The budget smartphone market is fiercely competitive, offering incredible value for those seeking essential features without breaking the bank. Today, we're pitting two contenders against each other: the TCL 408 and the Samsung Galaxy A04e. Let's dive in to see which phone emerges as the winner.
🏆 Quick Verdict
The Samsung Galaxy A04e edges out the TCL 408 thanks to its slightly faster processor and generally more polished Samsung software experience. While both are budget options, the A04e provides a marginally better overall experience, especially for everyday tasks.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 - T507A, T507U, T507U1, T507U2, T507J | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 13, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41 - T507U, T507U1, T507U2 | 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 |
| | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28 - T507D1 | - |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2023, January 05 | 2022, October 21 |
| Status | Available. Released 2023, March 31 | Available. Released 2022, November 07 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | - | Glass front, plastic back, plastic frame |
| Dimensions | 164.7 x 75.4 x 9 mm (6.48 x 2.97 x 0.35 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 + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 190 g (6.70 oz) | 188 g (6.63 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Resolution | 720 x 1612 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~267 ppi density) | 720 x 1600 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~270 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.6 inches, 104.6 cm2 (~84.3% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.5 inches, 102.0 cm2 (~81.8% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD, 400 nits (typ) | PLS LCD |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (4x2.0 GHz Cortex-A53 & 4x1.5 GHz Cortex-A53) | Octa-core (4x2.3 GHz Cortex-A53 & 4x1.8 GHz Cortex-A53) |
| Chipset | Mediatek MT6762G Helio G25 (12 nm) | Mediatek MT6765 Helio P35 (12 nm) |
| GPU | PowerVR GE8320 | PowerVR GE8320 |
| OS | Android 12 | Android 12, One UI Core 4.1 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 64GB 4GB RAM, 64GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM | 32GB 2GB RAM, 32GB 3GB RAM, 32GB 4GB RAM, 64GB 2GB RAM, 64GB 3GB RAM, 64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM |
| | eMMC 5.1 | - |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Dual | 50 MP, f/1.8, 26mm (wide), 1/2.55", 0.7µm, PDAF
Auxiliary lens | 13 MP, f/2.2, (wide), AF
Auxiliary lens |
| Features | LED flash | LED flash |
| Single | 8 MP, f/2.0, 27mm (wide), 1/4", 1.12µm | 5 MP, f/2.2 |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Single | 8 MP, f/2.0, 27mm (wide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm | 5 MP, f/2.2 |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | Yes |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes, with stereo speakers | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.1, A2DP, LE | 5.0, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | Yes (T507U only) | No |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS |
| Radio | FM radio | Unspecified |
| USB | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG | 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 b/g/n, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer | Accelerometer, proximity |
| | Virtual proximity sensing | - |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 10W wired | - |
| Type | Li-Po 5000 mAh | Li-Po 5000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Gravity Grey, Midnight Blue | Black, Copper, Light Blue |
| Models | T507D1, T507A, T507U, T507U1, T507U2, T507J | SM-A042F, SM-A042F/DS, SM-A042M, SM-A042M/DS |
| Price | About 130 EUR | ₹ 7,999 |
| SAR EU | - | 0.29 W/kg (head) 1.11 W/kg (body) |
TCL 408
- Large Display
- Affordable Price
- Decent Battery Life
- Slower Processor
- Basic Camera
- Slow Charging
Samsung Galaxy A04e
- Slightly Faster Processor
- Samsung Brand Reliability
- Potentially Better Display
- Basic Camera
- Slow Charging
- Limited Features
Display Comparison
Both phones feature large displays, likely around 6.5 inches, but the A04e might offer slightly better color accuracy and viewing angles due to Samsung's display technology. Expect both to be HD+ resolution, suitable for everyday use but not ideal for demanding visual tasks.
Camera Comparison
Camera specs are likely similar, with both phones featuring a primary camera around 13MP and a depth sensor. Image quality will depend heavily on software processing. Samsung's image processing is generally considered more refined, potentially leading to slightly better photos in various lighting conditions. Both will struggle in low light.
Performance
The Samsung Galaxy A04e's Helio P35 chipset holds a slight advantage over the TCL 408's Helio G25. While both are octa-core processors, the P35 generally offers better performance in real-world usage, resulting in smoother app loading and multitasking. Expect both to handle basic tasks well, but the A04e will feel more responsive.
Battery Life
Both phones likely feature batteries around 5000mAh, offering all-day battery life for moderate users. Charging speeds are a weak point for both, with 10W wired charging on the TCL 408 and likely a similar speed on the A04e.
Buying Guide
The TCL 408 is a good choice for users prioritizing a large display and basic functionality on a very tight budget. The Samsung Galaxy A04e is better suited for those who want a slightly smoother performance and the reliability of the Samsung brand, even at the entry level.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Which phone has better performance?
The Samsung Galaxy A04e has a slightly faster processor (Helio P35 vs Helio G25), resulting in smoother performance.
❓ Are these phones good for gaming?
Neither phone is ideal for demanding games. They can handle basic games, but expect lower frame rates and graphical settings.
❓ What is the camera quality like on each phone?
Both phones have basic cameras. The Samsung Galaxy A04e likely has slightly better image processing, but overall, camera quality is not a strong point for either device.
