During the last months, Samsung totally renewed its line-up of midrange smartphones. The Korean giant launched the new Galaxy M series that is the natural successor to the J series, as well as a brand new name scheme for the A series. Alongside the Galaxy M10, Samsung Galaxy M20 is the first phone from the M line-up, while the Galaxy A30 is the first device from the A series with a 0 at the end belonging to the new name scheme. These two devices carry very similar price tags and their prices are even similar to the older sibling Samsung Galaxy A7 (2018) released in the second half of last year. If you want to know which Samsung mid-ranger you should opt for, go ahead with this specs comparison.
Samsung Galaxy M20 vs Samsung Galaxy A30 vs Samsung Galaxy A7 (2018)
| Samsung Galaxy M20 | Samsung Galaxy A30 | Samsung Galaxy A7 (2018) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| DIMENSIONS AND WEIGHT | 156.4 x 74.5 x 8.8 mm, 186 grams | 158.5 x 74.5 x 7.7 mm | 159.8 x 76.8 x 7.5 mm, 168 grams |
| DISPLAY | 6.3 inches, 1080 x 2340p (Full HD+), 409 ppi, PLS TFT | 6.4 inches, 1080 x 2340p (Full HD+), 403 ppi, Super AMOLED | 6 inches, 1080 x 2220 pixels, 18.5:9 ratio, Super AMOLED |
| PROCESSOR | Samsung Exynos 7904, octa-core 1.8 GHz | Samsung Exynos 7904, octa-core 1.8 GHz | Samsung Exynos 7885, octa-core 2.2 GHz |
| MEMORY | 3 GB RAM, 32 GB – 4 GB RAM, 64 GB – micro SD dedicated slot | 4 GB RAM, 64 GB – 3 GB RAM, 32 GB – micro SD dedicated slot | 4 GB RAM, 64 GB – 4 GB RAM, 128 GB – 6 GB RAM, 128 GB – micro SD dedicated slot |
| SOFTWARE | Android 8.1 Oreo, Samsung Experience | Android 9 Pie | Android 8 Oreo, Samsung Experience |
| CONNECTIVITY | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, Bluetooth 5.0, GPS | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, Bluetooth 5.0, GPS | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, Bluetooth 5.0, GPS |
| CAMERA | Dual 13 + 5 MP f/1.9 and f/2.2 8 MP f/2.0 front camera |
Dual 16 + 5 MP f/1.7 and f/2.2 16 MP f/2.0 front camera |
Triple 24 + 8 + 5 MP f/1.7, f/2.4 and f/2.2 24 MP f/2.0 front camera |
| BATTERY | 5000 mAh | 4000 mAh | 3300 mAh |
| ADDITIONAL FEATURES | Dual SIM slot | Dual SIM slot | Dual SIM slot |
Design
The award for the design and build quality goes to the Samsung Galaxy A30. Its rear side is not made of glass like flagship devices, Samsung called it “3D glasstic” because it is essentially a plastic back that looks like glass, but the device is very solid and it has an aluminum frame. Samsung Galaxy A30 is also one of the few affordable devices with a waterproof body. It has the IP68 certification. The second place goes to the Galaxy A7 2018 with its elegant and minimal glass back. But the bezels around the display are thick, unlike the other two devices which come with a waterdrop notch and very narrow bezels. Samsung Galaxy M20 has a cheap plastic design.
Display
On the display side, Samsung Galaxy A30 and Galaxy A7 2018 are the most convincing ones as they have a Super AMOLED panel with more brilliant colors. I would personally go for the Samsung Galaxy A30 because of its taller 6.4-inch panel and narrower bezels. But if you hate the notch, you may prefer the Samsung Galaxy A7 2018. The Galaxy M20 comes with a lower-end TFT display.
Specs & Software
The Samsung Galaxy A7 (2018) is equipped with slightly better hardware, at least in its most expensive configuration. It arrives with up to 6 GB of RAM and up to 128 GB of internal storage, while Samsung Galaxy A30 and M20 stop at 4 GB of RAM and 64 GB of internal storage. Samsung Galaxy A7 (2018) has a slightly different SoC with a higher clock frequency but the same GPU. Note that Samsung Galaxy A30 comes with Android 9 Pie out of the box, while the others are based on Android Oreo.
Camera
The most powerful and interesting camera department is the one on board of the Samsung Galaxy A7 2018. On the rear side, it has a triple camera setup with a 24 MP main sensor, an ultrawide lens, and a depth sensor. And it even has a very nice 24 MP selfie camera. Right after, we got the Samsung Galaxy A30 which still comes with a bright aperture but lacks the ultrawide sensor and it has a selfie camera with a lower 16 MP resolution.
Battery
Finally, a department in which Samsung Galaxy M20 wins: the battery life. With its huge 5000 mAh unit, it can even last three days if you do not stress it too much. However, the Samsung Galaxy A30 remains an amazing battery phone thanks to its efficient components and its 4000 mAh battery. Samsung Galaxy A7 2018 takes the last place, but it is thinner thanks to its smaller battery. Samsung Galaxy M20 and A30 support 15W fast charging.
Price
Samsung Galaxy A30 costs about €220/$250 in the Asian market, Samsung Galaxy M20 carries the same price in the global market and even Samsung Galaxy A7 (2018) is available for €220 in the global market thanks to online street prices. Overall, the Samsung Galaxy A30 is definitely a better handset thanks to its great display, waterproof certification and well-balanced specifications, but it will cost more in the global market.
Samsung Galaxy M20 vs Samsung Galaxy A30 vs Samsung Galaxy A7 (2018): PROs and CONS
Samsung Galaxy M20
PROs
- Huge battery
- Affordable price
- Fast charging
- High screen-to-body ratio
CONS
- Plastic body
Samsung Galaxy A30
PROs
- Waterproof
- Great display
- Fast charging
- Big battery
CONS
- Plastic body
Samsung Galaxy A7 (2018)
PROs
- Great aesthetics
- Nice display
- More internal storage
- Nice cameras
CONS
- Bezels
