The sub-$150 smartphone market is fiercely competitive. The Doogee Note 59 and Samsung Galaxy A04e represent two approaches to delivering value: Doogee prioritizes processing power and battery endurance, while Samsung relies on brand recognition and a streamlined software experience. This comparison dissects their key differences to determine which phone offers the best bang for your buck.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average user prioritizing performance and longevity, the Doogee Note 59 is the clear winner. Its Unisoc T8200 chipset delivers significantly faster processing speeds and better efficiency than the Samsung Galaxy A04e’s Helio P35, coupled with exceptional battery life. While Samsung benefits from brand trust, the Note 59 offers superior hardware for the price.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 28, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41, 66 | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41 |
| 5G bands | 1, 3, 7, 8, 28, 38, 41, 77, 78 SA/NSA | - |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE, 5G | HSPA, LTE |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2025, April | 2022, October 21 |
| Status | Available. Released 2025, April | Available. Released 2022, November 07 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | - | Glass front, plastic back, plastic frame |
| Dimensions | 168 x 77.5 x 8.6 mm (6.61 x 3.05 x 0.34 in) | 164.2 x 75.9 x 9.1 mm (6.46 x 2.99 x 0.36 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | · Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 199 g (7.02 oz) | 188 g (6.63 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | Mohs level 6 | - |
| Resolution | 720 x 1600 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~260 ppi density) | 720 x 1600 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~270 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.75 inches, 110.0 cm2 (~84.5% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.5 inches, 102.0 cm2 (~81.8% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD, 120Hz, 450 nits | PLS LCD |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (2x2.3 GHz Cortex-A76 & 6x2.1 GHz Cortex-A55) | Octa-core (4x2.3 GHz Cortex-A53 & 4x1.8 GHz Cortex-A53) |
| Chipset | Unisoc T8200 (6 nm) | Mediatek MT6765 Helio P35 (12 nm) |
| GPU | Mali-G57 MC2 | PowerVR GE8320 |
| OS | Android 15 | Android 12, One UI Core 4.1 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 128GB 8GB RAM | 32GB 2GB RAM, 32GB 3GB RAM, 32GB 4GB RAM, 64GB 2GB RAM, 64GB 3GB RAM, 64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Dual | - | 13 MP, f/2.2, (wide), AF
Auxiliary lens |
| Features | Dual-LED flash, HDR, panorama | LED flash |
| Single | 16 MP, f/1.8, (wide), 1/2.8", AF | 5 MP, f/2.2 |
| Video | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Single | 8 MP, f/2.2, (wide), 1/3.92" | 5 MP, f/2.2 |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | Yes |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | - | Yes |
| 35mm jack | No | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.0, A2DP, LE | 5.0, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | Yes | No |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, BDS, GALILEO | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS |
| Radio | FM radio | Unspecified |
| USB | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Accelerometer, proximity, compass | Accelerometer, proximity |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 10W wired
Reverse wired | - |
| Type | 6250 mAh | Li-Po 5000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Black, Green, Gold | Black, Copper, Light Blue |
| Models | - | SM-A042F, SM-A042F/DS, SM-A042M, SM-A042M/DS |
| Price | - | ₹ 7,999 |
| SAR EU | - | 0.29 W/kg (head) 1.11 W/kg (body) |
| EU LABEL |
|---|
| Battery | 51:38h endurance, 1100 cycles | - |
| Energy | Class C | - |
| Free fall | Class A (270 falls) | - |
| Repairability | Class B | - |
Doogee Note 59
- Significantly faster processor (Unisoc T8200)
- Exceptional battery life (51:38h endurance)
- Reverse wired charging capability
- Slow 10W charging
- Less established brand reputation
Samsung Galaxy A04e
- Familiar Samsung brand
- Simple and user-friendly interface
- Potentially wider availability of accessories
- Outdated and less powerful processor (Helio P35)
- Shorter battery life
- Limited performance for demanding tasks
Display Comparison
Neither device boasts a standout display. Both likely feature LCD panels, though specific details like resolution and peak brightness are missing. However, the focus here is on internal components, where the disparity is much greater. The display quality will likely be similar, adequate for basic tasks but not ideal for media consumption.
Camera Comparison
Camera details are limited, but the focus should be on the primary sensors. Without specific megapixel counts or aperture information, it’s difficult to make a definitive statement. However, given the price point, both phones likely feature basic camera systems. The presence of a 2MP macro camera on the A04e is largely a marketing gimmick, offering limited practical benefit. The Unisoc T8200’s image signal processor (ISP) likely offers more advanced processing capabilities than the Helio P35’s, potentially resulting in better image quality in various lighting conditions.
Performance
The performance gap is substantial. The Doogee Note 59’s Unisoc T8200 (6nm) is a modern chipset featuring two Cortex-A76 cores clocked at 2.3 GHz and six Cortex-A55 cores at 2.1 GHz. This architecture provides a significant uplift in both single-core and multi-core performance compared to the Samsung Galaxy A04e’s MediaTek Helio P35 (12nm). The Helio P35 utilizes four Cortex-A53 cores at 2.3 GHz and another four at 1.8 GHz. The older architecture and larger manufacturing process of the Helio P35 translate to lower efficiency and slower processing speeds. The 6nm process of the Unisoc T8200 also means less heat generation, potentially leading to more sustained performance under load. This difference will be noticeable in app loading times, multitasking, and gaming.
Battery Life
The Doogee Note 59 shines in battery endurance, boasting a remarkable 51:38 hours of usage and a claimed 1100 charge cycles. While the A04e’s battery capacity isn’t specified, the less efficient Helio P35 chipset will undoubtedly result in shorter battery life. The Note 59’s 10W charging is slow by modern standards, but the exceptional battery life mitigates this drawback. The Note 59 also offers reverse wired charging, a feature absent on the A04e, adding to its versatility.
Buying Guide
Buy the Doogee Note 59 if you need a phone capable of handling demanding apps, multitasking, and extended use without frequent charging. It’s ideal for users who stream videos, play mobile games, or rely heavily on their phone for work. Buy the Samsung Galaxy A04e if you prioritize a familiar brand experience, a simple user interface, and are primarily looking for a basic smartphone for calls, texts, and light social media use. It’s a good choice for first-time smartphone owners or those on a very tight budget.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Will the Unisoc T8200 in the Doogee Note 59 handle popular games like PUBG Mobile?
Yes, the Unisoc T8200 is capable of running PUBG Mobile, though you may need to adjust graphics settings to achieve a smooth frame rate. The Helio P35 in the A04e will struggle with PUBG, likely requiring very low settings and still experiencing lag.
❓ How does the charging speed of the Doogee Note 59 compare to other phones in this price range?
The 10W charging on the Doogee Note 59 is relatively slow compared to some competitors offering 18W or even 25W charging. However, the exceptional battery life of the Note 59 means you won't need to charge it as frequently.
❓ Is the Samsung Galaxy A04e a good choice for someone upgrading from a feature phone?
The Samsung Galaxy A04e is a reasonable option for a first-time smartphone user due to its simple interface and brand familiarity. However, the limited performance may quickly become frustrating if the user starts exploring more demanding apps.
❓ What kind of storage options are available on the Doogee Note 59?
While specific storage configurations aren't provided, budget phones like the Doogee Note 59 typically offer 32GB or 64GB of internal storage, often expandable via microSD card. Check the product listing for exact details.
