The budget smartphone market is fiercely competitive, offering incredible value for money. Today, we're pitting two contenders against each other: the Tecno Pova Neo and the Samsung Galaxy A04. Both promise affordability, but which one delivers the better overall experience?
🏆 Quick Verdict
The Samsung Galaxy A04 edges out the Tecno Pova Neo thanks to its slightly faster processor and the inherent benefits of the Samsung brand. However, the Pova Neo offers a larger screen and potentially better battery life, making it a strong contender for those prioritizing those features. Ultimately, it depends on your specific needs.
| 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 | LTE | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41 |
| Speed | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE Cat4 150/50 Mbps | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE Cat4 150/50 Mbps |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2021, December 09 | 2022, August 24 |
| Status | Available. Released 2021, December 09 | Available. Released 2022, October 10 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front, plastic frame, plastic back | Glass front, plastic back, plastic frame |
| Dimensions | 171.4 x 77.3 x 9.1 mm (6.75 x 3.04 x 0.36 in) | 164.4 x 76.3 x 9.1 mm (6.47 x 3.00 x 0.36 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | · Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | - | 192 g (6.77 oz) |
| | Splash resistant | - |
| Display |
|---|
| Resolution | 720 x 1640 pixels (~263 ppi density) | 720 x 1600 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~270 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.8 inches, 109.8 cm2 (~82.9% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.5 inches, 102.0 cm2 (~81.3% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD, 480 nits | 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 11, HIOS 7.6 | Android 12, upgradable to Android 13, One UI Core 5.0 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM | 32GB 3GB RAM, 32GB 4GB RAM, 64GB 3GB RAM, 64GB 4GB RAM, 64GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM |
| | eMMC 5.1 | eMMC 5.1 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Dual | 13 MP, f/1.8, (wide), AF
Secondary unknown camera | 50 MP, f/1.8, 25mm (wide), 1/2.51", 0.7µm, AF
Auxiliary lens |
| Features | Quad-LED flash, HDR, panorama | LED flash |
| Single | 8 MP, f/2.0 | 5 MP, f/2.2 |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | Dual-LED flash, HDR | - |
| Single | 8 MP, f/2.0 | 5 MP, f/2.2, 28mm (wide), 1/5", 1.12µm |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | Yes |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.0, A2DP, LE | 5.0, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | No | No |
| Positioning | GPS | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS |
| Radio | FM radio | Unspecified |
| USB | microUSB 2.0, OTG | USB Type-C 2.0 |
| 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 | Fingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, proximity | Accelerometer, proximity |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 18W wired | - |
| Type | 6000 mAh | Li-Po 5000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Obsidian, Geek blue, Powehi | Black, Green, White, Copper |
| Models | LE6, LE6h | SM-A045F, SM-A045F/DS, SM-A045M |
| Price | About 160 EUR | About 70 EUR |
| SAR EU | - | 0.32 W/kg (head) 1.10 W/kg (body) |
Tecno Pova Neo
- Larger Display
- Potentially Longer Battery Life
- Aggressive Pricing
- Slightly Slower Processor
- Less Established Brand
- 18W Charging is Slow
Samsung Galaxy A04
- Slightly Faster Processor
- Samsung Brand Reputation
- More Refined Software Experience
- Smaller Display
- Potentially Shorter Battery Life
- Similar Camera Performance
Display Comparison
The Tecno Pova Neo boasts a larger 6.8-inch display, offering a more immersive viewing experience. The Samsung Galaxy A04 has a 6.5-inch display. Both utilize LCD panels, so don't expect vibrant colors or high contrast ratios, but the Pova Neo's size advantage is noticeable.
Camera Comparison
Camera performance is generally similar on both devices, with both offering a primary 13MP camera. Image quality will be adequate for casual snapshots in good lighting conditions. Low-light performance will be a challenge on both. The Galaxy A04 might offer slightly better image processing due to Samsung's software optimization.
Performance
While both phones utilize Mediatek Helio processors, the Galaxy A04's Helio P35 has a slight edge in clock speeds (2.3 GHz vs 2.0 GHz for the primary core). This translates to marginally better performance in everyday tasks and slightly smoother multitasking. The Pova Neo's G25 is still adequate for basic usage.
Battery Life
The Tecno Pova Neo is expected to have a larger battery capacity (likely 6000mAh) compared to the Galaxy A04 (likely around 5000mAh), potentially leading to longer battery life. However, real-world battery performance depends on usage patterns.
Buying Guide
The Tecno Pova Neo is ideal for users who prioritize a large display for media consumption and gaming on a tight budget. The Samsung Galaxy A04 is a better choice for those who value a slightly smoother performance and the reliability of the Samsung ecosystem.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Which phone is better for gaming?
The Samsung Galaxy A04's slightly faster processor gives it a minor edge for gaming, but neither phone is a powerhouse. Expect to play less demanding games smoothly.
❓ Is the Samsung Galaxy A04 worth the extra cost?
If you value a smoother user experience and the Samsung brand, the A04 is worth the slight premium. If you prioritize a larger screen and potentially longer battery life, the Pova Neo is a compelling alternative.
