The ZTE Blade A54 and Samsung Galaxy A03s represent the extreme end of the smartphone price spectrum. Both aim to deliver essential functionality at a minimal cost, but they take different approaches. The A54 prioritizes a newer chipset, while the A03s focuses on established brand recognition and a measured endurance rating. This comparison dissects their key differences to determine which offers the best value.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For most users, the Samsung Galaxy A03s is the more sensible choice. While the ZTE Blade A54’s Unisoc SC9863A is newer, the A03s’ Mediatek Helio P35, coupled with its measured 488 nits brightness, provides a more consistently usable experience, especially for media consumption and everyday tasks.
| 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 | LTE | 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 | 2023, September | 2021, August 18 |
| Status | Available. Released 2023, November | Available. Released 2021, August 18 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | - | Glass front, plastic frame, plastic back |
| Dimensions | 164 x 75.8 x 8.5 mm (6.46 x 2.98 x 0.33 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 | 185 g (6.53 oz) | 196 g (6.91 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Resolution | 720 x 1612 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~267 ppi density) | 720 x 1600 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~270 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.6 inches, 104.6 cm2 (~84.2% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.5 inches, 102.0 cm2 (~81.8% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD, 90Hz | PLS LCD |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (4x1.6 GHz Cortex-A55 & 4x1.2 GHz Cortex-A55) | Octa-core (4x2.35 GHz Cortex-A53 & 4x1.8 GHz Cortex-A53) |
| Chipset | Unisoc SC9863A (28 nm) | Mediatek MT6765 Helio P35 (12 nm) |
| GPU | IMG8322 | PowerVR GE8320 |
| OS | Android 13 | Android 11, upgradable to Android 13, One UI 5.1 Core |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM | 32GB 2GB RAM, 32GB 3GB RAM, 32GB 4GB RAM, 64GB 3GB RAM, 64GB 4GB RAM |
| | - | eMMC 5.1 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash, HDR | LED flash |
| Single | 13 MP, (wide), AF
Auxiliary lens | 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 (interpolated to 5 MP) | 5 MP, f/2.2 |
| Video | Yes | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | - | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.2, A2DP, LE | 5.0, A2DP |
| NFC | Yes (market/region dependent) | Yes (market/region dependent) |
| Positioning | GPS | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS |
| Radio | Unspecified | No |
| USB | USB Type-C 2.0 | USB Type-C 2.0 |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, proximity |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | - | 15W wired |
| Type | 5000 mAh | Li-Po 5000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Gray, Blue, Lilac | Black, Blue, White |
| Models | - | SM-A037F, SM-A037F/DS, SM-A037M, SM-A037G, SM-A037U, SM-S134DL, SM-A037W, SM-A037U1, SM-S135DL |
| Price | About 90 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 A54
- Potentially more future-proof chipset (Unisoc SC9863A)
- Octa-core CPU configuration
- May offer a lower price point
- Larger 28nm process node may lead to lower efficiency
- Lack of published display brightness data
- Uncertain battery performance
Samsung Galaxy A03s
- Measured 488 nits peak brightness for better outdoor visibility
- Proven 122-hour endurance rating
- Established brand reliability (Samsung)
- Older Mediatek Helio P35 chipset
- Likely slower CPU performance compared to newer chips
- 2MP macro camera offers limited utility
Display Comparison
The Samsung Galaxy A03s boasts a measured peak brightness of 488 nits, a significant advantage over the ZTE Blade A54, which lacks published brightness data. Both share a 1718:1 contrast ratio, suggesting similar panel quality in terms of black levels. However, the A03s’ higher brightness translates to better visibility in direct sunlight, a crucial factor for outdoor use. The A54’s display specifications are largely unknown, making it difficult to assess its color accuracy or viewing angles.
Camera Comparison
Both devices list 'Photo / Video' capabilities, but lack specific details regarding sensor size, aperture, or image processing. Given the price point, it’s safe to assume both rely on basic camera modules. The inclusion of a 2MP macro camera on the A03s is unlikely to provide significant photographic value, serving primarily as a marketing feature. Without detailed specifications, it’s difficult to assess the image quality differences, but Samsung’s more mature image processing algorithms may offer a slight advantage in software-based enhancements.
Performance
The Samsung Galaxy A03s utilizes the Mediatek Helio P35, fabricated on a 12nm process, offering a clock speed of up to 2.35 GHz. The ZTE Blade A54, conversely, employs the Unisoc SC9863A, built on a larger 28nm node. While the A54 features an octa-core CPU, its lower clock speeds (1.6 GHz and 1.2 GHz Cortex-A55 cores) suggest it will likely lag behind the A03s in CPU-intensive tasks. The Helio P35’s Cortex-A53 cores, despite being an older architecture, benefit from the more efficient 12nm process, potentially leading to better sustained performance. The larger process node of the Unisoc chip in the A54 may result in higher power consumption and potentially more thermal throttling under load.
Battery Life
The Samsung Galaxy A03s achieves an impressive endurance rating of 122 hours, indicating excellent battery life for its capacity. It also supports 15W wired charging, allowing for a reasonable recharge time. The ZTE Blade A54’s battery capacity and charging speed are not specified, making a direct comparison difficult. However, the Unisoc SC9863A’s less efficient 28nm process may lead to faster battery drain, potentially negating any capacity advantage it might have.
Buying Guide
Buy the ZTE Blade A54 if you prioritize a potentially more future-proof chipset and are comfortable with a less established brand. This phone is best suited for users who frequently update their devices and want to experiment with newer technology. Buy the Samsung Galaxy A03s if you value brand reliability, a brighter display for outdoor visibility, and a proven track record of battery endurance. This is the ideal choice for first-time smartphone owners or those seeking a dependable secondary device.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Does the Mediatek Helio P35 in the Samsung Galaxy A03s struggle with demanding games like PUBG?
The Helio P35 is a low-end chipset and will require significant graphical settings reductions to achieve playable frame rates in PUBG. Expect to play at low settings with moderate frame rates, and be prepared for occasional stuttering. It's not designed for intensive gaming.
❓ Is the Unisoc SC9863A in the ZTE Blade A54 a significant upgrade over the Helio P35, and will it offer a smoother user experience?
While the Unisoc SC9863A is a newer chipset, its larger 28nm process node and lower clock speeds suggest it won't deliver a dramatically smoother experience than the Helio P35. In fact, it may perform similarly or even slightly worse in some tasks due to thermal throttling and power efficiency concerns.
❓ How long does it realistically take to fully charge the Samsung Galaxy A03s with the 15W charger?
With the included 15W charger, a full charge from 0% to 100% on the Samsung Galaxy A03s will take approximately 2.5 to 3 hours. While not the fastest charging speed available, it's adequate for overnight charging and provides sufficient power for daily use.
