Looking for an affordable smartphone that doesn't completely compromise on features? The Nokia C32 and Samsung Galaxy A04s are both contenders in the budget phone arena. But which one reigns supreme? Let's dive into a detailed comparison to help you decide.
🏆 Quick Verdict
The Samsung Galaxy A04s emerges as the clear winner, offering a superior chipset, faster charging, and a brighter display. While the Nokia C32 boasts a robust design, the A04s's overall performance and features justify its slight price premium.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 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, February 25 | 2022, August 31 |
| Status | Available. Released 2023, February 25 | Available. Released 2022, September 22 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front, glass back, plastic frame | Glass front, plastic back, plastic frame |
| Dimensions | 164.6 x 75.9 x 8.6 mm (6.48 x 2.99 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 + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 199.4 g (7.02 oz) | 195 g (6.88 oz) |
| | Splash and dust resistant | - |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | Scratch-resistant glass | - |
| Resolution | 720 x 1600 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~270 ppi density) | 720 x 1600 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~270 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.5 inches, 102.0 cm2 (~81.6% 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 13 | Android 12, upgradable to Android 14, One UI 6.1 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 64GB 3GB RAM, 64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB 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 |
|---|
| Dual | 50 MP, (wide), AF
2 MP (macro) | - |
| Features | LED flash, HDR | LED flash, panorama, HDR |
| Single | 8 MP | - |
| 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 | 8 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 | 5.2, A2DP | 5.0, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | No | Yes (market/region dependent) |
| Positioning | GPS | GPS, GLONASS, BDS, GALILEO, QZSS |
| Radio | Wireless FM radio | No |
| USB | USB Type-C 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 | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, proximity | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer |
| | - | Virtual Proximity Sensing |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 10W wired | 15W wired |
| Type | Li-Po 5000 mAh | Li-Po 5000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Charcoal, Autumn Green, Beach Pink | Black, Green, White, Copper |
| Models | - | SM-A047F, SM-A047F/DS, SM-A047F/DSN, SM-A047M |
| Price | $ 129.00 / £ 73.99 / € 104.99 | € 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 C32
- Durable build quality
- Clean Android experience
- Decent battery life
- Eco-friendly materials
- Sluggish performance
- Slow charging (10W)
- Less impressive camera
- Lower screen brightness
Samsung Galaxy A04s
- Faster performance (Exynos 850)
- Brighter display
- Better camera quality
- Faster charging (15W)
- More responsive user experience
- Potentially less durable than Nokia C32
- Samsung's One UI can be divisive
- May have slightly more bloatware
Display Comparison
The Samsung Galaxy A04s takes the display crown with its measured 389 nits of brightness, offering a more vibrant and visible experience, especially outdoors. Both phones share a high 1614:1 contrast ratio, ensuring deep blacks and rich colors, but the A04s's brightness advantage is noticeable. The Nokia C32'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 delivers better image quality thanks to its more advanced processing and potentially better sensor. Expect more detail, better dynamic range, and improved low-light performance from the A04s. The C32's camera is serviceable but lacks the refinement of its competitor.
Performance
The Exynos 850 in the Samsung Galaxy A04s significantly outperforms the Unisoc SC9863A1 in the Nokia C32. The A04s's faster CPU and more efficient 8nm process translate to smoother multitasking, quicker app loading times, and a more responsive user experience. The C32 can feel sluggish at times, especially with demanding apps.
Battery Life
Both phones boast impressive battery life, with the Galaxy A04s achieving an endurance rating of 114 hours. The Nokia C32's battery capacity is likely comparable, suggesting similar real-world usage. However, the A04s's 15W charging is faster than the C32's 10W, allowing for quicker top-ups.
Buying Guide
The Nokia C32 is ideal for users prioritizing durability and a clean Android experience on a tight budget. The Samsung Galaxy A04s is a better choice for those seeking a smoother performance, a better camera, and faster charging, even if it means spending a little more.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Which phone has better software support?
Samsung generally offers longer software update support for its Galaxy A series compared to Nokia's C series, although both are typically limited to a few major Android updates.
❓ Is the Nokia C32 worth considering if durability is my top priority?
Yes, the Nokia C32's robust build quality makes it a good choice if you prioritize durability above all else. However, be prepared to compromise on performance.
