The sub-$150 smartphone market is fiercely competitive, and the Infinix Smart 8 HD and Samsung Galaxy A04e are two contenders vying for dominance. Both aim to deliver essential smartphone functionality at an accessible price, but they take different approaches to achieving this goal, primarily through their chipset choices. This comparison dissects those differences and determines which device offers the best overall experience.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average user prioritizing responsiveness and future-proofing, the Infinix Smart 8 HD emerges as the better choice. Its Unisoc T606 chipset, with its newer Cortex-A75 cores, provides a noticeable performance edge over the aging Helio P35 in the Galaxy A04e, making everyday tasks smoother and more enjoyable.
| 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 | 1, 3, 5, 8, 38, 40, 41 | 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 08 | 2022, October 21 |
| Status | Available. Released 2023, December 13 | Available. Released 2022, November 07 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front, plastic back, plastic frame | Glass front, plastic back, plastic frame |
| Dimensions | 163.6 x 75.6 x 8.5 mm (6.44 x 2.98 x 0.33 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 | 184 g (6.49 oz) | 188 g (6.63 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Resolution | 720 x 1612 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~267 ppi density) | 720 x 1600 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~270 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.6 inches, 104.6 cm2 (~84.6% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.5 inches, 102.0 cm2 (~81.8% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD, 90Hz, 500 nits (peak) | PLS LCD |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (2x1.6 GHz Cortex-A75 & 6x1.6 GHz Cortex-A55) | Octa-core (4x2.3 GHz Cortex-A53 & 4x1.8 GHz Cortex-A53) |
| Chipset | Unisoc T606 (12 nm) | Mediatek MT6765 Helio P35 (12 nm) |
| GPU | Mali-G57 MP1 | PowerVR GE8320 |
| OS | Android 13, XOS 13 | Android 12, One UI Core 4.1 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 64GB 3GB RAM, 64GB 4GB 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 | Ring-LED flash, HDR, panorama | LED flash |
| Single | 13 MP, f/1.8, 27mm (wide), AF
Auxiliary lens | 5 MP, f/2.2 |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Single | 8 MP, f/2.0, (wide) | 5 MP, f/2.2 |
| Video | Yes | Yes |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | - | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.0, A2DP, LE | 5.0, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | No | No |
| Positioning | GPS | 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 | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, proximity, compass | Accelerometer, proximity |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 10W wired
Reverse wired | - |
| Type | 5000 mAh | Li-Po 5000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Timber Black, Shiny Gold, Crystal Green, Galaxy White | Black, Copper, Light Blue |
| Models | X6525 | SM-A042F, SM-A042F/DS, SM-A042M, SM-A042M/DS |
| Price | About 70 EUR | ₹ 7,999 |
| SAR EU | - | 0.29 W/kg (head) 1.11 W/kg (body) |
Infinix Smart 8 HD
- More powerful and efficient Unisoc T606 chipset
- Reverse wired charging capability
- Potentially smoother multitasking experience
- Less established brand recognition
- Likely limited software update support
Samsung Galaxy A04e
- Strong brand recognition and trust
- Wider availability of accessories
- Potentially better resale value
- Older and less efficient Helio P35 chipset
- Slower overall performance
- No reverse charging
Display Comparison
Neither device boasts a standout display. Both are likely utilizing LCD panels, typical for this price bracket. Specifics like resolution and brightness are not provided, but the focus here is on performance, not visual fidelity. Bezels are expected to be substantial on both, maximizing screen real estate within a budget. Color accuracy will likely be standard for the segment, prioritizing power efficiency over color calibration.
Camera Comparison
Camera performance is likely to be similar, with both phones relying on basic sensors. Without specific sensor details, it’s safe to assume both will struggle in low-light conditions. The inclusion of a 2MP macro camera on the A04e is a common, but often underwhelming, feature in this segment. Image processing will likely be geared towards maximizing detail in good lighting, but don't expect flagship-level results. The real-world difference in image quality will likely be minimal.
Performance
The core difference lies in the chipsets. The Infinix Smart 8 HD’s Unisoc T606 (12nm) features a heterogeneous core arrangement: 2x 1.6 GHz Cortex-A75 and 6x 1.6 GHz Cortex-A55. This is a significant advantage over the Samsung Galaxy A04e’s MediaTek Helio P35 (12nm) with its 4x 2.3 GHz Cortex-A53 and 4x 1.8 GHz Cortex-A53. The Cortex-A75 cores in the T606 are architecturally superior to the A53, offering better single-core performance and improved efficiency. While the Helio P35’s higher clock speed on its A53 cores might seem appealing, the older architecture and lack of high-performance cores mean it will struggle with demanding tasks compared to the T606. This translates to snappier app launches and smoother multitasking on the Infinix.
Battery Life
Both phones feature 10W wired charging, indicating similar charging speeds. While battery capacity isn't specified, the Unisoc T606’s improved efficiency in the Infinix Smart 8 HD could translate to slightly longer battery life despite potentially having a similar capacity to the Galaxy A04e. The 10W charging will require a significant amount of time to fully charge either device, making overnight charging the norm. The Infinix also offers reverse wired charging, a feature absent on the A04e, allowing it to act as a power bank for other devices.
Buying Guide
Buy the Infinix Smart 8 HD if you need a phone that feels responsive for daily tasks like browsing, social media, and light multitasking. Its more modern chipset will handle these workloads with greater ease. Buy the Samsung Galaxy A04e if you prioritize brand recognition and a potentially wider availability of accessories, and your usage is extremely light – primarily calls, texts, and occasional WhatsApp.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Will the Helio P35 in the Galaxy A04e struggle with popular apps like Facebook and WhatsApp over time?
The Helio P35 is an older chipset, and while it can handle basic apps like Facebook and WhatsApp initially, performance degradation over time is likely as the phone fills with cached data and background processes. The Unisoc T606 in the Infinix Smart 8 HD offers more headroom and will likely maintain smoother performance for a longer period.
❓ Is the reverse wired charging on the Infinix Smart 8 HD actually useful?
While 10W reverse wired charging isn't fast, it can be a lifesaver in emergencies. It allows you to top up a friend's phone, wireless earbuds, or other small devices if they're running low on battery. It's a convenient feature to have, even if it's not a primary reason to buy the phone.
❓ Can either of these phones handle mobile gaming beyond very casual titles?
Neither phone is designed for serious gaming. While they can run less demanding games, expect low frame rates and significant lag in more graphically intensive titles. The Unisoc T606 in the Infinix Smart 8 HD will offer a slightly better gaming experience, but it's still limited by the phone's overall hardware.
