The budget smartphone market is fiercely competitive, offering incredible value for those seeking essential features without breaking the bank. Today, we pit two contenders against each other: the Motorola Moto E40 and the Samsung Galaxy A04. Let's dive into a detailed comparison to see which phone emerges as the winner.
🏆 Quick Verdict
The Samsung Galaxy A04 edges out the Moto E40 thanks to its slightly more powerful processor and more efficient 12nm manufacturing process. While both offer solid value, the A04 provides a smoother experience for everyday tasks and potentially better future software support.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 19, 28, 40, 66 - Brazil | 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 | 2021, October 07 | 2022, August 24 |
| Status | Available. Released 2021, October 11 | Available. Released 2022, October 10 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front, plastic frame, plastic back | Glass front, plastic back, plastic frame |
| Dimensions | 165.1 x 75.7 x 9.1 mm (6.5 x 2.98 x 0.36 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 + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 198 g (6.98 oz) | 192 g (6.77 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Resolution | 720 x 1600 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~270 ppi density) | 720 x 1600 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~270 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.5 inches, 102.0 cm2 (~81.6% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.5 inches, 102.0 cm2 (~81.3% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD, 90Hz | PLS LCD |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core 1.8 GHz | Octa-core (4x2.3 GHz Cortex-A53 & 4x1.8 GHz Cortex-A53) |
| Chipset | Unisoc T700 | Mediatek MT6765 Helio P35 (12 nm) |
| GPU | Mali G52 | 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 | 64GB 4GB 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 | - | 50 MP, f/1.8, 25mm (wide), 1/2.51", 0.7µm, AF
Auxiliary lens |
| Features | LED flash, HDR, panorama | LED flash |
| Single | - | 5 MP, f/2.2 |
| Triple | 48 MP, f/2.0, 26mm (wide), PDAF
2 MP (macro)
Auxiliary lens | - |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | HDR | - |
| Single | 8 MP, f/2.0 | 5 MP, f/2.2, 28mm (wide), 1/5", 1.12µm |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 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, GLONASS, GALILEO | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS |
| Radio | FM radio | Unspecified |
| USB | USB Type-C 2.0 | USB Type-C 2.0 |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, proximity | Accelerometer, proximity |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 10W wired | - |
| Type | Li-Po 5000 mAh | Li-Po 5000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Carbon Gray, Pink Clay | Black, Green, White, Copper |
| Models | - | 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) |
Motorola Moto E40
- Clean Android experience
- Reliable performance for basic tasks
- Triple camera system
- Large 5000mAh battery
- Less powerful processor
- 10W charging is slow
- Display quality is average
- May struggle with demanding apps
Samsung Galaxy A04
- More powerful processor (Helio P35)
- Slightly better display quality
- 50MP main camera
- Large 5000mAh battery
- Potentially better software support
- Design can be considered bland
- 10W charging is slow
- Lower resolution front camera than Moto E40 (estimated)
Display Comparison
Both phones feature a 6.5-inch HD+ display, offering decent viewing angles and adequate brightness for indoor use. However, Samsung's display technology often provides slightly better color accuracy and vibrancy, giving the A04 a minor advantage. The Moto E40's display is perfectly serviceable, but not exceptional.
Camera Comparison
The Moto E40 boasts a triple-camera system (48MP main, 2MP macro, 2MP depth), while the Galaxy A04 features a dual-camera setup (50MP main, 2MP depth). While megapixels aren't everything, the A04's 50MP sensor and potentially better image processing algorithms likely result in slightly better image quality, especially in well-lit conditions. Low-light performance is expected to be similar on both devices.
Performance
The Samsung Galaxy A04's Mediatek Helio P35 chipset (12nm) outperforms the Moto E40's Unisoc T700 (likely a 14nm process). The A04's CPU clock speeds are higher, and the 12nm process generally leads to better power efficiency. Expect smoother app loading and multitasking on the A04. The Moto E40 is adequate for basic tasks but may struggle with more demanding apps.
Battery Life
Both phones offer a large 5000mAh battery, promising all-day battery life. However, the Galaxy A04's more efficient chipset gives it a slight edge in battery endurance. Expect slightly longer usage times on the A04, especially with moderate to heavy use.
Buying Guide
The Motorola Moto E40 is a good choice for users prioritizing a clean Android experience and a reliable, no-frills device. The Samsung Galaxy A04 is better suited for those needing a bit more processing power for multitasking and a slightly more modern design.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Which phone has better software support?
Samsung generally offers longer software update support than Motorola, so the Galaxy A04 is likely to receive updates for a longer period.
❓ Is the Moto E40 worth buying if I only need a basic phone?
Yes, the Moto E40 is a solid choice for basic users who prioritize a clean Android experience and don't need high-end performance. However, the A04 offers a slight performance upgrade for a similar price.
