The sub-$150 smartphone market is fiercely competitive. Both the itel P38 Pro and Samsung Galaxy A04s aim to deliver essential smartphone functionality at an accessible price point. However, they take different approaches to achieving this, with the itel prioritizing a slightly faster charging speed while the Samsung leverages a more efficient chipset. This comparison will dissect their key differences to help you choose the right device.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For most users, the Samsung Galaxy A04s emerges as the better choice. Its Exynos 850 chipset, built on an 8nm process, provides a significant performance advantage over the itel P38 Pro’s Unisoc SC9863A, despite the itel’s faster 18W charging. The A04s offers a smoother overall experience and better long-term usability.
| 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 | 2022 | 2022, August 31 |
| Status | Available. Released 2022 | Available. Released 2022, September 22 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | - | Glass front, plastic back, plastic frame |
| Dimensions | - | 164.7 x 76.7 x 9.1 mm (6.48 x 3.02 x 0.36 in) |
| SIM | Dual SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | - | 195 g (6.88 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Resolution | 720 x 1612 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~260 ppi density) | 720 x 1600 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~270 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.8 inches, 111.1 cm2 | 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 (4x1.6 GHz Cortex-A55 & 4x1.2 GHz Cortex-A55) | Octa-core (4x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55 & 4x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55) |
| Chipset | Unisoc SC9863A (28 nm) | Exynos 850 (8 nm) |
| GPU | IMG8322 | Mali-G52 |
| OS | Android 11 (Go edition) | Android 12, upgradable to Android 14, One UI 6.1 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 64GB 2GB RAM | 32GB 3GB RAM, 32GB 4GB RAM, 64GB 3GB RAM, 64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 3GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM |
| | - | eMMC 5.1 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Dual | 13 MP
0.3 MP | - |
| Features | LED flash | LED flash, panorama, HDR |
| Triple | - | 50 MP, f/1.8, 26mm (wide), 1/2.76", 0.64µm, PDAF
2 MP (macro)
Auxiliary lens |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Single | 5 MP | 5 MP, f/2.2, (wide) |
| Video | Yes | 720p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | - | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | Yes | 5.0, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | No | Yes (market/region dependent) |
| Positioning | GPS | GPS, GLONASS, BDS, GALILEO, QZSS |
| Radio | Unspecified | No |
| USB | microUSB | USB Type-C 2.0 |
| WLAN | Yes | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer |
| | - | Virtual Proximity Sensing |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 18W wired | 15W wired |
| Type | 6000 mAh | Li-Po 5000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Mint Green, Ocean Blue, Night Black | 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) |
itel P38 Pro
- Faster 18W charging
- Potentially lower price point
- Acceptable battery endurance
- Less powerful Unisoc SC9863A chipset
- Larger 28nm process node leads to lower efficiency
- Limited information on camera capabilities
Samsung Galaxy A04s
- More efficient Exynos 850 chipset (8nm)
- Brighter display (389 nits)
- Better overall performance for multitasking
- Slower 15W charging
- May be slightly more expensive
- Camera quality dependent on software processing
Display Comparison
Both devices 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 brighter display of the A04s offers a superior viewing experience. The itel P38 Pro’s display specifications are not provided, making a direct comparison difficult, but it’s unlikely to match the A04s’ brightness.
Camera Comparison
Both phones offer 'Photo / Video' capabilities, but detailed camera specifications are limited. Without information on sensor size, aperture, or image processing algorithms, a definitive comparison is challenging. However, the prevalence of larger sensors in Samsung’s A-series suggests the A04s likely has an advantage in low-light photography. The inclusion of a 2MP macro camera on the A04s is unlikely to significantly impact image quality, but it offers some versatility. The itel P38 Pro’s camera capabilities remain largely unknown.
Performance
The Samsung Galaxy A04s’ Exynos 850, fabricated on an 8nm process, represents a substantial leap in efficiency and performance compared to the itel P38 Pro’s Unisoc SC9863A (28nm). The Exynos 850’s octa-core configuration, with all cores clocked at 2.0 GHz, delivers a more consistent and powerful experience for multitasking and app usage. The Unisoc SC9863A’s split core configuration (1.6 GHz & 1.2 GHz) suggests a focus on power saving rather than raw speed. This difference in process node and core speeds translates to a smoother, more responsive experience on the A04s, particularly when running demanding applications.
Battery Life
Both the itel P38 Pro and Samsung Galaxy A04s achieve an endurance rating of 114 hours, suggesting comparable battery life under similar usage conditions. However, the itel P38 Pro supports 18W wired charging, while the Samsung Galaxy A04s is limited to 15W. This means the itel P38 Pro will theoretically charge faster, potentially offering a convenience advantage for users who frequently need to top up their battery. Despite the faster charging, the more efficient Exynos 850 in the A04s will likely contribute to similar real-world battery longevity.
Buying Guide
Buy the itel P38 Pro if you absolutely prioritize the fastest possible charging and are willing to compromise on overall performance. This phone suits users who frequently find themselves needing a quick power boost and primarily use their phone for basic tasks like calls and messaging. Buy the Samsung Galaxy A04s if you value a more responsive user experience, better app performance, and a more efficient chipset that will likely hold up better over time. This is the better choice for users who enjoy social media, light gaming, and streaming video.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Does the Exynos 850 chip in the Samsung Galaxy A04s get hot during extended use, like gaming?
The Exynos 850, built on an 8nm process, is relatively efficient and shouldn't exhibit significant overheating during moderate gaming sessions. While it's not a gaming powerhouse, it's capable of handling popular titles at medium settings without excessive throttling. The larger process node contributes to better thermal management compared to the itel P38 Pro’s 28nm Unisoc chip.
❓ Is the 18W charging on the itel P38 Pro significantly faster in real-world use compared to the 15W on the Samsung A04s?
While 18W is technically faster, the difference in charging speed may not be dramatically noticeable in everyday use. The Samsung A04s’ more efficient chipset and battery management could offset some of the charging speed disadvantage. Expect roughly a 30-minute difference in a full charge, but the A04s’ overall efficiency provides a better user experience.
❓ How does the performance of the Unisoc SC9863A compare to the Exynos 850 when opening multiple apps?
The Exynos 850 will demonstrably outperform the Unisoc SC9863A when multitasking. The 8nm process and higher clock speeds of the Exynos 850 allow for smoother app switching and reduced lag when running multiple applications simultaneously. The Unisoc chip may struggle with heavier multitasking loads.
