Looking for an affordable smartphone that won't break the bank? The vivo Y01 and Samsung Galaxy A03 Core 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 to help you decide.
🏆 Quick Verdict
The vivo Y01 edges out the Galaxy A03 Core thanks to its slightly more powerful chipset and faster charging. While both are entry-level devices, the Y01 provides a marginally smoother experience and quicker top-ups, making it the better overall 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 | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41 | 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, March 09 | 2021, November 15 |
| Status | Available. Released 2022, March 24 | Available. Released 2021, December 06 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front, plastic back, plastic frame | Plastic back, plastic frame |
| Dimensions | 164 x 75.2 x 8.3 mm (6.46 x 2.96 x 0.33 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 | 178 g (6.28 oz) | 211 g (7.44 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Resolution | 720 x 1600 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~270 ppi density) | 720 x 1600 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~270 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.51 inches, 102.3 cm2 (~83.0% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.5 inches, 102.0 cm2 (~81.8% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD | PLS LCD |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (4x2.35 GHz Cortex-A53 & 4x1.8 GHz Cortex-A53) | Octa-core (4x1.6 GHz Cortex-A55 & 4x1.2 GHz Cortex-A55) |
| Chipset | Mediatek MT6765 Helio P35 (12 nm) | Unisoc SC9863A (28 nm) |
| GPU | PowerVR GE8320 | IMG8322 |
| OS | Android 11 (Go edition), Funtouch 11.1 | Android 11 (Go edition) |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 32GB 2GB RAM, 32GB 3GB RAM | 32GB 2GB RAM |
| | eMMC 5.1 | eMMC 5.1 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash | LED flash |
| Single | 8 MP, f/2.0, AF
or
13 MP, f/2.2, AF | 8 MP, f/2.0, AF |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Single | 5 MP, f/2.2 | 5 MP, f/2.2 |
| 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, BDS, GALILEO | GPS, GLONASS |
| Radio | FM radio (market/operator dependent) | Unspecified |
| USB | microUSB 2.0, OTG | microUSB 2.0, OTG |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (side-mounted, market/region dependent), accelerometer, proximity, compass | Accelerometer, proximity |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 10W wired | - |
| Type | 5000 mAh | Li-Ion 5000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Sapphire Blue, Elegant Black | Black, Blue |
| Models | V2166 | SM-A032F, SM-A032F/DS, SM-A032M |
| Price | About 150 EUR | £ 74.99 |
| SAR | - | 0.30 W/kg (head) |
| SAR EU | - | 0.24 W/kg (head) 1.39 W/kg (body) |
vivo Y01
- Slightly more powerful chipset
- Faster 10W charging
- Decent main camera
- Good battery life
- Basic design
- Limited storage options
- Low-resolution display
Samsung Galaxy A03 Core
- Samsung's One UI
- Familiar Samsung ecosystem
- Reliable brand
- Good battery life
- Weaker chipset
- Slower charging
- Lower resolution camera
- Less RAM
Display Comparison
Both phones feature a 6.51-inch HD+ display, offering decent viewing angles for everyday use. Color accuracy and brightness are typical for this price range, with neither phone excelling in this area. The Samsung might have a slightly more refined display due to Samsung's display technology, but the difference is minimal.
Camera Comparison
The vivo Y01 typically features a 13MP main camera, while the Galaxy A03 Core often has a 5MP main camera. Image quality is acceptable in good lighting conditions for both, but low-light performance is weak. The Y01 generally captures slightly more detail.
Performance
The vivo Y01's Mediatek Helio P35 chipset offers a noticeable performance advantage over the Unisoc SC9863A in the Galaxy A03 Core. Expect smoother multitasking and slightly faster app loading times on the Y01. Both phones are best suited for light to moderate usage.
Battery Life
Both phones typically offer a 5000mAh battery, providing all-day battery life with moderate usage. However, the vivo Y01's 10W charging is faster than the Galaxy A03 Core's likely slower charging speed (often 7.5W or less), allowing for quicker top-ups.
Buying Guide
The vivo Y01 is ideal for users prioritizing basic performance and slightly faster charging. The Samsung Galaxy A03 Core is a good option for those deeply invested in the Samsung ecosystem and prefer a familiar user interface, even with slightly lower performance.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Which phone has more RAM?
The vivo Y01 typically comes with 2GB or 3GB of RAM, while the Samsung Galaxy A03 Core usually has 2GB. Check specific model variants for exact RAM configurations.
❓ Can I play games on these phones?
Both phones are suitable for very light gaming. Demanding games will likely struggle with performance on both devices. Casual games and older titles should run acceptably.
