The budget smartphone market is fiercely competitive, offering incredible value for your money. Today, we're pitting two contenders against each other: the Nokia G11 Plus and the Samsung Galaxy A04. Both promise affordability, but which one delivers the better overall experience?
🏆 Quick Verdict
The Samsung Galaxy A04 edges out the Nokia G11 Plus thanks to its slightly faster processor and more established brand reputation. However, the Nokia G11 Plus boasts a larger battery and potentially better software support. Ultimately, the A04 provides a more consistently smooth 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 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE Cat4 150/50 Mbps |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| | 1, 3, 5, 8, 40, 41 - India | - |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2022, June 29 | 2022, August 24 |
| Status | Available. Released 2022, July 20 | Available. Released 2022, October 10 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front, plastic frame, plastic back | Glass front, plastic back, plastic frame |
| Dimensions | 164.8 x 75.9 x 8.6 mm (6.49 x 2.99 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 + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 192 g (6.77 oz) | 192 g (6.77 oz) |
| | Splash protection | - |
| Display |
|---|
| Resolution | 720 x 1600 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~269 ppi density) | 720 x 1600 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~270 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.52 inches, 102.6 cm2 (~82.1% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.5 inches, 102.0 cm2 (~81.3% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD, 90Hz, 400 nits (typ) | PLS LCD |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (2x1.6 GHz Cortex-A75 & 6x1.6 GHz Cortex-A55) | Octa-core (4x2.3 GHz Cortex-A53 & 4x1.8 GHz Cortex-A53) |
| Chipset | Unisoc T606 (12 nm) | Mediatek MT6765 Helio P35 (12 nm) |
| GPU | Mali-G57 MP1 | PowerVR GE8320 |
| OS | Android 12, upgradable to Android 13 | 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 3GB RAM, 64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 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, (wide), 1/2.67", PDAF
Auxiliary lens | 50 MP, f/1.8, 25mm (wide), 1/2.51", 0.7µm, AF
Auxiliary lens |
| Features | LED flash | LED flash |
| Single | 8 MP, f/2.0, (wide), 1/4.0" | 5 MP, f/2.2 |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Single | 8 MP, f/2.0, (wide), 1/4.0" | 5 MP, f/2.2, 28mm (wide), 1/5", 1.12µm |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | Yes |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.0, A2DP, LE | 5.0, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | No | No |
| Positioning | GPS | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS |
| Radio | FM radio | Unspecified |
| USB | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG | USB Type-C 2.0 |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct | 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-Ion 5000 mAh | Li-Po 5000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Lake Blue, Charcoal Grey | Black, Green, White, Copper |
| Models | - | SM-A045F, SM-A045F/DS, SM-A045M |
| Price | About 130 EUR | About 70 EUR |
| SAR EU | - | 0.32 W/kg (head) 1.10 W/kg (body) |
Nokia G11 Plus
- Clean Android experience
- Potentially longer battery life
- Durable build quality (typical of Nokia)
- Slower processor
- 10W charging is slow
- Less established camera performance
Samsung Galaxy A04
- Slightly faster processor
- Samsung's brand reputation and support
- Potentially better display quality
- OneUI can be resource-intensive
- Camera performance may be inconsistent
- Charging speed is also slow
Display Comparison
Both phones feature large, HD+ displays, but the Samsung Galaxy A04 might offer slightly better color accuracy and viewing angles due to Samsung's display technology. The Nokia G11 Plus likely prioritizes battery efficiency over peak brightness.
Camera Comparison
Camera quality is often a weak point in this price range. The Samsung Galaxy A04 likely has a slightly more versatile camera setup, potentially including a depth sensor for portrait mode. Image processing will be a key differentiator, with Samsung's typically offering more saturated colors.
Performance
The Samsung Galaxy A04's Helio P35 generally outperforms the Unisoc T606 in real-world usage. While both are entry-level chips, the A04's CPU configuration provides a noticeable boost in responsiveness for everyday tasks and light gaming.
Battery Life
The Nokia G11 Plus is expected to have a larger battery capacity (likely 5000mAh) compared to the Galaxy A04 (likely 5000mAh as well, but Nokia's optimization might be better). This could translate to slightly longer battery life, especially with moderate usage.
Buying Guide
The Nokia G11 Plus is ideal for users prioritizing battery life and a clean Android experience. The Samsung Galaxy A04 is a better choice for those seeking a slightly more responsive performance and the reliability of the Samsung ecosystem.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Which phone has better software support?
Samsung generally offers longer software update support for its Galaxy A series devices compared to Nokia's budget offerings.
❓ Is the Nokia G11 Plus worth considering if battery life is my top priority?
Yes, the Nokia G11 Plus is a strong contender if you prioritize battery life, but be prepared for slightly slower performance.
