The budget smartphone market is fiercely competitive, offering incredible value for money. Two contenders vying for your attention are the Oppo A17 and the Samsung Galaxy A04. Both promise essential features at an affordable price, but which one delivers the best overall experience?
🏆 Quick Verdict
The Oppo A17 edges out the Samsung Galaxy A04 thanks to its slightly more powerful chipset (Helio G35 vs P35) and potentially better software optimization. While both are budget options, the A17 offers a marginally smoother experience 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 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 3, 5, 8, 38, 40, 41 | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41 |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE Cat4 150/50 Mbps |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2022, September 26 | 2022, August 24 |
| Status | Available. Released 2022, September 26 | Available. Released 2022, October 10 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | - | Glass front, plastic back, plastic frame |
| Dimensions | 164.2 x 75.6 x 8.3 mm (6.46 x 2.98 x 0.33 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 | 189 g (6.67 oz) | 192 g (6.77 oz) |
| | IPX4 water resistance | - |
| Display |
|---|
| Resolution | 720 x 1612 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~269 ppi density) | 720 x 1600 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~270 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.56 inches, 103.4 cm2 (~83.3% 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 (4x2.3 GHz Cortex-A53 & 4x1.8 GHz Cortex-A53) | Octa-core (4x2.3 GHz Cortex-A53 & 4x1.8 GHz Cortex-A53) |
| Chipset | Mediatek MT6765 Helio G35 (12 nm) | Mediatek MT6765 Helio P35 (12 nm) |
| GPU | PowerVR GE8320 | PowerVR GE8320 |
| OS | Android 12, ColorOS 12.1 | Android 12, upgradable to Android 13, One UI Core 5.0 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 64GB 3GB RAM, 64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB 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), PDAF
Auxiliary lens | 50 MP, f/1.8, 25mm (wide), 1/2.51", 0.7µm, AF
Auxiliary lens |
| Features | LED flash, HDR, panorama | LED flash |
| Single | 5 MP, f/2.2, (wide) | 5 MP, f/2.2 |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | HDR | - |
| Single | 5 MP, f/2.2, (wide) | 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 | Yes | 5.0, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | No | No |
| Positioning | GPS | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS |
| Radio | FM radio | Unspecified |
| USB | microUSB 2.0 | USB Type-C 2.0 |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, proximity | Accelerometer, proximity |
| Battery |
|---|
| Type | Li-Po 5000 mAh | Li-Po 5000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Midnight Black, Lake Blue, Sunlight Orange | Black, Green, White, Copper |
| Models | CPH2477 | SM-A045F, SM-A045F/DS, SM-A045M |
| Price | € 159.99 / $ 168.76 / ₹ 8,999 | About 70 EUR |
| SAR EU | - | 0.32 W/kg (head) 1.10 W/kg (body) |
Oppo A17
- Slightly better performance (Helio G35)
- Potentially cleaner software experience
- Often better color accuracy on display
- Competitive pricing
- Entry-level chipset limits gaming performance
- Plastic build quality
- Basic camera features
Samsung Galaxy A04
- Samsung's One UI interface
- Good battery life
- Reliable brand reputation
- Wide availability
- Slightly less powerful chipset (Helio P35)
- Can feel sluggish with multiple apps
- Average camera performance
Display Comparison
Both phones feature a 6.5-inch HD+ display, offering decent viewing angles for media consumption. However, Oppo often has slightly better color accuracy in this price range. Samsung's display might have slightly better brightness, but both are adequate for indoor use.
Camera Comparison
The Oppo A17 typically features a 50MP main camera, while the Samsung Galaxy A04 often has a similar resolution. Image quality is generally comparable, with both producing acceptable results in good lighting conditions. Low-light performance will be average on both devices. Software processing differences will impact the final look of the photos.
Performance
Here's where the Oppo A17 has a slight advantage. The Helio G35 chipset, while still entry-level, generally outperforms the Helio P35 found in the Galaxy A04. Expect slightly faster app loading times and smoother multitasking on the Oppo A17. Both will struggle with demanding games.
Battery Life
Both phones typically pack a 5000mAh battery, promising all-day battery life with moderate usage. Actual battery performance will depend on usage patterns and software optimization. Samsung's One UI might be slightly more power-efficient in some scenarios.
Buying Guide
The Oppo A17 is ideal for users prioritizing a bit more performance and a cleaner software experience. The Samsung Galaxy A04 is a good choice for those heavily invested in the Samsung ecosystem and prefer the One UI interface, even with slightly reduced processing power.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Which phone has better gaming performance?
The Oppo A17 generally offers slightly better gaming performance due to its marginally more powerful chipset.
❓ Is the Samsung Galaxy A04 a good choice if I already use Samsung devices?
Yes, if you're invested in the Samsung ecosystem and prefer One UI, the Galaxy A04 is a reasonable option, though you'll sacrifice a bit of performance.