You’ll probably want to add a microSD card, but Samsung’s cheaper Galaxy phones otherwise nail the essentials.
Samsung’s Galaxy S phones get attention for their premium design and features, but those bigger screens and multiple cameras do not come cheap. Samsung has been bringing similar features and designs to its Galaxy A series, which includes phones priced as low as $130. Between supply chain constraints and economic hardships brought on by the pandemic, low-cost phones have become particularly important. Even the cheapest phones should allow you to keep up with the news, join video calls, take clear photos and play mobile games.
Even Samsung’s cheapest phones, which I’ve been testing for months, can handle these basic but necessary tasks. The Galaxy A02S ($130, £139, roughly AU$245), A03S ($160) and A12 ($180) can easily load webpages, stream music, play YouTube videos and take video calls, even despite using lower-powered processors than Samsung’s midrange and high-end phones. The phones’ 6.5-inch screens, capped at 720p resolution, are clear and large enough to run apps and multitask for the most part. But there are some limitations, depending on the device, particularly when it comes to performance and camera quality.
Galaxy A12, A03S, A02S Specs
Galaxy A12Samsung Galaxy A03SGalaxy A02SDisplay size, resolution, 6.5-inch LCD, 1,600×720 pixels6.5-inch LCD, 1,600×720 pixels6.5-inch LCD, 1,600×720 pixelsPixel density269 ppi269 ppi269 ppiDimensions (Inches)6.5 x 2.9 x 0.3 in.6.5 x 2.9 x 0.3 in.6.5 x 2.9 x 0.3 in.Dimensions (Millimeters)165.8 x 75.9 x 9.1 mm165.8 x 75.9 x 9.1 mm166.5 x 75.9 x 9.2 mmWeight (Ounces, Grams)7.12 oz.; 202g202g6.98 oz.; 198gMobile softwareAndroid 11Android 11Android 11Camera16-megapixel (wide), 5-megapixel (ultrawide), 2-megapixel (macro), 2-megapixel (depth)13-megapixel (wide), 2-megapixel (depth), 2-megapixel (macro)13-megapixel (wide), 2-megapixel (depth), 2-megapixel (macro)Front-facing camera8-megapixel5-megapixel5-megapixelVideo captureFHD (1,920×1,080) at 30fpsFHD (1,920×1,080) at 30fpsFHD (1,920×1,080) at 30fpsStorage32GB32GB32GBRAM3GB3GB2GBExpandable storageUp to 1TBUP to 1TBUp to 1TBBattery5,000 mAh (charger included)5,000 mAh (charger not included, does not support wireless charging)5,000 mAh (charger included)Fingerprint sensorSideSideNoneConnectorUSB-CUSB-CUSB-CHeadphone jackYesYesYesPrice off-contract (USD)$180$160$130Price (GBP)£169£139£139
The-Salesman 