Looking for an affordable smartphone that doesn't completely break the bank? The ZTE Blade A3 Plus and Samsung Galaxy A03s are both contenders in the budget phone arena. But which one offers the best bang for your buck? Let's dive into a detailed comparison.
🏆 Quick Verdict
The Samsung Galaxy A03s edges out the ZTE Blade A3 Plus thanks to its more modern chipset, slightly better performance, and generally more polished Samsung experience. While both are budget options, the A03s provides a more compelling overall package.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 2, 4, 5, 7, 12, 13, 66 | 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 |
| | - | 2, 4, 5, 7, 12, 13, 14, 25, 26, 41, 66, 71 - SM-A037U |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2022, January | 2021, August 18 |
| Status | Available. Released 2022, January | Available. Released 2021, August 18 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | - | Glass front, plastic frame, plastic back |
| Dimensions | 137 x 68 x 10.5 mm (5.39 x 2.68 x 0.41 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 |
| Weight | 188 g (6.63 oz) | 196 g (6.91 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Resolution | 480 x 960 pixels, 18:9 ratio (~215 ppi density) | 720 x 1600 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~270 ppi density) |
| Size | 5.0 inches, 64.5 cm2 (~69.3% 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 1.5 GHz Cortex-A53 | Octa-core (4x2.35 GHz Cortex-A53 & 4x1.8 GHz Cortex-A53) |
| Chipset | Mediatek MT6739W (28 nm) | Mediatek MT6765 Helio P35 (12 nm) |
| GPU | PowerVR GE8100 | PowerVR GE8320 |
| OS | Android 11 (Go edition) | Android 11, upgradable to Android 13, One UI 5.1 Core |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDHC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 16GB 2GB 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 | LED flash |
| Single | 5 MP | 5 MP, f/2.2 |
| Triple | - | 13 MP, f/2.2, (wide), AF
2 MP (macro)
Auxiliary lens |
| Video | 720p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Single | 3 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 | No | 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 | - | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, proximity |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | - | 15W wired |
| Type | Li-Ion 2050 mAh, removable | Li-Po 5000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Black | Black, Blue, White |
| Models | Z3353CA | SM-A037F, SM-A037F/DS, SM-A037M, SM-A037G, SM-A037U, SM-S134DL, SM-A037W, SM-A037U1, SM-S135DL |
| Price | About 70 EUR | $ 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) |
ZTE Blade A3 Plus
- Larger screen
- Potentially lower price (depending on retailer)
- Simple interface
- Outdated chipset
- Slower performance
- Lower camera quality
- Unspecified charging speed
Samsung Galaxy A03s
- More modern chipset
- Better performance
- Brighter display
- Samsung brand reputation
- 15W charging
- Potentially slightly higher price
- Basic camera features
Display Comparison
The Samsung Galaxy A03s boasts a measured 488 nits max brightness, offering a noticeably brighter and more vibrant display compared to the Blade A3 Plus. While both have a 1718:1 contrast ratio, the A03s's brightness advantage makes it the clear winner for everyday viewing.
Camera Comparison
While both phones offer 'Photo/Video' capabilities, the Samsung Galaxy A03s generally delivers better image quality due to its superior image processing and potentially better sensor. The Blade A3 Plus's camera is adequate for basic snapshots, but lacks the refinement of the A03s.
Performance
The Galaxy A03s's Mediatek Helio P35 (12nm) chipset is a significant upgrade over the Blade A3 Plus's MT6739W (28nm). The octa-core CPU in the A03s provides smoother multitasking and a more responsive user experience. The Blade A3 Plus will feel noticeably slower, especially with demanding apps.
Battery Life
Both phones claim impressive endurance ratings (122h), suggesting excellent battery life. However, the Galaxy A03s's 15W wired charging offers a faster charging experience compared to the Blade A3 Plus, which lacks specified charging speeds.
Buying Guide
The ZTE Blade A3 Plus is a good choice for users prioritizing a larger screen on a very tight budget. The Samsung Galaxy A03s is ideal for those seeking a more reliable and feature-rich experience with slightly better performance and a more reputable brand.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Which phone has better battery life?
Both phones have similar endurance ratings, suggesting comparable battery life. However, the Galaxy A03s charges faster.
❓ Is the ZTE Blade A3 Plus worth buying?
It's a viable option if you're on an extremely tight budget and prioritize a large screen. However, the Galaxy A03s offers a better overall experience for a slightly higher price.
