Looking for an affordable smartphone that doesn't completely break the bank? The Nokia C31 and Samsung Galaxy A04s are both contenders in the budget phone arena. But which one offers the best value for your money? Let's dive into a detailed comparison.
🏆 Quick Verdict
The Samsung Galaxy A04s emerges as the clear winner, boasting a significantly more powerful processor, a brighter display, and faster charging. While the Nokia C31 offers a robust build and Android Go, the A04s provides a superior overall experience for the price.
| 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, LTE |
| 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 31 |
| Status | Available. Released 2022, September 01 | Available. Released 2022, September 22 |
| 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) | 164.7 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 | 200 g (7.05 oz) | 195 g (6.88 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 (~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 SC9863A (28 nm) | Exynos 850 (8 nm) |
| GPU | IMG8322 | 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, 64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 4GB 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 | 5 MP | - |
| Triple | 13 MP, (wide), AF
2 MP (macro)
Auxiliary lens | 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 | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 4.2, A2DP | 5.0, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | No | Yes (market/region dependent) |
| Positioning | GPS | GPS, GLONASS, BDS, GALILEO, QZSS |
| Radio | Wireless FM radio | No |
| 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 | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer |
| | - | Virtual Proximity Sensing |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 10W wired | 15W 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-A047F, SM-A047F/DS, SM-A047F/DSN, SM-A047M |
| Price | About 130 EUR | € 133.89 |
| SAR EU | 0.35 W/kg (head) 1.39 W/kg (body) | 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 C31
- Durable build quality
- Clean Android Go experience
- Long-term software support (likely)
- Affordable price
- Underpowered chipset
- Dim display
- Slow charging
- Basic camera
Samsung Galaxy A04s
- Faster processor (Exynos 850)
- Brighter display
- Faster charging (15W)
- Better camera performance
- More responsive user experience
- Samsung's One UI can be bloated
- Plastic build feels less premium
- Potential for shorter software support compared to Nokia
Display Comparison
The Samsung Galaxy A04s takes the display crown with its measured 389 nits of brightness, offering a noticeably more vibrant and viewable screen, especially outdoors. Both phones share a high 1614:1 contrast ratio, but the A04s' brightness makes a significant difference. The Nokia C31's display is adequate but lacks the punch of the A04s.
Camera Comparison
While both phones offer 'Photo / Video' capabilities, the Samsung Galaxy A04s generally provides better image quality thanks to its more capable chipset and likely better image processing algorithms. The A04s likely has a higher resolution main sensor. The Nokia C31's camera is functional but lacks the detail and dynamic range of the A04s.
Performance
The Exynos 850 in the Samsung Galaxy A04s is a substantial upgrade over the Unisoc SC9863A in the Nokia C31. The A04s' CPU clocks are higher and the 8nm process offers better efficiency. Expect smoother multitasking, faster app loading, and a more responsive user experience on the A04s. The C31's performance is adequate for basic tasks but struggles with more demanding applications.
Battery Life
Both phones boast impressive battery life, with the Galaxy A04s achieving an endurance rating of 114 hours. The Nokia C31's battery capacity is likely similar, suggesting comparable real-world usage. However, the A04s' faster 15W charging provides a quicker top-up compared to the C31's 10W charging.
Buying Guide
The Nokia C31 is ideal for users prioritizing a durable device with a clean Android Go experience and extended software support. The Samsung Galaxy A04s is a better choice for those seeking better performance, a brighter screen, and a more versatile camera system, even on a budget.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Which phone has better software support?
Nokia is generally known for providing longer software support for its devices, particularly security updates. Samsung's support is improving, but Nokia often has an edge in this area.
❓ Is the Nokia C31 worth considering if I only need a basic phone?
Yes, if durability and a clean Android Go experience are your top priorities, the Nokia C31 is a solid choice. However, if you want a slightly better experience overall, the A04s is the better option.
