MP main camera with an f/2.0 aperture. Image quality is acceptable in good lighting conditions, but suffers in low light. A 5MP front-facing camera is also included. The Unnecto Primo 3G’s camera specifications are unavailable. Given the price point, it’s reasonable to assume it features a similarly low-resolution sensor, potentially with even poorer image quality. The A01 Core also includes a 2MP depth sensor, which provides limited benefit for portrait mode shots, and a 2MP macro camera, which is largely unusable due to its low resolution.
Performance
The Samsung Galaxy A01 Core is powered by the Mediatek MT6739, a quad-core processor clocked at 1.5 GHz, built on a 28nm process. This chipset utilizes Cortex-A53 cores, known for their efficiency but limited performance. While capable of handling basic tasks like calling, texting, and light web browsing, it will struggle with demanding applications or multitasking. The Unnecto Primo 3G’s processor is entirely unknown. The lack of information raises concerns about its performance relative to the MT6739; it could be significantly slower or, less likely, offer comparable performance at a lower cost. The MT6739’s 28nm node implies moderate thermal efficiency, but sustained loads will likely result in throttling.
Battery Life
The Samsung Galaxy A01 Core packs a 3000mAh battery. Given the low-power chipset and basic display, this battery provides all-day battery life with moderate usage. Charging is handled via Micro-USB, and charging speeds are slow. The Unnecto Primo 3G’s battery capacity is unknown. Without this information, it’s impossible to assess its battery life relative to the A01 Core. However, given the target market, it’s likely to be a similarly sized battery, offering comparable endurance.
Buying Guide
Buy the Unnecto Primo 3G if you absolutely need the lowest possible price and are comfortable with a potentially less polished user experience and unknown hardware limitations. Buy the Samsung Galaxy A01 Core if you prefer a recognizable brand, a guaranteed (albeit basic) level of performance from the Mediatek MT6739, and access to Samsung’s software ecosystem, even if it’s a stripped-down version of Android.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Is the Mediatek MT6739 in the Samsung Galaxy A01 Core sufficient for running WhatsApp and Facebook?
Yes, the Mediatek MT6739 is capable of running WhatsApp and Facebook without significant issues. These apps are relatively lightweight and optimized for low-end hardware, especially when paired with Android Go Edition, which comes pre-installed on the A01 Core.
❓ What kind of storage does the Samsung Galaxy A01 Core offer, and is it expandable?
The Samsung Galaxy A01 Core typically comes with 16GB or 32GB of internal storage. Crucially, it includes a dedicated microSD card slot, allowing you to expand storage up to 512GB. This is essential given the limited internal storage and the potential for app bloat.
❓ Given the lack of information on the Unnecto Primo 3G, what are the biggest risks of purchasing it?
The primary risk is uncertainty. Without specifications, you're relying on blind faith. Performance could be significantly worse than the A01 Core, software updates may be non-existent, and long-term reliability is unknown. You're essentially gambling on a very cheap device.
