The itel S18 Pro and Samsung Galaxy A04e represent the extreme end of the smartphone price spectrum. Both aim to deliver essential functionality at a minimal cost, but they achieve this through vastly different approaches to hardware. This comparison dissects their core components to determine which offers the best value for users prioritizing affordability.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average user, the Samsung Galaxy A04e is the slightly better choice. While the itel S18 Pro attempts to offer a broader feature set, the A04e’s more efficient Mediatek Helio P35 chipset translates to better sustained performance and potentially longer battery life, making it a more practical daily driver.
| 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 | 2022, October 21 |
| Status | Available. Released 2023 | Available. Released 2022, November 07 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | - | Glass front, plastic back, plastic frame |
| Dimensions | - | 164.2 x 75.9 x 9.1 mm (6.46 x 2.99 x 0.36 in) |
| SIM | Dual SIM | · Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | - | 188 g (6.63 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Resolution | 1080 x 2408 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~400 ppi density) | 720 x 1600 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~270 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.6 inches, 104.9 cm2 | 6.5 inches, 102.0 cm2 (~81.8% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD | PLS LCD |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (4x1.6 GHz Cortex-A55 & 4x1.2 GHz Cortex-A55) | Octa-core (4x2.3 GHz Cortex-A53 & 4x1.8 GHz Cortex-A53) |
| Chipset | Unisoc SC9863A (28 nm) | Mediatek MT6765 Helio P35 (12 nm) |
| GPU | IMG8322 | PowerVR GE8320 |
| OS | Android, itel OS 8.6 | Android 12, One UI Core 4.1 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 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 (wide)
0.08 MP (macro)
Auxiliary lens | 13 MP, f/2.2, (wide), AF
Auxiliary lens |
| Features | LED flash | LED flash |
| Single | - | 5 MP, f/2.2 |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash | - |
| Single | 32 MP | 5 MP, f/2.2 |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | Yes |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | - | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | Yes | 5.0, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | No | No |
| Positioning | GPS | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS |
| Radio | Unspecified | Unspecified |
| USB | USB Type-C | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG |
| WLAN | Yes | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer | Accelerometer, proximity |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 10W wired | - |
| Type | 5000 mAh | Li-Po 5000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Liquid Silver, Starry Black | Black, Copper, Light Blue |
| Models | - | SM-A042F, SM-A042F/DS, SM-A042M, SM-A042M/DS |
| Price | - | ₹ 7,999 |
| SAR EU | - | 0.29 W/kg (head) 1.11 W/kg (body) |
itel S18 Pro
- Potentially more modern design aesthetic.
- Higher CPU core count (though not necessarily faster).
- May offer slightly more RAM in certain configurations.
- Less efficient Unisoc SC9863A chipset.
- Likely lower sustained performance.
- 28nm process leads to higher heat generation.
Samsung Galaxy A04e
- More efficient Mediatek Helio P35 chipset.
- Better sustained performance for everyday tasks.
- Samsung brand recognition and potential software support.
- Older CPU architecture (Cortex-A53).
- Basic camera system.
- Slow 10W charging.
Display Comparison
Neither device boasts a standout display. Both are likely to feature LCD panels, typical for this price point. However, the lack of detailed display specifications necessitates a focus on processing power to drive the UI smoothly. The display quality will likely be similar, with both prioritizing cost savings over high brightness or color accuracy.
Camera Comparison
Both phones likely feature basic camera setups. Without detailed sensor information, it’s safe to assume both rely on budget sensors. The presence of a 2MP macro camera on both is largely a marketing tactic, offering limited practical benefit due to the low resolution and lack of optical image stabilization. Image processing will be a key differentiator, and Samsung generally offers more refined software algorithms, potentially leading to slightly better image quality in favorable lighting conditions.
Performance
The core difference lies in the chipsets. The Samsung Galaxy A04e’s Mediatek Helio P35, fabricated on a 12nm process, offers a significant advantage in efficiency over the itel S18 Pro’s Unisoc SC9863A (28nm). While the itel S18 Pro’s CPU has a higher core count (Octa-core vs Octa-core), the older, larger node of the Unisoc chip and the Cortex-A55 architecture across all cores suggest lower individual core performance. The A04e’s CPU configuration of 4x2.3 GHz Cortex-A53 and 4x1.8 GHz Cortex-A53 cores, while older, benefits from the more efficient manufacturing process, resulting in better sustained performance under load. This translates to smoother multitasking and a more responsive user experience on the A04e.
Battery Life
Battery life will be heavily influenced by the chipset efficiency. The 12nm Helio P35 in the A04e is demonstrably more efficient than the 28nm SC9863A in the itel S18 Pro. While battery capacity isn’t specified, the A04e is likely to offer longer screen-on time. Both devices feature slow 10W charging, meaning a full charge will take a considerable amount of time – likely exceeding 3 hours.
Buying Guide
Buy the itel S18 Pro if you need a device with a slightly newer design and are willing to accept potential performance inconsistencies. Buy the Samsung Galaxy A04e if you prioritize consistent, reliable performance for everyday tasks like browsing, social media, and light communication, and value the Samsung brand reputation for software support.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Will the Helio P35 in the Galaxy A04e struggle with multitasking?
While not a powerhouse, the Helio P35 paired with sufficient RAM (likely 3GB or 4GB) should handle moderate multitasking – switching between apps like messaging, browsing, and social media – without significant slowdowns. However, demanding apps or running many apps simultaneously may cause performance dips.
❓ Is the 10W charging on either phone a major drawback?
Yes, 10W charging is quite slow by modern standards. Expect a full charge to take over 3 hours. This is a compromise made to keep the cost down, and users should plan to charge overnight.
❓ Can the itel S18 Pro handle popular games like PUBG Mobile?
The Unisoc SC9863A is unlikely to provide a smooth gaming experience in PUBG Mobile, even on low settings. Frame rates will likely be unstable, and the phone may overheat during extended gaming sessions. The A04e will offer a slightly better, but still limited, gaming experience.
❓ How does the software experience differ between the two phones?
The Samsung Galaxy A04e will run Samsung's One UI, which is generally considered more polished and feature-rich than the software typically found on itel devices. Samsung also tends to provide more consistent software updates, though long-term support for these budget models is still limited.
