The Samsung Galaxy A03s is the latest addition to the company’s mid-range A series lineup. With its impressive specs and affordable price point, it has quickly gained popularity among consumers. In this comprehensive review, we will take a closer look at the design, display, performance, camera system, battery life, software, connectivity, price, and user reviews of the Galaxy A03s to help you decide if this is the right phone for you.
Design and Build Quality
The Galaxy A03s boasts a sleek and modern design with a plastic frame and back panel. It comes in three color options – black, blue, and white – and features a glossy finish that gives it a premium look. The phone measures 164.2 x 75.9 x 9.1 mm and weighs 196g, making it slightly thicker and heavier than its predecessor, the A02s.
One of the standout features of the A03s is its side-mounted fingerprint scanner, which is conveniently placed on the power button. This allows for easy and quick access to the phone without having to lift it off a table or desk. The phone also has a headphone jack and a USB-C port for charging and data transfer.
Overall, the A03s has a solid build quality and feels comfortable in hand. However, the plastic construction may not be as durable as metal or glass, so using a protective case is recommended.
Water and Dust Resistance
Unfortunately, unlike some of Samsung’s higher-end phones, the Galaxy A03s does not have any IP rating for water and dust resistance. This means that it is not fully waterproof and may not withstand submersion in water or exposure to extreme dust conditions. So, it is important to keep the phone protected from these elements.
Speaker System
The speaker system on the A03s is decent, with a single loudspeaker located at the bottom of the phone. It produces clear and crisp sound, but it may not be loud enough for some users in noisy environments. However, when using headphones, the sound quality is excellent.
Display
The Galaxy A03s features a 6.5-inch HD+ Infinity-V display with a resolution of 720 x 1600 pixels. The V-shaped notch on the top of the screen houses the front-facing camera and blends seamlessly into the display, giving it a modern and sleek look.
The overall display quality is good, with vibrant colors and decent brightness levels. However, the low resolution may be noticeable to some users, especially when compared to higher-end phones with Full HD or AMOLED displays. Nevertheless, for everyday use, the display is more than satisfactory.
Screen Protection
The A03s does not come with any screen protection, so investing in a tempered glass screen protector is recommended to avoid scratches and cracks on the display.
Display Features
One of the notable display features of the A03s is the Eye Comfort Shield, which automatically adjusts the blue light emission from the screen to reduce eye strain. This can be scheduled based on your usage patterns, making it a convenient feature for those who spend long hours on their phones.
Performance
Under the hood, the Galaxy A03s packs a MediaTek MT6765 Helio P35 chipset paired with 3GB or 4GB RAM and 32GB or 64GB internal storage. This is a significant upgrade from its predecessor, the A02s, which had a Snapdragon 450 chipset and 2GB or 3GB RAM.
The A03s offers smooth performance for everyday tasks such as browsing, social media, and streaming videos. Multitasking is also handled well, thanks to the increased RAM capacity. However, the phone may struggle with more demanding tasks such as gaming or running heavy apps.
User Interface
The A03s runs on Samsung’s One UI 3.1 on top of Android 11, which offers a clean and user-friendly interface. The phone also comes with some pre-installed apps from Samsung, but most of them can be uninstalled if not needed.
Storage and Expandable Memory
The A03s has two storage options – 32GB and 64GB – both of which can be expanded up to 1TB with a microSD card. This provides ample space for storing photos, videos, and apps without worrying about running out of storage.
Camera System
The Galaxy A03s features a triple-camera setup on the back, consisting of a 13MP primary camera, a 2MP macro camera, and a 2MP depth sensor. On the front, it has a 5MP selfie camera.
In well-lit conditions, the A03s produces decent images with good color reproduction and sharpness. However, in low light, the quality of the photos does tend to decrease, with visible noise and grain. The macro camera is a nice addition, allowing users to take close-up shots, but the quality may not be the best.
Camera Features
Some of the camera features on the A03s include Live Focus, which allows for portrait shots with a bokeh effect, and Night Mode for improved low-light photography. It also has a Pro mode for manual control over settings such as ISO, shutter speed, and white balance.
Video Recording
The A03s can shoot videos at a maximum resolution of 1080p at 30fps. The video quality is decent, but there is no image stabilization, so footage may appear shaky if you are moving while recording.
Battery Life
The A03s is powered by a massive 5000mAh battery, which is a significant upgrade from the A02s’s 5000mAh battery. This is one of the standout features of the phone, offering exceptional battery life even with heavy usage.
With moderate use, the A03s can easily last for a full day and still have some juice left over. Even with heavy usage, including streaming videos and gaming, the battery can easily last for a full workday. And when it does run out, the phone supports 15W fast charging, which can quickly top up the battery.
Battery Saving Features
The A03s comes with several battery-saving features, such as Adaptive Battery and Power saving mode, to help extend the battery life even further. These can be customized based on your usage patterns to ensure that your phone lasts as long as possible.
Software and Features
As mentioned earlier, the Galaxy A03s runs on Samsung’s One UI 3.1 on top of Android 11. This brings a host of features and customization options to the phone, making it more user-friendly and convenient.
One of the notable features is Samsung DeX, which allows you to connect your phone to an external monitor or TV and use it as a mini computer. This is great for productivity and makes the A03s a versatile device for both work and play.
Connectivity
The A03s has all the necessary connectivity options, including Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, GPS, and NFC. It also has dual-SIM support, which is great for those who need separate SIM cards for work and personal use. The phone also has a dedicated microSD slot, which means you do not have to compromise between using two SIM cards or expanding storage.
Price and Availability
The Galaxy A03s was released in September 2021 and is currently available in select countries. The starting price for the 3GB RAM and 32GB storage variant is around $160, while the 4GB RAM and 64GB storage variant is priced at around $180. However, prices may vary depending on your location.
User Reviews and Feedback
Since its release, the Galaxy A03s has received mostly positive reviews from users. Many have praised its affordable price point, impressive battery life, and decent performance. However, some have noted that the camera quality could be improved and that the plastic construction may not be as durable as other materials.
Conclusion
The Samsung Galaxy A03s is a great mid-range phone that offers a good balance of specs, features, and affordability. Its sleek design, impressive battery life, and decent performance make it a popular choice among consumers. However, if you are looking for a phone with a top-of-the-line camera system or gaming capabilities, this may not be the best option for you.
Overall, the Galaxy A03s is a solid choice for those in need of a reliable and budget-friendly smartphone. With regular updates and support from Samsung, it is expected to remain a top contender in the mid-range market for years to come.
