Looking for an affordable smartphone that doesn't completely break the bank? The TCL 306 and Samsung Galaxy A04s are both contenders in the budget phone arena. But which one offers the best bang for your buck? Let's dive into a detailed comparison to help you make the right choice.
🏆 Quick Verdict
The Samsung Galaxy A04s emerges as the clear winner thanks to its superior chipset, better display brightness, and significantly faster charging. While the TCL 306 is a budget-friendly option, the A04s provides a more well-rounded experience.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 - EMEA, APAC | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41 - EMEA | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41 |
| Speed | HSPA 42.2/11.5 Mbps, LTE Cat4 150/75 Mbps | HSPA, LTE |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| | 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 26, 28, 66 - LATAM | - |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2022, January 31 | 2022, August 31 |
| Status | Available. Released 2022, February | Available. Released 2022, September 22 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | - | Glass front, plastic back, plastic frame |
| Dimensions | 165.2 x 75.5 x 8.9 mm (6.50 x 2.97 x 0.35 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 | 190 g (6.70 oz) | 195 g (6.88 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Resolution | 720 x 1600 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~269 ppi density) | 720 x 1600 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~270 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.52 inches, 102.6 cm2 (~82.3% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.5 inches, 102.0 cm2 (~80.7% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD, 450 nits (typ) | PLS LCD, 90Hz, 400 nits (peak) |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (4x2.0 GHz Cortex-A53 & 4x1.5 GHz Cortex-A53) | Octa-core (4x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55 & 4x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55) |
| Chipset | Mediatek MT6762G Helio G25 (12 nm) | Exynos 850 (8 nm) |
| GPU | PowerVR GE8320 | Mali-G52 |
| OS | Android 12, TCL UI | Android 12, upgradable to Android 14, One UI 6.1 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 32GB 3GB RAM | 32GB 3GB RAM, 32GB 4GB RAM, 64GB 3GB RAM, 64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 3GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM |
| | eMMC 5.1 | eMMC 5.1 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash, HDR, panorama | LED flash, panorama, HDR |
| Single | 5 MP, f/2.2, 27mm (wide) 1/5.0", 1.12µm | - |
| Triple | 13 MP, f/2.2, 27mm (wide) 1/3.0", 1.12µm, PDAF
2 MP (macro)
Auxiliary lens | 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 |
|---|
| Features | HDR | - |
| Single | 5 MP, f/2.2, 27mm (wide) 1/5.0", 1.12µm | 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 | 5.0, A2DP | 5.0, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | Yes (market/region dependent) | Yes (market/region dependent) |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS | GPS, GLONASS, BDS, GALILEO, QZSS |
| Radio | FM radio | 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 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer |
| | - | Virtual Proximity Sensing |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 10W wired | 15W wired |
| Type | Li-Po 5000 mAh | Li-Po 5000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Space Gray, Atlantic Blue | Black, Green, White, Copper |
| Models | X668, 6102H | SM-A047F, SM-A047F/DS, SM-A047F/DSN, SM-A047M |
| Price | About 40 EUR | € 133.89 |
| SAR EU | - | 0.52 W/kg (head) 1.23 W/kg (body) |
| Tests |
|---|
| Battery life | - |
Endurance rating 114h
|
| Camera | - |
Photo / Video |
| Display | - |
Contrast ratio: 1614:1 |
| Loudspeaker | - |
-30.3 LUFS (Below average)
|
| Performance | - |
AnTuTu: 145123(v9)
GeekBench: 1100 (v5.1)
GFXBench: 11fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) |
TCL 306
- Very affordable
- Decent basic functionality
- Sufficient for light use
- Slow performance
- Low brightness display
- Slow charging
- Less capable camera
Samsung Galaxy A04s
- Faster performance (Exynos 850)
- Brighter display
- Faster charging (15W)
- Likely better camera
- Samsung brand reputation
- Slightly more expensive than TCL 306
- Still a budget phone with limitations
Display Comparison
The Samsung Galaxy A04s boasts a noticeable advantage with its 389 nits of max brightness, making it easier to view outdoors. Both phones share a high 1614:1 contrast ratio, promising decent image quality, but the A04s' brightness gives it the edge. The A04s likely has a slightly larger display as well, though exact sizes are not specified.
Camera Comparison
While both phones are listed as having 'Photo / Video' capabilities, the Samsung Galaxy A04s is expected to have a more capable camera system. Samsung generally offers better image processing even in their budget phones. Expect better low-light performance and more detail from the A04s.
Performance
The Exynos 850 in the Samsung Galaxy A04s is a significant upgrade over the Helio G25 in the TCL 306. The 8nm process and more efficient CPU cores translate to smoother multitasking, faster app loading times, and a generally more responsive user experience. The TCL 306 will feel sluggish by comparison.
Battery Life
Both phones claim impressive battery life, with the Galaxy A04s boasting an endurance rating of 114 hours. While the TCL 306's battery capacity is likely similar, the A04s' more efficient chipset contributes to its superior endurance. The A04s also has faster 15W charging compared to the TCL 306's 10W.
Buying Guide
The TCL 306 is ideal for users on the absolute tightest budget who prioritize basic functionality and don't need high performance. The Samsung Galaxy A04s is a better choice for those who want a smoother experience, a brighter display, and faster charging without spending a fortune.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Is the TCL 306 good for gaming?
The TCL 306's Helio G25 chipset is not ideal for demanding games. You'll likely experience lag and low frame rates. The Samsung Galaxy A04s is a better choice for casual gaming.
❓ Which phone has better software support?
Samsung generally provides better software updates and longer support periods than TCL, making the Galaxy A04s a more future-proof option.
