The Doogee S41 Plus and Samsung Galaxy A04s represent opposite ends of the budget smartphone spectrum. The Doogee prioritizes durability and a rugged design, while the Samsung focuses on providing essential features at an incredibly accessible price point. This comparison dives deep into their specifications to determine which device delivers the best value for your money.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For users prioritizing resilience and outdoor usability, the Doogee S41 Plus is the clear winner. However, the Samsung Galaxy A04s offers a more polished software experience and a slightly brighter display for everyday use, making it a better choice for those seeking a basic, reliable smartphone.
| 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 |
| 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 | 162.5 x 77.8 x 16.2 mm (6.40 x 3.06 x 0.64 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 | 262 g (9.24 oz) | 195 g (6.88 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Resolution | 720 x 1440 pixels, 18:9 ratio (~293 ppi density) | 720 x 1600 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~270 ppi density) |
| Size | 5.5 inches, 78.1 cm2 (~61.7% 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 | 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 13 | Android 12, upgradable to Android 14, One UI 6.1 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 128GB 4GB 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 | Quad-LED flash, HDR | LED flash, panorama, HDR |
| Triple | 13 MP, f/2.0, (wide), PDAF
other unspecified cameras | 50 MP, f/1.8, 26mm (wide), 1/2.76", 0.64µm, PDAF
2 MP (macro)
Auxiliary lens |
| Video | 1080p | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Single | 8 MP, f/2.0, (wide) | 5 MP, f/2.2, (wide) |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 720p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | - | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.0, A2DP, LE | 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 | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG | USB Type-C 2.0 |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer |
| | - | Virtual Proximity Sensing |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | - | 15W wired |
| Type | 6300 mAh | Li-Po 5000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Black, Orange, Green | Black, Green, White, Copper |
| Models | - | SM-A047F, SM-A047F/DS, SM-A047F/DSN, SM-A047M |
| Price | About 110 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) |
Doogee S41 Plus
- Rugged and durable design
- Potentially better outdoor usability due to build
- More powerful CPU cores (Cortex-A75)
- Less efficient chipset (12nm)
- Display specifications unknown
- Charging speed unspecified
Samsung Galaxy A04s
- Brighter display (389 nits)
- More efficient chipset (8nm)
- 15W wired charging
- Less durable build quality
- Potentially slower overall performance
- 2MP macro camera offers limited utility
Display Comparison
The Samsung Galaxy A04s boasts a measured peak brightness of 389 nits and a 1614:1 contrast ratio, providing a reasonably viewable experience indoors. While the Doogee S41 Plus’s display specifications are not provided, its rugged design likely prioritizes durability over display quality. The A04s’s higher brightness is beneficial for outdoor visibility, a common use case where the S41 Plus might also be deployed, but the A04s will perform better in direct sunlight. The identical contrast ratios suggest similar color reproduction capabilities, though the S41 Plus’s panel technology remains unknown.
Camera Comparison
Both devices are listed as having 'Photo / Video' capabilities, lacking specific details. However, given their price points, expectations should be tempered. The absence of detailed sensor information suggests neither phone will excel in low-light photography. The Doogee S41 Plus’s rugged nature might make it more suitable for capturing action shots in challenging environments, but image quality will likely be comparable, relying heavily on software processing. The inclusion of a 2MP macro camera on the A04s is a common, but often underwhelming, feature in this segment.
Performance
The Samsung Galaxy A04s is powered by the Exynos 850 (8nm), featuring four Cortex-A55 cores clocked at 2.0 GHz and another four at the same speed. The Doogee S41 Plus utilizes the Unisoc T606 (12nm) with a heterogeneous core configuration: two Cortex-A75 cores at 1.6 GHz and six Cortex-A55 cores also at 1.6 GHz. The Exynos 850’s 8nm process node offers greater transistor density and efficiency compared to the Unisoc T606’s 12nm node, potentially leading to better sustained performance and thermal management. While the A75 cores in the Doogee offer a performance boost over the A55 cores in both devices, the Exynos 850’s overall architecture and process node likely provide a smoother experience for multitasking and demanding applications.
Battery Life
Both the Doogee S41 Plus and the Samsung Galaxy A04s achieve an endurance rating of 114 hours, indicating similar battery life under comparable usage scenarios. The A04s supports 15W wired charging, while the S41 Plus’s charging speed is unspecified. While the battery capacity isn’t listed for either device, the comparable endurance ratings suggest similar energy efficiency despite the chipset differences. The A04s’s 15W charging offers a slight convenience advantage, allowing for faster top-ups when needed.
Buying Guide
Buy the Doogee S41 Plus if you need a phone that can withstand drops, dust, and water exposure – ideal for construction workers, outdoor enthusiasts, or anyone prone to accidents. Buy the Samsung Galaxy A04s if you prefer a lightweight, affordable smartphone for basic communication, social media, and light media consumption, and prioritize a familiar user interface.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Does the Exynos 850 in the Galaxy A04s tend to overheat during prolonged gaming sessions?
The Exynos 850 is a relatively efficient chip, and given the A04s's plastic build, thermal throttling is unlikely to be a significant issue during moderate gaming. However, demanding titles at high settings for extended periods may lead to some performance reduction.
❓ Is the Doogee S41 Plus truly waterproof, or just water-resistant?
Doogee typically advertises its rugged phones as IP68 or IP69K rated. This means it's dust-tight and can withstand immersion in water up to a specified depth and duration. However, it's crucial to check the specific IP rating for the S41 Plus model to understand its exact water resistance capabilities and avoid pushing its limits.
❓ How useful is the 2MP macro camera on the Samsung Galaxy A04s?
The 2MP macro camera on the A04s is primarily a marketing feature. Due to the low resolution and lack of autofocus, image quality is often soft and lacks detail. It's best used in well-lit conditions and for casual close-up shots, but don't expect professional-level results.
❓ Can the Samsung Galaxy A04s handle popular games like PUBG Mobile?
The Galaxy A04s can run PUBG Mobile, but you'll likely need to lower the graphics settings to medium or low to achieve a smooth frame rate. The Exynos 850 is capable, but not a high-end gaming processor.