Smartphone Comparison: Samsung Galaxy A02 vs. Realme C65
1. Specifications Comparison
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy A02 | Realme C65 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Dimensions | 164 × 75.9 × 9.1 mm | 164.6 × 76.1 × 7.6 mm | The Realme C65 is slightly taller and wider, but significantly thinner (1.5mm difference). The A02 is more bulky than C65. |
| Weight | 206g | 185g | The Realme C65 is noticeably lighter (21g), making it more comfortable for extended use. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.5" | 6.67" | Realme C65 has a slightly larger display, offering a marginally more immersive viewing experience. |
| Resolution | 720x1600 | 720x1604 | Both have similar HD+ resolutions; practically unnoticeable difference in sharpness. |
| PPI | 270 | 264 | Very similar pixel density, making both displays comparable in sharpness. |
| Technology | PLS LCD | IPS LCD | Realme C65 offers superior viewing angles and color accuracy compared to the A02's PLS LCD. |
| Refresh Rate | 60Hz | 90Hz | Realme C65 provides smoother scrolling and animations, enhancing the user experience. |
| Brightness | 0 nits | 0 nits | Both phones have the same peak brightness, this is a missing spec as brightness cannot be 0 nits, needs additional information. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Mediatek MT6739W (28 nm) | Mediatek Helio G85 (12 nm) | The Realme C65's newer chip provides significantly better performance for apps, multitasking, and gaming. |
| AnTuTu Score | 50,774 | 225,154 | The Realme C65 demonstrates significantly faster performance and a much more responsive experience than the Samsung Galaxy A02. |
| GPU | PowerVR GE8100 | Mali-G52 MC2 | The Realme C65's GPU offers better graphical performance for gaming and video editing. |
| Camera | |||
| Main Camera | 13MP, f/1.9, 1.12 µm pixel size | 50MP, f/1.8, 1/2.76", 0.64 µm pixel size | Realme C65 captures more detailed and higher-quality photos, especially in low light, due to a higher resolution sensor and wider aperture. |
| Selfie Camera | 5MP, f/2.0 | 8MP, f/2.0 | Realme C65 will capture slightly sharper and detailed selfies due to the higher resolution sensor. |
| Portrait Mode | N/A | 2MP, f/2.4 | Realme C65 is able to take photos with a depth-of-field effect, separating subject from background. |
| Macro Lens | 2MP, f/2.4 | N/A | The Samsung Galaxy A02 is able to take macro photos, but with low resolution. |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps | Both can record Full HD video. Realme C65 has better slow motion. |
| Camera Features | Continuous shooting, Digital zoom, Autofocus, Touch focus, Geotagging, Panorama, HDR, Face detection, White balance, ISO, Scene, Self-timer | Digital zoom, Digital image stabilization, Autofocus, Touch focus, Phase detection autofocus (PDAF), Geotagging, Panorama, HDR, Face detection, White balance, ISO, Scene, Self-timer | Realme C65 is more capable, with additional phase detection autofocus and digital image stabilization, meaning less blurry videos and better focus. Samsung A02 has continuous shooting. |
| Battery | |||
| Capacity | 5000mAh | 5000mAh | Both have similar battery capacity; expect similar battery life. |
| Charging | 7.5W Fast Charging | 45W Fast Charging | Realme C65 charges much faster, resulting in a significant time-saving for the user. |
| Software | |||
| OS | Android 10 (upgradable to 11) | Android 14 | Realme C65 offers a more modern user experience with the latest Android features and security updates. |
| Connectivity | |||
| WiFi | 802.11b/g/n | 802.11a/b/g/n/n 5GHz | Realme C65 offers dual-band WiFi, and supports faster WiFi transfer speeds |
| Bluetooth | 4.2 LE | 5.0 LE | Realme C65 has a more reliable and efficient Bluetooth connection. |
| GPS | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, QZSS, Galileo | Realme C65 offers much better location accuracy due to additional satellite systems. |
| SIM | Dual SIM (Nano) | Dual SIM (Nano) | Both phones support dual SIM cards. |
| Storage | |||
| Internal | 32GB or 64GB | 128GB or 256GB | Realme C65 offers substantially more internal storage for media, apps, and files. |
| RAM | 2GB, 3GB, or 4GB | 6GB or 8GB | Realme C65 has significantly more RAM, allowing smoother multitasking and improved overall performance. |
| Expandable | No | No | Neither phone has microSD card support. |
| Audio | |||
| Quality | Dolby Atmos | Basic | The Samsung Galaxy A02 supports Dolby Atmos for an enhanced audio experience. |
| Security | |||
| Features | Basic | Side-mounted fingerprint sensor | The Realme C65 includes a fingerprint sensor for quick and secure unlocking. |
| Sensors | |||
| Sensors | Proximity, Accelerometer | Fingerprint, Proximity, Accelerometer, Compass | The Realme C65 provides a compass in addition to other sensors, which is beneficial for navigation. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Samsung Galaxy A02 Advantages:
- Audio: Dolby Atmos enhances audio quality, which is especially noticeable while using headphones.
- Macro Lens: Dedicated macro lens for close-up photography.
Realme C65 Advantages:
- Performance: Significantly more powerful processor (Helio G85) with 4x higher AnTuTu Score and updated GPU resulting in faster app loading, smoother multitasking, and better gaming.
- Display: Larger 90Hz IPS LCD display provides a smoother, more immersive experience with better color accuracy.
- Camera: Higher-resolution main and front cameras, as well as a depth sensor providing improved photo quality and portrait mode capabilities.
- Battery: Significantly faster 45W charging drastically reduces charging times.
- Software: Runs on the newer Android 14 operating system, providing the latest features, security updates and smoother overall experience.
- Connectivity: Supports Dual-band WiFi, newer Bluetooth and additional satellite systems (Beidou, QZSS, Galileo) for enhanced connectivity and location accuracy.
- Storage: Significantly more storage and RAM options for better performance and future proofing.
- Security: Fingerprint sensor for enhanced security.
Build: The Realme C65 is a much thinner and lighter device, which improves comfort during extended use. Trade-offs:
Samsung A02: Older chipset, slower performance, lower-quality cameras, and significantly slower charging times.
- Realme C65: Loses macro lens and Dolby Atmos audio support, but gains significant advantages in most other areas.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Samsung Galaxy A02 Ideal User:
- Budget-conscious users seeking the most affordable option.
- Users who prioritize audio through headphones and a macro lens for close-up photography.
- Users who are not demanding in terms of performance and are okay with older software.
Use Cases:
- Basic communication (calls, messages)
- Light browsing and social media
- Media consumption via headphones
- Occasional close-up photography
Realme C65 Ideal User:
- Users seeking a balance of performance, features, and price in an entry-level phone.
- Users who want smoother overall experience due to its 90Hz display.
- Users who do some gaming and prefer a quick charge.
- Users who want a better camera for daily use.
- Users who want the latest software and security features.
Use Cases:
- Everyday smartphone use (social media, email, etc.)
- Casual gaming
- Photography and video capture
- Navigational purposes
- Users who value a responsive experience.
Price-to-Value:
- The Realme C65 offers significantly better performance and a more modern experience, making it a better value for the price, assuming they are in the same budget category or the price difference is negligible.
- The Samsung A02 is only advisable if the budget is the absolute primary concern, and the user has no expectations for gaming or higher performance apps.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions for Buyers:
- What is your budget? The Samsung Galaxy A02 may be suitable for users with a very tight budget. Otherwise, the Realme C65 is preferable.
- What is your primary use case? For basic tasks, both can manage, but for gaming, camera performance and daily tasks such as app loading, the Realme C65 is the better choice.
- How important is charging speed? The Realme C65's 45W charging is significantly faster, a big advantage over Samsung A02's slow charging.
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Scenario 1: Very limited budget
- Recommendation: Samsung Galaxy A02 if the price is very low and the user understands its limitations.
- Scenario 2: Budget-conscious with moderate usage
- Recommendation: Realme C65 is the clear better option for daily use and casual gaming.
- Scenario 3: Value performance and fast charging.
- Recommendation: Realme C65 for better cameras and faster charging.
- Scenario 4: Better Audio experience
- Recommendation: Samsung Galaxy A02 for better audio, but should consider limitations.
My Choice and Explanation
I would choose the Realme C65.
Here's why:
- Performance: The Helio G85 is a much more capable chip, offering a smoother, more responsive experience. The AnTuTu benchmark difference is massive.
- Display: The 90Hz IPS display is a clear upgrade, making everyday use more enjoyable.
- Camera: The Realme C65's higher resolution and improved aperture, and portrait mode is a considerable benefit for daily use.
- Battery: The 45W fast charging is a huge time-saver.
- Software: The Realme C65 runs on a much more recent version of Android with new features and better security.
- Overall Experience: The Realme C65 is a more modern, well-rounded smartphone offering a better user experience across the board.
While the Samsung Galaxy A02 has Dolby Atmos for audio and a Macro lens, these advantages are minor compared to the significant gains the Realme C65 provides in almost every other area. The Samsung A02 would only be considered for extreme budget users, otherwise the Realme C65 is the better option for almost all use cases.
