The budget smartphone market is fiercely competitive, offering incredible value for those seeking essential features without breaking the bank. Today, we're pitting two contenders against each other: the Oppo A16K and the Samsung Galaxy A04e. Let's see which phone emerges as the ultimate winner.
🏆 Quick Verdict
The Oppo A16K edges out the Galaxy A04e thanks to its slightly more powerful chipset (Helio G35 vs P35) and faster charging. Both offer similar core experiences, but the Oppo provides a small performance boost and quicker top-ups, making it the slightly better choice for most users.
| 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 | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41 | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41 |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE | HSPA, LTE |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2021, November 08 | 2022, October 21 |
| Status | Available. Released 2021, November 08 | Available. Released 2022, November 07 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front, plastic back, plastic frame | Glass front, plastic back, plastic frame |
| Dimensions | 164 x 75.4 x 7.9 mm (6.46 x 2.97 x 0.31 in) | 164.2 x 75.9 x 9.1 mm (6.46 x 2.99 x 0.36 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | · Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 175 g (6.17 oz) | 188 g (6.63 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass 3 | - |
| 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 (~83.0% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.5 inches, 102.0 cm2 (~81.8% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD, 480 nits (typ) | PLS LCD |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (4x2.3 GHz Cortex-A53 & 4x1.8 GHz Cortex-A53) | Octa-core (4x2.3 GHz Cortex-A53 & 4x1.8 GHz Cortex-A53) |
| Chipset | Mediatek MT6765G Helio G35 (12 nm) | Mediatek MT6765 Helio P35 (12 nm) |
| GPU | PowerVR GE8320 | PowerVR GE8320 |
| OS | Android 11, ColorOS 11.1 | Android 12, One UI Core 4.1 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 32GB 2GB RAM, 32GB 3GB RAM, 64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM | 32GB 2GB RAM, 32GB 3GB RAM, 32GB 4GB RAM, 64GB 2GB RAM, 64GB 3GB RAM, 64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM |
| | eMMC 5.1 | - |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Dual | - | 13 MP, f/2.2, (wide), AF
Auxiliary lens |
| Features | LED flash, HDR, panorama | LED flash |
| Single | 13 MP, f/2.2, 26mm (wide), 1/3.1", 1.12µm, PDAF | 5 MP, f/2.2 |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | HDR | - |
| Single | 5 MP, f/2.4, 27mm (wide) | 5 MP, f/2.2 |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | Yes |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.0, A2DP, LE, aptX | 5.0, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | No | No |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS |
| Radio | Unspecified | Unspecified |
| USB | microUSB 2.0, OTG | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Accelerometer, proximity, compass | Accelerometer, proximity |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 10W wired | - |
| Type | Li-Po 4230 mAh | Li-Po 5000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Black, Blue | Black, Copper, Light Blue |
| Models | CPH2349 | SM-A042F, SM-A042F/DS, SM-A042M, SM-A042M/DS |
| Price | About 550 EUR | ₹ 7,999 |
| SAR EU | - | 0.29 W/kg (head) 1.11 W/kg (body) |
Oppo A16K
- Slightly better performance (Helio G35)
- Faster 10W charging
- Triple camera setup
- Entry-level chipset limitations
- Basic design
- Limited storage options
Samsung Galaxy A04e
- Samsung's One UI interface
- Potentially better display calibration
- 50MP main camera sensor
- Slightly slower performance (Helio P35)
- Likely slower charging
- Dual camera setup
Display Comparison
Both phones feature a 6.5-inch display, likely with an HD+ resolution. Expect decent viewing angles and color reproduction for everyday use, but don't anticipate flagship-level quality. The Samsung might have slightly better color calibration due to Samsung's display expertise, but it's a marginal difference.
Camera Comparison
The Oppo A16K typically features a triple camera setup (13MP main + 2MP depth + 2MP macro), while the Galaxy A04e usually has a dual camera setup (50MP main + 2MP depth). The higher megapixel count on the A04e's main sensor *could* translate to slightly better detail in well-lit conditions, but image processing will be key. Both will struggle in low light.
Performance
The Oppo A16K's Helio G35 chipset offers a slight advantage over the Galaxy A04e's Helio P35. While both are entry-level chips, the G35 generally handles multitasking and light gaming a bit better. Expect some lag with demanding apps on both devices.
Battery Life
Both phones likely pack a 5000mAh battery, promising all-day battery life with moderate usage. However, the Oppo A16K's 10W charging is a slight advantage over the A04e's likely slower charging speed (potentially 7.5W or similar).
Buying Guide
The Oppo A16K is ideal for users prioritizing a bit more performance for basic tasks and occasional gaming. The Samsung Galaxy A04e is a solid choice for those deeply invested in the Samsung ecosystem and prefer a familiar user interface, even with slightly reduced performance.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Which phone has better gaming performance?
The Oppo A16K's Helio G35 chipset provides a slight edge in gaming performance compared to the Galaxy A04e's Helio P35, although both are entry-level and will struggle with demanding titles.
❓ Is the Samsung Galaxy A04e a good choice if I already use Samsung devices?
Yes, if you're invested in the Samsung ecosystem and prefer Samsung's One UI interface, the Galaxy A04e is a reasonable option, despite its slightly lower performance.
