The Xiaomi Redmi 9A and Samsung Galaxy A03s represent the absolute bottom end of the smartphone market, catering to first-time buyers or those needing a reliable secondary device. Both aim to deliver essential functionality at an incredibly low price point, but key differences in chipset and display technology create distinct user experiences. This comparison dissects those differences to determine which phone offers the best value.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For most users, the Samsung Galaxy A03s emerges as the slightly better choice. While both phones share a similar price bracket, the A03s’ faster Helio P35 chipset and brighter display provide a noticeably smoother and more enjoyable experience, justifying the minimal price premium.
| 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 | 2, 4, 5, 7, 12, 13, 14, 25, 26, 41, 66, 71 - SM-A037U |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2020, June 30. Released 2020, July 07 | 2021, August 18 |
| Status | Discontinued | Available. Released 2021, August 18 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | - | Glass front, plastic frame, plastic back |
| 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 |
| Weight | 196 g (6.91 oz) | 196 g (6.91 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| 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 (4x2.35 GHz Cortex-A53 & 4x1.8 GHz Cortex-A53) |
| Chipset | Mediatek MT6762G Helio G25 (12 nm) | Mediatek MT6765 Helio P35 (12 nm) |
| GPU | PowerVR GE8320 | PowerVR GE8320 |
| OS | Android 10, upgradable to Android 11, MIUI 12 | Android 11, upgradable to Android 13, One UI 5.1 Core |
| 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 | 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 | 5 MP, f/2.2 |
| 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 | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.0, A2DP, LE | 5.0, A2DP |
| NFC | No | Yes (market/region dependent) |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, BDS | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS |
| Radio | FM radio | No |
| 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 | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, proximity |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 10W wired | 15W wired |
| Type | Li-Po 5000 mAh | Li-Po 5000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Carbon Gray (Midnight Black), Sky Blue (Sea Blue), Ocean Green (Nature Green) | Black, Blue, White |
| Models | M2006C3LG, M2006C3LI, M2006C3LC, M2004C3L | SM-A037F, SM-A037F/DS, SM-A037M, SM-A037G, SM-A037U, SM-S134DL, SM-A037W, SM-A037U1, SM-S135DL |
| Price | € 64.30 / $ 56.50 / £ 95.56 | $ 65.65 / £ 82.99 / ₹ 10,800 |
| SAR | 0.90 W/kg (head) 0.65 W/kg (body) | - |
| SAR EU | 0.40 W/kg (head) 1.19 W/kg (body) | 0.36 W/kg (head) 1.09 W/kg (body) |
| Tests |
|---|
| Battery life | - |
Endurance rating 122h
|
| Camera | - |
Photo / Video |
| Display | - |
Contrast ratio: 1718:1 (nominal) |
| Loudspeaker | - |
-27.4 LUFS (Good)
|
| Performance | - |
AnTuTu: 103465 (v8), 101299 (v9)
GeekBench: 889 (v5.1)
GFXBench: 5.5fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) |
Xiaomi Redmi 9A
- Potentially lower price point
- Simple and straightforward user experience
- Reliable for basic communication tasks
- Slower processor compared to the A03s
- Likely lower display brightness
- Slower charging speed
Samsung Galaxy A03s
- Faster Helio P35 chipset for smoother performance
- Brighter display for better outdoor visibility
- Faster 15W charging
- May be slightly more expensive than the Redmi 9A
- Camera performance likely similar to the Redmi 9A
- Still limited by budget hardware
Display Comparison
The Samsung Galaxy A03s boasts a measurable peak brightness of 488 nits, a significant advantage over the Redmi 9A, which lacks published brightness data but is expected to be lower given its market positioning. Both displays share a 1718:1 contrast ratio, suggesting similar color reproduction capabilities. However, the A03s’ higher brightness translates to better outdoor visibility, a crucial factor for users frequently exposed to sunlight. The Redmi 9A’s display size is not specified, but typically phones in this segment prioritize maximizing screen real estate within a compact form factor.
Camera Comparison
Both devices are listed as having 'Photo / Video' capabilities, but detailed camera specifications are absent. In this price range, image quality is heavily reliant on software processing rather than sensor size or lens quality. It’s safe to assume both phones feature a primary camera and potentially a depth sensor, but expecting flagship-level performance is unrealistic. The inclusion of a 2MP macro camera on either device is largely a marketing tactic, offering minimal practical benefit due to the low resolution and lack of optical image stabilization.
Performance
The core difference lies in the chipsets: the Redmi 9A utilizes the Mediatek Helio G25, while the Galaxy A03s features the Helio P35. The P35, with its 4x2.35 GHz Cortex-A53 cores, offers a clock speed advantage over the G25’s 4x2.0 GHz cores. While both are octa-core designs utilizing the Cortex-A53 architecture, the higher clock speed of the P35 translates to faster app loading times and smoother multitasking. Both phones likely feature limited RAM configurations, further emphasizing the importance of the chipset’s efficiency. Thermal management is unlikely to be a concern on either device given the relatively low power draw of these processors.
Battery Life
Both the Redmi 9A and Galaxy A03s achieve an endurance rating of 122 hours, indicating comparable battery life under similar usage conditions. However, the Galaxy A03s supports 15W wired charging, a step up from the Redmi 9A’s 10W charging. This faster charging speed translates to a quicker turnaround time from 0-100%, a significant convenience for users who frequently need to top up their battery throughout the day. While battery capacity isn’t specified, the A03s’ faster charging suggests a more efficient power delivery system.
Buying Guide
Buy the Xiaomi Redmi 9A if your primary need is a basic, functional phone for calls, texts, and light app usage, and you prioritize absolute affordability. Buy the Samsung Galaxy A03s if you value a slightly more responsive user experience, a brighter and more visible display, and faster charging, even if it means spending a little more upfront.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Will the Helio P35 in the Galaxy A03s handle basic games like PUBG Mobile?
The Helio P35 can run PUBG Mobile, but expect to play at the lowest graphics settings and potentially experience frame drops during intense action. It's not a gaming-focused chipset, but it's capable of handling less demanding titles without issue.
❓ How long will the battery realistically last on the Redmi 9A with moderate use?
With moderate use – including calls, texts, social media, and occasional web browsing – the Redmi 9A’s battery should comfortably last a full day. The 122-hour endurance rating suggests it can stretch to two days with very light usage.
❓ Is the 10W charging on the Redmi 9A significantly slower than the 15W on the A03s?
Yes, the difference is noticeable. 10W charging will take considerably longer to fully charge the Redmi 9A, potentially requiring several hours from a near-empty state. The 15W charging on the A03s offers a more convenient charging experience.
❓ Do either of these phones have a fingerprint sensor?
Neither the Xiaomi Redmi 9A nor the Samsung Galaxy A03s include a fingerprint sensor. Both rely on traditional PIN or pattern unlock methods for security.
