The sub-$150 smartphone market is fiercely competitive. Both the Yezz Liv 3 LTE and the Samsung Galaxy A03s aim to deliver essential smartphone functionality at an accessible price point. However, they take different approaches to achieving this, with varying strengths in processing power, display quality, and overall user experience. This comparison dissects the key differences to help you choose the right device.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For most users, the Samsung Galaxy A03s offers a more balanced experience. Its octa-core Helio P35 chipset provides a noticeable performance advantage over the Yezz Liv 3 LTE’s quad-core Unisoc SC9832E, translating to smoother multitasking and app loading. While both offer similar battery endurance, the A03s’s 15W charging is a welcome addition.
| 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 | 2, 3, 4, 7, 17 | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41 |
| Speed | HSPA 21.1/5.76 Mbps, LTE Cat4 150/50 Mbps | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE Cat4 150/50 Mbps |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| | - | 2, 4, 5, 7, 12, 13, 14, 25, 26, 41, 66, 71 - SM-A037U |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2021, August. Released 2021, December | 2021, August 18 |
| Status | Discontinued | Available. Released 2021, August 18 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | - | Glass front, plastic frame, plastic back |
| Dimensions | 144.6 x 73.4 x 10.7 mm (5.69 x 2.89 x 0.42 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) |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | Asahi Glass | - |
| Resolution | 480 x 854 pixels, 16:9 ratio (~196 ppi density) | 720 x 1600 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~270 ppi density) |
| Size | 5.0 inches, 68.9 cm2 (~64.9% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.5 inches, 102.0 cm2 (~81.8% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | TFT LCD | PLS LCD |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Quad-core 1.3 GHz Cortex-A53 | Octa-core (4x2.35 GHz Cortex-A53 & 4x1.8 GHz Cortex-A53) |
| Chipset | Unisoc SC9832E (28 nm) | Mediatek MT6765 Helio P35 (12 nm) |
| GPU | Mali-T820 MP1 | PowerVR GE8320 |
| OS | Android 11 (Go edition) | Android 11, upgradable to Android 13, One UI 5.1 Core |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 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 |
|---|
| Dual | 5 MP
VGA | - |
| Features | LED flash, HDR, panorama | LED flash |
| Single | - | 5 MP, f/2.2 |
| Triple | - | 13 MP, f/2.2, (wide), AF
2 MP (macro)
Auxiliary lens |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Single | 2 MP | 5 MP, f/2.2 |
| 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 |
| NFC | No | Yes (market/region dependent) |
| Positioning | GPS | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS |
| Radio | Stereo FM radio | No |
| USB | microUSB 2.0 | USB Type-C 2.0 |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Accelerometer | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, proximity |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | - | 15W wired |
| Type | Li-Ion 2000 mAh, removable | Li-Po 5000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Smoke Black, Glacier Blue, Forest Green | Black, Blue, White |
| Models | - | SM-A037F, SM-A037F/DS, SM-A037M, SM-A037G, SM-A037U, SM-S134DL, SM-A037W, SM-A037U1, SM-S135DL |
| Price | - | $ 65.65 / £ 82.99 / ₹ 10,800 |
| SAR EU | - | 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) |
Yezz Liv 3 LTE
- Potentially lower price point
- Acceptable battery life
- Basic smartphone functionality
- Significantly weaker processor
- Likely lower display brightness
- Limited multitasking capabilities
Samsung Galaxy A03s
- Faster and more efficient processor
- Brighter display for outdoor visibility
- 15W fast charging support
- Slightly higher price
- 2MP macro camera is largely ineffective
- Still an entry-level device with limitations
Display Comparison
Both devices feature displays with a 1718:1 contrast ratio, suggesting similar visual pop. However, the Samsung Galaxy A03s boasts a measured peak brightness of 488 nits, significantly brighter than what we’d expect from the Yezz Liv 3 LTE, making it more usable outdoors. While both likely utilize LCD panels, the A03s’s higher brightness provides a clearer and more vibrant viewing experience, especially in sunlight. The lack of detailed display specs for the Yezz Liv 3 LTE makes a precise comparison difficult, but the A03s clearly has the edge.
Camera Comparison
Both phones list 'Photo / Video' capabilities, but lack specific details. Given the price point, image quality will be modest on both. The absence of sensor size or aperture information makes a direct comparison impossible. However, it’s reasonable to assume the A03s benefits from Samsung’s image processing algorithms, potentially delivering slightly more refined photos. The inclusion of a 2MP macro camera on the A03s is largely a marketing gimmick and unlikely to produce significantly useful images.
Performance
The core difference lies in the chipsets. The Samsung Galaxy A03s’s Mediatek Helio P35, a 12nm octa-core processor (4x2.35 GHz Cortex-A53 & 4x1.8 GHz Cortex-A53), offers a substantial performance leap over the Yezz Liv 3 LTE’s Unisoc SC9832E, a 28nm quad-core Cortex-A53. The smaller manufacturing process (12nm vs 28nm) of the Helio P35 translates to improved power efficiency and reduced heat generation. This means the A03s will handle multitasking, app launches, and light gaming with greater fluidity. The Yezz Liv 3 LTE will likely struggle with demanding tasks and may exhibit noticeable lag.
Battery Life
Both the Yezz Liv 3 LTE and the Samsung Galaxy A03s achieve an endurance rating of 122 hours, indicating comparable battery life under similar usage conditions. However, the A03s supports 15W wired charging, a significant advantage over the likely slower charging speeds of the Yezz Liv 3 LTE (specifications unavailable). This means the A03s can be topped up more quickly, minimizing downtime.
Buying Guide
Buy the Yezz Liv 3 LTE if your primary need is basic connectivity and you prioritize a potentially lower upfront cost. It’s suitable for users who primarily make calls, send texts, and occasionally browse the web. Buy the Samsung Galaxy A03s if you value a more responsive user experience, slightly better display quality, and faster charging, even if it means spending a bit more. This phone is better suited for light social media use, casual gaming, and everyday tasks.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Is the Mediatek Helio P35 in the Galaxy A03s prone to overheating during extended use?
The Helio P35 is a relatively efficient processor. While it can get warm during prolonged gaming or video recording, it's unlikely to overheat significantly and cause performance throttling, especially given the phone's plastic construction which aids in heat dissipation. The 12nm process helps manage thermal output better than the Yezz Liv 3 LTE's 28nm chip.
❓ How much of a performance difference will I notice between the Unisoc SC9832E and the Helio P35 in everyday tasks?
The difference will be quite noticeable. The Helio P35's octa-core architecture and faster clock speeds will result in smoother app launches, quicker multitasking, and a more responsive user interface. The Yezz Liv 3 LTE will likely exhibit lag when switching between apps or running multiple processes simultaneously.
❓ Does the Samsung Galaxy A03s support software updates beyond Android's initial release?
Samsung typically provides a limited number of software updates for its entry-level devices. While it will likely receive security patches for a period, major Android version updates are less certain. Check Samsung's official support page for the A03s to confirm the current update status.
❓ Is the Yezz Liv 3 LTE a good option for someone who primarily needs a phone for calls and texts?
Yes, the Yezz Liv 3 LTE is a viable option if your needs are extremely basic. It will reliably handle calls and texts, but its limited processing power makes it less suitable for anything beyond essential smartphone functions.
