The ultra-budget smartphone segment is fiercely competitive, and the Wiko Sunny5 Lite and Samsung Galaxy A03 Core represent two of the most affordable options available. Both aim to deliver essential smartphone functionality without breaking the bank, but they take different approaches to achieving this. This comparison dissects their key specifications to determine which device offers the best value for users prioritizing basic connectivity and functionality.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average user seeking a slightly more responsive experience and a more modern chipset architecture, the Samsung Galaxy A03 Core emerges as the better choice. Its octa-core Unisoc SC9863A processor provides a noticeable performance advantage over the Wiko Sunny5 Lite’s quad-core Cortex-A7, making everyday tasks smoother, despite both phones targeting the same price bracket.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | - | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41 |
| Speed | HSPA 21.1/5.76 Mbps | HSPA 21.1/5.76 Mbps, LTE |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2020, November. Released 2020, November | 2021, November 15 |
| Status | Discontinued | Available. Released 2021, December 06 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | - | Plastic back, plastic frame |
| Dimensions | 146.6 x 72.3 x 9 mm (5.77 x 2.85 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 + Micro-SIM | · Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 175 g (6.17 oz) | 211 g (7.44 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Resolution | 480 x 960 pixels, 18:9 ratio (~197 ppi density) | 720 x 1600 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~270 ppi density) |
| Size | 5.45 inches, 76.7 cm2 (~72.3% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.5 inches, 102.0 cm2 (~81.8% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | TN LCD | PLS LCD |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Quad-core 1.3 GHz Cortex-A7 | Octa-core (4x1.6 GHz Cortex-A55 & 4x1.2 GHz Cortex-A55) |
| Chipset | - | Unisoc SC9863A (28 nm) |
| GPU | Mali-T820 MP1 | IMG8322 |
| OS | Android 10 (Go Edition) | Android 11 (Go edition) |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 32GB 1GB RAM | 32GB 2GB RAM |
| | eMMC 5.1 | eMMC 5.1 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash, HDR | LED flash |
| Single | 5 MP | 8 MP, f/2.0, AF |
| Video | 720p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Single | 5 MP | 5 MP, f/2.2 |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 4.2, A2DP | 4.2, A2DP |
| NFC | No | No |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS | GPS, GLONASS |
| Radio | FM radio | Unspecified |
| 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, proximity | Accelerometer, proximity |
| Battery |
|---|
| Type | Li-Ion 2500 mAh, removable | Li-Ion 5000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Deep Grey, Gold, Mint | Black, Blue |
| Models | - | SM-A032F, SM-A032F/DS, SM-A032M |
| Price | About 60 EUR | £ 74.99 |
| SAR | 0.70 W/kg (head) 1.55 W/kg (body) | 0.30 W/kg (head) |
| SAR EU | - | 0.24 W/kg (head) 1.39 W/kg (body) |
Wiko Sunny5 Lite
- Potentially the lowest price point available.
- Simple and straightforward Android experience.
- Compact and lightweight design.
- Significantly slower processor.
- Outdated CPU architecture.
- Limited multitasking capabilities.
Samsung Galaxy A03 Core
- More powerful and efficient octa-core processor.
- Modern Cortex-A55 CPU architecture.
- Potentially better battery life.
- Likely improved camera image processing.
- May be slightly more expensive than the Wiko Sunny5 Lite.
- Still limited in overall performance.
- Basic camera system.
Display Comparison
Neither Wiko nor Samsung provide detailed display specifications for these models. However, given their price points, it's safe to assume both utilize LCD panels with modest resolutions (likely 720p+). The lack of information prevents a direct comparison of brightness or color accuracy. Bezels are expected to be substantial on both devices, maximizing screen real estate within their compact form factors. The absence of features like high refresh rates or PWM dimming control is also anticipated, making them less appealing to users sensitive to screen flicker or demanding smooth visuals.
Camera Comparison
Camera details are sparse for both devices. It's highly probable that both feature a basic main camera (likely 8MP or 5MP) and potentially a low-resolution depth sensor. The Wiko Sunny5 Lite's camera capabilities are likely to be limited by its processor's image signal processing (ISP) capabilities. The Samsung Galaxy A03 Core, benefiting from the Unisoc SC9863A's ISP, may offer slightly better image quality and potentially more features, though expectations should remain low. Any secondary cameras (like macro lenses) on either device are likely to be of very limited utility.
Performance
The core difference lies in the processors. The Wiko Sunny5 Lite features a quad-core 1.3 GHz Cortex-A7 CPU, an older architecture known for its limited performance. In contrast, the Samsung Galaxy A03 Core boasts the Unisoc SC9863A, an octa-core chipset with a combination of 1.6 GHz and 1.2 GHz Cortex-A55 cores. The Cortex-A55 is a significantly more efficient and capable architecture than the A7, offering improved performance per watt. The eight cores of the A03 Core also provide better multitasking capabilities. While neither phone is a performance powerhouse, the A03 Core will handle app switching and basic gaming more smoothly. The 28nm fabrication process of the Unisoc chip also suggests potentially better thermal management compared to an unknown process for the Wiko's CPU.
Battery Life
Battery capacity is not specified for either device. However, given their target market, both likely house batteries in the 3000-4000 mAh range. The Samsung Galaxy A03 Core’s more efficient Unisoc SC9863A chipset, fabricated on a 28nm process, has the potential to deliver longer battery life under typical usage compared to the Wiko Sunny5 Lite’s older Cortex-A7 processor. Charging speeds are also likely to be slow on both devices, with standard 5W or 10W charging being the most probable scenario. Expect several hours for a full charge.
Buying Guide
Buy the Wiko Sunny5 Lite if you absolutely need the lowest possible upfront cost and are willing to accept a significantly slower processor for very basic tasks like calls and messaging. Buy the Samsung Galaxy A03 Core if you prioritize a more fluid user experience, even for simple apps, and want a chipset built on a more efficient 28nm process, potentially leading to better battery life under moderate use. The A03 Core is the better all-rounder.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Will the Samsung Galaxy A03 Core struggle with popular social media apps like Facebook and Instagram?
While the A03 Core won't offer a blazing-fast experience, its octa-core processor and Cortex-A55 cores are sufficient to run Facebook and Instagram smoothly for basic browsing and content consumption. Expect some loading times, but it should be usable for most users. The Wiko Sunny5 Lite may exhibit more noticeable lag.
❓ Is the Unisoc SC9863A chipset known to overheat during prolonged use?
The Unisoc SC9863A is a low-power chipset designed for entry-level smartphones. Overheating is unlikely to be a significant issue, even during extended use. Its 28nm fabrication process helps manage thermal output. However, demanding tasks like gaming will still likely result in some performance throttling.
❓ Can either of these phones run multiple apps simultaneously without significant slowdown?
Multitasking is a weakness for both phones, but the Samsung Galaxy A03 Core handles it better. Its octa-core processor and more efficient architecture allow for smoother switching between a few apps. The Wiko Sunny5 Lite will struggle with even moderate multitasking, frequently reloading apps from scratch.
