Looking for an affordable Samsung phone? The Galaxy A04 and A14 5G are popular contenders, but which one offers the best value? This comprehensive comparison dives deep into their features, performance, and overall worth to help you make an informed decision.
🏆 Quick Verdict
The Samsung Galaxy A14 5G is the clear winner. Its superior chipset, brighter display, and 5G connectivity offer a significantly better experience than the A04, despite a slightly higher price. The A04 remains a budget option, but the A14 5G provides much better bang for your buck.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41 | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 17, 20, 26, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66 - International |
| 5G bands | - | 2, 5, 66, 77 Sub6/mmWave - USA |
| Speed | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE Cat4 150/50 Mbps | HSPA, LTE, 5G |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G |
| | - | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 40, 41, 78 SA/NSA/Sub6 - India |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2022, August 24 | 2023, January 04 |
| Status | Available. Released 2022, October 10 | Available. Released 2023, January 12 |
| 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) | 167.7 x 78 x 9.1 mm (6.60 x 3.07 x 0.36 in) |
| SIM | · Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | · Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 192 g (6.77 oz) | 202 g (7.13 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Resolution | 720 x 1600 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~270 ppi density) | 1080 x 2408 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~400 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.5 inches, 102.0 cm2 (~81.3% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.6 inches, 104.9 cm2 (~80.2% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | PLS LCD | PLS LCD, 90Hz |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (4x2.3 GHz Cortex-A53 & 4x1.8 GHz Cortex-A53) | Octa-core (2x2.4 GHz Cortex-A78 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55) - SM-A146BOcta-core (2x2.2 GHz Cortex-A76 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55) - SM-A146P |
| Chipset | Mediatek MT6765 Helio P35 (12 nm) | Exynos 1330 (5 nm) - SM-A146BMediatek Dimensity 700 (7 nm) - SM-A146P |
| GPU | PowerVR GE8320 | Mali-G68 MP2 - SM-A146BMali-G57 MC2 - SM-A146P |
| OS | Android 12, upgradable to Android 13, One UI Core 5.0 | Android 13, upgradable to Android 15, One UI Core 7 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) - USA onlymicroSDXC (dedicated slot) - International |
| Internal | 32GB 3GB RAM, 32GB 4GB RAM, 64GB 3GB RAM, 64GB 4GB RAM, 64GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM | 64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM |
| | 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 | 13 MP, f/2.0, (wide) |
| 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 | 13 MP, f/2.0, 26mm (wide), 1.12µm |
| Video | Yes | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.0, A2DP, LE | 5.2, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | No | Yes |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO |
| Radio | Unspecified | FM radio (Exynos 1330 chipset only), 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 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Accelerometer, proximity | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, barometer (USA only) |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | - | 15W wired |
| Type | Li-Po 5000 mAh | Li-Po 5000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Black, Green, White, Copper | Black, Light Green, Dark Red, Silver |
| Models | SM-A045F, SM-A045F/DS, SM-A045M | SM-A146B, SM-A146B/DS, SM-A146P, SM-A146P/DS, SM-A146U, SM-A146U1, SM-A146U1/DS, SM-A146W, SM-A146P/N, SM-A146P/DSN, SM-S146VL, SM-A146M |
| Price | About 70 EUR | $ 77.63 / C$ 151.00 / £ 97.00 / € 159.79 / ₹ 14,990 |
| SAR | - | 1.00 W/kg (head) 1.00 W/kg (body) |
| SAR EU | 0.32 W/kg (head) 1.10 W/kg (body) | 0.56 W/kg (head) 1.28 W/kg (body) |
| Tests |
|---|
| Battery life | - |
Endurance rating 130h
|
| Camera | - |
Photo / Video |
| Display | - |
Contrast ratio: 1334:1 (nominal) |
| Loudspeaker | - |
-26.8 LUFS (Good)
|
| Performance | - |
AnTuTu: 307886 (v9)
GeekBench: 1727 (v5.1)
GFXBench: 12fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) |
Samsung Galaxy A04
- Extremely affordable
- Decent battery life
- Lightweight design
- Outdated chipset
- Low brightness display
- Limited camera capabilities
- No 5G connectivity
Samsung Galaxy A14 5G
- 5G connectivity
- Faster performance
- Brighter display
- Improved camera
- Modern design
- Slightly more expensive than A04
- 15W charging is relatively slow
Display Comparison
The Galaxy A14 5G boasts a noticeably brighter display (519 nits vs. A04's likely lower brightness) and a slightly better contrast ratio, resulting in more vibrant colors and improved visibility, especially outdoors. Both offer a similar resolution, but the A14's panel is generally considered superior.
Camera Comparison
While both phones offer decent camera capabilities for their price range, the A14 5G generally delivers better image quality, particularly in low-light conditions. The A14 5G likely has more advanced camera features and processing algorithms. Specific camera specs are not provided, but the A14 5G is expected to perform better.
Performance
The A14 5G's Exynos 1330 (or Dimensity 700) chipset is a significant upgrade over the A04's Helio P35. Expect smoother multitasking, faster app loading times, and better overall responsiveness on the A14 5G. The A04's chipset is adequate for basic tasks but struggles with more demanding applications.
Battery Life
Both phones are advertised with an endurance rating of 130h, suggesting excellent battery life. However, the A14 5G's more efficient chipset and potentially larger battery capacity (though unconfirmed) could translate to slightly longer real-world usage.
Buying Guide
Who should buy the Samsung Galaxy A04? Those on the absolute tightest budget who prioritize affordability above all else. Who should buy the Samsung Galaxy A14 5G? Anyone seeking a modern smartphone experience with 5G connectivity, a better display, and improved performance without breaking the bank.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Is the Samsung Galaxy A04 worth buying in 2024?
Only if you're on a very tight budget and don't need 5G or high performance. Otherwise, the A14 5G offers significantly better value.
❓ Does the A14 5G support 5G?
Yes, the '5G' in the name indicates it supports 5G networks, providing faster data speeds where available.
❓ What is the difference between the Exynos 1330 and Dimensity 700 chipsets in the A14 5G?
Both are mid-range chipsets, with the Exynos 1330 generally offering slightly better performance and efficiency. The Dimensity 700 is often found in more affordable variants.
