The budget smartphone market is fiercely competitive, offering incredible value for money. Two contenders vying for your attention are the Oppo A17k 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 A17k edges out the Samsung Galaxy A04 thanks to its slightly better chipset and potentially more responsive performance. While both are budget options, the A17k offers a marginally smoother experience for everyday tasks. However, Samsung's brand recognition and software support are strong considerations.
| 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, October 13 | 2022, August 24 |
| Status | Available. Released 2022, October 18 | 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 |
|---|
| Protection | Panda Glass | - |
| 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, 480 nits (typ), 600 nits (HBM) | 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 | 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, 25mm (wide), 1/2.51", 0.7µm, AF
Auxiliary lens |
| Features | LED flash, panorama | LED flash |
| Single | 8 MP, f/2.0, (wide), AF | 5 MP, f/2.2 |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Single | 5 MP, f/2.2, (wide) | 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 | 5.3, A2DP, LE, aptX HD | 5.0, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | No | No |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, BDS, GALILEO | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS |
| Radio | Unspecified | Unspecified |
| USB | microUSB 2.0, OTG | 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, compass | Accelerometer, proximity |
| Battery |
|---|
| Type | Li-Po 5000 mAh | Li-Po 5000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Navy Blue, Gold | Black, Green, White, Copper |
| Models | CPH2471 | 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) |
Oppo A17k
- Slightly better performance (Helio G35)
- Clean Android experience
- Potentially better color accuracy on display
- Slow charging speed
- Basic camera features
- Plastic build quality
Samsung Galaxy A04
- Samsung's One UI
- Brand recognition and support
- Multiple rear cameras (macro)
- Reliable battery life
- Slightly slower performance (Helio P35)
- Can feel a bit bloated with pre-installed apps
- Slow charging speed
Display Comparison
Both phones feature a 6.5-inch HD+ display, offering decent viewing angles for media consumption. However, the Oppo A17k might have slightly better color accuracy. Screen brightness is typical for this price range – adequate for indoor use but potentially challenging in direct sunlight.
Camera Comparison
The Oppo A17k typically features a 50MP main camera and a 2MP depth sensor, while the Samsung Galaxy A04 often includes a 50MP main camera, 2MP macro, and 2MP depth sensor. Image quality is comparable, with decent results in good lighting conditions. Low-light performance is expected to be average on both.
Performance
While both utilize a Mediatek Helio P35/G35, the Helio G35 in the Oppo A17k generally performs slightly better due to architectural differences and clock speeds. Expect smoother multitasking and app loading on the A17k. Both will struggle with demanding games.
Battery Life
Both phones pack a 5000mAh battery, promising all-day battery life for moderate users. Charging speeds are likely to be around 10W, which is relatively slow.
Buying Guide
The Oppo A17k is ideal for users prioritizing a bit more performance and a cleaner Android experience. The Samsung Galaxy A04 is a good choice for those who value Samsung's One UI, ecosystem integration, and potentially longer software update support.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Which phone has better software support?
Samsung generally offers longer software update support compared to Oppo in this price range.
❓ Can I play demanding games on either of these phones?
No, both phones are not suitable for demanding games due to their limited processing power and RAM.