The sub-$150 smartphone market is fiercely competitive. The Doogee U9 and Samsung Galaxy A04s represent two approaches to delivering value: the Doogee U9 with a focus on affordability, and the Samsung Galaxy A04s leveraging Samsung’s brand recognition and a more efficient chipset. This comparison dives deep into their specifications to determine which device offers the best experience for your money.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For most users, the Samsung Galaxy A04s is the better choice. Its Exynos 850 chipset, while not a powerhouse, offers significantly better performance and efficiency than the Doogee U9’s RK3562. The A04s also benefits from Samsung’s software optimization and a slightly faster 15W charging solution, despite both phones having similar battery endurance ratings.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | N/A | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | N/A | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | N/A | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41 |
| EDGE | No | - |
| GPRS | No | - |
| Speed | - | HSPA, LTE |
| Technology | No cellular connectivity | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2023, November | 2022, August 31 |
| Status | Available. Released 2023, November | Available. Released 2022, September 22 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | - | Glass front, plastic back, plastic frame |
| Dimensions | 245.3 x 163.3 x 9.9 mm (9.66 x 6.43 x 0.39 in) | 164.7 x 76.7 x 9.1 mm (6.48 x 3.02 x 0.36 in) |
| SIM | No | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 509 g (1.12 lb) | 195 g (6.88 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Resolution | 800 x 1280 pixels, 16:10 ratio (~149 ppi density) | 720 x 1600 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~270 ppi density) |
| Size | 10.1 inches, 295.8 cm2 (~73.8% 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 | Quad-core 2.0 GHz | Octa-core (4x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55 & 4x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55) |
| Chipset | RK3562 | Exynos 850 (8 nm) |
| GPU | - | Mali-G52 |
| OS | Android 13 | Android 12, upgradable to Android 14, One UI 6.1 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 64GB 3GB 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 | LED flash, panorama, HDR |
| Single | 5 MP | - |
| Triple | - | 50 MP, f/1.8, 26mm (wide), 1/2.76", 0.64µm, PDAF
2 MP (macro)
Auxiliary lens |
| Video | 720p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Single | 2 MP | 5 MP, f/2.2, (wide) |
| Video | Yes | 720p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | - | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes, with stereo speakers | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.0, A2DP, LE | 5.0, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | No | Yes (market/region dependent) |
| Positioning | No | GPS, GLONASS, BDS, GALILEO, QZSS |
| Radio | No | No |
| USB | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG | USB Type-C 2.0 |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6, dual-band | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Accelerometer | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer |
| | - | Virtual Proximity Sensing |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 10W wired | 15W wired |
| Type | 5060 mAh | Li-Po 5000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Gray, Black, Purple | 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) |
Doogee U9
- Lowest possible price point
- Acceptable battery life
- Functional for basic tasks
- Weak RK3562 processor
- Slow 10W charging
- Likely inferior display quality
Samsung Galaxy A04s
- More powerful Exynos 850 chipset
- Faster 15W charging
- Brighter display for outdoor visibility
- Slightly higher price
- Still a budget device with limitations
- 2MP macro camera is largely ineffective
Display Comparison
Both the Doogee U9 and Samsung Galaxy A04s share a contrast ratio of 1614:1, indicating similar levels of black depth. However, the Samsung Galaxy A04s boasts a measured peak brightness of 389 nits, which will provide a noticeably more visible display outdoors or in brightly lit environments. While neither phone is expected to have exceptional color accuracy, the A04s’ brighter panel offers a superior viewing experience overall. Details regarding the panel technology (IPS vs. TFT) for the Doogee U9 are missing, but given the price point, it's likely a less advanced panel than the A04s.
Camera Comparison
Both phones list 'Photo / Video' capabilities, but lack specific details. Given the price bracket, image quality will be heavily reliant on software processing. The Samsung Galaxy A04s likely benefits from Samsung’s established camera algorithms. Without sensor size information for either device, it’s difficult to make a definitive judgment. However, the A04s’ more powerful chipset will allow for faster image processing and potentially better low-light performance. The inclusion of a 2MP macro camera on the A04s is unlikely to provide significant value, as these sensors typically lack the resolution and quality to produce detailed macro shots.
Performance
The performance disparity is the most significant difference between these two devices. The Samsung Galaxy A04s’ Exynos 850, built on an 8nm process, is an octa-core processor featuring four Cortex-A55 cores clocked at 2.0 GHz each. This contrasts sharply with the Doogee U9’s RK3562, a quad-core processor also clocked at 2.0 GHz. The Exynos 850’s more modern architecture and higher core count translate to significantly better multi-tasking and app loading speeds. The 8nm process also contributes to better thermal efficiency, meaning the A04s is less likely to throttle under sustained load. While neither phone is a gaming powerhouse, the A04s will handle casual games much more smoothly.
Battery Life
Both the Doogee U9 and Samsung Galaxy A04s achieve an endurance rating of 114 hours, suggesting comparable battery life under similar usage conditions. However, the Samsung Galaxy A04s supports 15W wired charging, while the Doogee U9 is limited to 10W. This means the A04s will charge from 0-100% approximately 30-40% faster, a significant convenience factor. The similar endurance ratings suggest that despite the slower charging, the Doogee U9’s battery capacity is sufficient to match the A04s’ usage time.
Buying Guide
Buy the Doogee U9 if you absolutely need the lowest possible price and are willing to compromise on performance for basic tasks like calls, texts, and light web browsing. Buy the Samsung Galaxy A04s if you prioritize a smoother user experience, better app performance, and a more reliable software ecosystem, even if it means spending a little more.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Does the Exynos 850 in the Samsung Galaxy A04s get hot during extended use, like gaming?
The Exynos 850, built on an 8nm process, is relatively efficient. While it will warm up during prolonged gaming sessions, it's unlikely to overheat significantly and cause performance throttling. The thermal management is superior to the Doogee U9’s RK3562, which is more prone to throttling due to its less efficient architecture.
❓ Is the 2MP macro camera on the Samsung Galaxy A04s worth using?
Generally, 2MP macro cameras on budget phones offer limited value. The low resolution results in images lacking detail and sharpness. While it can be fun to experiment with, don't expect professional-quality macro photography from the A04s.
❓ Can the Samsung Galaxy A04s handle popular games like PUBG Mobile?
The Samsung Galaxy A04s can run PUBG Mobile, but you'll likely need to use low to medium graphics settings to maintain a stable frame rate. The Exynos 850 is capable, but it's not a dedicated gaming chip. The Doogee U9 will struggle significantly with PUBG Mobile, even on the lowest settings.
❓ How long does it realistically take to fully charge the Doogee U9 with its 10W charger?
With a 10W charger, a full charge from 0% to 100% on the Doogee U9 will likely take between 3 to 4 hours, depending on usage during charging. This is considerably slower than the Samsung Galaxy A04s’ 15W charging.
