Smartphone Comparison: Samsung Galaxy A02s vs. TCL 40 SE
1. Specifications Comparison
Design
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy A02s | TCL 40 SE | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Dimensions | 164.2 × 75.9 × 9.1 mm | 167.9 × 76.5 × 8.5 mm | TCL 40 SE is slightly taller and thinner, which might feel more modern and pocketable. |
| Weight | 196g | 190g | TCL 40 SE is slightly lighter, potentially more comfortable for extended use. |
Display
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy A02s | TCL 40 SE | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Size | 6.5" | 6.75" | TCL 40 SE offers a slightly larger viewing area, better for media consumption and gaming. |
| Resolution | 720x1600 | 720x1600 | Both have the same resolution, meaning similar sharpness, although the TCL's larger screen spreads the pixels out slightly, so the pixel density is slightly lower. |
| PPI | 270 | 260 | Both have similar pixel density, meaning similar sharpness for typical usage. |
| Technology | PLS LCD | IPS LCD | TCL 40 SE likely has better viewing angles and color reproduction, resulting in a more pleasant display. |
| Refresh Rate | 60Hz | 90Hz | TCL 40 SE provides smoother scrolling and animations. The difference is noticeable, especially when browsing social media or playing games. |
| Brightness | 0 nits | 900 nits | TCL 40 SE offers dramatically better outdoor visibility in sunlight. The Samsung Galaxy A02s' brightness specification is missing, but it's unlikely to be this bright. |
Performance
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy A02s | TCL 40 SE | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Chipset | Qualcomm SDM450 Snapdragon 450 (14 nm) | Mediatek MT6765 Helio G37 (12 nm) | TCL 40 SE has a more recent and more efficient chipset, leading to better performance and power efficiency. |
| AnTuTu Score | 74,800 | 160,000 | TCL 40 SE offers significantly faster app loading, better multitasking, and better gaming performance, reflecting its higher processing power. |
| GPU | Adreno 506 | PowerVR GE8320 | TCL 40 SE has a newer GPU, likely resulting in improved graphics performance in games and other applications. |
Camera
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy A02s | TCL 40 SE | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Main Camera Resolution | 13MP | 50MP | TCL 40 SE can capture much more detailed images, allowing for better cropping and prints. |
| Main Camera Aperture | f/1.8 | f/1.85 | Both have similar apertures, suggesting similar performance in low light but TCL's larger sensor can capture more light |
| Selfie Camera Resolution | 5MP | 8MP | TCL 40 SE can capture slightly more detailed selfies. |
| Selfie Camera Aperture | f/2.2 | f/2.0 | TCL 40 SE is slightly better in low light for selfies. |
| Portrait/Depth Camera | 2MP, f/2.4 | 2MP, f/2.4 | Both have similar portrait camera capabilities. |
| Macro Camera | 2MP, f/2.4 | 2MP, f/2.4 | Both have similar macro camera capabilities. |
| Video Recording | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps | Both offer similar video recording capabilities suitable for standard social media sharing. |
| Camera Features | Digital zoom, Triple camera, Autofocus, Touch focus, Phase detection autofocus (PDAF), Geotagging, Panorama, HDR, Face detection, ISO settings, Scene mode, Self-timer | Digital zoom, Triple camera, Autofocus, Touch focus, Phase detection autofocus (PDAF), Continuous shooting, Geotagging, Panorama, HDR, Face detection, White balance settings, ISO settings, Exposure compensation, Scene mode, Self-timer | TCL 40 SE offers slightly more camera features, giving more options to the user. |
Battery
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy A02s | TCL 40 SE | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Capacity | 5000mAh | 5010mAh | Both have very similar capacity, offering comparable battery life for a full day of typical usage. |
| Charging | 15W Fast Charging | 18W Fast Charging | TCL 40 SE charges slightly faster, reducing downtime. |
| Battery Type | Li-Ion | Li-Polymer | Li-Polymer batteries are generally more durable and safer, though this difference is minimal for most users. |
Software
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy A02s | TCL 40 SE | Practical Impact |
|---|
| OS | Android 10 (Upgradeable to 12) | Android 13 | TCL 40 SE has a newer version of Android, offering access to the latest features and security updates. |
Connectivity
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy A02s | TCL 40 SE | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Wi-Fi | 802.11b/g/n | 802.11a/b/g/n/ac | TCL 40 SE has more robust connectivity with newer and faster WiFi protocols including 5Ghz band, leading to potentially faster and more reliable connections. |
| Bluetooth | Bluetooth 4.2 LE | Bluetooth 5.1 LE | TCL 40 SE offers a more modern Bluetooth standard, providing better connection stability and efficiency. |
Storage
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy A02s | TCL 40 SE | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Internal Storage | 32 GB or 64 GB | 128 GB or 256 GB | TCL 40 SE offers significantly more storage, better for those who take many photos or videos or use many apps. |
| RAM | 3 GB or 4 GB | 4 GB or 6 GB | TCL 40 SE offers more RAM, resulting in better multitasking performance. |
| Expandable Storage | No | No | Neither phone supports expandable storage, a limitation that some might find inconvenient, especially with the Samsung offering very limited storage options. |
Audio
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy A02s | TCL 40 SE | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Quality | Basic audio features | Stereo speakers | TCL 40 SE has an edge with stereo speakers which provides a more immersive and louder listening experience. |
Security
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy A02s | TCL 40 SE | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Features | Basic security features | Side-mounted fingerprint sensor | TCL 40 SE offers a convenient and secure way to unlock the phone compared to standard pattern or pin methods |
Sensors
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy A02s | TCL 40 SE | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Sensors | Proximity, Accelerometer | Fingerprint, Proximity, Accelerometer, Gravity | TCL 40 SE has more sensors making the device more flexible in its usage. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Samsung Galaxy A02s Advantages:
- Slightly lighter: A minor point, but may be more comfortable for some users to hold over longer periods.
TCL 40 SE Advantages:
- Newer & more powerful chipset: The Helio G37 offers significantly better performance, faster app loading, and smoother multitasking.
- Significantly brighter display: The 900 nits brightness improves outdoor visibility substantially.
- Smoother display: 90Hz refresh rate makes scrolling and animations feel more fluid.
- Higher resolution main camera: The 50MP camera captures more detailed photos, which is much better than the 13MP camera.
- Larger storage: The 128GB or 256GB storage options are much more practical and better for long term use.
- Faster charging: The 18W charging allows for less downtime.
- Stereo speakers: Provides a better overall listening experience.
- More modern features: Android 13, newer Wi-Fi and Bluetooth, a fingerprint sensor are all very important features for a phone in 2024.
Trade-offs:
- TCL 40 SE is slightly taller and slightly thicker, but offers a much more modern design and many more features.
- Samsung Galaxy A02s has a slightly better battery life, but with lower performance.
- Both phones lack expandable storage. This may limit the long-term usage for power users that may wish to take many photos, videos, or install large apps.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Samsung Galaxy A02s Ideal User:
- Budget-conscious users who need a very basic smartphone for calls, texts, and very basic tasks.
- Users who may be on very old cell plans which they don't wish to update
- Users who prioritize a longer battery life and are not bothered by lower performance.
Use Cases for Samsung Galaxy A02s:
- Basic communication (calls, texts).
- Simple browsing, media consumption.
- Light usage by elderly individuals or as a backup phone.
TCL 40 SE Ideal User:
- Users who want a modern smartphone experience with a good display, camera, and overall performance on a budget.
- Users who enjoy media consumption, casual gaming, and photography.
- Users who plan on using the phone for more than one year.
Use Cases for TCL 40 SE:
- Daily social media use with smooth scrolling.
- Casual gaming with better graphics performance.
- Taking photos and videos with better quality.
- Watching videos and listening to music with stereo speakers.
- Navigating, multitasking and general daily use with its modern chipset and large ram.
- Daily use for many years, given its more robust design, more features, and modern OS.
Price-to-Value Ratio
- The TCL 40 SE offers a much higher price-to-value ratio, providing a much more complete and modern smartphone experience at a similar price point.
- The Samsung Galaxy A02s is severely lacking in many modern features and its use case is very limited, making it harder to recommend to any modern day smartphone user.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions for Buyers:
- What level of performance do you need? (Basic tasks vs. multitasking, gaming)
- How important is camera quality for you? (Basic photos vs. more detailed images)
- How important is display quality and brightness for you? (Indoor use vs. outdoor use)
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- If you prioritize very long battery life, and all other aspects are secondary, then the Samsung Galaxy A02s can be considered, but the TCL is very similar and may be a better option overall.
- If you prioritize overall modern smartphone experience, good display, decent camera, smooth performance, and general multitasking at a budget, then the TCL 40 SE is the better choice, given its modern design and many updated features, such as its 90hz refresh rate screen, 50MP camera, and fingerprint sensor.
- If the price is extremely similar, then the TCL 40 SE is the better option, given the vast differences in performance and features.
My Choice
I would choose the TCL 40 SE. Its advantages are too significant to ignore. The drastically better display, much faster performance, superior camera, modern design, and newer features make it a more enjoyable phone to use and a much better value overall. The Samsung Galaxy A02s lacks in many core areas, making it very hard to recommend when compared to the TCL 40 SE. The TCL 40 SE provides a more modern smartphone experience, and is very suitable for daily use.
