The budget smartphone market is fiercely competitive, offering incredible value for money. Today, we're pitting two contenders against each other: the Honor X5 and the Samsung Galaxy A04e. Both promise affordability, but which one delivers the better overall experience?
🏆 Quick Verdict
The Samsung Galaxy A04e edges out the Honor X5 thanks to its slightly more powerful chipset and potentially better software support. While both are budget options, the A04e offers a marginally smoother experience and the Samsung brand reputation adds value.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | LTE | 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, January 24 | 2022, October 21 |
| Status | Available. Released 2023, February 14 | Available. Released 2022, November 07 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front, plastic back, plastic frame | Glass front, plastic back, plastic frame |
| Dimensions | 164 x 75.6 x 8.9 mm (6.46 x 2.98 x 0.35 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 | 193 g (6.81 oz) | 188 g (6.63 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 (~82.3% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.5 inches, 102.0 cm2 (~81.8% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | TFT LCD | PLS LCD |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (4x2.0 GHz Cortex-A53 & 4x1.5 GHz Cortex-A53) | Octa-core (4x2.3 GHz Cortex-A53 & 4x1.8 GHz Cortex-A53) |
| Chipset | Mediatek MT6762 Helio G25 (12 nm) | Mediatek MT6765 Helio P35 (12 nm) |
| GPU | PowerVR GE8320 | PowerVR GE8320 |
| OS | Android 12 (Go edition) | Android 12, One UI Core 4.1 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 32GB 2GB 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 | LED flash | LED flash |
| Single | 8 MP, f/2.0, (wide), AF | 5 MP, f/2.2 |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Single | 5 MP, f/2.2, (wide) | 5 MP, f/2.2 |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | Yes |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.1, A2DP, LE | 5.0, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | No | No |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS |
| Radio | Unspecified | Unspecified |
| USB | microUSB 2.0, OTG | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, Wi-Fi Direct | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Accelerometer, proximity | Accelerometer, proximity |
| Battery |
|---|
| Type | Li-Po 5000 mAh | Li-Po 5000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Sunrise Orange, Ocean Blue, Midnight Black | Black, Copper, Light Blue |
| Models | VNA-LX2, VNA-LX3 | SM-A042F, SM-A042F/DS, SM-A042M, SM-A042M/DS |
| Price | About 90 EUR | ₹ 7,999 |
| SAR EU | - | 0.29 W/kg (head) 1.11 W/kg (body) |
Honor X5
- Large Display
- Potentially longer software support (brand dependent)
- Competitive Price
- Less Powerful Chipset
- Potentially lower camera quality
- Slow Charging
Samsung Galaxy A04e
- Slightly better performance
- Samsung Brand Reputation
- Potentially better software support
- Similar camera quality to competitors
- Slow Charging
- May have slightly smaller display
Display Comparison
Both phones feature large displays, likely around 6.5 inches, with HD+ resolution. Expect decent viewing angles but limited color accuracy. The Honor X5 might have a slightly larger display, but the A04e could offer better brightness. Actual display quality will depend on panel technology, which is often not explicitly stated in specs.
Camera Comparison
Camera specs are often similar in this price range. Expect a primary camera around 13-50MP, and likely a depth sensor. Image quality will depend heavily on software processing. Samsung's image processing is generally considered slightly better, but both will struggle in low light. Video recording capabilities will likely be limited to 1080p at 30fps.
Performance
The Samsung Galaxy A04e's Helio P35 chipset holds a slight advantage over the Honor X5's Helio G25. The P35's higher clock speeds on some cores should translate to marginally better performance in everyday tasks and light gaming. However, both phones will struggle with demanding games.
Battery Life
Both phones likely feature a large battery, around 5000mAh. Battery life should be comparable, offering a full day of moderate use. Charging speeds are likely to be slow, potentially around 10W.
Buying Guide
The Honor X5 is a good choice for users prioritizing a large display and potentially longer software support (depending on Honor's commitment). The Samsung Galaxy A04e is ideal for those seeking a slightly faster processor and the reliability of the Samsung ecosystem.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Which phone is better for gaming?
The Samsung Galaxy A04e has a slightly more powerful chipset, making it marginally better for light gaming. However, neither phone is designed for demanding games.
❓ How long will the battery last on each phone?
Both phones should offer a full day of moderate use thanks to their large batteries. Actual battery life will depend on usage patterns.
❓ Which phone has better software support?
Samsung generally offers better and more consistent software updates than Honor, although this can vary. Check current update policies for both brands before purchasing.
