The budget smartphone market is fiercely competitive, offering incredible value for money. Today, we're pitting two contenders against each other: the Lava Z3 and the Samsung Galaxy A04. Both promise affordability, but which one delivers the better overall experience?
🏆 Quick Verdict
The Samsung Galaxy A04 edges out the Lava Z3 due to Samsung's brand reputation, slightly better software support, and generally more consistent performance. While both share similar chipsets, the Galaxy A04's ecosystem and reliability give it a slight advantage for most users.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 900 / 1800 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 3, 5, 8, 40, 41 | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41 |
| Speed | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE Cat4 150/50 Mbps | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE Cat4 150/50 Mbps |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2022, February 26 | 2022, August 24 |
| Status | Available. Released 2022, March | Available. Released 2022, October 10 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front, plastic back, plastic frame | Glass front, plastic back, plastic frame |
| Dimensions | 164.5 x 75.8 x 8.9 mm (6.48 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 | - | 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 (~82.3% 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 (4x2.3 GHz Cortex-A53 & 4x1.8 GHz Cortex-A53) | Octa-core (4x2.3 GHz Cortex-A53 & 4x1.8 GHz Cortex-A53) |
| Chipset | Mediatek MT6765G Helio G35 (12 nm) | Mediatek MT6765 Helio P35 (12 nm) |
| GPU | PowerVR GE8320 | PowerVR GE8320 |
| OS | Android 11 | Android 12, upgradable to Android 13, One UI Core 5.0 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 32GB 3GB 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 | eMMC 5.1 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Dual | 8 MP, f/2.0, (wide), 1.12µm, AF
Auxiliary lens | 50 MP, f/1.8, 25mm (wide), 1/2.51", 0.7µm, AF
Auxiliary lens |
| Features | LED flash | LED flash |
| Single | 5 MP, f/2.2, (wide) | 5 MP, f/2.2 |
| 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 | - | Yes |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | 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 |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n/ac, Wi-Fi Direct | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, proximity | Accelerometer, proximity |
| Battery |
|---|
| Type | Li-Po 5000 mAh | Li-Po 5000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Blue, Cyan | Black, Green, White, Copper |
| Models | LZG403 25 | SM-A045F, SM-A045F/DS, SM-A045M |
| Price | About 90 EUR | About 70 EUR |
| SAR EU | - | 0.32 W/kg (head) 1.10 W/kg (body) |
Lava Z3
- Extremely affordable
- Decent battery life
- Slightly better GPU performance (G35)
- Basic camera
- Limited software updates
- Less reliable brand reputation
Samsung Galaxy A04
- Samsung brand reliability
- Better software support & updates
- Likely better camera quality
- More versatile camera system
- Slightly more expensive
- GPU performance marginally lower (P35)
Display Comparison
Both phones feature a 6.5-inch display, likely with an HD+ resolution. The Samsung Galaxy A04 may offer slightly better color accuracy and viewing angles due to Samsung's display technology, though both will be adequate for everyday use. Expect similar brightness levels.
Camera Comparison
The Samsung Galaxy A04 likely has a more versatile camera setup, potentially including a higher resolution main sensor and additional lenses (macro, depth). The Lava Z3's camera is expected to be more basic. Image quality on the Galaxy A04 should be noticeably better, especially in low light.
Performance
While both utilize a Mediatek Helio chipset, the Lava Z3 boasts the Helio G35, which includes a Mali-G52 GPU, offering a slight edge in graphics performance compared to the Galaxy A04's Helio P35 and its Mali-G52 MC2 GPU. However, real-world performance will be similar, with occasional lag during demanding tasks. Both phones are best suited for light to moderate usage.
Battery Life
Both phones likely feature a 5000mAh battery, promising all-day battery life with moderate usage. Software optimization and background processes will ultimately determine which phone offers slightly better endurance. Expect similar battery performance.
Buying Guide
The Lava Z3 is a good option for users prioritizing the absolute lowest price and basic functionality. The Samsung Galaxy A04 is ideal for those seeking a more reliable experience, longer software updates, and the benefits of the Samsung ecosystem, even within a budget.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Which phone is better for gaming?
The Lava Z3 has a slightly better GPU, but both phones are not ideal for demanding games. Casual games will run fine on both.
❓ How long will Samsung provide software updates for the Galaxy A04?
Samsung typically provides longer software update support than Lava. Expect at least 2 years of security updates for the Galaxy A04.
