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 C31 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 C31 thanks to its more powerful processor and slightly better overall performance. While both offer decent value, the A04's speed and efficiency make it a more compelling choice for everyday tasks and light gaming.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 2100 - International | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41 - International | 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 |
| | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41 - South Africa, Egypt | - |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2022, September 01 | 2022, August 24 |
| Status | Available. Released 2022, September 01 | Available. Released 2022, October 10 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front, plastic frame, plastic back | Glass front, plastic back, plastic frame |
| Dimensions | 169.2 x 78 x 8.6 mm (6.66 x 3.07 x 0.34 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 | 200 g (7.05 oz) | 192 g (6.77 oz) |
| | Splash resistant | - |
| Display |
|---|
| Resolution | 720 x 1600 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~260 ppi density) | 720 x 1600 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~270 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.75 inches, 110.0 cm2 (~83.4% 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 SC9863A (28 nm) | Mediatek MT6765 Helio P35 (12 nm) |
| GPU | IMG8322 | PowerVR GE8320 |
| OS | Android 12 | Android 12, upgradable to Android 13, One UI Core 5.0 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 32GB 3GB RAM, 64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 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 | LED flash |
| Single | 5 MP | 5 MP, f/2.2 |
| Triple | 13 MP, (wide), AF
2 MP (macro)
Auxiliary lens | - |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Single | 5 MP | 5 MP, f/2.2, 28mm (wide), 1/5", 1.12µm |
| Video | Yes | Yes |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 4.2, A2DP | 5.0, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | No | No |
| Positioning | GPS | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS |
| Radio | Wireless FM radio | Unspecified |
| USB | microUSB 2.0, OTG | 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 5050 mAh | Li-Po 5000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Charcoal, Mint, Cyan | Black, Green, White, Copper |
| Models | TA-1499, TA-1497, TA-1493 | SM-A045F, SM-A045F/DS, SM-A045M |
| Price | About 130 EUR | About 70 EUR |
| SAR EU | 0.35 W/kg (head) 1.39 W/kg (body) | 0.32 W/kg (head) 1.10 W/kg (body) |
Nokia C31
- Clean Android experience
- Durable build quality
- Long software support (typically)
- Decent battery life
- Underpowered chipset
- Slow charging (10W)
- Mediocre camera performance
- Basic display
Samsung Galaxy A04
- Better performance than C31
- Slightly brighter display
- Samsung ecosystem integration
- 50MP main camera
- Plastic build
- Software updates can be slower than Nokia
- Basic design
Display Comparison
Both phones feature large, HD+ displays, but the Galaxy A04's slightly brighter panel and potentially better color accuracy give it a slight advantage. The Nokia C31's display is adequate, but not exceptional. Expect similar viewing experiences for basic content consumption.
Camera Comparison
The Nokia C31 typically features a triple camera setup (13MP main, 2MP depth, 2MP macro), while the Galaxy A04 usually has a dual camera setup (50MP main, 2MP depth). While megapixels aren't everything, the A04's 50MP main sensor often captures more detailed images in good lighting conditions. Low-light performance is likely comparable on both.
Performance
Here's where the Galaxy A04 shines. Its MediaTek Helio P35 chipset, built on a 12nm process, offers noticeably better performance than the Nokia C31's Unisoc SC9863A (28nm). Expect smoother multitasking, faster app loading times, and a more responsive user experience on the A04.
Battery Life
Both phones offer large batteries (typically around 5000mAh), promising all-day battery life. However, the Galaxy A04's more efficient chipset means it may offer slightly better battery endurance under heavy use.
Buying Guide
The Nokia C31 is ideal for users prioritizing a clean Android experience, durability, and a focus on essential features. The Samsung Galaxy A04 is better suited for those needing a bit more processing power for multitasking and occasional gaming, and who appreciate the Samsung ecosystem.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Which phone has better software support?
Nokia is generally known for providing longer software support and faster Android updates for their budget devices compared to Samsung in this price range.
❓ Is the Nokia C31 worth considering if I prioritize durability?
Yes, the Nokia C31 is built to be more durable and often features a robust design, making it a good choice if longevity is a key factor.
