Samsung Galaxy A03 Core Review: Budget Smartphone

The Samsung Galaxy A03 Core delivers core smartphone essentials with a massive 5000mAh battery and a large 6.5-inch display, making it one of the most affordable entry points into the Samsung ecosystem.

Introduction

The Samsung Galaxy A03 Core is an ultra-budget smartphone designed for first-time users or those seeking a reliable secondary device. Released in late 2021, it focuses on providing the fundamental smartphone experience—calls, messaging, web browsing, and media—without any frills, all while being remarkably easy on the wallet.

Design & Display

The phone features a simple yet practical design with a plastic back and frame, weighing 211g. It is available in classic Black and Blue color options. The front is dominated by a 6.5-inch PLS LCD display with a resolution of 720 x 1600 pixels (HD+). This results in a 20:9 aspect ratio, which is great for watching videos, and a pixel density of approximately 270 PPI. The screen features a waterdrop notch for the front camera and minimal bezels, offering an screen-to-body ratio of around 81.8%.

Performance & Hardware

At its heart, the Galaxy A03 Core is powered by a Unisoc SC9863A chipset built on a 28nm process. This octa-core processor features eight Cortex-A55 cores clocked at up to 1.6 GHz, paired with an IMG PowerVR GE8322 GPU. It comes with 2GB of LPDDR4X RAM and 32GB of eMMC 5.1 storage, which is expandable via a dedicated microSDXC card slot. This hardware configuration is tailored for light tasks like social media, calls, and messaging, but may struggle with intensive apps or multitasking.

Camera

Main Camera

The rear camera system consists of a single 8MP sensor with an f/2.0 aperture. It is capable of recording video at 1080p resolution and 30 frames per second. A single LED flash assists with low-light photography.

Front Camera

For selfies and video calls, there is a 5MP front-facing camera housed within the notch, featuring an f/2.2 aperture.

Battery & Charging

One of the standout features of the A03 Core is its massive 5000mAh lithium-ion battery. This large capacity is designed to easily power the low-energy components for a full day, and often two, on a single charge, making it ideal for users who prioritize battery life. It charges via an older Micro-USB 2.0 port, which is slower than modern USB-C standards.

Software & Features

The device launched with Android 11 (Go edition), a lightweight version of Android optimized for devices with entry-level hardware. This ensures a smoother experience on limited RAM by streamlining the operating system and pre-installed apps. It includes core Google services and access to the Play Store.

Pros & Cons

• Pros:
  • Exceptional battery life from the 5000mAh cell
  • Very affordable price point
  • Large, immersive 6.5-inch display
  • Clean, lightweight Android 11 (Go edition) software
  • Dedicated microSD slot for storage expansion
• Cons:
  • Outdated Micro-USB port for charging
  • Performance is basic and not suited for gaming
  • Low-resolution cameras
  • No NFC for contactless payments
  • Only 2GB of RAM

Tags: Samsung, Galaxy A03 Core, budget smartphone, Android Go, Unisoc, battery life, review, specs

An in-depth review of the Samsung Galaxy A03 Core, featuring a massive battery, large display, and essential Android performance at an ultra-low price.