Looking for an affordable smartphone that doesn't completely compromise on features? The Huawei nova Y61 and Samsung Galaxy A04 are both contenders in the budget space, but which one reigns supreme? We'll break down their specs, performance, and more to help you decide.
🏆 Quick Verdict
The Samsung Galaxy A04 edges out the Huawei nova Y61 thanks to its slightly more capable chipset and generally better software support. While the nova Y61 boasts faster charging, the A04 provides a more consistent and reliable overall experience 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 - EVE-LX3 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 13, 26, 28, 38, 40, 66 - EVE-LX3 | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41 |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE Cat4 150/50 Mbps |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41 - EVE-LX9, EVE-LX9N | - |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2022, November 01 | 2022, August 24 |
| Status | Available. Released 2022, November | Available. Released 2022, October 10 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | - | Glass front, plastic back, plastic frame |
| Dimensions | 164.3 x 75.8 x 8.9 mm (6.47 x 2.98 x 0.35 in) | 164.4 x 76.3 x 9.1 mm (6.47 x 3.00 x 0.36 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | · Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 188 g (6.63 oz) | 192 g (6.77 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Resolution | 720 x 1600 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~269 ppi density) | 720 x 1600 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~270 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.52 inches, 102.6 cm2 (~82.4% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.5 inches, 102.0 cm2 (~81.3% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD | PLS LCD |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core | Octa-core (4x2.3 GHz Cortex-A53 & 4x1.8 GHz Cortex-A53) |
| Chipset | - | Mediatek MT6765 Helio P35 (12 nm) |
| GPU | - | PowerVR GE8320 |
| OS | EMUI 12, no Google Play Services | Android 12, upgradable to Android 13, One UI Core 5.0 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 64GB 4GB RAM, 64GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM | 32GB 3GB RAM, 32GB 4GB RAM, 64GB 3GB RAM, 64GB 4GB RAM, 64GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM |
| | - | eMMC 5.1 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Dual | - | 50 MP, f/1.8, 25mm (wide), 1/2.51", 0.7µm, AF
Auxiliary lens |
| Features | LED flash, HDR, panorama | LED flash |
| Single | 5 MP, f/2.2, (wide) | 5 MP, f/2.2 |
| Triple | 50 MP, f/1.8, (wide), AF
2 MP (macro)
Auxiliary lens | - |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Single | 5 MP, f/2.2, (wide) | 5 MP, f/2.2, 28mm (wide), 1/5", 1.12µm |
| 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 | Yes (EVE-LX9N only) | No |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS, QZSS | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS |
| Radio | Unspecified | Unspecified |
| 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, compass | Accelerometer, proximity |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 22.5W wired | - |
| Type | 5000 mAh | Li-Po 5000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Sapphire Blue, Mint Green, Midnight Black | Black, Green, White, Copper |
| Models | EVE-LX9, EVE-LX9N, EVE-LX3 | SM-A045F, SM-A045F/DS, SM-A045M |
| Price | About 140 EUR | About 70 EUR |
| SAR EU | - | 0.32 W/kg (head) 1.10 W/kg (body) |
Huawei nova Y61
- Faster 22.5W Charging
- Clean and Simple UI
- Large Display
- Unspecified CPU Performance
- Potentially Limited Software Updates
- Camera Quality Could Be Better
Samsung Galaxy A04
- More Established Brand
- Likely Longer Software Support
- Slightly Better Performance
- Potentially Better Display Quality
- Slower Charging Speed
- Basic Design
- Camera Performance is Average
Display Comparison
Both phones feature large 6.5-inch displays, likely with HD+ resolution. Expect decent viewing angles but limited color accuracy. The Samsung might have slightly better brightness and contrast due to Samsung's display technology, but it's a marginal difference.
Camera Comparison
Camera specs are likely similar – expect a main camera around 13-50MP and a depth sensor. Image quality will be adequate in good lighting conditions, but low-light performance will be a challenge on both devices. Samsung's image processing might offer slightly more natural-looking results.
Performance
The Samsung Galaxy A04's Mediatek Helio P35, while older, generally outperforms the unspecified 'Octa-core' CPU in the nova Y61. The A04's Cortex-A53 cores offer a more consistent experience for multitasking and light gaming. The nova Y61 might feel slightly sluggish in comparison.
Battery Life
Both phones likely have a 5000mAh battery, providing all-day battery life for moderate users. The Huawei nova Y61's 22.5W wired charging is a significant advantage, allowing for faster top-ups compared to the A04's likely slower charging speed.
Buying Guide
The Huawei nova Y61 is a good choice for users prioritizing fast charging and a clean, simple interface. The Samsung Galaxy A04 is better suited for those who value a more established brand, longer software support, and a slightly more powerful processor for everyday tasks.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Which phone has better battery life?
Both phones have a large 5000mAh battery, so battery life should be similar for moderate usage. However, the Huawei nova Y61 charges significantly faster.
❓ Will the Huawei nova Y61 receive software updates?
Huawei's software update situation is uncertain. Expect limited updates compared to Samsung, which typically provides longer software support for its devices.
