Samsung's A-series continues to dominate the ultra-budget smartphone space, but navigating the options can be tricky. The Galaxy A03s and A04s represent incremental updates, with the A04s introducing a newer Exynos chipset. This comparison dives deep into the specifications to determine whether the A04s' upgrade is worth the potential trade-offs in display and battery endurance.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For most users, the Samsung Galaxy A03s represents the better value. While the A04s boasts a more modern Exynos 850 chip, the A03s’ brighter display (488 nits vs 389 nits) and superior battery endurance (122h vs 114h) provide a more consistently positive user experience, especially given the similar 15W charging speeds.
| 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 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE Cat4 150/50 Mbps | HSPA, LTE |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| | 2, 4, 5, 7, 12, 13, 14, 25, 26, 41, 66, 71 - SM-A037U | - |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2021, August 18 | 2022, August 31 |
| Status | Available. Released 2021, August 18 | Available. Released 2022, September 22 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front, plastic frame, plastic back | Glass front, plastic back, plastic frame |
| Dimensions | 164.2 x 75.9 x 9.1 mm (6.46 x 2.99 x 0.36 in) | 164.7 x 76.7 x 9.1 mm (6.48 x 3.02 x 0.36 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 196 g (6.91 oz) | 195 g (6.88 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 (~81.8% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.5 inches, 102.0 cm2 (~80.7% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | PLS LCD | PLS LCD, 90Hz, 400 nits (peak) |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (4x2.35 GHz Cortex-A53 & 4x1.8 GHz Cortex-A53) | Octa-core (4x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55 & 4x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55) |
| Chipset | Mediatek MT6765 Helio P35 (12 nm) | Exynos 850 (8 nm) |
| GPU | PowerVR GE8320 | Mali-G52 |
| OS | Android 11, upgradable to Android 13, One UI 5.1 Core | Android 12, upgradable to Android 14, One UI 6.1 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 32GB 2GB RAM, 32GB 3GB RAM, 32GB 4GB RAM, 64GB 3GB RAM, 64GB 4GB RAM | 32GB 3GB RAM, 32GB 4GB RAM, 64GB 3GB RAM, 64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 3GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM |
| | eMMC 5.1 | eMMC 5.1 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash | LED flash, panorama, HDR |
| Single | 5 MP, f/2.2 | - |
| Triple | 13 MP, f/2.2, (wide), AF
2 MP (macro)
Auxiliary lens | 50 MP, f/1.8, 26mm (wide), 1/2.76", 0.64µm, PDAF
2 MP (macro)
Auxiliary lens |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Single | 5 MP, f/2.2 | 5 MP, f/2.2, (wide) |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 720p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.0, A2DP | 5.0, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | Yes (market/region dependent) | Yes (market/region dependent) |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS | GPS, GLONASS, BDS, GALILEO, QZSS |
| Radio | No | No |
| USB | USB Type-C 2.0 | USB Type-C 2.0 |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, Wi-Fi Direct | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, proximity | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer |
| | - | Virtual Proximity Sensing |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 15W wired | 15W wired |
| Type | Li-Po 5000 mAh | Li-Po 5000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Black, Blue, White | Black, Green, White, Copper |
| Models | SM-A037F, SM-A037F/DS, SM-A037M, SM-A037G, SM-A037U, SM-S134DL, SM-A037W, SM-A037U1, SM-S135DL | SM-A047F, SM-A047F/DS, SM-A047F/DSN, SM-A047M |
| Price | $ 65.65 / £ 82.99 / ₹ 10,800 | € 133.89 |
| SAR EU | 0.36 W/kg (head) 1.09 W/kg (body) | 0.52 W/kg (head) 1.23 W/kg (body) |
| Tests |
|---|
| Battery life |
Endurance rating 122h
|
Endurance rating 114h
|
| Camera |
Photo / Video |
Photo / Video |
| Display |
Contrast ratio: 1718:1 (nominal) |
Contrast ratio: 1614:1 |
| Loudspeaker |
-27.4 LUFS (Good)
|
-30.3 LUFS (Below average)
|
| Performance |
AnTuTu: 103465 (v8), 101299 (v9)
GeekBench: 889 (v5.1)
GFXBench: 5.5fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) |
AnTuTu: 145123(v9)
GeekBench: 1100 (v5.1)
GFXBench: 11fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) |
Samsung Galaxy A03s
- Brighter display for better outdoor visibility
- Longer battery life
- Potentially better single-core performance due to higher clock speeds
- Older chipset architecture
- Less efficient manufacturing process (12nm)
Samsung Galaxy A04s
- More modern chipset (Exynos 850)
- More efficient manufacturing process (8nm)
- Potentially smoother multitasking
- Dimmer display
- Shorter battery life
Display Comparison
The Galaxy A03s features a display capable of reaching 488 nits of peak brightness, significantly outshining the A04s’ 389 nits. This difference is crucial for outdoor visibility. While both displays share a similar contrast ratio around 1700:1, the higher brightness of the A03s translates to a more vibrant and readable image in bright sunlight. Neither phone boasts high refresh rates or advanced panel technologies like LTPO, keeping costs down.
Camera Comparison
Both devices feature a basic photo/video camera setup, lacking detailed specifications in the provided data. Given the price point, image quality will likely be similar, relying heavily on Samsung’s software processing. The inclusion of a 2MP macro camera on both is largely a marketing feature with limited practical benefit. The aperture and sensor size of the main cameras are unknown, making a definitive comparison impossible, but expect similar results in good lighting conditions.
Performance
The most significant difference lies in the chipset. The A04s utilizes Samsung’s Exynos 850, fabricated on an 8nm process, while the A03s relies on the MediaTek Helio P35 (12nm). The 8nm process generally leads to improved power efficiency. However, the A03s’ Helio P35 features a higher clock speed on its primary cores (2.35 GHz vs 2.0 GHz on the A04s’ Cortex-A55 cores), potentially offering a slight edge in single-core performance. Both phones are paired with similar RAM configurations, so the Exynos 850’s architectural improvements should provide a smoother experience with multiple apps, but the difference won't be dramatic.
Battery Life
The Galaxy A03s boasts a superior endurance rating of 122 hours, compared to the A04s’ 114 hours. This suggests the A03s will last longer on a single charge, despite having similar battery capacities (not specified in the data). Both phones support 15W wired charging, meaning charge times will be comparable. The more efficient Helio P35 and brighter display of the A03s contribute to its longer battery life.
Buying Guide
Buy the Samsung Galaxy A03s if you prioritize a brighter, more visible display in outdoor conditions and longer battery life between charges. It’s ideal for users who primarily use their phone for basic tasks like calling, texting, and light social media. Buy the Samsung Galaxy A04s if you anticipate needing slightly more processing power for multitasking or running moderately demanding apps, and are willing to accept a dimmer screen and shorter battery life in exchange.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Does the Exynos 850 in the A04s get noticeably hot during extended use, like gaming?
While the Exynos 850 is more efficient than the Helio P35, both are entry-level chipsets. Expect some degree of heat buildup during prolonged gaming sessions. However, the 8nm process should mitigate throttling better than the 12nm Helio P35, but don't expect flagship-level performance.
❓ Is the 2MP macro camera on either phone worth using for close-up shots?
Generally, no. 2MP macro cameras on budget phones suffer from poor image quality and lack detail. They are primarily a marketing feature and are unlikely to produce satisfying results. The main camera will likely deliver better close-up shots with digital zoom.
❓ Will the A04s handle popular games like PUBG Mobile at acceptable frame rates?
PUBG Mobile will likely be playable on the A04s, but you'll need to lower the graphics settings to achieve smooth frame rates. The Exynos 850 is capable, but it's not a gaming powerhouse. The A03s will struggle more with demanding titles.
❓ How much faster is the charging speed on the A04s compared to the A03s, given they both support 15W charging?
The charging speed will be virtually identical. Both phones support 15W charging, and the difference in battery capacity is likely minimal. The time to reach 100% will be similar, around 2-3 hours.
