Samsung Galaxy A04e vs A03s: The Ultimate Budget Battle

Looking for an affordable Samsung smartphone? The Galaxy A04e and A03s are both contenders, offering essential features without breaking the bank. But which one delivers the best value? This detailed comparison will break down the key differences to help you make the right choice.

Phones Images

🏆 Quick Verdict

The Samsung Galaxy A03s edges out the A04e thanks to its slightly faster CPU, brighter display, and the inclusion of 15W fast charging. While both offer solid battery life, the A03s provides a more polished and feature-rich experience for a minimal price difference.

PHONES
Phone Names	Samsung Galaxy A04e	Samsung Galaxy A03s

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, LTE	HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE Cat4 150/50 Mbps
Technology	GSM / HSPA / LTE	GSM / HSPA / LTE
	-	2, 4, 5, 7, 12, 13, 14, 25, 26, 41, 66, 71 - SM-A037U

Launch
Announced	2022, October 21	2021, August 18
Status	Available. Released 2022, November 07	Available. Released 2021, August 18

Body
Build	Glass front, plastic back, plastic frame	Glass front, plastic frame, plastic back
Dimensions	164.2 x 75.9 x 9.1 mm (6.46 x 2.99 x 0.36 in)	164.2 x 75.9 x 9.1 mm (6.46 x 2.99 x 0.36 in)
SIM	· Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM	Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM
Weight	188 g (6.63 oz)	196 g (6.91 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 (~81.8% 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, One UI Core 4.1	Android 11, upgradable to Android 13, One UI 5.1 Core

Memory
Card slot	microSDXC (dedicated slot)	microSDXC (dedicated slot)
Internal	32GB 2GB RAM, 32GB 3GB RAM, 32GB 4GB RAM, 64GB 2GB RAM, 64GB 3GB RAM, 64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM	32GB 2GB RAM, 32GB 3GB RAM, 32GB 4GB RAM, 64GB 3GB RAM, 64GB 4GB RAM
	-	eMMC 5.1

Main Camera
Dual	13 MP, f/2.2, (wide), AF Auxiliary lens	-
Features	LED flash	LED flash
Single	5 MP, f/2.2	5 MP, f/2.2
Triple	-	13 MP, f/2.2, (wide), AF 2 MP (macro) Auxiliary lens
Video	1080p@30fps	1080p@30fps

Selfie camera
Single	5 MP, f/2.2	5 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
NFC	No	Yes (market/region dependent)
Positioning	GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS	GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS
Radio	Unspecified	No
USB	USB Type-C 2.0, OTG	USB Type-C 2.0
WLAN	Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, Wi-Fi Direct	Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, Wi-Fi Direct

Features
Sensors	Accelerometer, proximity	Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, proximity

Battery
Charging	-	15W wired
Type	Li-Po 5000 mAh	Li-Po 5000 mAh

Misc
Colors	Black, Copper, Light Blue	Black, Blue, White
Models	SM-A042F, SM-A042F/DS, SM-A042M, SM-A042M/DS	SM-A037F, SM-A037F/DS, SM-A037M, SM-A037G, SM-A037U, SM-S134DL, SM-A037W, SM-A037U1, SM-S135DL
Price	₹ 7,999	$ 65.65 / £ 82.99 / ₹ 10,800
SAR EU	0.29 W/kg (head) 1.11 W/kg (body)	0.36 W/kg (head) 1.09 W/kg (body)

Tests
Battery life	-	Endurance rating 122h
Camera	-	Photo / Video
Display	-	Contrast ratio: 1718:1 (nominal)
Loudspeaker	-	-27.4 LUFS (Good)
Performance	-	AnTuTu: 103465 (v8), 101299 (v9) GeekBench: 889 (v5.1) GFXBench: 5.5fps (ES 3.1 onscreen)

Samsung Galaxy A04e

Very affordable
Compact design
Long battery life

Slower charging
Lower brightness display
Basic performance

Samsung Galaxy A03s

Brighter display
Slightly faster performance
15W fast charging
Long battery life

Slightly larger size
Average camera performance

Display Comparison

The Samsung Galaxy A03s boasts a measured peak brightness of 488 nits, noticeably brighter than the A04e. Both share a high contrast ratio of 1718:1, promising deep blacks and vibrant colors. However, the A03s' superior brightness makes it more usable outdoors.

Camera Comparison

Camera specs are similar between the two, but real-world performance can vary. Both offer decent image quality in good lighting conditions. Low-light performance is expected to be average on both devices. The A03s might have a slight edge due to potential software optimizations.

Performance

Both phones utilize the Mediatek Helio P35 chipset, but the A03s has a slightly faster CPU clock speed (2.35 GHz vs 2.3 GHz for the A04e's primary cores). This translates to marginally smoother performance in everyday tasks and slightly quicker app loading times on the A03s.

Battery Life

Both phones offer exceptional battery life, with an endurance rating of 122 hours. This means you can easily get two to three days of use on a single charge. Neither phone supports particularly fast charging, but the A03s' 15W wired charging is a step up from the A04e's likely slower charging speed.

Buying Guide

Who should buy the Samsung Galaxy A04e? Those prioritizing the absolute lowest price and a slightly more compact design. Who should buy the Samsung Galaxy A03s? Users seeking a brighter screen, slightly better performance, and the convenience of faster charging, even on a budget.