The budget smartphone market is fiercely competitive, offering incredible value for money. Today, we're pitting two contenders against each other: the Realme C25Y and the Samsung Galaxy A04. Both promise affordability, but which one delivers the better overall experience?
🏆 Quick Verdict
The Realme C25Y edges out the Galaxy A04 thanks to its slightly more powerful chipset and faster charging. While both are budget options, the C25Y offers a smoother experience for everyday tasks and quicker top-ups, making it the more compelling 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, 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 | 2021, September 16 | 2022, August 24 |
| Status | Available. Released 2021, September 30 | Available. Released 2022, October 10 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front, plastic back, plastic frame | Glass front, plastic back, plastic frame |
| Dimensions | 164.5 x 76 x 9.1 mm (6.48 x 2.99 x 0.36 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 | 200 g (7.05 oz) | 192 g (6.77 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| 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 (~81.3% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD, 420 nits (typ) | PLS LCD |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (2x1.8 GHz Cortex-A75 & 6x1.8 GHz Cortex-A55) | Octa-core (4x2.3 GHz Cortex-A53 & 4x1.8 GHz Cortex-A53) |
| Chipset | Unisoc T610 (12 nm) | Mediatek MT6765 Helio P35 (12 nm) |
| GPU | Mali-G52 MP2 | PowerVR GE8320 |
| OS | Android 11, Realme UI R | Android 12, upgradable to Android 13, One UI Core 5.0 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 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, 25mm (wide), 1/2.51", 0.7µm, AF
Auxiliary lens |
| Features | LED flash, HDR, panorama | LED flash |
| Single | 8 MP, f/2.0, 26mm (wide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm | 5 MP, f/2.2 |
| Triple | 50 MP, f/1.8, 26mm (wide), PDAF
2 MP (macro)
Auxiliary lens | - |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | HDR | - |
| Single | 8 MP, f/2.0, 26mm (wide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm | 5 MP, f/2.2, 28mm (wide), 1/5", 1.12µm |
| Video | 720p@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, GLONASS, BDS | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS |
| Radio | Unspecified | Unspecified |
| USB | microUSB 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 (rear-mounted), accelerometer, proximity, compass | Accelerometer, proximity |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 18W wired | - |
| Type | 5000 mAh | Li-Po 5000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Glacier Blue, Metal Gray | Black, Green, White, Copper |
| Models | RMX3265, RMX3268, RMX3269 | SM-A045F, SM-A045F/DS, SM-A045M |
| Price | About 140 EUR | About 70 EUR |
| SAR EU | - | 0.32 W/kg (head) 1.10 W/kg (body) |
Realme C25Y
- Slightly better performance
- Faster 18W charging
- Often better camera quality
- Good battery life
- Unisoc chipset not as well-regarded as Snapdragon/Exynos
- Plastic build quality
Samsung Galaxy A04
- Samsung's One UI interface
- Brand recognition and support
- Decent battery life
- Slower charging speed
- Less powerful chipset
- Can feel sluggish at times
Display Comparison
Both phones feature a 6.5-inch HD+ display, offering decent viewing angles and adequate brightness for indoor use. However, color accuracy and overall vibrancy are typical for this price range. Neither display stands out significantly.
Camera Comparison
The Realme C25Y typically features a 50MP main camera, offering better detail and dynamic range compared to the Galaxy A04's likely 50MP main camera (though image processing varies). Both phones offer basic camera features, but the C25Y often has slightly better low-light performance. Front cameras are likely similar, around 8MP.
Performance
The Realme C25Y's Unisoc T610 chipset, while not a powerhouse, generally outperforms the Galaxy A04's Helio P35. The Cortex-A75 cores in the C25Y provide a noticeable boost in responsiveness for multitasking and light gaming. The A04 can feel sluggish at times.
Battery Life
Both phones pack a 5000mAh battery, promising all-day battery life. However, the Realme C25Y's 18W fast charging support gives it a significant advantage over the Galaxy A04, which typically charges at a slower 15W. This means quicker top-ups for the C25Y.
Buying Guide
The Realme C25Y is ideal for users prioritizing performance and faster charging within a tight budget. The Samsung Galaxy A04 is a good option for those deeply invested in the Samsung ecosystem and prefer a familiar user interface, even if it means sacrificing some performance.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Which phone has better gaming performance?
The Realme C25Y generally offers better gaming performance due to its slightly more powerful chipset.
❓ Is the Samsung Galaxy A04 a good choice if I already use Samsung devices?
Yes, if you're heavily invested in the Samsung ecosystem and prefer One UI, the A04 is a reasonable option, but be aware of the performance trade-offs.
