The sub-$150 smartphone market is fiercely competitive. Both the Nokia C110 and Samsung Galaxy A04s aim to deliver essential smartphone functionality at an accessible price. However, they take different approaches to achieving this, with the A04s prioritizing display quality and charging speed, while the C110 focuses on a simpler, more streamlined experience. This comparison will dissect the key differences to help you determine which device best suits your needs.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For most users, the Samsung Galaxy A04s is the better choice. Its Exynos 850 chipset offers a noticeable performance advantage over the Nokia C110’s Helio P22, and the 15W charging significantly reduces downtime. While both phones offer similar battery endurance ratings, the A04s’ faster charging is a crucial advantage.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 1700 / 1900 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 2, 4, 5, 12, 13, 41, 66, 71 | 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, June 02 | 2022, August 31 |
| Status | Available. Released 2023, June 14 | Available. Released 2022, September 22 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front, plastic back, plastic frame | Glass front, plastic back, plastic frame |
| Dimensions | 160.8 x 74 x 8.5 mm (6.33 x 2.91 x 0.33 in) | 164.7 x 76.7 x 9.1 mm (6.48 x 3.02 x 0.36 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 172 g (6.07 oz) | 195 g (6.88 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | Scratch-resistant glass | - |
| Resolution | 720 x 1560 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~273 ppi density) | 720 x 1600 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~270 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.3 inches, 97.4 cm2 (~81.9% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.5 inches, 102.0 cm2 (~80.7% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD, 400 nits (typ) | PLS LCD, 90Hz, 400 nits (peak) |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (4x2.0 GHz Cortex-A53 & 4x1.5 GHz Cortex-A53) | Octa-core (4x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55 & 4x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55) |
| Chipset | Mediatek MT6762 Helio P22 (12 nm) | Exynos 850 (8 nm) |
| GPU | PowerVR GE8320 | Mali-G52 |
| OS | Android 12 | Android 12, upgradable to Android 14, One UI 6.1 |
| 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, 128GB 3GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM |
| | - | eMMC 5.1 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash, HDR | LED flash, panorama, HDR |
| Single | 13 MP, (wide), AF | - |
| 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 | 5.0, A2DP | 5.0, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | No | Yes (market/region dependent) |
| Positioning | GPS | GPS, GLONASS, BDS, GALILEO, QZSS |
| Radio | FM radio | No |
| USB | USB Type-C 2.0 | USB Type-C 2.0 |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n/ac, dual-band, hotspot | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Accelerometer, proximity, barometer | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer |
| | - | Virtual Proximity Sensing |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 5W wired | 15W wired |
| Type | Li-Po 3000 mAh | Li-Po 5000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Gray | Black, Green, White, Copper |
| Models | N156DL | SM-A047F, SM-A047F/DS, SM-A047F/DSN, SM-A047M |
| Price | About 100 EUR | € 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) |
Nokia C110
- Simpler, more streamlined software experience
- Potentially longer software support (Nokia's promise)
- Lower price point (potentially)
- Significantly slower processor
- Extremely slow 5W charging
- Less detailed display specifications
Samsung Galaxy A04s
- Faster and more efficient Exynos 850 chipset
- 15W fast charging for quicker top-ups
- Brighter and more vibrant display
- Samsung’s One UI can feel bloated
- Potentially shorter software support compared to Nokia
- May be slightly more expensive
Display Comparison
The Samsung Galaxy A04s boasts a brighter display, measured at 389 nits, compared to the Nokia C110’s unspecified brightness. Both share a 1614:1 contrast ratio, suggesting similar color reproduction capabilities. However, the A04s’ higher peak brightness will translate to better visibility outdoors and a more engaging viewing experience. The Nokia C110’s display specifications are less detailed, implying a potentially lower-quality panel, impacting color accuracy and viewing angles.
Camera Comparison
Both devices list 'Photo / Video' capabilities, but lack specific details. Given the price point, image quality will likely be similar in good lighting conditions. However, the A04s likely benefits from Samsung’s image processing algorithms, potentially delivering more pleasing results. The absence of detailed camera specifications suggests both phones rely on basic sensors and software optimization, and users shouldn't expect flagship-level photography.
Performance
The Samsung Galaxy A04s’ Exynos 850, fabricated on an 8nm process, represents a significant architectural leap over the Nokia C110’s MediaTek Helio P22 (12nm). The Exynos 850 utilizes newer Cortex-A55 cores in its octa-core configuration, offering improved single-core and multi-core performance compared to the C110’s Cortex-A53 cores. This translates to snappier app launches, smoother multitasking, and a more responsive overall user experience. The 8nm process also contributes to better thermal efficiency, reducing the likelihood of performance throttling under sustained load.
Battery Life
Both the Nokia C110 and Samsung Galaxy A04s achieve an endurance rating of 114 hours, indicating comparable battery life under typical usage. However, the A04s’ 15W wired charging is a substantial advantage over the C110’s sluggish 5W charging. This means the A04s can be significantly topped up in a shorter amount of time, minimizing downtime and providing greater convenience. While both will likely last a full day for moderate users, the A04s offers a faster path to a full charge.
Buying Guide
Buy the Nokia C110 if you prioritize extreme simplicity and a minimal software experience, and are willing to accept significantly slower performance and charging. Buy the Samsung Galaxy A04s if you prefer a more responsive user experience, a brighter and more vibrant display, and the convenience of faster charging, even if it means a slightly more complex software environment.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Does the Exynos 850 in the Samsung A04s get hot during extended use, like gaming?
The Exynos 850, built on an 8nm process, is relatively efficient. While it will warm up during demanding tasks like gaming, it's unlikely to experience significant throttling like older or less efficient chipsets. The thermal management is generally adequate for its performance class.
❓ Is the Nokia C110 a good choice for someone who primarily uses their phone for calls and basic messaging?
Yes, the Nokia C110 is well-suited for basic communication tasks. Its simpler software and lower processing demands mean it will handle calls, texts, and light app usage without issue. However, be prepared for slower performance if you attempt more demanding activities.
❓ How long does it realistically take to fully charge the Nokia C110 with its 5W charger?
With a 5W charger, fully charging the Nokia C110 will take a considerable amount of time – likely between 3 to 4 hours, or even longer depending on the battery level. This is a significant drawback compared to the A04s’ faster charging.
❓ Does the Samsung Galaxy A04s support software updates for a long period?
Samsung typically provides a few years of security updates for its A-series devices, but the A04s is a budget model, so long-term software support may be limited compared to their flagship phones. Expect at least 2 years of security patches, but major Android version updates are less certain.
