If we’re talking about premium smartphones with less than Php20,000 to spare, which would you get – the Samsung Galaxy A7 2018 or the Nokia 7.1? Would you go for a triple main camera setup or an Android One device with a rare HDR display?
Specs Comparison: Samsung Galaxy A6+ and Samsung Galaxy A7 (2018)
Samsung Galaxy A7 2018 and Nokia 7.1 Difference
Samsung Galaxy A7 2018 pros over Nokia 7.1
- Always-on Display
- dedicated microSD slot
- up to 6GB RAM/128GB internal storage
- Samsung Pay
- triple main camera (24MP, 8MP ultra-wide, 5MP depth-sensor)
- 24MP f/2.0 selfie camera
- Dolby Atmos sound
- 6.0-inch display
Nokia 7.1 pros over Samsung Galaxy A7 2018
- HDR 10 compliant display
- ~79.9% screen-to-body ratio (with notch)
- Android One Program (upgradeable to 9.0 Pie)
- bothie mode on selfie camera
- USB Type-C with fast charging 9V/2A 18W
- 160 grams
Samsung Galaxy A7 2018 and Nokia 7.1 Similarities
- 1080p resolution
- Octa-Core CPU
- up to 4K @ 30fps video recording (main camera) and 1080p @ 30fps (selfie camera)
- audio jack
- Bluetooth 5.0
- NFC
- Corning Gorilla Glass 3
- microSD card support
Which is a better buy between Samsung Galaxy A7 2018 vs Nokia 7.1 Plus?
The Samsung Galaxy A7 2018 comes with a punchy Super AMOLED panel while the Nokia 7.1 makes do with an accurate IPS LCD panel, though, with a notch. However, the deciding factor here could be the HDR 10 compliant of Nokia — allowing users to play HDR videos for more accurate color representation and better contrast. On the other hand, you have the always-on display from Samsung.
In terms of size and dimension, it’s a tad larger for the Galaxy A7 2018 at 159.8 x 76.8 x 7.5 mm weighing 168 g compared to 149.7 x 71.2 x 8 mm and 160 g of the Nokia 7.1.
Performance-wise, it’s a Samsung Exynos 7885 with Mali™-G71 MP2 versus Qualcomm Snapdragon 636 with Adreno 509. While both features an octa-core design, the former has a higher maximum clock speed at 2.2Ghz compared to the latter’s 1.8Ghz.
It’s a different story when it comes to memory and storage. Only the Nokia midrange starts at 3GB RAM/32GB internal storage. While Samsung’s midrange goes up to 6GB RAM/128GB.
If we’re talking about cameras, you might find the Galaxy A7 2018 enticing given its triple main camera – 24MP, 8MP ultra-wide, 5MP depth-sensor and higher 24MP selfie camera. However, the Nokia 7.1 isn’t any slouch either with its Zeiss optics of 12MP dual pixel PDAF + 5MP sensor complete with 8MP capable of video recording at the same time.
Samsung has the higher battery capacity here at 3300mAh — charged through a micro USB cable but the Nokia 7.1 is clearly leading in this department with its smaller 3060mAh battery but comes with fast charging at 18W.
Specs | Samsung Galaxy A7 2018 | Nokia 7.1 |
Display | Super AMOLED 6.0 inches, 1080 x 2220 18.5:9, ~441 ppi, Corning Gorilla Glass 3, Always-on Display | IPS LCD 5.84 inches, 1080 x 2280, 19:9 ratio. ~432 ppi, Corning Gorilla Glass 3, HDR 10 compliant |
Dimensions | 159.8 x 76.8 x 7.5 mm, 168 g | 149.7 x 71.2 x 8 mm, 160g |
Chipset | Octa-core 2.2Ghz Samsung Exynos 7885 (14nm) | Octa-core 1.8Ghz Qualcomm Snapdragon 636 (14nm) |
GPU | Mali™-G71 MP2 | Adreno 509 |
Memory | 4/6GB of RAM + 64/128GB internal storage + dedicated microSD up to 512GB | 3/4GB RAM + 32/64GB storage + microSD up to 400GB |
Main Camera | 24 MP, f/1.7, PDAF 8 MP, f/2.4, 13mm (ultrawide) 5 MP, f/2.2, depth sensor2160p@30fps, 1080p@30fps |
Zeiss optics 12 MP, f/1.8, 1.28µm, Dual Pixel PDAF 5 MP, f/2.4, 1.12µm, depth sensor2160p@30fps, 1080p@30fps (gyro-EIS) |
Front Camera | 24 MP, f/2.0 | 8 MP, f/2.0, 24mm |
Connectivity | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, WiFi Direct, hotspot, 5.0, A2DP, LE, A-GPS, GLONASS, BDS, FM radio, micro-USB 2.0, audio jack with Dolby Atmos sound | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, WiFi Direct, hotspot, BT 5.0, A2DP, EDR, LE, aptX, A-GPS, GLONASS, BDS, USB-C |
Battery | Non-removable Li-Ion 3300 mAh battery | Non-removable Li-Ion 3060 mAh battery with fast charging 18W |
OS | Samsung UI skin (8.0 Oreo) | Android One (8.1 Oreo) with a planned 9.0 Pie upgrade |
Official Price | Official price in the Philippines P15,990 price | estimated at Php18,990 |
Android one software is boring and cannot modify, Nokia 7.1 too mahal kaibigan 🙁