1. Specifications Comparison
Design
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy A02 | Asus ROG Phone 8 Pro | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Dimensions | 164 × 75.9 × 9.1 mm | 163.8 × 76.8 × 8.9 mm | Similar physical size, slightly thicker in Samsung Galaxy A02. The difference is negligible. |
| Weight | 206g | 225g | Samsung A02 is noticeably lighter; more comfortable for extended one-handed use. Asus ROG Phone 8 Pro is slightly heavier. |
| Build | Unknown | Corning Gorilla Glass Victus 2 | Asus ROG Phone 8 Pro offers better protection against drops and scratches due to Gorilla Glass Victus 2. Samsung A02 screen protection is unknown. |
Display
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy A02 | Asus ROG Phone 8 Pro | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Size | 6.5" | 6.78" | Asus ROG Phone 8 Pro offers a slightly larger screen, resulting in more content visible at a time. |
| Resolution | 720x1600 | 1080x2400 | Asus ROG Phone 8 Pro has a significantly sharper display, with text and images appearing more clear and detailed. |
| PPI | 270 | 388 | The Asus ROG Phone 8 Pro's higher pixel density makes the display much sharper compared to Samsung Galaxy A02. |
| Technology | PLS LCD | AMOLED | Asus ROG Phone 8 Pro delivers deeper blacks, better contrast, and more vibrant colors compared to the standard LCD of Samsung A02. Better viewing angles and power efficiency for dark themes |
| Refresh Rate | 60Hz | 165Hz | The 165Hz refresh rate on the Asus ROG Phone 8 Pro results in much smoother animations and scrolling compared to the 60Hz on Samsung A02 |
| Brightness | 0 nits | 2500 nits | Asus ROG Phone 8 Pro is drastically brighter making it much easier to view in bright sunlight. The Samsung A02 is not suitable for outdoor visibility due to unknown brightness. |
Performance
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy A02 | Asus ROG Phone 8 Pro | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Chipset | Mediatek MT6739W (28 nm) | Qualcomm SM8650-AB Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 (4 nm) | The Asus ROG Phone 8 Pro offers much superior processing power and efficiency, leading to faster app loading, smoother multitasking and better gaming capabilities. |
| AnTuTu Score | 50,774 | 2,020,000 | Asus ROG Phone 8 Pro has significantly higher performance score, making it suitable for demanding tasks and intensive gaming while Samsung A02 is only suitable for very basic tasks. |
| GPU | PowerVR GE8100 | Adreno 750 | The Adreno 750 in the Asus ROG Phone 8 Pro provides superior graphics performance for gaming and other graphically intensive tasks. The PowerVR GE8100 on Samsung A02 is weaker. |
Camera
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy A02 | Asus ROG Phone 8 Pro | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Rear Camera | 13MP, f/1.9 | 50MP, f/1.9, Sony IMX890 | Asus ROG Phone 8 Pro captures significantly more detailed images, has a higher resolution sensor, better performance in low light and better dynamic range due to larger sensor size. |
| Selfie Camera | 5MP, f/2.0 | 32MP, Omnivision OV32C | Asus ROG Phone 8 Pro's front camera produces much clearer and detailed selfies. |
| Telephoto Lens | None | 32MP, f/2.4, Omnivision OV32C | Asus ROG Phone 8 Pro allows optical zoom capabilities, great for capturing subjects at a distance without losing clarity. The Samsung A02 cannot zoom optically. |
| Macro Lens | 2MP, f/2.4 | None | Samsung A02 can take close-up macro shots, but it is low resolution. |
| Wide Angle/Macro | None | 13MP, f/2.2, Omnivision OV31B | Asus ROG Phone 8 Pro can capture wider images and also take Macro shots using this lens. Samsung A02 has no wide angle capabilities |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 8K@24fps, 4K@60fps, 1080p@240fps | Asus ROG Phone 8 Pro records significantly higher-quality videos, including 8K resolution, has video stabilization and slow motion capabilities. |
| Camera Features | Basic features | Advanced features | Asus ROG Phone 8 Pro has optical zoom, optical stabilization, gimbal stabilization, 4K/8K video, and night mode, which are absent in the Samsung A02. Samsung A02 does feature a dual camera. |
Battery
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy A02 | Asus ROG Phone 8 Pro | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Capacity | 5000mAh | 5500mAh | Asus ROG Phone 8 Pro's larger battery offers slightly longer usage between charges. |
| Charging | 7.5W Fast Charging | 65W Fast Charging | Asus ROG Phone 8 Pro charges much faster, reducing downtime and increasing convenience. Samsung A02 charging is significantly slower. |
| Type | Li-Ion | Li-Polymer | No significant impact in real-world use |
| Removable | Non-removable | Non-removable | Both phones have non-removable batteries. |
Other
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy A02 | Asus ROG Phone 8 Pro | Practical Impact |
|---|
| OS | Android 10, upgradable to 11 | Android 14, upgradable to 16 | Asus ROG Phone 8 Pro has the latest Android, with better security, features, and longer support. Samsung A02 is outdated by a lot. |
| WiFi | 802.11b/g/n | 802.11a/b/g/n/ac/ax/be | Asus ROG Phone 8 Pro has support for modern Wi-Fi standards, offering faster and more reliable connections. |
| Bluetooth | 4.2 | 5.3 | Asus ROG Phone 8 Pro offers faster speeds, more stability, and better audio codec support compared to Samsung A02. |
| GPS | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS | A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, QZSS, GPS (L1+L5), GLONASS (L1), BeiDou (B1), Galileo (E1+E5a), BeiDou (B2), NavIC System, QZSS (L1 + L5) | Asus ROG Phone 8 Pro offers more precise and accurate positioning due to broader satellite support. |
| Storage | 32GB or 64GB | 512GB or 1024GB | Asus ROG Phone 8 Pro provides significantly more storage space for apps, media, and data. |
| RAM | 2GB, 3GB or 4GB | 16GB or 24GB | Asus ROG Phone 8 Pro has far more RAM, enabling smoother multitasking and handling of more demanding applications and games. |
| Expandable Storage | No | No | Neither phone supports expandable storage. |
| Audio | Dolby Atmos | DTS / DTS X, Stereo Speakers, 3 microphones | Asus ROG Phone 8 Pro offers more immersive sound with better separation and voice capture. Samsung A02 offers only Dolby Atmos. |
| Security | Basic security | Fingerprint | Asus ROG Phone 8 Pro offers better security with fingerprint sensor for faster and safer unlocking. Samsung A02 only has basic security features. |
| Sensors | Proximity, Accelerometer | Fingerprint, Proximity, Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope | Asus ROG Phone 8 Pro has a more comprehensive suite of sensors that provides additional functionality for navigation and gaming. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Samsung Galaxy A02 Advantages:
- Lighter: Significantly lighter, which makes it more comfortable for extended use and one-handed operation.
- Macro Lens: Has a dedicated Macro lens, allowing users to capture close-up shots of small objects, this is missing in ROG Phone 8 Pro.
- Lower Price: Typically sold at a lower price, making it more accessible for budget-conscious users.
Asus ROG Phone 8 Pro Advantages:
- Superior Display: Offers a much higher resolution, vibrant AMOLED display with a 165Hz refresh rate and much higher brightness.
- Far Superior Performance: Equipped with the latest Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 chipset, resulting in extremely fast app loading, gaming and overall performance.
- Advanced Camera System: Features a much more versatile camera system with higher resolution sensors, optical zoom, and more advanced video capabilities including 8K resolution.
- Much Larger Storage & RAM: Provides significantly more storage and RAM, allowing users to store more data and use more demanding apps without slowing down.
- Faster Charging: Has significantly faster charging capabilities, reducing downtime and keeping it ready for use.
- Better Connectivity: Includes newer Wi-Fi and Bluetooth standards, for better speeds and stability.
- Advanced Audio: Equipped with DTS / DTS X, Stereo Speakers, and 3 microphones, offering higher quality sound experience compared to the Samsung A02
- Superior Build Quality: Better screen protection with Corning Gorilla Glass Victus 2.
- Comprehensive Sensor Suite: Has a more extensive sensor suite that includes a fingerprint sensor, compass, and gyroscope, providing more capabilities for advanced features and gaming.
Trade-offs:
- Weight: The Asus ROG Phone 8 Pro is heavier, which may make it less comfortable for extended one-handed use.
- Price: Asus ROG Phone 8 Pro is significantly more expensive compared to the Samsung Galaxy A02
- No Macro Lens: The Asus ROG Phone 8 Pro doesn't have a dedicated macro lens.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Samsung Galaxy A02:
- Ideal User: Budget-conscious users looking for a basic smartphone for calls, texts, and light social media browsing. Users who do not need to play games or use demanding applications. Users who require a lightweight and basic device.
- Use Cases: Basic communication, light web browsing, checking emails, listening to music, and simple tasks.
- Price-to-Value: Good for users with tight budgets, offering basic functionality at a low cost. Offers great value for users on an extremely tight budget.
Asus ROG Phone 8 Pro:
- Ideal User: Gamers, power users, and those who demand the best possible performance, display quality, and camera capabilities. Users who want to perform intensive multitasking and video editing on their smartphone.
- Use Cases: High-end mobile gaming, video editing, content creation, streaming, and using multiple apps simultaneously.
- Price-to-Value: Premium price for premium performance and features, suited for users who need top-tier functionality and are willing to pay for it.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions for Buyers:
- Budget: How much are you willing to spend on a smartphone?
- Primary Use: What will you primarily use the phone for (e.g., basic communication, gaming, photography)?
- Performance Needs: How important is high performance, a good display, and advanced features to you?
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Scenario 1: Tight Budget & Basic Use: If you are on an extremely tight budget and need a phone just for basic communication and very light use, the Samsung Galaxy A02 is a more suitable option.
- Scenario 2: Performance & Gaming: If you need a high-performance phone for gaming, intensive multitasking, and the best possible user experience, and you have the budget, the Asus ROG Phone 8 Pro is the clear choice.
- Scenario 3: Photography & Videography: If you prioritize high-quality photos and videos, the Asus ROG Phone 8 Pro is superior due to its advanced camera system.
- Scenario 4: Balance of Features: There is not a balance to choose here, since the specifications are so far apart. If the budget allows, the Asus ROG Phone 8 Pro is much better in all aspects.
My Choice and Why
If I were to choose between these two phones, I would absolutely choose the Asus ROG Phone 8 Pro. The difference in specifications is massive, and it is clear that the ROG Phone 8 Pro is superior in almost all aspects.
While the Samsung A02 might be more affordable and lightweight, its performance, display quality, camera capabilities and overall features are severely lacking compared to the ROG Phone 8 Pro.
I am willing to pay a premium for a device that offers a superior experience in terms of performance, camera quality, and display technology. I highly value having the latest OS, better storage and more RAM. Although the weight might be slightly heavier, I would prefer to have a device with a longer lifespan and the capability to handle demanding applications.
Therefore, despite the price difference, the Asus ROG Phone 8 Pro's features and performance align much better with my needs and preferences for a modern smartphone. I value the quality of life benefits of having a very fast smartphone with a great display, especially if it can also double as a capable gaming device.
