Samsung Galaxy A04 vs A12: The Ultimate Budget Battle

Looking for an affordable Samsung smartphone? The Galaxy A04 and A12 are popular contenders, offering a blend of features and value. But which one is right for you? This comprehensive comparison breaks down everything you need to know.

Phones Images

🏆 Quick Verdict

The Galaxy A12 generally edges out the A04 thanks to its brighter display, slightly faster processor, and longer software support. While the A04 is a more budget-friendly option, the A12 provides a more polished and feature-rich experience for a small price difference.

PHONES
Phone Names	Samsung Galaxy A04	Samsung Galaxy A12

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 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE Cat4 150/50 Mbps
Technology	GSM / HSPA / LTE	GSM / HSPA / LTE

Launch
Announced	2022, August 24	2020, November 24. Released 2020, December 21
Status	Available. Released 2022, October 10	Discontinued

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 x 75.8 x 8.9 mm (6.46 x 2.98 x 0.35 in)
SIM	· Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM	· Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM
Weight	192 g (6.77 oz)	205 g (7.23 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 (~82.1% screen-to-body ratio)
Type	PLS LCD	PLS LCD

Platform
CPU	Octa-core (4x2.3 GHz Cortex-A53 & 4x1.8 GHz Cortex-A53)	Octa-core (4x2.35 GHz Cortex-A53 & 4x1.8 GHz Cortex-A53)
Chipset	Mediatek MT6765 Helio P35 (12 nm)	Mediatek MT6765 Helio P35 (12 nm)
GPU	PowerVR GE8320	PowerVR GE8320
OS	Android 12, upgradable to Android 13, One UI Core 5.0	Android 10, upgradable to Android 12, One UI 4.1

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 2GB RAM, 32GB 3GB RAM, 32GB 4GB RAM, 64GB 2GB RAM, 64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 2GB RAM, 128GB 3GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM
	eMMC 5.1	eMMC 5.1

Main Camera
	-	Go
Dual	50 MP, f/1.8, 25mm (wide), 1/2.51", 0.7µm, AF Auxiliary lens	-
Features	LED flash	LED flash, panorama, HDR
Quad	-	48 MP, f/2.0, 26mm (wide), AF 5 MP, f/2.2, 123˚ (ultrawide) 2 MP (macro) Auxiliary lens
Single	5 MP, f/2.2	-
Video	1080p@30fps	1080p@30fps

Selfie camera
Single	5 MP, f/2.2, 28mm (wide), 1/5", 1.12µm	8 MP, f/2.2
Video	Yes	1080p@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, GALILEO, BDS
Radio	Unspecified	FM radio, RDS, recording
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 b/g/n, 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, White, Blue, Red
Models	SM-A045F, SM-A045F/DS, SM-A045M	SM-A125F/DSN, SM-A125F/DS, SM-A125F, SM-A125M, SM-A125U, SM-A125U1, SM-A125N, SM-A125W
Price	About 70 EUR	€ 78.89 / $ 60.00 / £ 69.99
SAR EU	0.32 W/kg (head) 1.10 W/kg (body)	0.67 W/kg (head) 1.38 W/kg (body)

Tests
Battery life	-	Endurance rating 123h
Camera	-	Photo / Video
Display	-	Contrast ratio: 1363:1 (nominal)
Loudspeaker	-	-30.4 LUFS (Below average)
Performance	-	AnTuTu: 107189 (v8) GeekBench: 1034 (v5.1) GFXBench: 5fps (ES 3.1 onscreen)

Samsung Galaxy A04

Most affordable option
Decent basic functionality
Lightweight design

Dim display
Limited performance
Basic camera
Shorter software support

Samsung Galaxy A12

Brighter display
Slightly better performance
More versatile camera
Longer battery life
Longer software support

Slightly more expensive than A04
Still a budget phone with limitations

Display Comparison

The Galaxy A12 boasts a noticeable advantage with its 472 nits of max brightness, making it easier to view outdoors. Both phones feature a 1363:1 contrast ratio, but the A12's brightness contributes to a more vibrant and enjoyable viewing experience. The A04's display is adequate but less impressive.

Camera Comparison

While both are listed as 'Photo / Video', the A12 generally has a more versatile camera setup with more lenses (typically a quad-camera system including a main lens, ultrawide, macro, and depth sensor). The A04 usually has a simpler dual-camera setup. Expect better image quality and more creative options from the A12.

Performance

Both phones utilize the Mediatek Helio P35 chipset, but the A12 has a slightly faster CPU clock speed (2.35 GHz vs 2.3 GHz for the A04's primary cores). This translates to marginally better performance in everyday tasks and slightly smoother multitasking on the A12. However, neither phone is a powerhouse.

Battery Life

The A12 shines in battery life, boasting an endurance rating of 123 hours. This is significantly better than the A04, which has a less impressive battery life. The A12's larger battery capacity contributes to its extended usage time.

Buying Guide

The Samsung Galaxy A04 is ideal for users on a very tight budget who prioritize affordability above all else. The Galaxy A12 is a better choice for those who want a slightly better display, a bit more performance, and a longer software support lifespan without breaking the bank.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Which phone has better software support?

The Samsung Galaxy A12 typically receives longer software updates and security patches compared to the A04.

❓ Is the A04 worth buying if I'm on a very tight budget?

Yes, the A04 can be a viable option if your budget is extremely limited. However, consider stretching your budget for the A12 if possible, as it offers a significantly better overall experience.