The budget smartphone market is fiercely competitive, offering incredible value for money. Today, we're pitting two contenders against each other: the Nokia C12 and the Samsung Galaxy A04s. Both promise affordability, but which one delivers the best overall experience?
🏆 Quick Verdict
The Samsung Galaxy A04s emerges as the clear winner thanks to its superior chipset, brighter display, and generally more refined software experience. While the Nokia C12 is a budget-friendly option, the A04s offers a noticeable upgrade in performance and features for a small price difference.
| 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, LTE |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2023, January 18 | 2022, August 31 |
| Status | Available. Released 2023, February 02 | Available. Released 2022, September 22 |
| 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) | 164.7 x 76.7 x 9.1 mm (6.48 x 3.02 x 0.36 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 177.4 g (6.24 oz) | 195 g (6.88 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 (~80.7% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD | PLS LCD, 90Hz, 400 nits (peak) |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (4x1.6 GHz Cortex-A55 & 4x1.2 GHz Cortex-A55) | Octa-core (4x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55 & 4x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55) |
| Chipset | Unisoc SC9863A1 (22 nm) | Exynos 850 (8 nm) |
| GPU | IMG8322 | Mali-G52 |
| OS | Android 12 (Go edition) | Android 12, upgradable to Android 14, One UI 6.1 |
| 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, 128GB 3GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM |
| | eMMC 5.1 | eMMC 5.1 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash, HDR | LED flash, panorama, HDR |
| Single | 8 MP, AF | - |
| Triple | - | 50 MP, f/1.8, 26mm (wide), 1/2.76", 0.64µm, PDAF
2 MP (macro)
Auxiliary lens |
| Video | Yes | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Single | 5 MP | 5 MP, f/2.2, (wide) |
| Video | 720p | 720p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.2, A2DP | 5.0, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | No | Yes (market/region dependent) |
| Positioning | GPS | GPS, GLONASS, BDS, GALILEO, QZSS |
| Radio | FM radio | No |
| 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 | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer |
| | - | Virtual Proximity Sensing |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | - | 15W wired |
| Type | Li-Ion 3000 mAh, removable | Li-Po 5000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Dark Cyan, Charcoal, Light Mint | Black, Green, White, Copper |
| Models | - | 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 C12
- Extremely affordable
- Clean Android experience
- Durable build quality (typical Nokia)
- Underpowered chipset
- Basic camera
- Lower display brightness
- Slower charging
Samsung Galaxy A04s
- Better performance (Exynos 850)
- Brighter display
- Improved camera
- Long battery life
- 15W charging
- Slightly more expensive than C12
- Samsung's One UI can be resource-intensive
Display Comparison
The Samsung Galaxy A04s boasts a brighter display (389 nits vs likely lower on the C12) and a similar contrast ratio (1614:1). While both offer decent visuals, the A04s provides a more enjoyable viewing experience, especially outdoors. The C12 likely uses a standard LCD panel, while the A04s may have slightly improved color accuracy.
Camera Comparison
While both phones offer 'Photo / Video' capabilities, the Galaxy A04s is expected to have a more capable camera system. Samsung generally provides better image processing, even in their budget phones. The C12's camera is likely basic, while the A04s may include features like a dedicated macro lens or improved low-light performance. Specific megapixel counts are needed for a more precise comparison.
Performance
Here, the Galaxy A04s pulls ahead significantly. Its Exynos 850 chipset (8nm) is considerably more powerful than the Nokia C12's Unisoc SC9863A1 (22nm). Expect smoother multitasking, faster app loading times, and better gaming performance on the A04s. The A04s' CPU also has higher clock speeds.
Battery Life
Both phones offer excellent battery life, with the Galaxy A04s achieving an impressive endurance rating of 114 hours. The Nokia C12, while not officially rated, is expected to provide all-day battery life. The A04s' 15W wired charging is a slight advantage over the C12's likely slower charging speed.
Buying Guide
The Nokia C12 is ideal for users prioritizing extreme affordability and a clean, simple Android experience. The Samsung Galaxy A04s is a better choice for those seeking a smoother performance, a better camera, and a brighter display, even on a budget.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Which phone has better gaming performance?
The Samsung Galaxy A04s, thanks to its more powerful Exynos 850 chipset, will offer significantly better gaming performance than the Nokia C12.
❓ Is the Nokia C12 worth buying if I'm on a very tight budget?
Yes, the Nokia C12 is a viable option if your budget is extremely limited and you prioritize a clean Android experience. However, be prepared for compromises in performance and camera quality.
