Samsung Galaxy A03s

amazon Samsung Galaxy A03s reviews

Well, this holiday season, Samsung offered a deal on the Galaxy A03s that could be termed as a steal. Honestly, I haven’t been into mid-range phones for quite a while, and I have come back to the Galaxy A03s today, and it really didn’t disappoint.

Design and Build Quality

At first glance, the Samsung Galaxy A03s cuts the budget smartphone design. Simple and practical – the theme runs through the kind of phone you have in your plastic back and frame for a lightweight build. It’s not premium materials applied, but with the matte finish on the back, it feels nice, plus it helps minimize fingerprints.

A choice of three colors- Black, Blue, and White-the minimalist design was spiced up by the vertical camera module on the top left corner of the back panel that accommodates the triple camera setup and the LED flash. The logo of Samsung is subtly placed toward the bottom of the back panel keeping a neat, uncluttered look.

The 6.5-inch screen takes up the entire front of the Galaxy A03s, with relatively thick bezels, especially at the bottom. Waterdrop notch at the top end of the screen houses the front-facing camera. The bezels are not the thinnest but are acceptable for a device in this price range.

What set the Galaxy A03s apart is its side-mounted fingerprint sensor integrated with the power button. This location is very much accessible and provides quick and simple access to the gadget. The mobile retains a 3.5mm headphone jack, an addition to welcoming wired audio adherents.

In general lines, this is quite a simple, no-frills design for the Samsung Galaxy A03s. Not an eye-catcher in terms of looks, but definitely rugged and practical enough to stand the test of time use.

Meet all needs in large 6.5-inch screen

The first thing I would like to mention here is the large screen-6.5 inches. Galaxy A03s is still equipped with an Infinity-V screen with HD + resolution and IPS panel.

For people who love watching movies on a big screen, this Galaxy A03s would be ideal. Of course, quality would be compromised as this screen is not exceptionally sharp and has just average color reproduction.

I would use this large screen for entertainment as well as for students with online learning over the holiday season.

An adequate configuration

At first, I was quite disappointed that the only thing offered with Galaxy A03s was an Mediatek chip, the Helio P35, with 4GB RAM and 64GB internal memory. But then, again, I reconfigured my thinking, since I am using a machine priced below $150, I should not be too demanding.

I jokingly told you that in the days of using Galaxy A03s, I learnt to live life more slowly and to love more. Performance wise Galaxy A03s could be put at an acceptable level. The still perform normal activities well, and can also take light games like Arena of Valor-Medium graphics.

Another thing that impressed me about the Galaxy A03s is the quick integrated fingerprint sensor sitting on the right edge of the device. The one-touch fingerprint opens almost instantaneously, with no delay.

The Galaxy A03s is very strong when it comes to a whopping 5,000mAh battery. HD + screen resolution with that big battery can sure give decent screen time. Almost two days before it “reminds” you to charge it.

To keep in line with current trends, Samsung also updated the Galaxy A03s with a type-C charging port.

Camera- versatile enough for any use

On Galaxy A03s, you will still find a cluster of 3 rear cameras of 13 MP resolution (wide) f/2.2; AF, 2 MP (macro) f/2.4, 2 MP (depth) f/2.4. Well, this camera cluster is neatly integrated into a rectangular frame that just forms a slight bump on the back.

Galaxy A03s still give you adequate pictures to capture life’s moments. Again, I emphasize that do not expect too much for a machine costing just over $150.

Moving on to the front camera of the Galaxy A03s, we are talking about a 5Mp resolution, which meets the video calling need whenever required.

Software and User Behavior

The operating software in the Galaxy A03s is One UI Core 3.1, a cut-down version of Samsung’s One UI based on Android 11. Designed to be light and resource-efficient, One UI Core is well suited for budget devices like the A03s.

One UI Core brings most of the features and visuals of a full-fledged One UI experience, including a clean and intuitive interface, customizable home screens, and access to Samsung’s full suite of applications and services. An existing user of Samsung’s ecosystem would feel right at home with One UI Core as it emulates an experience similar to that of higher-end Samsung hardware.

That said, One UI Core does miss out on some advanced features found in the full-version Native UI. Things missing include: Samsung DeX, Knox security, and a few advanced multitasking features. Nevertheless, none of these will matter much to the majority of users within the target demographic since all the primary features still function perfectly.

The software experience on the Galaxy A03s is generally smooth, but there are occasional stutters or slowdowns, especially in multitasking and app switching. The modest hardware specifications are most likely to blame for this. It’s not really a concern for basic usage, but definitely something to be aware of if you plan to stretch the device’s limits.

On a positive note, Samsung is usually good about sending security updates, which keep devices secure from potential threats. However, when it comes to major Android updates, these may be a little slow in coming, and for how many years the Galaxy A03s will receive support in terms of software is questionable.

Battery Life

Another strong feature of the Samsung Galaxy A03s is its battery life. With a big 5000mAh battery in place, the opposite is true; the phone can withstand a full day of work and more without needing to be charged.

Moderate use, including browsing, video watching, social networking, and voice calls, will help squeeze up to two days of life for the Galaxy A03s. Intensive operations, like gaming or streaming, will still leave enough for a long day without being forced to reach for the charger.

At the price point of this phone, 15W fast charging is a major advantage, though certainly not the fastest charging available in the market. The charging speed from 0% to 100% takes about two hours. Slow charging is when compared to fast charging in more premium devices; however, it is a fair price to pay regarding the battery capacity and the price of this device.

Battery life lovers would appreciate this phone well. Thanks to power-efficient chipset design and a large battery, it safely makes it through the long hours with no frequent top-ups.

Connective and Audio

Samsung Galaxy A03s gives you every bare bone connectivity option you would expect from a budget smartphone. For location services, it supports 4GLTE, Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, Bluetooth 5.0, and GPS/GLONASS/Beidou. The Type-C USB for charging and data transfer is an added advantage for this budget device as most of the devices are still using the older Micro-USB standard.

As per audio performance, the Galaxy A03s comes fitted with a single down-firing loudspeaker. It has a fair sound with sufficient volume for calls, notifications, and casual multimedia consumption but lacks any real depth associated with stereo or higher quality setups. The sound can be a bit tinny when turned up loud, while any semblance of bass is barely perceptible; this is par for the course in this price segment.

This is a great perk for the wired audio-freaks as it has a 3.5 mm headphone jack. With this, users can plug in their existing wired headphones or earphones without any need of an adapter at the worst moment for those who haven’t switched to wireless yet.

The overall call quality is good, with voices coming through crisply and noise cancellation fairly decent. This device comes with VoLTE (Voice over LTE) where voice calls should be clearer by the time they’re connected to one of those compatible networks.

Security Features

The Samsung Galaxy A03s possesses basic security features, and the main one among them is the side-mounted fingerprint sensor. The fingerprint sensor is integrated into the power button, and this helps unlock the phone with a simple press. The fingerprint recognition is fairly fast and accurate, making it an effective method of sealing the device.

The other method that Galaxy A03s has is unlocking the device through facial recognition. His face is recognized by the front-camera in lighting conditions, and this feature generally unlocks quickly. But, like most budget smartphones, this one is not as safe as the fingerprint, and it is also less reliable during low-light conditions.

For those who stick to the common methods, it also supports unlocking using a PIN, pattern, and password.

Value Proposition

The Samsung Galaxy A03s aims for positioning itself in the entry-level smartphone catwalk, and that’s pretty evident from the prices it tags. Not that they would’ve offered the amazing features for the price range but certainly built value for money. Good built and size for people looking at budgets would be interested in this option. Some of the other things besides price include that the phone has a big display, decent battery life, and the company itself.

When compared with other phones in the price category, it does decently but is not such an easy going for the Galaxy A03s when pitted against the competition from manufacturers like Xiaomi, Realme and Motorola, who more often than not have better specifications at a similar price range, or add on some cool features. However, the vast network of distribution and after-sales support of Samsung could tilt the balance for many buyers.

This mobile phone would offer an excellent service at a limited budget concerning first-time users of smartphones, students, or providing excellent secondary convenience of a device. It would also be a surefire success for users who like to stick to the familiar and reliable Samsung ecosystem compared to other branded phones.

Comparative Analysis with Rivals

Budget wise Samsung Galaxy A03s gets competition from a number of budget phones considering their strengths and weaknesses. Here we go with comparative analysis with few handsets.

Xiaomi Redmi 9A: The Redmi 9A is one more authoritatively popular budget smartphone that gives a comparable experience to the Galaxy A03s. The specifications from it include a 6.53 inches display with a slight uplift in the resolution from that of the Galaxy, and a MediaTek Helio G25 chipset. A 5000mAh battery that comes with it is larger, but fingerprint sensor is another major drawback that it lacks. The Redmi 9A is a little cheaper compared to the price of the Galaxy A03s, but security and user experience is more attractive to the higher software experience with One UI Core.

Realme C21Y: The second-solid performer is the Realme C21Y, which has an HD+ 6.5-inch display with a Unisoc T610 chipset and a 5000mAh battery. The Realme C21Y has a similar triple-camera setup to the one on the Samsung Galaxy A03s, along with a rear-mounted fingerprint scanner. Slightly above the C21Y, One UI Core on Samsung gives a smoother experience compared to the UI from Realme.

Motorola Moto E7 Power: The Moto E7 Power is another entry point in the budget offered by Motorola that ships with a 6.5-inch HD+, MediaTek Helio G25 chipset, and 5000 mAh battery. The rear houses a dual-camera setup and a rear-mounted fingerprint sensor. While the Moto E7 Power offers a near-stock Android experience, which is appealing to some users, the Galaxy A03s benefits from Samsung’s feature-rich One UI Core and a more versatile camera setup.

The other point is that-even though the raw specifications of the Samsung Galaxy A03s might not be very good-it has an overall balanced portfolio of features along with some of the proven software experience put up by Samsung, long life in battery, and the basics such as a fingerprint sensor and expandable storage. Thus, the value is in constituting a consistent and trustworthy user experience backed by the company well known in electronics-business.

Pros and Cons

Pros

Affordable Price: The Galaxy A03s is reasonably priced for use by a majority of people in the Society.
Solid Battery Life: With the 5000mAh battery, there will not be an entire day-or more-that the phone cannot run on one charge.
Side-Mounted Fingerprint Sensor: What makes it even more significant is the availability of a fingerprint sensor at that price point in a product. The convenience it provides access to the device quickly while ensuring security is a very important benefit.
Expandable Storage: The microSD slot allows for storage expansion of up to 1TB, allowing plenty of room for personal files such as photos and videos, as well as installed applications.
User friendly Software: It offers a clean interface that is pretty easy to use and also has several security updates from time to time so that users can keep their phone up-to-date with the latest protection.

Weaknesses

Mediocre Performance: The MediaTek Helio P35 chipset is enough for simple tasks but struggles with heavy-duty applications and multitasking at times.
Average Display: The 720p resolution is generally ok for being called useable on an everyday basis, but users with a penchant for higher-res displays might find it lacking in sharpness.
Basic Camera Set-Up: Camera performance is ok for casual shooting; however, it fails miserably in low-light conditions and lacks the nifty features available in quite a few higher-priced devices.
No Fast Charging: Charging speed is at 15W, which is not the fastest option, and with that, it takes quite a long while to charge the device fully.

Verdict

Samsung Galaxy A03s is an affordable, decent entry-level smartphone that delivers a satisfying experience at the price. It caters to such users who look towards battery life, basics functionalities, and the reliability of a familiar name. Though it may not boast of any high-end features and performance, it renders, at the least, a balanced and trustworthy user experience for those with a limited budget.

The Galaxy A03s will suit first-time smartphone users, students, or simply a dependable secondary device. It is robustly built, offers long battery life, and very user-friendly software; its shortcomings lie in performance and camera functionality.

In a highly competitive budget segment, the Galaxy A03s holds its own by prioritizing the essentials and creating a product that meets the needs of its target audience. A worthy consideration for individuals seeking an inexpensive smartphone from a trusted brand is the Samsung Galaxy A03s.

where can you get a Samsung Galaxy A03s online

Samsung Galaxy A03S 4G LTE (NOT 5G) 6.5″ HD+ Triple Camera 5000mAh Battery, Dual Sim GSM Unlocked Global 4G Volte (NOT VERIZON/Boost) International Model A037M/DS (Black, 64GB): Buy it now

Samsung Galaxy A03S (64GB, 4GB) 6.5″ HD+, 5000mAh Battery Dual SIM GSM Unlocked 4G LTE (T-Mobile, AT&T, Metro, Global) International Model A037M/DS (w/Fast Car Charger, Blue): Buy it now

Samsung Galaxy A03S 4G LTE (NOT 5G) 6.5″ HD+ Triple Camera 5000mAh Battery, Dual Sim GSM Unlocked Global 4G Volte (NOT VERIZON/Boost) International Model A037M/DS (Black, 32GB+3GB): Buy it now