Samsung Galaxy A03s vs Samsung Galaxy A15 5G - Detailed Phone Comparison

Detailed Comparison

Specification

General

Launch Date August 18, 2021 December 16, 2023
Release Year 2021 2023

Physical

Volume 113.41 cm³ 103.28 cm³
Screen Size to Weight Ratio 3.32 "/g 3.25 "/g
Weight 196 g 200 g
Height 164.2 mm 160.1 mm
Width 75.9 mm 76.8 mm
Thickness 9.1 mm 8.4 mm
Foldable Design No No
Available Colors
  • Black
  • Blue
  • White
  • Brave Black
  • Optimistic Blue
  • Magical Blue
  • Personality Yellow

Display

Screen Size 6.5 " 6.5 "
Resolution 720 x 1600 1080 x 2340
Aspect Ratio 20:9 19.5:9
Screen-to-Body Ratio 81.8 % 84.3 %
Pixel Density 270 PPI 396 PPI
Refresh Rate N/A 90 Hz
Typical Brightness N/A N/A
HBM Brightness N/A 800 nits
Peak Brightness N/A N/A

Hardware

Battery Capacity per Screen Area 118.34 mAh/in² 118.34 mAh/in²
Battery Density 44.09 mAh/cm³ 48.41 mAh/cm³
Battery Capacity 5000 mAh 5000 mAh
NFC Support Yes Yes
Chipset Mediatek MT6765 Helio P35 (12 nm) Mediatek Dimensity 6100+ (6 nm)
CPU Octa-core (4x2.35 GHz Cortex-A53 & 4x1.8 GHz Cortex-A53) Octa-core (2x2.2 GHz Cortex-A76 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55)
GPU PowerVR GE8320 Mali-G57 MC2

Connectivity

USB Version 2.0 2.0
OTG Support
DisplayPort
DisplayPort Version N/A N/A
USB Features USB Type-C 2.0 USB Type-C 2.0

Software

Operating System Android Android
Initial OS Version 11 14
Maximum OS Version 12 17

Comparison Summary

Alright, let's break down the Samsung Galaxy A03s and the A15 5G. These two phones represent different eras in Samsung's budget lineup, and the differences are pretty significant. Buckle up; we're diving deep!

1. Specifications Breakdown

Okay, let’s get into the nitty-gritty with a detailed look at the specs and what they actually mean for you, the user:

FeatureSamsung Galaxy A03sSamsung Galaxy A15 5GReal-World Implications
Design
Dimensions164.2 x 75.9 x 9.1 mm160.1 x 76.8 x 8.4 mmA03s is taller and thicker, while the A15 5G is slightly wider but more compact overall. A15 5G feels a bit more modern and pocket-friendly.
Weight196g200gPractically identical in hand; both are on the heavier side, indicating a substantial build.
Display
Size6.5"6.5"Both phones offer the same screen real estate.
Resolution720 x 16001080 x 2340A15 5G is noticeably sharper with almost double the pixel density. Text is crisper, images are more detailed. This is a big difference when it comes to media consumption and general clarity.
Pixel Density270 PPI396 PPIHigher PPI on A15 5G means a sharper and more detailed viewing experience, resulting in less pixelation and clearer text.
TechnologyPLS LCDAMOLEDA15 5G's AMOLED display offers superior contrast (deeper blacks), more vibrant colors, and better viewing angles compared to A03s' PLS LCD. AMOLED is also more efficient with darker UI themes.
Refresh Rate60Hz90HzA15 5G's 90Hz refresh rate results in smoother animations, scrolling, and transitions making the device feel more responsive and fluid.
Brightness0 nits800 nitsThe A15 5G's display is much brighter and thus more readable in outdoor conditions. This is a significant boost in usability for users who are often outside in bright environments.
Performance
ChipsetMediatek Helio P35 (12nm)Mediatek Dimensity 6100+ (6nm)A15 5G's chip is a modern, more efficient processor. Expect faster app loading, smoother multitasking, and better gaming performance and it is more power-efficient.
AnTuTu Score117,049442,500The A15 5G scores almost 4x higher in benchmarks, translating to a significantly smoother experience in real-world usage.
GPUPowerVR GE8320Mali-G57 MC2The GPU of the A15 5G is significantly more powerful for graphics-intensive tasks, such as gaming.
Camera
Main Camera13MP f/2.250MP f/1.8A15 5G's main camera captures much more detail with 50MP resolution and the wider f/1.8 aperture allows more light in, improving low-light performance.
Selfie Camera5MP f/2.013MP f/2.0The selfie camera on the A15 5G is much better and captures more details.
Wide Angle LensNone5MP f/2.2The A15 5G has a dedicated wide-angle camera, allowing you to capture more of the scene. The A03s has no wide angle camera.
Macro Lens2MP f/2.32MP f/2.4While both have a 2MP macro lens, neither will be great and should be taken with a grain of salt.
Video1080p@30fps1080p@30fps with EISBoth capture 1080p video at 30 fps, but the A15 5G has electronic image stabilization for smoother results. A15 5G also supports 240fps slow motion
Battery Life
Capacity5000mAh5000mAhBoth phones sport the same battery capacity, meaning similar battery life for typical usage, but A15 5G has a more efficient chip.
ChargingLi-Ion25W fast charging, Li-PolymerA15 5G supports 25W fast charging, a major convenience compared to the standard charging on the A03s. The Li-Polymer is slightly more energy-dense and robust compared to Li-Ion.
Software
OSAndroid 11, max Android 12Android 14, max Android 17A15 5G comes with a newer version of Android (14), and is guaranteed to receive more software updates over time.
Connectivity
Wi-Fi802.11b/g/n802.11a/b/g/n/ac, dual-bandA15 5G supports faster dual-band Wi-Fi and also Wi-Fi Direct and Wi-Fi display.
Bluetooth5.0 LE5.2 LEA15 5G supports a newer, more efficient Bluetooth version.
GPSGPS, A-GPS, GLONASSGPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, GalileoA15 5G supports additional satellite systems for better location accuracy.
Storage
Internal32GB/64GB-A03s has a base storage of 32 or 64 GB. A15 5G comes in various storage options, but they are not listed in the spec.
RAM3GB/4GB-A03s has 3GB/4GB RAM, whilst A15 5G has more RAM, not listed in spec sheet.
ExpandableNoNoNeither phone supports expandable storage via SD card.
Audio
Audio QualityBasic features2 microphonesA15 5G has dual microphones for slightly better voice pickup and sound recording.
Security
FingerprintSide-mountedSide-mountedBoth have the same basic fingerprint security, integrated into the power button.
Sensors
SensorsFingerprint, Proximity, AccelerometerFingerprint, Accelerometer, Gyroscope, Ultrasonic proximity virtualThe A15 5G has a gyroscope, useful for games and some apps, and virtual ultrasonic proximity sensor.

2. Key Insights

  • Samsung Galaxy A15 5G is the clear winner in this comparison. Its modern chipset, AMOLED display with higher refresh rate, enhanced camera, and faster charging place it significantly ahead of the A03s.
  • Display Quality: The A15 5G's AMOLED panel with its higher resolution, contrast, and refresh rate is a massive upgrade. The A03s' display looks outdated in comparison.
  • Performance Leap: The difference in chipsets is significant. The A15 5G handles everyday tasks, multitasking, and even some gaming with far more ease. The A03s may struggle with more demanding apps and games.
  • Camera Capabilities: The camera improvements in the A15 5G are substantial, providing more detailed and versatile photography. The addition of a wide-angle lens on the A15 5G is a huge bonus.
  • Software and Connectivity: With a newer version of Android and faster Wi-Fi and Bluetooth, the A15 5G is more future-proof.
  • Tradeoffs: The A03s could appeal to someone who needs basic functionality at a lower cost, but it comes with major performance and experience trade-offs.

3. User Profiles and Recommendations

  • Samsung Galaxy A03s:

    • Ideal For: Users with very basic needs, primarily making calls, sending texts, or running very lightweight apps. Older adults or those new to smartphones.
    • Use Cases: Basic web browsing, simple social media, casual photography, use as a secondary device.
    • Caveat: Avoid if you value speed, responsiveness, media consumption, or camera quality.
  • Samsung Galaxy A15 5G:

    • Ideal For: Users who value a smooth, responsive, and enjoyable smartphone experience without breaking the bank. It's suitable for media consumption, gaming, and photography.
    • Use Cases: Streaming movies and videos, social media, mobile gaming, photography, and daily productivity tasks.
    • Value Proposition: Provides modern features and performance that makes it ideal for everyday usage.

4. Buying Decision Framework

To help you decide, ask yourself these questions:

  1. How important is display quality to me? If you value a vibrant and sharp screen for watching videos and viewing photos, the A15 5G is the clear choice.
  2. Do I play games or use demanding apps? The A15 5G handles multitasking and games with significantly better performance. If you plan to use more than just the most basic apps, the A15 5G is a must-have.
  3. How crucial is camera versatility? For capturing detailed photos and using different lenses, including wide-angle, the A15 5G's system is much more advanced.

Scenario-Based Recommendations:

  • Scenario 1: Budget is your absolute primary concern. You mainly need a basic phone for calls and messages. The A03s will work in this scenario, however, it does not give you the best value and should be considered carefully.
  • Scenario 2: You enjoy watching videos and browsing social media regularly. You should choose the A15 5G, with its high-quality AMOLED display and better performance.
  • Scenario 3: You take photos occasionally and want a decent camera. The A15 5G's versatile and higher resolution camera system is ideal for better photo capture.

My Choice

If it were my money, I would absolutely go for the Samsung Galaxy A15 5G. It offers a significantly better user experience in almost every aspect that matters: the stunning AMOLED display, the powerful chipset, the upgraded camera system, fast charging, and better connectivity. While the A03s might be cheaper, the sheer value of the A15 5G, coupled with how much more enjoyment you get, means the A15 5G is the smarter, more reasonable choice in this case. It’s the difference between a basic phone that you tolerate and one that you enjoy using every day. The A15 5G is not just a better phone on paper, but better in every real-world scenario you could put it through. The A03s is very outdated and there are better phones in that price range if the A15 5G is too expensive.

Alex Griffin
Alex Griffin

Technology analyst specializing in mobile devices and consumer electronics.

Core Expertise

  • Mobile technology analysis
  • Consumer electronics evaluation
  • Technical specification interpretation
  • User experience insights

Professional Mission Empowering readers to make informed technology decisions by transforming intricate specifications into understandable, practical guidance.

Demystifying technology, one device at a time.