Looking for a budget-friendly smartphone that doesn't completely break the bank? The ZTE Blade V30 and Samsung Galaxy A03s are both contenders, offering essential features at affordable prices. But which one reigns supreme? Let's dive into a detailed comparison to help you decide.
🏆 Quick Verdict
The Samsung Galaxy A03s edges out the ZTE Blade V30 thanks to its exceptional battery life and generally more polished Samsung experience. While the Blade V30 boasts a slightly more powerful chipset, the A03s' longevity and brand recognition make 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 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 - Mexico | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 12, 13, 26, 28, 66 - Mexico | 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 | 2021, July 16 | 2021, August 18 |
| Status | Available. Released 2021, September 01 | Available. Released 2021, August 18 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | - | Glass front, plastic frame, plastic back |
| Dimensions | 165.8 x 77.8 x 8.9 mm (6.53 x 3.06 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 |
| Weight | 193 g (6.81 oz) | 196 g (6.91 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Resolution | 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~395 ppi density) | 720 x 1600 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~270 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.67 inches, 107.4 cm2 (~83.3% 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 (2x2.0 GHz Cortex-A75 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55) | Octa-core (4x2.35 GHz Cortex-A53 & 4x1.8 GHz Cortex-A53) |
| Chipset | Unisoc Tiger T618 (12 nm) | Mediatek MT6765 Helio P35 (12 nm) |
| GPU | Mali G52 MP2 | PowerVR GE8320 |
| OS | Android 11 | Android 11, upgradable to Android 13, One UI 5.1 Core |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 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, panorama | LED flash |
| Single | 16 MP, f/2.0, (wide) | 5 MP, f/2.2 |
| Triple | 64 MP, f/1.8, 26mm (wide), PDAF
8 MP, f/2.4, 120˚, 16mm (ultrawide)
5 MP (macro)
Auxiliary lens | 13 MP, f/2.2, (wide), AF
2 MP (macro)
Auxiliary lens |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Single | 16 MP, f/2.0, (wide) | 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 | 5.0, A2DP |
| NFC | No | 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 b/g/n/ac | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, proximity |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 18W wired | 15W wired |
| Type | Li-Po 5000 mAh | Li-Po 5000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Black, Blue | Black, Blue, White |
| Models | 9030 | SM-A037F, SM-A037F/DS, SM-A037M, SM-A037G, SM-A037U, SM-S134DL, SM-A037W, SM-A037U1, SM-S135DL |
| Price | About 200 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 V30
- Slightly more powerful chipset
- Potentially faster performance for basic gaming
- 18W fast charging
- Likely lower battery life
- Less established brand reputation
- Uncertain camera performance
Samsung Galaxy A03s
- Exceptional battery life (122h endurance rating)
- Reliable Samsung brand
- Brighter display (488 nits)
- User-friendly interface
- Slightly less powerful chipset
- 15W charging (slower than Blade V30)
- Nominal contrast ratio specification
Display Comparison
Both phones feature similar contrast ratios (1718:1), but the Samsung Galaxy A03s has a measured peak brightness of 488 nits, which is noticeably brighter than what we'd expect from the Blade V30. This gives the A03s a slight advantage in outdoor visibility. Screen sizes are likely comparable, around 6.5 inches, with similar resolutions (likely HD+).
Camera Comparison
Camera specs are not fully detailed for either device, but both are likely to offer a primary sensor and potentially ultrawide or macro lenses. Image quality will depend heavily on software processing. Samsung generally has a reputation for better camera software, potentially giving the A03s an edge in image quality, especially in challenging lighting conditions.
Performance
The ZTE Blade V30's Unisoc Tiger T618 chipset with Cortex-A75 cores offers a theoretical performance edge over the Galaxy A03s' Helio P35. However, real-world performance differences will likely be minimal for everyday tasks. The A03s' software optimization might compensate for the slightly weaker chipset.
Battery Life
The Samsung Galaxy A03s shines here. Its endurance rating of 122 hours is exceptional, suggesting significantly longer battery life than the ZTE Blade V30. While the Blade V30 has 18W charging, the A03s' 15W charging is less of a disadvantage given its superior battery efficiency.
Buying Guide
The ZTE Blade V30 is a good option for users prioritizing a slightly faster processor for basic gaming or multitasking. The Samsung Galaxy A03s is ideal for those who value long battery life, a reliable brand, and a user-friendly interface, even if it means sacrificing a bit of processing power.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Which phone is better for gaming?
The ZTE Blade V30 has a slightly more powerful chipset, so it *might* handle basic games better. However, both phones are budget devices and won't offer a premium gaming experience.
❓ How long will the Samsung Galaxy A03s battery last?
The Galaxy A03s boasts an impressive endurance rating of 122 hours, suggesting it can easily last a day or two on a single charge with moderate usage.
