Looking for an affordable smartphone that doesn't completely break the bank? The Sony Xperia L1 and Samsung Galaxy A04s are both contenders in the budget phone arena. But which one offers the best overall experience? Let's dive into a detailed comparison to help you decide.
🏆 Quick Verdict
The Samsung Galaxy A04s emerges as the clear winner, boasting significantly better battery life, a more modern chipset, and a brighter display. While the Xperia L1 has impressive sunlight readability, the A04s' overall performance and features make it the more compelling choice for most users.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 - SIM 1 & SIM 2 (dual-SIM model only) | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20 | 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 | 2017, March. Released 2017, June | 2022, August 31 |
| Status | Discontinued | Available. Released 2022, September 22 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front, plastic back, plastic frame | Glass front, plastic back, plastic frame |
| Dimensions | 151 x 74 x 8.7 mm (5.94 x 2.91 x 0.34 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 | 180 g (6.35 oz) | 195 g (6.88 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | Scratch-resistant glass (> 6H) | - |
| Resolution | 720 x 1280 pixels, 16:9 ratio (~267 ppi density) | 720 x 1600 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~270 ppi density) |
| Size | 5.5 inches, 83.4 cm2 (~74.6% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.5 inches, 102.0 cm2 (~80.7% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD | PLS LCD, 90Hz, 400 nits (peak) |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Quad-core 1.45 GHz Cortex-A53 | Octa-core (4x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55 & 4x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55) |
| Chipset | Mediatek MT6737T (28 nm) | Exynos 850 (8 nm) |
| GPU | Mali-T720MP2 | Mali-G52 |
| OS | Android 7.0 (Nougat) | Android 12, upgradable to Android 14, One UI 6.1 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 16GB 2GB RAM | 32GB 3GB RAM, 32GB 4GB RAM, 64GB 3GB RAM, 64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 3GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM |
| | eMMC 5.0 | eMMC 5.1 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash, HDR | LED flash, panorama, HDR |
| Single | 13 MP, f/2.2, AF | - |
| 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, 24mm (wide) | 5 MP, f/2.2, (wide) |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 720p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 4.2, A2DP, LE, aptX | 5.0, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | Yes | Yes (market/region dependent) |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, BDS | GPS, GLONASS, BDS, GALILEO, QZSS |
| Radio | FM radio | No |
| USB | USB Type-C 2.0 | USB Type-C 2.0 |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n, Wi-Fi Direct | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Accelerometer, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer |
| | - | Virtual Proximity Sensing |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | - | 15W wired |
| Music play | Up to 63 h | - |
| Stand-by | Up to 639 h (2G) / Up to 687 h (3G) | - |
| Talk time | Up to 13 h (2G) / Up to 11 h 30 min (3G) | - |
| Type | Li-Ion 2620 mAh, non-removable | Li-Po 5000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Black, White, Pink | Black, Green, White, Copper |
| Models | G3312, G3311, G3313 | SM-A047F, SM-A047F/DS, SM-A047F/DSN, SM-A047M |
| Price | About 110 EUR | € 133.89 |
| SAR EU | - | 0.52 W/kg (head) 1.23 W/kg (body) |
| Tests |
|---|
| Audio quality |
Noise -93.6dB / Crosstalk -93.8dB | - |
| Battery life |
Endurance rating 63h
|
Endurance rating 114h
|
| Camera |
Photo / Video |
Photo / Video |
| Display |
Contrast ratio: 957:1 (nominal), 2.994 (sunlight) |
Contrast ratio: 1614:1 |
| Loudspeaker |
Voice 91dB / Noise 74dB / Ring 83dB
|
-30.3 LUFS (Below average)
|
| Performance |
GeekBench: 1890 (v4.4) |
AnTuTu: 145123(v9)
GeekBench: 1100 (v5.1)
GFXBench: 11fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) |
Sony Xperia L1
- Excellent sunlight readability
- Impressive battery endurance (though dated)
- Compact size
- Outdated chipset
- Lower display brightness
- Limited features
- Slower performance
Samsung Galaxy A04s
- Longer battery life
- Modern chipset (Exynos 850)
- Brighter display
- Smoother performance
- Likely more versatile camera
- Design may be less premium
- Charging speed is relatively slow (15W)
Display Comparison
The Samsung Galaxy A04s takes the display crown with a 1614:1 contrast ratio and a measured 389 nits max brightness, offering a noticeably more vibrant and visible screen. The Xperia L1's 957:1 contrast ratio is good, and its sunlight readability is impressive (2.994), but it lacks the overall brightness and visual pop of the A04s. Both phones likely feature IPS LCD panels.
Camera Comparison
Camera performance is likely comparable in terms of image quality in good lighting conditions, but the A04s likely has a more versatile camera setup with potentially more features. Both phones offer Photo/Video capabilities, but detailed camera specs (megapixels, aperture) are missing. The A04s' newer processor may also offer better image processing.
Performance
The Galaxy A04s' Exynos 850 chipset (8nm) is a significant upgrade over the Xperia L1's Mediatek MT6737T (28nm). The A04s' octa-core CPU provides smoother multitasking and better app performance. The Xperia L1's quad-core Cortex-A53 processor feels dated by comparison, leading to occasional lag and slower loading times.
Battery Life
The Galaxy A04s dominates in battery life, boasting an endurance rating of 114 hours compared to the Xperia L1's 63 hours. This translates to significantly longer usage between charges, a major advantage for the A04s.
Buying Guide
Who should buy the Sony Xperia L1? Users prioritizing exceptional sunlight visibility and a very long battery life (though dated) on a tight budget might consider it. Who should buy the Samsung Galaxy A04s? Anyone seeking a smoother experience, longer battery life, and a more modern feature set in an affordable package.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Is the Xperia L1 still worth buying?
The Xperia L1 can be a decent option if you absolutely prioritize sunlight readability and a very long battery life on a super tight budget, but be aware of its dated performance.
❓ Which phone has better performance?
The Samsung Galaxy A04s has significantly better performance thanks to its newer and more powerful Exynos 850 chipset.
