Looking for an affordable smartphone that doesn't completely compromise on features? The Blackview A85 and Samsung Galaxy A04s are both contenders in the budget phone arena. But which one reigns supreme? Let's dive into a detailed comparison to help you decide.
🏆 Quick Verdict
The Samsung Galaxy A04s edges out the Blackview A85 thanks to its more established brand reputation, slightly better performance with the Exynos 850, and generally more polished software experience. While the A85 offers competitive specs, the A04s provides a more reliable and user-friendly package.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 3, 7, 8, 20, 40 | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41 |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE | HSPA, LTE |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2022, November 22 | 2022, August 31 |
| Status | Available. Released 2022, November 25 | Available. Released 2022, September 22 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front, aluminum frame, glass back | Glass front, plastic back, plastic frame |
| Dimensions | 164.3 x 76.1 x 8.7 mm (6.47 x 3.00 x 0.34 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 |
| Weight | 193 g (6.81 oz) | 195 g (6.88 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Resolution | 720 x 1612 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~272 ppi density) | 720 x 1600 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~270 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.5 inches, 101.5 cm2 (~81.2% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.5 inches, 102.0 cm2 (~80.7% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD, 90Hz | PLS LCD, 90Hz, 400 nits (peak) |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (2x1.6 GHz Cortex-A75 & 6x1.6 GHz Cortex-A55) | Octa-core (4x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55 & 4x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55) |
| Chipset | Unisoc T606 (12 nm) | Exynos 850 (8 nm) |
| GPU | Mali-G57 MP1 | Mali-G52 |
| OS | Android 12, Doke OS 3.0 | Android 12, upgradable to Android 14, One UI 6.1 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 128GB 8GB RAM | 32GB 3GB RAM, 32GB 4GB RAM, 64GB 3GB RAM, 64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 3GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM |
| | UFS 2.1 | eMMC 5.1 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Dual | 50 MP, (wide), 1/2.76", 0.64µm, PDAF
8 MP, 120˚ (ultrawide) | - |
| Features | Dual-LED dual-tone flash, HDR, panorama | LED flash, panorama, HDR |
| Single | 8 MP, (wide), 1/4", 1.12µm | - |
| 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 | 8 MP, (wide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm | 5 MP, f/2.2, (wide) |
| Video | Yes | 720p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | Yes | 5.0, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | Yes | Yes (market/region dependent) |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS | GPS, GLONASS, BDS, GALILEO, QZSS |
| Radio | FM radio | No |
| USB | Yes, OTG | USB Type-C 2.0 |
| WLAN | Yes | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, proximity | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer |
| | - | Virtual Proximity Sensing |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 18W wired | 15W wired |
| Type | 4480 mAh | Li-Po 5000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Black, Blue, Sky | 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) |
Blackview A85
- Competitive specs for the price
- Decent CPU configuration
- Potentially larger battery capacity (estimated)
- Less established brand
- Potentially less refined software
- Unspecified display brightness
- Performance may be inconsistent
Samsung Galaxy A04s
- Reputable brand
- Better overall performance (Exynos 850)
- Likely better camera quality
- Polished software experience
- Brighter display (389 nits)
- Slower charging (15W)
- May be slightly more expensive
Display Comparison
The Samsung Galaxy A04s boasts a slightly brighter display at 389 nits compared to the A85's unspecified brightness. Both offer a 1614:1 contrast ratio, suggesting good black levels. While both are likely using LCD panels, the A04s's Samsung pedigree often translates to better color accuracy and viewing angles.
Camera Comparison
Camera quality is often a weak point in budget phones. While both offer 'Photo / Video' capabilities, the Samsung Galaxy A04s likely has a more refined camera software and image processing pipeline, resulting in better photos, especially in challenging lighting conditions. Specific megapixel counts are not available for the A85, but the A04s typically features a main 50MP sensor.
Performance
The Samsung Galaxy A04s's Exynos 850 (8nm) generally outperforms the Blackview A85's Unisoc T606 (12nm) in real-world usage. The Exynos 850's architecture and fabrication process provide a noticeable advantage in multitasking and demanding apps. The A85's CPU configuration (2x Cortex-A75 + 6x Cortex-A55) is interesting, but the overall performance isn't as consistent as the A04s.
Battery Life
Both phones boast impressive battery life, with the Samsung Galaxy A04s achieving an endurance rating of 114 hours. The Blackview A85's battery capacity is likely around 5000mAh, suggesting comparable longevity. However, Samsung's software optimization often contributes to better battery management.
Buying Guide
The Blackview A85 is a good choice for users prioritizing raw specs on a tight budget and are comfortable with potentially less refined software. The Samsung Galaxy A04s is ideal for those seeking a dependable, user-friendly experience with a recognizable brand and a slightly more polished overall package, even if it means a minor compromise in some specs.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Which phone has better gaming performance?
The Samsung Galaxy A04s with its Exynos 850 generally offers better gaming performance due to its more powerful chipset and optimized software.
❓ Is the Blackview A85 worth considering if I'm on a very tight budget?
Yes, the Blackview A85 can be a viable option if you're extremely budget-conscious and willing to accept potential compromises in software and overall polish. However, the A04s often provides a better value proposition overall.