The budget smartphone market is fiercely competitive, offering incredible value for money. Today, we're pitting two contenders against each other: the Vodafone Smart N10 and the Samsung Galaxy A10. Let's dive into a detailed comparison to see which phone emerges as the winner.
🏆 Quick Verdict
The Samsung Galaxy A10 edges out the Vodafone Smart N10 thanks to its superior processor, octa-core design, and generally better software support. While both are budget options, the A10 provides a smoother experience and a more reliable long-term investment.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 - International |
| 4G bands | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 28 | 1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 38, 40, 41 - International |
| Speed | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE (2CA) Cat6 300/50 Mbps | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE Cat4 150/50 Mbps |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| | - | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 17, 28 - LATAM |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2019, May. Released 2019, May | 2019, February 28. Released 2019, March 19 |
| Status | Discontinued | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | - | Glass front, plastic back, plastic frame |
| Dimensions | 148.8 x 69.9 x 8.4 mm (5.86 x 2.75 x 0.33 in) | 155.6 x 75.6 x 7.9 mm (6.13 x 2.98 x 0.31 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM | · Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 160 g (5.64 oz) | 168 g (5.93 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | Asahi Dragontrail Glass | - |
| Resolution | 720 x 1500 pixels (~293 ppi density) | 720 x 1520 pixels, 19:9 ratio (~271 ppi density) |
| Size | 5.67 inches, 80.9 cm2 (~77.8% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.2 inches, 95.9 cm2 (~81.6% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD | IPS LCD |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Quad-core 2.0 GHz Cortex-A53 | Octa-core (2x1.6 GHz Cortex-A73 & 6x1.35 GHz Cortex-A53) |
| Chipset | Mediatek MT6761V/WA Helio A22 (12 nm) | Exynos 7884 (14 nm) |
| GPU | PowerVR GE8320 | Mali-G71 MP2 |
| OS | Android 9.0 (Pie) | Android 9.0 (Pie), upgradable to Android 11, One UI 3 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 16GB 2GB RAM | 32GB 2GB RAM, 32GB 4GB RAM |
| | eMMC 5.1 | eMMC 5.1 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash, HDR, panorama | LED flash, panorama, HDR |
| Single | 13 MP, AF | 13 MP, f/1.9, 28mm (wide), AF |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Single | 8 MP | 5 MP, f/2.0 |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | - |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 4.2, A2DP, LE | 5.0, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | No | No |
| Positioning | GPS | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS |
| Radio | FM radio | FM radio |
| USB | microUSB 2.0 | microUSB 2.0, OTG |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Accelerometer, gyro, proximity | Accelerometer, proximity |
| Battery |
|---|
| Type | Li-Ion 2920 mAh, non-removable | Li-Ion 3400 mAh, non-removable |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Blue Borealis | Blue, Black, Red, Gold |
| Models | VFD 630, 5048Y | SM-A105F, SM-A105G, SM-A105M, SM-A105FN |
| Price | About 150 EUR | About 160 EUR |
| SAR | - | 0.19 W/kg (head) 1.20 W/kg (body) |
| SAR EU | - | 0.32 W/kg (head) 1.09 W/kg (body) |
| Pricing |
|---|
| 32GB 2GB RAM | - | $ 122.17 |
Vodafone Smart N10
- Very affordable
- Decent basic functionality
- Relatively compact size
- Underpowered processor
- Limited storage
- Less responsive UI
- Potentially shorter software support
Samsung Galaxy A10
- Better performance
- More responsive UI
- Samsung's brand reputation
- Generally better camera
- More reliable software updates
- Plastic build quality
- HD+ display isn't the sharpest
- Limited RAM (2GB) can still cause slowdowns with many apps open
Display Comparison
Both phones feature a 6.2-inch HD+ display (720 x 1520 pixels). While the resolution is similar, Samsung's display technology often provides slightly better color accuracy and viewing angles. The Vodafone Smart N10's display might appear a bit less vibrant.
Camera Comparison
The Samsung Galaxy A10 typically features a 13MP main camera and a 2MP depth sensor, while the Vodafone Smart N10 usually has a 13MP main camera. Image quality is generally better on the A10 due to Samsung's image processing algorithms. Low-light performance will be noticeably better on the A10.
Performance
This is where the Galaxy A10 shines. Its Exynos 7884 octa-core processor (with two powerful Cortex-A73 cores) significantly outperforms the Vodafone Smart N10's quad-core Helio A22. Expect smoother multitasking, faster app loading, and better gaming performance on the A10. The N10 will likely struggle with demanding apps.
Battery Life
Both phones typically have a 3,400mAh battery. Battery life will be comparable in typical usage, but the A10's more efficient processor might give it a slight edge in longevity.
Buying Guide
The Vodafone Smart N10 is a decent choice for users prioritizing a very basic smartphone experience and are extremely budget-conscious. The Samsung Galaxy A10 is ideal for those seeking a more responsive and feature-rich phone without breaking the bank, offering a better overall value proposition.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Which phone is better for gaming?
The Samsung Galaxy A10 is significantly better for gaming due to its more powerful processor and better graphics capabilities.
❓ How much storage do these phones have?
Both phones typically come with 32GB of internal storage, expandable via microSD card. The Vodafone Smart N10 might have slightly less RAM (potentially 2GB vs 3GB on some A10 variants).
❓ Which phone will receive software updates for longer?
Samsung generally provides longer software support for its devices compared to Vodafone, so the Galaxy A10 is likely to receive updates for a longer period.