Looking for an affordable smartphone that doesn't completely break the bank? The Alcatel U5 HD and Samsung Galaxy A04s are both contenders in the budget phone arena. But which one offers the best bang for your buck? Let's dive into a detailed comparison.
🏆 Quick Verdict
The Samsung Galaxy A04s is the clear winner. While the Alcatel U5 HD is incredibly budget-friendly, the A04s boasts a significantly more powerful processor, better camera, and longer software support, making it a more future-proof and enjoyable experience overall.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 3, 7, 8, 20 | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41 |
| Speed | HSPA 42.2/11.5 Mbps, LTE Cat4 150/50 Mbps | HSPA, LTE |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2017, August. Released 2017, August | 2022, August 31 |
| Status | Discontinued | Available. Released 2022, September 22 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | - | Glass front, plastic back, plastic frame |
| Dimensions | 141.8 x 71.4 x 9 mm (5.58 x 2.81 x 0.35 in) | 164.7 x 76.7 x 9.1 mm (6.48 x 3.02 x 0.36 in) |
| SIM | · Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 129 g (4.55 oz) | 195 g (6.88 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Resolution | 720 x 1280 pixels, 16:9 ratio (~294 ppi density) | 720 x 1600 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~270 ppi density) |
| Size | 5.0 inches, 68.9 cm2 (~68.1% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.5 inches, 102.0 cm2 (~80.7% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD | PLS LCD, 90Hz, 400 nits (peak) |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Quad-core 1.1 GHz Cortex-A53 | Octa-core (4x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55 & 4x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55) |
| Chipset | Mediatek MT6737 (28 nm) | Exynos 850 (8 nm) |
| GPU | Mali-T720MP2 | Mali-G52 |
| OS | Android 7.0 (Nougat) | Android 12, upgradable to Android 14, One UI 6.1 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 8GB 1GB RAM | 32GB 3GB RAM, 32GB 4GB RAM, 64GB 3GB RAM, 64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 3GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM |
| | eMMC 5.0 | eMMC 5.1 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash, HDR, panorama | LED flash, panorama, HDR |
| Single | 13 MP, AF | - |
| Triple | - | 50 MP, f/1.8, 26mm (wide), 1/2.76", 0.64µm, PDAF
2 MP (macro)
Auxiliary lens |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash | - |
| Single | 8 MP | 5 MP, f/2.2, (wide) |
| Video | - | 720p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 4.2, A2DP, LE | 5.0, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | No | Yes (market/region dependent) |
| Positioning | GPS | GPS, GLONASS, BDS, GALILEO, QZSS |
| Radio | FM radio | No |
| USB | microUSB 2.0 | USB Type-C 2.0 |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, Wi-Fi Direct | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Accelerometer, proximity | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer |
| | - | Virtual Proximity Sensing |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | - | 15W wired |
| Stand-by | Up to 200 h (3G) | - |
| Talk time | Up to 5 h (3G) | - |
| Type | Li-Ion 2200 mAh, non-removable | Li-Po 5000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Black | Black, Green, White, Copper |
| Models | 5047U, 5047Y, 5047I, 5047D | SM-A047F, SM-A047F/DS, SM-A047F/DSN, SM-A047M |
| Price | - | € 133.89 |
| SAR EU | - | 0.52 W/kg (head) 1.23 W/kg (body) |
| Tests |
|---|
| Battery life | - |
Endurance rating 114h
|
| Camera | - |
Photo / Video |
| Display | - |
Contrast ratio: 1614:1 |
| Loudspeaker | - |
-30.3 LUFS (Below average)
|
| Performance | - |
AnTuTu: 145123(v9)
GeekBench: 1100 (v5.1)
GFXBench: 11fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) |
alcatel U5 HD
- Extremely affordable
- Compact size
- Basic functionality
- Weak processor
- Dim display
- Limited camera capabilities
- Likely slow charging
- Limited software updates
Samsung Galaxy A04s
- Powerful processor
- Bright display
- Better camera
- Good battery life
- Faster charging
- More reliable software updates
- Slightly more expensive than U5 HD
- Design may be considered basic
Display Comparison
The Samsung Galaxy A04s takes the display crown. While both offer a decent contrast ratio (1614:1), the A04s's measured 389 nits brightness provides significantly better visibility in outdoor conditions. The U5 HD's display is likely dimmer and less vibrant.
Camera Comparison
The Samsung Galaxy A04s's camera system is expected to be superior. While specific megapixel counts are not provided, Samsung's image processing and hardware generally outperform Alcatel in this price range. Expect better image quality, dynamic range, and low-light performance from the A04s.
Performance
The Exynos 850 in the Samsung Galaxy A04s is a substantial upgrade over the U5 HD's Mediatek MT6737. The A04s's octa-core processor and 8nm manufacturing process offer significantly faster performance for multitasking, gaming, and general use. The U5 HD will likely feel sluggish by comparison.
Battery Life
Both phones boast impressive endurance ratings (114h), suggesting excellent battery life. However, the A04s's 15W wired charging offers a slightly faster charging experience than the U5 HD, which likely has a slower charging speed.
Buying Guide
Who should buy the Alcatel U5 HD? Those on the absolute tightest budget who prioritize basic functionality and affordability above all else. Who should buy the Samsung Galaxy A04s? Anyone seeking a reliable, capable budget phone with a decent camera, good battery life, and a smoother user experience.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Is the Alcatel U5 HD good for gaming?
No, the U5 HD's processor is not powerful enough for demanding games. It can handle basic games, but expect low frame rates and lag.
❓ How long will Samsung support the Galaxy A04s with software updates?
Samsung typically provides longer software support for its Galaxy devices compared to Alcatel. Expect at least a few years of security updates and potentially one major Android OS upgrade.
