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 Hands on (Photo courtesy of gadgetsnow)
Samsung Galaxy A7 2018 pros over Nokia 7.1
Nokia 7.1 pros over Samsung Galaxy A7 2018

Nokia 7.1 (Photo courtesy of techradar)
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 |

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Marti Pellow says:
Android one software is boring and cannot modify, Nokia 7.1 too mahal kaibigan 🙁