The sub-$150 smartphone market is fiercely competitive, and the vivo Y04 and Samsung Galaxy A04e are two contenders vying for your attention. Both aim to deliver essential smartphone functionality at an accessible price, but they take different approaches to achieving this. This comparison dissects their core components to determine which device offers the best balance of performance, battery life, and overall value.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average user prioritizing all-day battery life and a slightly more responsive experience, the vivo Y04 emerges as the winner. Its Unisoc T7225 chipset, coupled with impressive 52:40h endurance, provides a tangible advantage over the Samsung Galaxy A04e's older Helio P35.
| 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 - International | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41 |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE | HSPA, LTE |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2025, February 26 | 2022, October 21 |
| Status | Available. Released 2025, March 11 | Available. Released 2022, November 07 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front, plastic frame, plastic back | Glass front, plastic back, plastic frame |
| Dimensions | 167.3 x 77 x 8.2 mm (6.59 x 3.03 x 0.32 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 | 199 g (7.02 oz) | 188 g (6.63 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | Mohs level 5 | - |
| Resolution | 720 x 1600 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~260 ppi density) | 720 x 1600 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~270 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.74 inches, 109.7 cm2 (~85.1% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.5 inches, 102.0 cm2 (~81.8% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD, 90Hz, 570 nits (HBM) | PLS LCD |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (2x2.0 GHz Cortex-A75 & 6x1.8 GHz Cortex-A55) | Octa-core (4x2.3 GHz Cortex-A53 & 4x1.8 GHz Cortex-A53) |
| Chipset | Unisoc T7225 (12 nm) | Mediatek MT6765 Helio P35 (12 nm) |
| GPU | Mali-G52 MP1 | PowerVR GE8320 |
| OS | Android 14, Funtouch 14 | Android 12, One UI Core 4.1 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM, 256GB 4GB RAM | 32GB 2GB RAM, 32GB 3GB RAM, 32GB 4GB RAM, 64GB 2GB RAM, 64GB 3GB RAM, 64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Dual | - | 13 MP, f/2.2, (wide), AF
Auxiliary lens |
| Features | LED flash, panorama | LED flash |
| Single | 13 MP, f/2.2, (wide), PDAF
Auxiliary lens | 5 MP, f/2.2 |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Single | 5 MP, f/2.2, (wide) | 5 MP, f/2.2 |
| Video | Yes | Yes |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | - | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes, with stereo speakers | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.2, A2DP, LE | 5.0, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | No | No |
| Positioning | GPS, GALILEO, GLONASS, BDS, QZSS | 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 802.11 b/g/n, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, proximity, compass | Accelerometer, proximity |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 15W wired | - |
| Type | Li-Ion 5500 mAh | Li-Po 5000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Titanium Gold (Titanium Silver), Dark Green (Majestic Green), Violet | Black, Copper, Light Blue |
| Models | V2430 | SM-A042F, SM-A042F/DS, SM-A042M, SM-A042M/DS |
| Price | About 110 EUR | ₹ 7,999 |
| SAR | 0.97 W/kg (head) 0.93 W/kg (body) | - |
| SAR EU | - | 0.29 W/kg (head) 1.11 W/kg (body) |
| EU LABEL |
|---|
| Battery | 52:40h endurance, 1000 cycles | - |
| Energy | Class A | - |
| Free fall | Class A (300 falls) | - |
| Repairability | Class B | - |
vivo Y04
- Superior CPU architecture for smoother performance
- Exceptional battery life (52:40h endurance)
- More modern chipset (Unisoc T7225)
- Brand recognition may be lower than Samsung
- Camera performance details are unknown
Samsung Galaxy A04e
- Established brand reputation (Samsung)
- Potentially wider accessory availability
- Samsung's image processing algorithms may offer slightly better photos
- Older, less efficient chipset (Helio P35)
- Likely shorter battery life
- Less responsive performance due to older CPU cores
Display Comparison
Neither device boasts a standout display. Both are likely utilizing LCD panels, typical for this price bracket. Detailed specs like resolution and brightness are missing, but the focus here is on internal components. The absence of high refresh rates is expected, and color accuracy will likely be standard for budget phones. The display is not a differentiating factor.
Camera Comparison
Camera details are sparse, but it's safe to assume both phones feature basic camera setups. The presence of a 2MP macro lens on the A04e is unlikely to provide significant value, as image quality will be limited. Without knowing the main sensor resolution or aperture, it’s difficult to make a definitive judgment. However, image processing algorithms will play a crucial role, and Samsung generally has a strong track record in this area, potentially giving the A04e a slight edge in image quality, assuming similar hardware. However, the performance gap is likely minimal.
Performance
The core difference lies in the chipsets. The vivo Y04’s Unisoc T7225 (12nm) features a more modern CPU configuration – 2x2.0 GHz Cortex-A75 cores and 6x1.8 GHz Cortex-A55 cores – compared to the Samsung Galaxy A04e’s MediaTek Helio P35 (12nm) with 4x2.3 GHz Cortex-A53 cores and 4x1.8 GHz Cortex-A53 cores. While the Helio P35 has a higher peak clock speed on some cores, the Cortex-A75 cores in the T7225 offer significantly better single-core performance, translating to snappier app launches and smoother overall responsiveness. The older Cortex-A53 cores in the A04e will struggle more with demanding tasks. This architectural advantage favors the vivo Y04.
Battery Life
The vivo Y04 truly shines in battery endurance, achieving a remarkable 52:40h of usage. While the A04e’s battery capacity is unknown, the Helio P35’s less efficient architecture means it will struggle to match the Y04’s longevity. The Y04 also supports 15W wired charging, which, while not fast, is adequate for its battery size. The combination of a more efficient chipset and potentially a larger battery (spec not provided) makes the Y04 the clear winner for users who prioritize battery life.
Buying Guide
Buy the vivo Y04 if you need exceptional battery life and a more modern processor architecture for smoother multitasking. This phone is ideal for users who frequently rely on their device throughout the day without easy access to a charger. Buy the Samsung Galaxy A04e if you prioritize brand recognition and a potentially wider availability of accessories, understanding that you'll trade some performance and battery endurance for that familiarity.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Will the Unisoc T7225 in the vivo Y04 struggle with demanding games like PUBG?
While the Unisoc T7225 is a capable processor for everyday tasks, demanding games like PUBG will likely require reduced graphics settings and may experience occasional frame drops. It's not a gaming-focused chipset, but it's a step up from the Helio P35 in the A04e for gaming performance.
❓ How many years of software updates can I expect from the vivo Y04 and Samsung Galaxy A04e?
Both devices are entry-level smartphones, so long-term software support is limited. Expect at least one major Android update and a few years of security patches. Samsung generally offers slightly better software support than vivo, but don't anticipate updates beyond Android 14 or 15.
❓ Is the 15W charging on the vivo Y04 slow compared to other phones?
15W charging is relatively slow by today's standards, but it's adequate for the vivo Y04's battery capacity. A full charge will take around 2-3 hours. The exceptional battery life means you won't need to charge it as frequently, mitigating the slower charging speed.
