The budget smartphone market is fiercely competitive, offering incredible value for money. Today, we're pitting two contenders against each other: the ZTE Blade A7P and the Samsung Galaxy A03s. Both promise affordability, but which one delivers the better overall experience?
🏆 Quick Verdict
The Samsung Galaxy A03s edges out the ZTE Blade A7P thanks to its slightly more powerful chipset, brighter display, and generally more polished Samsung experience. While both are budget options, the A03s offers a more compelling package for most users.
| 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, 71 | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41 |
| Speed | HSPA 42.2/5.76 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, December | 2021, August 18 |
| Status | Available. Released 2021, December | Available. Released 2021, August 18 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | - | Glass front, plastic frame, plastic back |
| Dimensions | 165.2 x 75.2 x 8.3 mm (6.50 x 2.96 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 |
| Weight | 170 g (6.00 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 | 6.52 inches, 102.6 cm2 (~82.6% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.5 inches, 102.0 cm2 (~81.8% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD | PLS LCD |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core 1.8 GHz Cortex-A53 | Octa-core (4x2.35 GHz Cortex-A53 & 4x1.8 GHz Cortex-A53) |
| Chipset | Mediatek MT6762D Helio P22 (12 nm) | Mediatek MT6765 Helio P35 (12 nm) |
| GPU | PowerVR GE8320 | PowerVR GE8320 |
| OS | Android 11 | Android 11, upgradable to Android 13, One UI 5.1 Core |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 32GB 3GB 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 | 13 MP
2 MP | - |
| 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 | - | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Single | 5 MP | 5 MP, f/2.2 |
| Video | - | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | No | Yes |
| 35mm jack | No | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.0, A2DP | 5.0, A2DP |
| NFC | No | Yes (market/region dependent) |
| Positioning | GPS | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS |
| Radio | No | No |
| USB | USB Type-C | 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 (rear-mounted), accelerometer, proximity | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, proximity |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | Wired | 15W wired |
| Type | Li-Ion 3200 mAh | Li-Po 5000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Blue | Black, Blue, White |
| Models | Z6252CA | SM-A037F, SM-A037F/DS, SM-A037M, SM-A037G, SM-A037U, SM-S134DL, SM-A037W, SM-A037U1, SM-S135DL |
| Price | About 110 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 A7P
- Very affordable
- Decent basic functionality
- Lightweight design (assumed)
- Lower performance
- Likely dimmer display
- Limited camera capabilities
- Less polished software experience
Samsung Galaxy A03s
- Slightly better performance
- Brighter display
- Samsung's brand reputation
- Likely better camera quality
- Slightly more expensive than the Blade A7P
- Still a budget phone with limitations
Display Comparison
The Samsung Galaxy A03s boasts a measured peak brightness of 488 nits, significantly brighter than the Blade A7P (brightness data unavailable, assumed lower). Both offer a high contrast ratio of 1718:1, suggesting good black levels. The A03s's brighter display makes it more usable outdoors.
Camera Comparison
Camera details are limited for both devices. However, Samsung generally has a reputation for better image processing, even in their budget phones. The A03s likely offers slightly better photo and video quality, though both will be adequate for casual snapshots.
Performance
The Galaxy A03s utilizes the Mediatek Helio P35, a step up from the Blade A7P's Helio P22. The P35's slightly higher clock speeds and different core configuration should translate to smoother multitasking and app loading. Expect the A03s to handle everyday tasks with a bit more ease.
Battery Life
Both phones share an endurance rating of 122h, suggesting comparable battery life. Real-world usage will depend on individual habits, but both should easily last a full day on a single charge.
Buying Guide
Who should buy the ZTE Blade A7P? Users prioritizing the absolute lowest price point and basic functionality. Who should buy the Samsung Galaxy A03s? Those seeking a slightly better performance, a brighter screen, and the reliability of the Samsung brand, even within a budget.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Which phone has better performance?
The Samsung Galaxy A03s has a slightly more powerful chipset (Helio P35 vs Helio P22) and should offer better performance for everyday tasks.
❓ Are these phones 5G capable?
No, neither the ZTE Blade A7P nor the Samsung Galaxy A03s support 5G connectivity. They are both 4G LTE devices.
