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 Nokia C12 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 Nokia C12 thanks to its slightly more powerful processor and generally better overall performance. While both are budget options, the A04 provides a smoother experience for everyday tasks and a bit more future-proofing. However, Nokia's brand reputation and potential software support are factors to consider.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | LTE | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41 |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE Cat4 150/50 Mbps |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2023, January 18 | 2022, August 24 |
| Status | Available. Released 2023, February 02 | Available. Released 2022, October 10 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front, plastic back, plastic frame | Glass front, plastic back, plastic frame |
| Dimensions | 160.6 x 74.3 x 8.8 mm (6.32 x 2.93 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 | 177.4 g (6.24 oz) | 192 g (6.77 oz) |
| | Splash resistant | - |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | Scratch-resistant glass | - |
| Resolution | 720 x 1600 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~278 ppi density) | 720 x 1600 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~270 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.3 inches, 95.8 cm2 (~80.3% 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 (4x1.6 GHz Cortex-A55 & 4x1.2 GHz Cortex-A55) | Octa-core (4x2.3 GHz Cortex-A53 & 4x1.8 GHz Cortex-A53) |
| Chipset | Unisoc SC9863A1 (22 nm) | Mediatek MT6765 Helio P35 (12 nm) |
| GPU | IMG8322 | PowerVR GE8320 |
| OS | Android 12 (Go edition) | Android 12, upgradable to Android 13, One UI Core 5.0 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | Unspecified | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 64GB 2GB RAM, 64GB 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 | - | 50 MP, f/1.8, 25mm (wide), 1/2.51", 0.7µm, AF
Auxiliary lens |
| Features | LED flash, HDR | LED flash |
| Single | 8 MP, AF | 5 MP, f/2.2 |
| Video | Yes | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Single | 5 MP | 5 MP, f/2.2, 28mm (wide), 1/5", 1.12µm |
| Video | 720p | Yes |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.2, A2DP | 5.0, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | No | No |
| Positioning | GPS | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS |
| Radio | FM radio | Unspecified |
| USB | microUSB 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 | Accelerometer, proximity | Accelerometer, proximity |
| Battery |
|---|
| Type | Li-Ion 3000 mAh, removable | Li-Po 5000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Dark Cyan, Charcoal, Light Mint | Black, Green, White, Copper |
| Models | - | SM-A045F, SM-A045F/DS, SM-A045M |
| Price | About 100 EUR | About 70 EUR |
| SAR EU | - | 0.32 W/kg (head) 1.10 W/kg (body) |
Nokia C12
- Reliable brand reputation
- Clean Android experience
- Durable build quality (typically)
- Good battery life
- Lower performance
- Less powerful camera
- Older chipset
- Limited features
Samsung Galaxy A04
- Better performance
- More versatile camera
- Slightly better display
- Samsung's One UI (preference-based)
- Can feel slightly less premium
- Software updates may be slower than Nokia
- Bloatware (potentially)
Display Comparison
Both phones feature large, LCD displays, but the Galaxy A04 typically has a slightly higher resolution (720 x 1600 vs. 720 x 1521) leading to marginally sharper visuals. Viewing angles and color accuracy are typical for budget phones on both devices.
Camera Comparison
The Galaxy A04 generally boasts a more versatile camera setup, often including a higher resolution main sensor and potentially an ultrawide lens. Image quality is decent in good lighting conditions on both, but the A04 tends to produce slightly more detailed and vibrant photos. Low-light performance is weak on both.
Performance
The Samsung Galaxy A04's MediaTek Helio P35 chipset (12nm) offers a noticeable performance advantage over the Nokia C12's Unisoc SC9863A1 (22nm). The A04's faster CPU cores result in quicker app loading times and smoother multitasking. Gaming performance will be limited on both, but the A04 handles it slightly better.
Battery Life
Both phones typically feature a 5000mAh battery, offering all-day battery life for moderate users. Actual battery life will depend on usage patterns, but both should comfortably last a full day.
Buying Guide
The Nokia C12 is ideal for users prioritizing a simple, reliable phone for basic communication and light usage. It's a good choice for first-time smartphone owners or those needing a secondary device. The Samsung Galaxy A04 is better suited for users who want a slightly more responsive experience, a better camera, and a bit more longevity from their device.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Which phone has better software support?
Nokia generally offers more consistent and timely software updates, especially security patches, compared to Samsung in this price range.
❓ Can I play games on these phones?
Both phones can handle basic games, but demanding titles will struggle. The Galaxy A04 offers a slightly better gaming experience due to its more powerful processor.
