Choosing a new Samsung phone can be overwhelming. The Galaxy A04 offers an affordable entry point, while the A34 steps up with premium features. This comparison dives deep into their specs and performance to help you decide which one best suits your needs and budget.
🏆 Quick Verdict
The Samsung Galaxy A34 is the clear winner, offering significantly better performance, a superior display, and a more advanced camera system. While the A04 is a budget-friendly option, the A34's upgrades justify the higher price 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 / 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, 32, 38, 40, 41, 66 |
| 5G bands | - | 1, 3, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41, 77, 78 SA/NSA/Sub6 |
| Speed | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE Cat4 150/50 Mbps | HSPA, LTE, 5G |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2022, August 24 | 2023, March 14 |
| Status | Available. Released 2022, October 10 | Available. Released 2023, March 24 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front, plastic back, plastic frame | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 5), plastic frame, plastic back |
| Dimensions | 164.4 x 76.3 x 9.1 mm (6.47 x 3.00 x 0.36 in) | 161.3 x 78.1 x 8.2 mm (6.35 x 3.07 x 0.32 in) |
| SIM | · Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | · Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 192 g (6.77 oz) | 199 g (7.02 oz) |
| | - | IP67 dust/water resistant (up to 1m for 30 min) |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | - | Corning Gorilla Glass 5 |
| Resolution | 720 x 1600 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~270 ppi density) | 1080 x 2340 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~390 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.5 inches, 102.0 cm2 (~81.3% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.6 inches, 106.9 cm2 (~84.9% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | PLS LCD | Super AMOLED, 120Hz, 1000 nits (HBM) |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (4x2.3 GHz Cortex-A53 & 4x1.8 GHz Cortex-A53) | Octa-core (2x2.6 GHz Cortex-A78 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55) |
| Chipset | Mediatek MT6765 Helio P35 (12 nm) | Mediatek Dimensity 1080 (6 nm) |
| GPU | PowerVR GE8320 | Mali-G68 MC4 |
| OS | Android 12, upgradable to Android 13, One UI Core 5.0 | Android 13, up to 4 major Android upgrades, One UI 6.1 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) |
| Internal | 32GB 3GB RAM, 32GB 4GB RAM, 64GB 3GB RAM, 64GB 4GB RAM, 64GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM | 128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 6GB RAM, 256GB 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 | - |
| Triple | - | 48 MP, f/1.8, 26mm (wide), 1/2.0", 0.8µm, PDAF, OIS
8 MP, f/2.2, 123˚, (ultrawide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm
5 MP (macro) |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60fps, 720p@480fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Single | 5 MP, f/2.2, 28mm (wide), 1/5", 1.12µm | 13 MP, f/2.2, 26mm (wide), 1/3.1", 1.12µm |
| Video | Yes | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | No |
| 35mm jack | Yes | No |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes, with stereo speakers |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.0, A2DP, LE | 5.3, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | No | Yes (market/region dependent) |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS |
| Radio | Unspecified | No |
| USB | USB Type-C 2.0 | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG |
| 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 (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, compass |
| | - | Virtual proximity sensing |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | - | 25W wired |
| Type | Li-Po 5000 mAh | Li-Ion 5000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Black, Green, White, Copper | Lime, Graphite, Violet, Silver |
| Models | SM-A045F, SM-A045F/DS, SM-A045M | SM-A346E, SM-A346B, SM-A346B/DS, SM-A346B/DSN, SM-A346E/DS, SM-A346E/DSN, SM-A346M, SM-A346M/N, SM-A346M/DSN, SM-A3460 |
| Price | About 70 EUR | € 169.99 / $ 175.00 / £ 164.99 / ₹ 23,999 |
| SAR EU | 0.32 W/kg (head) 1.10 W/kg (body) | 0.55 W/kg (head) 1.49 W/kg (body) |
| Tests |
|---|
| Battery life | - |
Endurance rating 133h
|
| Camera | - |
Photo / Video |
| Display | - |
Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal) |
| Loudspeaker | - |
-26.1 LUFS (Good)
|
| Performance | - |
AnTuTu: 472126 (v9)
GeekBench: 2316 (v5.5), 2518 (v6)
GFXBench: 23fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) |
Samsung Galaxy A04
- Very affordable
- Decent battery life
- Large display for media consumption
- Slow performance
- Basic camera
- Low-resolution display
- Outdated chipset
Samsung Galaxy A34
- Excellent display
- Fast performance
- Capable camera
- Long battery life
- Modern design
- 25W fast charging
- Higher price point
- May lack expandable storage (depending on variant)
Display Comparison
The Galaxy A34 boasts a significantly brighter display (1009 nits) with an 'infinite' contrast ratio, providing vibrant colors and excellent visibility even in direct sunlight. The A04's display is adequate but lacks the same level of brightness and color accuracy. The A34 also likely has a higher resolution, contributing to a sharper image.
Camera Comparison
While both offer 'Photo/Video' capabilities, the A34's camera system is expected to be considerably better. Expect improved image quality, better low-light performance, and potentially more advanced features like optical image stabilization (OIS). The A04's camera is adequate for basic snapshots but won't compete with the A34.
Performance
The A34's Mediatek Dimensity 1080 chipset (6nm) is a substantial upgrade over the A04's Helio P35 (12nm). This translates to noticeably faster app loading times, smoother multitasking, and better gaming performance. The A34's Cortex-A78 cores offer a significant performance boost compared to the A04's Cortex-A53 cores.
Battery Life
Both phones have an endurance rating of 133h, suggesting excellent battery life. However, the A34's more efficient chipset and potentially larger battery capacity (likely around 5000mAh) could provide slightly longer real-world usage. The A34 also supports 25W wired charging, offering faster charging speeds than the A04.
Buying Guide
The Samsung Galaxy A04 is ideal for users on a tight budget who primarily need a basic smartphone for calls, texts, and light social media use. The Samsung Galaxy A34 is perfect for those seeking a well-rounded mid-range phone with a great display, capable camera, and solid performance for everyday tasks and some gaming.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Is the Galaxy A04 good for gaming?
The Galaxy A04's performance is limited, so it's not ideal for demanding games. It can handle basic games, but expect lag and low frame rates.
❓ Does the Galaxy A34 have expandable storage?
Some variants of the Galaxy A34 offer expandable storage via microSD card, while others do not. Check the specific model you're considering.
❓ What is the difference in chipset between the two phones?
The Galaxy A34 uses the Mediatek Dimensity 1080, a significantly more powerful and efficient chipset built on a 6nm process. The A04 uses the older and less efficient Mediatek Helio P35, built on a 12nm process.
