For those seeking an affordable yet capable smartphone, the Samsung Galaxy A01 is a top contender for best budget phone under $100. Released in early 2020, this Android device packs impressive features and performance into an ultra-low price point. In this article we talk about Samsung Galaxy A01: Unveiling the Best Budget Phone Under $100.
Outstanding Value
The Galaxy A01 currently retails for around $94 unlocked, making it one of the most affordable Samsung smartphones on the market. Considering its price, the phone delivers outstanding overall value in terms of display quality, camera capabilities, storage space, battery life and more. While it does cut some corners to keep costs low, the A01 outperforms other sub-$100 devices.
Sleek, Compact Design
Measuring 146.3 x 70.86 x 8.34mm and weighing 149g, the Galaxy A01 has a slim, lightweight design that fits nicely in one hand. Its smooth rounded edges and modern aesthetic give it a much more premium look than its bargain price suggests. The phone also features a 5.7-inch Infinity-V display with minimal bezels for an immersive viewing experience.
Impressive Display
Speaking of that display, the A01’s screen utilizes TFT LCD technology to deliver vivid colors and 720 x 1560 HD+ resolution. With a density of 295 pixels per inch, images and videos appear sharp. While not as crisp as more expensive AMOLED displays, the Galaxy A01 screen is extremely impressive for its price range. It’s ideal for streaming shows, gaming, web browsing and more.
Capable Chipset & Storage
Under the hood, a quad-core Qualcomm Snapdragon 439 processor powers the speed and performance of the Galaxy A01. Combined with 2GB of RAM, it can handle most everyday tasks like messaging, emails, social media and light gaming. The phone also comes equipped with 16GB of onboard storage, which is average for this price tier. A microSD card slot allows expansion up to 512GB.
Feature-Packed Camera
One of the Galaxy A01’s biggest highlights is its dual rear camera setup. It consists of a 13MP main lens and 2MP depth sensor. Together they enable Live Focus to artistically blur backgrounds for gorgeous portraits. The 5MP front camera also impresses with its adjustable beauty effects for selfies and video calls. And handy camera features like panorama, continuous shot, filters and QR code scanning provide added versatility.
Long-Lasting Battery
Powering through daily use is a sizable 3,000mAh non-removable battery. During our hands-on testing, we found it reliably delivered over 24 hours of mixed usage on a single charge. Conservative users may even squeeze out closer to two days. When you do need to refuel, the A01 recharges quickly via its microUSB port.
Efficient Biometric Security
For conveniently unlocking your phone, the Galaxy A01 utilizes face recognition software. It allows near-instant access just by looking at the front camera. Fingerprint scanning provides a faster, more secure alternative to passcodes. And you get the ability to register multiple fingerprints.
Latest Android Software
The Galaxy A01 ships with Android 10 operating system pre-installed. This provides access to all the latest Android features and apps. And Samsung guarantees at least two years of software updates, which is generous for a sub-$100 device. That means you can expect future upgrades like Android 11 and 12 down the line.
Dual SIM Capabilities
Like many other Samsung phones, the Galaxy A01 comes with dual SIM card slots. This enables using two lines on the same phone for added flexibility. You could have one SIM for personal use and another for a business line. Or use SIMs from two different carriers to maximize coverage. It’s a handy option to have, especially with this being a 4G LTE-supported device.
Pros
To quickly summarize some of the Samsung Galaxy A01’s best attributes:
• Extremely affordable sub-$100 price
• Slim, pocket-friendly design
• Vibrant 5.7-inch HD+ Infinity-V display
• Quad-core processor and 2GB RAM
• Expandable storage up to 512GB
• Dual 13MP + 2MP rear cameras
• Large 3,000mAh battery
• Biometric face/fingerprint sensors
• Latest Android 10 software
Cons
While we were quite impressed with the Galaxy A01 overall, it does have a few downsides to consider:
• Plastic build quality feels a bit flimsy
• Camera low-light performance is subpar
• Charging is slower with microUSB
• HD streaming can be choppy at times
• No NFC for contactless payments
As expected, some concessions were made to drive costs down. But none of the shortcomings are dealbreakers, especially when factoring in the budget pricing.
Ideal User
Due to its stellar value, the Galaxy A01 appeals to a wide range of consumers. It makes an excellent first smartphone for kids thanks to the parental controls and Google Kids Space. Business users will appreciate having a capable secondary device for travel. And it’s a smart way for seniors to stay connected on a fixed income.
The A01 is also a good fit for anyone wanting an affordable phone for making calls, basic mobile apps and light media use. Overall, it’s a great option that doesn’t feel cheap.
Final Verdict
The Samsung Galaxy A01 punches far above its sub-$100 weight class. An immersive display, multi-lens cameras and long battery life are just a sampling of features you would expect to pay much more for. It’s not the fastest performer and has some other understandable limitations. But none of them take away from the phenomenal value this budget phone delivers. For the price, you won’t find a more well-rounded Android device. I sincerely hope you find this “The Samsung Galaxy A01- Unveiling the Best Budget Phone Under $100” article helpful.