Looking for an affordable Samsung smartphone? The Galaxy A04 and A04s are both contenders in the budget segment, offering essential features without breaking the bank. But which one is right for you? This comprehensive comparison dives deep into their specs, performance, and overall value.
🏆 Quick Verdict
The Galaxy A04s is the clear winner. While the A04 is a basic budget option, the A04s boasts a significantly more powerful processor, improved camera, and a brighter display, all while maintaining excellent battery life, making it the better value 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 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE Cat4 150/50 Mbps | HSPA, LTE |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2022, August 24 | 2022, August 31 |
| Status | Available. Released 2022, October 10 | Available. Released 2022, September 22 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front, plastic back, plastic frame | Glass front, plastic back, plastic frame |
| Dimensions | 164.4 x 76.3 x 9.1 mm (6.47 x 3.00 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 + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 192 g (6.77 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 (~81.3% 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 (4x2.3 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 12, upgradable to Android 13, One UI Core 5.0 | Android 12, upgradable to Android 14, One UI 6.1 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 32GB 3GB RAM, 32GB 4GB RAM, 64GB 3GB RAM, 64GB 4GB RAM, 64GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 8GB 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 |
|---|
| Dual | 50 MP, f/1.8, 25mm (wide), 1/2.51", 0.7µm, AF
Auxiliary lens | - |
| Features | LED flash | LED flash, panorama, HDR |
| Single | 5 MP, f/2.2 | - |
| Triple | - | 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, 28mm (wide), 1/5", 1.12µm | 5 MP, f/2.2, (wide) |
| Video | Yes | 720p@30fps |
| 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 | Yes (market/region dependent) |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS | GPS, GLONASS, BDS, GALILEO, QZSS |
| Radio | Unspecified | No |
| USB | USB Type-C 2.0 | USB Type-C 2.0 |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Accelerometer, proximity | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer |
| | - | Virtual Proximity Sensing |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | - | 15W wired |
| Type | Li-Po 5000 mAh | Li-Po 5000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Black, Green, White, Copper | Black, Green, White, Copper |
| Models | SM-A045F, SM-A045F/DS, SM-A045M | SM-A047F, SM-A047F/DS, SM-A047F/DSN, SM-A047M |
| Price | About 70 EUR | € 133.89 |
| SAR EU | 0.32 W/kg (head) 1.10 W/kg (body) | 0.52 W/kg (head) 1.23 W/kg (body) |
| Tests |
|---|
| Battery life | - |
Endurance rating 114h
|
| Camera | - |
Photo / Video |
| Display | - |
Contrast ratio: 1614:1 |
| Loudspeaker | - |
-30.3 LUFS (Below average)
|
| Performance | - |
AnTuTu: 145123(v9)
GeekBench: 1100 (v5.1)
GFXBench: 11fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) |
Samsung Galaxy A04
- Very affordable
- Decent battery life
- Lightweight design
- Slow performance
- Basic camera
- Dim display
- Outdated chipset
Samsung Galaxy A04s
- Faster performance (Exynos 850)
- Improved camera quality
- Brighter display
- Good battery life
- 15W charging
- Slightly more expensive than A04
- Plastic build
Display Comparison
The Samsung Galaxy A04s features a noticeably brighter display with a measured peak brightness of 389 nits, offering better visibility in sunlight. Both phones share a similar contrast ratio of 1614:1, providing decent blacks. The A04s's slightly improved brightness gives it a slight edge.
Camera Comparison
While both phones offer 'Photo / Video' capabilities, the A04s generally delivers better image quality thanks to its more capable processor and likely improved sensor. Expect more detail, better dynamic range, and reduced noise in the A04s's photos. Specific megapixel counts are not readily available, but the A04s's processing advantage is key.
Performance
The A04s's Exynos 850 chipset (8nm) is a significant upgrade over the A04's Mediatek Helio P35 (12nm). This translates to smoother multitasking, faster app loading times, and a more responsive user experience. The A04 can feel sluggish at times, especially with demanding apps.
Battery Life
Both phones boast an impressive endurance rating of 114 hours, indicating excellent battery life. Real-world usage will likely yield similar results, easily lasting a full day or more for most users. The A04s supports 15W wired charging, a standard feature.
Buying Guide
Who should buy the Samsung Galaxy A04? Those on the absolute tightest budget who prioritize affordability above all else and don't need high performance. Who should buy the Samsung Galaxy A04s? Anyone seeking a reliable, feature-rich budget phone with a better camera, faster performance, and a brighter display – a worthwhile upgrade over the A04.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Is the Samsung Galaxy A04s worth the extra money?
Yes, the A04s offers a significant upgrade in performance and camera quality, making it well worth the slightly higher price for most users.
❓ What is the difference between the A04 and A04s processors?
The A04 uses a Mediatek Helio P35, while the A04s uses an Exynos 850. The Exynos 850 is considerably more powerful and efficient, resulting in a smoother and faster user experience.