Blackview A85 vs Samsung Galaxy A04s: The Ultimate Budget Battle

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.
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🏆 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.

PHONES
Phone Names Blackview A85 Samsung Galaxy A04s
Network
2G bandsGSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
3G bandsHSDPA 900 / 2100HSDPA 850 / 900 / 2100
4G bands1, 3, 7, 8, 20, 401, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41
SpeedHSPA, LTEHSPA, LTE
TechnologyGSM / HSPA / LTEGSM / HSPA / LTE
Launch
Announced2022, November 222022, August 31
StatusAvailable. Released 2022, November 25Available. Released 2022, September 22
Body
BuildGlass front, aluminum frame, glass backGlass front, plastic back, plastic frame
Dimensions164.3 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)
SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIM
Weight193 g (6.81 oz)195 g (6.88 oz)
Display
Resolution720 x 1612 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~272 ppi density)720 x 1600 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~270 ppi density)
Size6.5 inches, 101.5 cm2 (~81.2% screen-to-body ratio)6.5 inches, 102.0 cm2 (~80.7% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeIPS LCD, 90HzPLS LCD, 90Hz, 400 nits (peak)
Platform
CPUOcta-core (2x1.6 GHz Cortex-A75 & 6x1.6 GHz Cortex-A55)Octa-core (4x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55 & 4x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55)
ChipsetUnisoc T606 (12 nm)Exynos 850 (8 nm)
GPUMali-G57 MP1Mali-G52
OSAndroid 12, Doke OS 3.0Android 12, upgradable to Android 14, One UI 6.1
Memory
Card slotmicroSDXC (dedicated slot)microSDXC (dedicated slot)
Internal128GB 8GB RAM32GB 3GB RAM, 32GB 4GB RAM, 64GB 3GB RAM, 64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 3GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM
 UFS 2.1eMMC 5.1
Main Camera
Dual50 MP, (wide), 1/2.76", 0.64µm, PDAF 8 MP, 120˚ (ultrawide)-
FeaturesDual-LED dual-tone flash, HDR, panoramaLED flash, panorama, HDR
Single8 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
Video1080p@30fps1080p@30fps
Selfie camera
Single8 MP, (wide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm5 MP, f/2.2, (wide)
VideoYes720p@30fps
Sound
3.5mm jack YesYes
35mm jackYesYes
Loudspeaker YesYes
Comms
BluetoothYes5.0, A2DP, LE
NFCYesYes (market/region dependent)
PositioningGPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDSGPS, GLONASS, BDS, GALILEO, QZSS
RadioFM radioNo
USBYes, OTGUSB Type-C 2.0
WLANYesWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct
Features
SensorsFingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, proximityFingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer
 -Virtual Proximity Sensing
Battery
Charging18W wired15W wired
Type4480 mAhLi-Po 5000 mAh
Misc
ColorsBlack, Blue, SkyBlack, Green, White, Copper
Models-SM-A047F, SM-A047F/DS, SM-A047F/DSN, SM-A047M
PriceAbout 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.