Looking for an affordable smartphone that doesn't completely break the bank? The Xiaomi Redmi 9i Sport and the Samsung Galaxy A03 Core are two contenders vying for the budget crown. But which one truly delivers the best experience for your money?
🏆 Quick Verdict
The Redmi 9i Sport edges out the A03 Core thanks to its slightly more powerful chipset and faster charging. While both are budget options, the Redmi offers a more responsive 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, 8, 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 | 2021, September 28 | 2021, November 15 |
| Status | Available. Released 2021, September 28 | Available. Released 2021, December 06 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | - | 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 | 194 g (6.84 oz) | 211 g (7.44 oz) |
| | Water-repellent coating | - |
| 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 (4x1.6 GHz Cortex-A55 & 4x1.2 GHz Cortex-A55) |
| Chipset | Mediatek MT6762G Helio G25 (12 nm) | Unisoc SC9863A (28 nm) |
| GPU | PowerVR GE8320 | IMG8322 |
| OS | Android 10, MIUI 12 | Android 11 (Go edition) |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM | 32GB 2GB 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 | 8 MP, f/2.0, AF |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 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 |
| Radio | FM radio | Unspecified |
| USB | microUSB 2.0, OTG | microUSB 2.0, OTG |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 а/b/g/n, Wi-Fi Direct | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Accelerometer, proximity, compass | Accelerometer, proximity |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 10W wired | - |
| Type | Li-Po 5000 mAh | Li-Ion 5000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Carbon Black, Coral Green, Metallic Blue | Black, Blue |
| Models | - | SM-A032F, SM-A032F/DS, SM-A032M |
| Price | About 100 EUR | £ 74.99 |
| SAR | - | 0.30 W/kg (head) |
| SAR EU | - | 0.24 W/kg (head) 1.39 W/kg (body) |
Xiaomi Redmi 9i Sport
- Slightly better performance
- Faster 10W charging
- Potentially better main camera
- More established brand reputation
- Basic display quality
- Limited storage options
- Plastic build quality
Samsung Galaxy A03 Core
- Samsung brand recognition
- Simple and straightforward user interface
- Decent battery life
- Reliable software updates (potentially)
- Weaker chipset performance
- Slower charging
- Lower quality camera
- Less RAM
Display Comparison
Both phones feature basic LCD displays, likely around 6.5 inches with HD+ resolution. Expect decent viewing angles but limited color accuracy. The Redmi 9i Sport might have a slightly brighter panel, but the difference will be minimal.
Camera Comparison
Camera quality is a weak point for both devices. The Redmi 9i Sport likely has a slightly better main camera sensor (likely 13MP vs. A03 Core's 50MP), but image processing will be key. Expect decent photos in good lighting, but struggles in low light. Both likely have a depth sensor for portrait mode.
Performance
The Redmi 9i Sport's Mediatek Helio G25 generally outperforms the Unisoc SC9863A in the A03 Core. Expect smoother multitasking and slightly faster app loading times on the Redmi. Both will struggle with demanding games, but the Redmi handles them marginally better.
Battery Life
Both phones likely feature a 5000mAh battery, offering all-day battery life with moderate usage. However, the Redmi 9i Sport's 10W charging is faster than the A03 Core's likely 5W charging, allowing for quicker top-ups.
Buying Guide
The Xiaomi Redmi 9i Sport is ideal for users prioritizing a bit more performance and faster charging in a budget device. The Samsung Galaxy A03 Core is a good option for those who value the Samsung brand and a simple, straightforward user experience, even if it means sacrificing some performance.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Which phone is better for gaming?
The Redmi 9i Sport is slightly better for gaming due to its more powerful chipset, although neither phone is designed for demanding titles.
❓ Which phone has better software support?
Samsung generally offers better software update support than Xiaomi, although both are budget devices and updates may be limited.
❓ Can I expand the storage on either phone?
Yes, both phones support microSD card expansion, allowing you to increase storage capacity.
