The Xiaomi Redmi 9A and Samsung Galaxy A02s represent the extreme end of the smartphone price spectrum. Both aim to deliver essential smartphone functionality at a minimal cost, but they achieve this with different approaches to chipset design and feature prioritization. This comparison dissects their key specifications to determine which device offers the best value for users on a tight budget.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For most users, the Xiaomi Redmi 9A emerges as the slightly better choice. Its Mediatek Helio G25 chipset, built on a more modern 12nm process, offers a modest performance advantage over the Samsung Galaxy A02s’ older 14nm Snapdragon 450, making it more responsive for everyday tasks. While both offer similar battery endurance, the Redmi 9A’s slightly better processing power gives it an edge.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 - International | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41 - International | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41 |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE Cat4 150/50 Mbps |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| | 1, 3, 5, 8, 40, 41 - India | - |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2020, June 30. Released 2020, July 07 | 2020, November 24. Released 2021, January 04 |
| Status | Discontinued | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | - | Glass front, plastic back, plastic frame |
| Dimensions | 164.9 x 77.1 x 9 mm (6.49 x 3.04 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 + Nano-SIM | · Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 196 g (6.91 oz) | 196 g (6.91 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | - | Scratch-resistant glass |
| Resolution | 720 x 1600 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~269 ppi density) | 720 x 1600 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~270 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.53 inches, 102.9 cm2 (~81.0% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.5 inches, 102.0 cm2 (~81.8% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD, 400 nits (typ) | PLS LCD |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (4x2.0 GHz Cortex-A53 & 4x1.5 GHz Cortex-A53) | Octa-core 1.8 GHz Cortex-A53 |
| Chipset | Mediatek MT6762G Helio G25 (12 nm) | Qualcomm SDM450 Snapdragon 450 (14 nm) |
| GPU | PowerVR GE8320 | Adreno 506 |
| OS | Android 10, upgradable to Android 11, MIUI 12 | Android 10, upgradable to Android 12, One UI 4.1 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 32GB 2GB RAM, 32GB 3GB RAM, 64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM | 16GB 1GB RAM, 32GB 2GB RAM, 32GB 3GB RAM, 32GB 4GB RAM, 64GB 3GB RAM, 64GB 4GB RAM |
| | eMMC 5.1 | eMMC 5.1 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash, HDR | LED flash |
| Single | 13 MP, f/2.2, 28mm (wide), 1.0µm, PDAF | 3.15 MP |
| Triple | - | 13 MP, f/2.2, (wide), AF
2 MP (macro)
Auxiliary lens |
| Video | 1080p@30/60fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | HDR | - |
| Single | 5 MP, f/2.2, (wide), 1.12µm | 5 MP, f/2.2 |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | - |
| 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 | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS |
| Radio | FM radio | Unspecified |
| USB | microUSB 2.0, OTG | USB Type-C 2.0 |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, Wi-Fi Direct | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Accelerometer, proximity | Accelerometer, proximity |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 10W wired | 15W wired |
| Stand-by | - | Up to 530 h (2G) / Up to 530 h (3G) |
| Talk time | - | Up to 6 h 12 min (2G) / Up to 6 h 18 min (3G) |
| Type | Li-Po 5000 mAh | Li-Po 5000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Carbon Gray (Midnight Black), Sky Blue (Sea Blue), Ocean Green (Nature Green) | Black, White, Red, Blue |
| Models | M2006C3LG, M2006C3LI, M2006C3LC, M2004C3L | SM-A025F, SM-A025F/DS, SM-A025G, SM-A025G/DS, SM-A025M, SM-A025M/DS, SM-A025U, SM-A025V, SM-A025A, SM-A025U1, SM-A025AZ, SM-S124DL |
| Price | € 64.30 / $ 56.50 / £ 95.56 | About 110 EUR |
| SAR | 0.90 W/kg (head) 0.65 W/kg (body) | 1.15 W/kg (head) 0.79 W/kg (body) |
| SAR EU | 0.40 W/kg (head) 1.19 W/kg (body) | 0.40 W/kg (head) 1.37 W/kg (body) |
| Tests |
|---|
| Audio quality | - |
Noise -81.4dB / Crosstalk -80.5dB |
| Battery life | - |
Endurance rating 114h
|
| Camera | - |
Photo / Video |
| Display | - |
Contrast ratio: 1765:1 (nominal) |
| Loudspeaker | - |
-29.8 LUFS (Average)
|
| Performance | - |
AnTuTu: 90811 (v8)
GeekBench: 495 (v5.1)
GFXBench: 6.1fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) |
Xiaomi Redmi 9A
- Slightly more modern chipset (Helio G25)
- Potentially better power efficiency due to 12nm process
- Competitive price point
- Lower charging speed (10W)
- Display brightness likely lower than A02s
Samsung Galaxy A02s
- Brighter display (406 nits)
- Faster charging (15W)
- Samsung brand recognition
- Older chipset (Snapdragon 450)
- Less efficient 14nm process
Display Comparison
The Samsung Galaxy A02s boasts a measured peak brightness of 406 nits, a notable advantage over the Redmi 9A (brightness data unavailable, but typically lower in this segment). Both displays share a 1765:1 contrast ratio, suggesting similar black levels and color depth. However, the A02s’ higher brightness translates to better visibility outdoors. The Redmi 9A’s display size is not specified, but typically these devices have similar screen sizes. The A02s’ brightness is a key differentiator for users who frequently use their phones in direct sunlight.
Camera Comparison
Both devices feature 'Photo / Video' capabilities, but detailed camera specifications are lacking. Given the price point, image quality will be heavily reliant on software processing. The absence of specific sensor details makes a direct comparison difficult. It’s safe to assume both phones will struggle in low-light conditions and offer limited dynamic range. The presence of a camera is more for basic documentation than serious photography.
Performance
The core difference lies in the chipsets. The Redmi 9A utilizes the Mediatek Helio G25, fabricated on a 12nm process, featuring an octa-core CPU split into 2.0 GHz and 1.5 GHz Cortex-A53 cores. The Galaxy A02s employs the Qualcomm Snapdragon 450, built on a less efficient 14nm process, with an octa-core 1.8 GHz Cortex-A53 CPU. While clock speed isn’t everything, the newer process node and slightly faster core speeds of the Helio G25 suggest better power efficiency and a small performance boost in real-world usage. The A02s’ older chipset may exhibit more noticeable slowdowns when multitasking or running demanding apps.
Battery Life
Both the Redmi 9A and Galaxy A02s achieve an endurance rating of 114 hours, indicating comparable battery life under similar usage patterns. However, the Redmi 9A supports 10W charging, while the Galaxy A02s offers 15W charging. This means the A02s will theoretically charge faster, potentially offsetting the similar battery capacities. In practice, the difference in charging speed may not be dramatic, but it’s a tangible advantage for the A02s.
Buying Guide
Buy the Xiaomi Redmi 9A if you prioritize a slightly smoother user experience for basic tasks like browsing, social media, and messaging. It’s ideal for first-time smartphone users or those needing a reliable secondary device. Buy the Samsung Galaxy A02s if you value a slightly brighter display and prefer the Samsung brand ecosystem, and are willing to trade a small amount of processing power for it.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Will the Snapdragon 450 in the Galaxy A02s struggle with multitasking?
The Snapdragon 450 is an older chipset and may exhibit noticeable slowdowns when running multiple apps simultaneously or switching between them frequently. It's best suited for single-tasking or light multitasking with basic apps like messaging and web browsing.
❓ Is the 15W charging on the Galaxy A02s a significant improvement over the Redmi 9A's 10W charging?
While not a massive difference, 15W charging will reduce the time it takes to fully charge the Galaxy A02s compared to the Redmi 9A. Expect a slightly quicker top-up, which can be beneficial for users who need to quickly replenish their battery.
❓ How does the Helio G25 in the Redmi 9A handle basic gaming?
The Helio G25 is capable of handling less demanding mobile games at lower settings. Don't expect to play graphically intensive titles like PUBG Mobile at high frame rates, but simpler games should run reasonably well.
❓ Are the cameras on either phone suitable for taking photos in low-light conditions?
Neither the Redmi 9A nor the Galaxy A02s are expected to perform well in low-light scenarios. Both likely lack features like optical image stabilization and have smaller sensors, resulting in noisy and blurry images in dimly lit environments.
