For a long time, having an iPhone has been viewed as a status symbol. Those who love them swear by them, and those who don’t simply don’t. Every year the argument is had on whether  the new iPhone has any notable improvements, and whether Android phones from Samsung, Sony, Huawei, Google etc are more on the innovative front.

This month, both Apple and Samsung made some announcements on their new releases and they have got tongues wagging on whether or not they are starting to follow the same strategy in terms of creating lower-end phones that are more affordable and are open to the masses.

Apple announced the iPhone SE 3on March 8th that is going for $429. The phone is designed similarly to the iPhone 8 that launched in 2017 but comes with 5G and the same processor as the iPhone 13.

Samsung on the other hand has released an A series Galaxy phone, the Galaxy A53. Similar to the iPhone SE it comes with 5G connectivity for $450. The Galaxy A53 shares the same sim tray and buttons for volume and power control as the Galaxy S22. Other than that, the camera is less shape with  64 megapixel and its screen is 6.4 inch AMOLED with a maximum 90Hz refresh rate.

The A series phones have dominated Samsung phones making up 58% percent of Samsung overall sales globally, where the S22 phones have been declining in share premium. Part of the Samsun marketing campaign has included trade bonuses to built loyalty and incentivise same line upgrades.

So now that we are past the technicalities, what do each of these phones say about their owners?

The first-timer cum penny pincher

I imagine that the iPhone SE was a lure for people who have always wanted to own an iPhone but have somehow found that they are far from being able to afford one. Every year a new iPhone is released and it pushes the prices of the old iPhones down. However, it is may not be the best decision for your first iPhone experience to be a second hand or pass me down. Dare I say, beggars can be choosers. The iPhones SE saw for the first time phone shoppers who had a midrange budget include an iPhone as part of their options. It has a great enough battery that can last a day, and boasts of having a camera that is better than most android phones. The 128Gb storage comes at an extra $50

So someone who cares about their social status and has always wanted to own a boxed iPhone would probably go for the iPhone SE. It has good battery life and camera quality. The better is news is you won’t have to sell your liver to get it!

The functional user

When the A series starting taking off here in Harare, I was knee deep in love with Huawei’s P series. But if I tell you, I could always see myself using one probably for as long as I have been a fan of Huawei. With over eight models to choose from, Samsung has done a great job at adorning the A series with its flagships’s designs and also keeping the budget within the midrange. This year Samsung will have 3 A series phones on market, the A33, A53 and A73, all offering 5G connectivity. The A33 and A73 are still to be released, the A53 is the ideal mid-range choice as it has interesting upgrades overs its predecessor. These include a bigger battery – 25W fast  charging,  software updates – One UI 4.1 on Android 12 and improved internal hardware – 6GB RAM and 128GB storage.

I would picture a phone enthusiastic who is cognisant of what he wants in a phone to be the one who picks the Galaxy A53. It has all the best features that make a great phone and stresses value of money at its price point.

In conclusion, both of these phones are equally great for their price points. I would have to commend Samsung for making similar upgrades and keeping them within a midrange to keep their users interested. The iPhone is making strides to have an entry level phone for people who just want o have an iPhone, the question is will they bite?

Tell us in the comments below which phone best describes you…