The sub-$150 smartphone market is fiercely competitive. The Blackview Wave 6C and Samsung Galaxy A04s represent two compelling options, but cater to slightly different priorities. The Wave 6C aims for affordability, while the A04s leverages Samsung's brand recognition and a more efficient chipset. This comparison dissects their key differences to help you choose.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For most users, the Samsung Galaxy A04s is the better choice. Its Exynos 850 chipset, built on an 8nm process, delivers significantly improved performance and efficiency compared to the Blackview Wave 6C’s 28nm Unisoc SC9863A. While the Wave 6C is cheaper, the A04s offers a smoother user experience and better long-term value.
| 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, 19, 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 | 2023, December | 2022, August 31 |
| Status | Available. Released 2023, December | Available. Released 2022, September 22 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | - | Glass front, plastic back, plastic frame |
| Dimensions | 164.7 x 76.5 x 9.7 mm (6.48 x 3.01 x 0.38 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 | 191 g (6.74 oz) | 195 g (6.88 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Resolution | 720 x 1600 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~270 ppi density) | 720 x 1600 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~270 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.5 inches, 102.0 cm2 (~81.0% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.5 inches, 102.0 cm2 (~80.7% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD, 380 nits | PLS LCD, 90Hz, 400 nits (peak) |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (4x1.6 GHz Cortex-A55 & 4x1.2 GHz Cortex-A55) | Octa-core (4x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55 & 4x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55) |
| Chipset | Unisoc SC9863A (28 nm) | Exynos 850 (8 nm) |
| GPU | IMG8322 | Mali-G52 |
| OS | Android 13 (Go edition), Doke OS 4.0 Go | Android 12, upgradable to Android 14, One UI 6.1 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 32GB 2GB 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, HDR, panorama | LED flash, panorama, HDR |
| Single | 8 MP, (wide) | - |
| 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 | 5 MP, (wide) | 5 MP, f/2.2, (wide) |
| Video | Yes | 720p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | - | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 4.2, A2DP | 5.0, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | No | Yes (market/region dependent) |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS | GPS, GLONASS, BDS, GALILEO, QZSS |
| Radio | FM radio | No |
| USB | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG | USB Type-C 2.0 |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n | 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 | - | 15W wired |
| Type | 5100 mAh | Li-Po 5000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Lilac Purple, Mint Blue, Midnight Black | Black, Green, White, Copper |
| Models | - | 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) |
Blackview Wave 6C
- Potentially lower price point
- Acceptable battery endurance
- Functional for basic tasks
- Significantly weaker processor
- Less efficient chipset (28nm)
- Likely lower display brightness
Samsung Galaxy A04s
- More powerful and efficient Exynos 850 chipset
- Brighter display for better outdoor visibility
- Faster 15W charging
- Samsung’s brand reputation and software support
- Slightly higher price
- 2MP macro camera is largely ineffective
- May not be ideal for demanding gaming
Display Comparison
Both devices feature a contrast ratio of 1614:1, suggesting similar panel characteristics in terms of black levels. However, the Samsung Galaxy A04s boasts a measured peak brightness of 389 nits, a crucial advantage for outdoor visibility. The Blackview Wave 6C’s display specifications are not provided, making a direct comparison difficult, but it’s likely to be lower. The A04s’s brighter display will be noticeably better in sunlight.
Camera Comparison
Both phones offer 'Photo / Video' capabilities, but lack detailed camera specifications. Without sensor size or aperture information, a direct comparison is limited. However, Samsung’s image processing algorithms are generally more refined, potentially leading to better image quality with the A04s, even with a similar sensor. The inclusion of a 2MP macro camera on the A04s is unlikely to significantly impact image quality, serving more as a marketing feature than a practical benefit.
Performance
The Samsung Galaxy A04s’s Exynos 850, fabricated on an 8nm process, represents a substantial leap in efficiency and performance over the Blackview Wave 6C’s Unisoc SC9863A (28nm). The Exynos 850’s octa-core configuration (4x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55 & 4x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55) provides a higher clock speed and more balanced core distribution than the Wave 6C’s (4x1.6 GHz Cortex-A55 & 4x1.2 GHz Cortex-A55). This translates to faster app loading times, smoother multitasking, and a more responsive overall experience on the A04s. The 28nm process of the Unisoc chip will also generate more heat and consume more power.
Battery Life
Both devices share an endurance rating of 114 hours, indicating comparable battery life under similar usage conditions. The Samsung Galaxy A04s supports 15W wired charging, offering a faster charging experience than what is typically found in this price bracket. The Blackview Wave 6C’s charging speed is not specified, but is likely to be slower. While both have similar endurance, the faster charging of the A04s provides a convenience advantage.
Buying Guide
Buy the Blackview Wave 6C if your absolute top priority is minimizing cost and you primarily need a phone for basic communication – calls, texts, and light social media. Buy the Samsung Galaxy A04s if you value a more responsive user experience, better app performance, and the reliability of the Samsung ecosystem, even if it means spending a bit more.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Does the Exynos 850 in the Galaxy A04s overheat during prolonged use, like gaming?
The Exynos 850, built on an 8nm process, is relatively efficient and unlikely to overheat significantly during moderate gaming sessions. While it's not a gaming powerhouse, it can handle less demanding titles without substantial throttling. The 28nm Unisoc chip in the Wave 6C is more prone to overheating.
❓ Is the 2MP macro camera on the Samsung Galaxy A04s actually useful for taking detailed close-up photos?
Generally, 2MP macro cameras on budget phones offer limited detail and image quality. The small sensor size and lack of optical image stabilization result in soft, often blurry images. It's more of a marketing feature than a genuinely useful camera component.
❓ Can the Samsung Galaxy A04s handle popular games like PUBG Mobile at acceptable frame rates?
The Galaxy A04s can run PUBG Mobile, but you'll likely need to use lower graphics settings to achieve a stable frame rate. Expect around 30-40 FPS on medium settings. The Blackview Wave 6C will struggle significantly with PUBG Mobile, offering a much less enjoyable gaming experience.
❓ How long does it realistically take to fully charge the Samsung Galaxy A04s with the 15W charger?
With the included 15W charger, the Samsung Galaxy A04s typically takes around 2.5 to 3 hours to fully charge from 0% to 100%. This is faster than most phones in this price range that use slower charging standards.
