The smartphone market is brimming with options, especially in the budget segment. Today, we're pitting two contenders against each other: the Asus PadFone X mini, a device from a bygone era, and the more modern Samsung Galaxy A04s. Can the older PadFone still compete?
🏆 Quick Verdict
The Samsung Galaxy A04s is the clear winner. While the PadFone X mini boasts a unique design, the A04s's superior performance, modern chipset, better camera, and significantly longer battery life make it the more compelling choice for most users.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 1900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 2, 4, 5, 17 | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41 |
| Speed | HSPA 21.1/5.76 Mbps, LTE Cat3 100/50 Mbps | HSPA, LTE |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2014, October. Released 2014, October | 2022, August 31 |
| Status | Discontinued | Available. Released 2022, September 22 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | - | Glass front, plastic back, plastic frame |
| Dimensions | 132.1 x 66.3 x 12.7 mm (5.20 x 2.61 x 0.5 in) | 164.7 x 76.7 x 9.1 mm (6.48 x 3.02 x 0.36 in) |
| SIM | Micro-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 148.8 g (5.22 oz) | 195 g (6.88 oz) |
| | Padfone Station with 7 inches IPS+ display, 800 x 1280 pixels, 2200 mAh battery, 1 MP front camera. 203.7 x 119.4 x 11.2-21.1 mm, 249.8 grams | - |
| Display |
|---|
| Resolution | 480 x 854 pixels, 16:9 ratio (~218 ppi density) | 720 x 1600 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~270 ppi density) |
| Size | 4.5 inches, 55.8 cm2 (~63.7% 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 | Dual-core 1.6 GHz | Octa-core (4x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55 & 4x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55) |
| Chipset | Intel Atom Z2560 | Exynos 850 (8 nm) |
| GPU | PowerVR SGX544MP2 | Mali-G52 |
| OS | Android 4.4.2 (KitKat) | Android 12, upgradable to Android 14, One UI 6.1 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | 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 5.1 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash | LED flash, panorama, HDR |
| Single | 5 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 |
|---|
| Single | 2 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 | 4.0, A2DP | 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, hotspot | 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 360 h (3G) | - |
| Talk time | Up to 15 h 40 min (3G) | - |
| Type | Li-Ion 2060 mAh, removable | Li-Po 5000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Black | Black, Green, White, Copper |
| Models | - | SM-A047F, SM-A047F/DS, SM-A047F/DSN, SM-A047M |
| Price | About 160 EUR | € 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) |
Asus PadFone X mini
- Compact size
- Unique design (PadFone docking)
- Outdated chipset
- Poor performance
- Low-resolution display
- Subpar camera
- Short battery life
Samsung Galaxy A04s
- Modern chipset (Exynos 850)
- Good performance
- Large, bright display
- Decent camera
- Excellent battery life
- 15W charging
- Plastic build
- Basic design
Display Comparison
The Samsung Galaxy A04s features a larger, brighter display with a respectable 389 nits of brightness and a 1614:1 contrast ratio. The PadFone X mini's display is smaller and likely less vibrant, reflecting its older technology. The A04s offers a more immersive viewing experience.
Camera Comparison
While both offer 'Photo/Video' capabilities, the Galaxy A04s's camera hardware and image processing are far superior. Expect better image quality, dynamic range, and low-light performance from the A04s. The PadFone X mini's camera is likely outdated and produces lower-quality images.
Performance
The Exynos 850 in the Galaxy A04s is a significant upgrade over the Intel Atom Z2560 in the PadFone X mini. The A04s's octa-core processor provides noticeably faster performance for everyday tasks, multitasking, and even light gaming. The PadFone X mini will likely struggle with modern apps and demanding workloads.
Battery Life
The Galaxy A04s shines with its exceptional battery life, boasting an endurance rating of 114 hours. The PadFone X mini's battery life was decent for its time, but it pales in comparison to the A04s's longevity. The A04s will easily last a full day, even with heavy usage.
Buying Guide
Who should buy the Asus PadFone X mini? Likely only those seeking a nostalgic device or a very specific, compact form factor. The Samsung Galaxy A04s is ideal for budget-conscious users who prioritize performance, a decent camera, and all-day battery life.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Is the PadFone X mini still worth buying?
Unless you're a collector or specifically need a very small phone, the PadFone X mini is outdated and not recommended for most users. The Samsung Galaxy A04s offers significantly better value.
❓ What is the difference between the chipsets in these phones?
The Samsung Galaxy A04s uses an Exynos 850 (8nm), a modern octa-core processor. The PadFone X mini uses an Intel Atom Z2560, a dual-core processor from 2013, which is significantly less powerful.
