Looking for a budget-friendly smartphone? The Micromax A84 and Samsung Galaxy S Duos S7562 were popular choices in their time. But which one holds up better today? We'll break down their specs, performance, and features to help you decide.
🏆 Quick Verdict
The Samsung Galaxy S Duos S7562 edges out the Micromax A84 thanks to its superior battery life and generally more polished Samsung experience. While both are dated, the S Duos offers a slightly better overall package for users prioritizing longevity and brand reputation.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 - SIM 1 & SIM 2 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 - SIM 1 & SIM 2 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 2100 | HSDPA 900 / 2100 - SIM 1 & SIM 2 |
| Speed | HSPA | HSPA 7.2/5.76 Mbps |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA | GSM / HSPA |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2012, August. Released 2012, August | 2012, July. Released 2012, September |
| Status | Discontinued | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | - | Glass front, plastic back, plastic frame |
| Dimensions | 125 x 65 x 10.6 mm (4.92 x 2.56 x 0.42 in) | 121.5 x 63.1 x 10.5 mm (4.78 x 2.48 x 0.41 in) |
| SIM | Dual SIM (Mini-SIM, dual stand-by) | Dual SIM (Mini-SIM, dual stand-by) |
| Weight | - | 120 g (4.23 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Resolution | 480 x 800 pixels, 5:3 ratio (~234 ppi density) | 480 x 800 pixels, 5:3 ratio (~233 ppi density) |
| Size | 3.98 inches, 45.1 cm2 (~55.5% screen-to-body ratio) | 4.0 inches, 45.5 cm2 (~59.4% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD | TFT |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | 1.0 GHz Cortex-A9 | 1.0 GHz Cortex-A5 |
| Chipset | Mediatek MT6575 (40 nm) | Qualcomm MSM7227A Snapdragon S1 |
| GPU | PowerVR SGX531 | Adreno 200 |
| OS | Android 2.3.6 (Gingerbread) | Android 4.0 (Ice Cream Sandwich) |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDHC (dedicated slot) | microSDHC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | - | 4GB (1.8GB user available), 768MB RAM |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash | LED flash |
| Single | 5 MP | 5 MP, f/2.6, AF |
| Video | Yes | 480p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Single | VGA | VGA |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 2.0 | 3.0, A2DP |
| Positioning | GPS | GPS, A-GPS |
| Radio | No | Stereo FM radio, RDS |
| USB | microUSB 2.0 | microUSB 2.0 |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, hotspot |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Accelerometer | Accelerometer, proximity, compass |
| | MP3/AAC/WMA/WAV player
MP4/WMV/H.264 player
Organizer
Document viewer
Voice memo/dial
Predictive text input | - |
| Battery |
|---|
| Stand-by | Up to 150 h | Up to 445 h (2G) / Up to 330 h (3G) |
| Talk time | Up to 4 h 30 min | Up to 13 h (2G) / Up to 7 h 25 min (3G) |
| Type | Removable Li-Ion 1630 mAh battery | Removable Li-Ion 1500 mAh battery |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Black | White, Black, La Fleur |
| Models | - | GT-S7562 |
| Price | About 150 EUR | About 110 EUR |
| SAR | - | 0.27 W/kg (head) 0.65 W/kg (body) |
| SAR EU | - | 0.47 W/kg (head) |
| Tests |
|---|
| Audio quality | - |
Noise -81.6dB / Crosstalk -80.5dB |
| Battery life | - | Endurance rating 43h |
| Camera | - |
Photo |
| Display | - |
Contrast ratio: 964 (nominal) / 1.400:1 (sunlight) |
| Loudspeaker | - |
Voice 61dB / Noise 60dB / Ring 65dB |
Micromax A84
- Potentially slightly faster CPU (Cortex-A9)
- Lower battery life
- Likely lower build quality
- Less optimized software
- Older chipset
Samsung Galaxy S Duos S7562
- Excellent battery life (43h endurance)
- Samsung brand reputation
- Potentially better display quality
- More optimized software
- Slower CPU (Cortex-A5)
- Dated hardware
- Limited features
Display Comparison
Both phones feature similar contrast ratios (964 nominal / 1.400:1 sunlight), suggesting decent outdoor visibility. However, the Samsung likely has better color accuracy and viewing angles due to Samsung's display technology, even in these older models. Screen resolution is likely to be low on both, typical for budget phones of that era.
Camera Comparison
Both phones have a 'Photo' camera, indicating basic camera functionality. Image quality will be low on both devices, with limited features and poor low-light performance. Expect grainy images and limited dynamic range. Neither phone is a photography powerhouse.
Performance
The Micromax A84 uses a Cortex-A9 CPU, which is generally a bit faster than the Cortex-A5 in the Samsung Galaxy S Duos. However, the Qualcomm Snapdragon chipset in the Samsung might have slightly better overall efficiency and optimization. Real-world performance will be sluggish on both, suitable only for basic tasks.
Battery Life
The Samsung Galaxy S Duos S7562 boasts an impressive endurance rating of 43 hours, significantly outperforming the Micromax A84. This is a major advantage for the Samsung, offering much longer usage between charges.
Buying Guide
The Micromax A84 might appeal to users seeking the absolute cheapest option, primarily for basic calling and texting. The Samsung Galaxy S Duos S7562 is a better choice for those who want slightly better performance, a more reliable brand, and significantly longer battery life, even considering their age.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Are these phones still worth buying?
Given their age, neither phone is recommended for primary use. They might be suitable for very basic tasks or as a backup device in a pinch, but modern smartphones offer significantly better performance and features.
❓ Which phone has better software support?
Samsung generally provided better software updates than Micromax, although both phones are long past receiving updates. The Samsung Galaxy S Duos might have a slightly more polished user experience.
