The Xiaomi Redmi 11A and Samsung Galaxy A04s represent the fiercely competitive entry-level smartphone market. Both aim to deliver essential smartphone functionality at an incredibly affordable price point, but they take different approaches to achieving this. This comparison dissects their specifications to determine which device offers the best overall experience for budget-conscious consumers.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For most users, the Samsung Galaxy A04s emerges as the slightly better choice. Its Exynos 850 chipset, while not a powerhouse, provides a more efficient and capable processing experience than the Redmi 11A’s octa-core CPU. Coupled with a measured 389 nits of brightness, the A04s offers a more usable experience, especially outdoors.
| 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, LTE | HSPA, LTE |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / CDMA2000 / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | Not announced yet | 2022, August 31 |
| Status | Cancelled | Available. Released 2022, September 22 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | - | Glass front, plastic back, plastic frame |
| Dimensions | - | 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 |
| Weight | - | 195 g (6.88 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Resolution | 720 x 1650 pixels (~269 ppi density) | 720 x 1600 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~270 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.7 inches, 106.2 cm2 | 6.5 inches, 102.0 cm2 (~80.7% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD | PLS LCD, 90Hz, 400 nits (peak) |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core 2.0 GHz | Octa-core (4x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55 & 4x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55) |
| Chipset | - | Exynos 850 (8 nm) |
| GPU | - | Mali-G52 |
| OS | Android 12, MIUI | Android 12, upgradable to Android 14, One UI 6.1 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 32GB 2GB RAM, 32GB 3GB RAM, 64GB 3GB RAM, 64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM, 256GB 4GB RAM, 256GB 6GB RAM | 32GB 3GB RAM, 32GB 4GB RAM, 64GB 3GB RAM, 64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 3GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM |
| | - | eMMC 5.1 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Dual | 50 MP, (wide), AF
Auxiliary lens | - |
| Features | LED flash | LED flash, panorama, HDR |
| 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 |
|---|
| Features | HDR | - |
| Single | 5 MP | 5 MP, f/2.2, (wide) |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 720p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | - | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.0, A2DP, LE | 5.0, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | No | Yes (market/region dependent) |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, BDS | GPS, GLONASS, BDS, GALILEO, QZSS |
| Radio | No | No |
| USB | Yes | 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 | Fingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, proximity | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer |
| | - | Virtual Proximity Sensing |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 10W wired | 15W wired |
| Type | Li-Ion 5000 mAh | Li-Po 5000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Black; other colors | Black, Green, White, Copper |
| Models | 22120RN86C | SM-A047F, SM-A047F/DS, SM-A047F/DSN, SM-A047M |
| Price | - | € 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) |
Xiaomi Redmi 11A
- Potentially lower price point
- Simple and straightforward user experience
- Functional for basic tasks
- Less powerful processor
- Likely lower display brightness
- Slower charging speed
Samsung Galaxy A04s
- More efficient Exynos 850 chipset
- Brighter and more viewable display (389 nits)
- Faster 15W charging
- Longer battery endurance (114h)
- May be slightly more expensive
- 2MP macro camera is likely of limited use
- Still an entry-level device with limitations
Display Comparison
The Samsung Galaxy A04s boasts a measurable peak brightness of 389 nits and a 1614:1 contrast ratio, providing a noticeably more vibrant and visible display experience, particularly in outdoor conditions. While the Redmi 11A’s display specifications are not provided, it’s reasonable to assume it falls behind in brightness. The identical contrast ratio suggests similar panel technology, but the A04s’ higher brightness is a significant advantage for everyday usability. Neither phone is expected to offer high color accuracy or advanced features like HDR support, typical for this price segment.
Camera Comparison
Both the Redmi 11A and Galaxy A04s feature 'Photo / Video' capabilities, but lack detailed camera specifications. Given the price point, it’s safe to assume both rely on basic sensors. The inclusion of a 2MP macro camera on the A04s is unlikely to significantly enhance the photography experience, as these sensors often produce low-quality images. The A04s’ advantage likely lies in Samsung’s image processing algorithms, which may offer slightly better dynamic range and color reproduction. Without sensor size or aperture information, a definitive camera comparison is impossible.
Performance
The Samsung Galaxy A04s is equipped with the Exynos 850 (8nm) chipset, featuring an octa-core CPU comprised of four Cortex-A55 cores clocked at 2.0 GHz each. This 8nm fabrication process generally translates to better power efficiency compared to the Redmi 11A’s octa-core 2.0 GHz CPU, which lacks specific process node information. While both CPUs share the same clock speed, the Exynos 850’s architecture and fabrication process likely result in smoother multitasking and slightly improved application loading times. The Redmi 11A will likely struggle with more demanding applications.
Battery Life
The Samsung Galaxy A04s achieves an impressive endurance rating of 114 hours, indicating excellent battery life. This is likely due to the efficient Exynos 850 chipset and optimized software. While the Redmi 11A’s battery capacity is unknown, the A04s’ 15W wired charging is faster than the Redmi 11A’s 10W charging. This translates to quicker top-ups, reducing downtime. The A04s’ endurance rating suggests it can comfortably last a full day of moderate use, while the Redmi 11A may require more frequent charging.
Buying Guide
Buy the Xiaomi Redmi 11A if your primary need is a basic, functional smartphone for essential tasks like calls, messaging, and light social media use, and you prioritize absolute lowest cost. Buy the Samsung Galaxy A04s if you prefer a device with a more responsive processor for smoother multitasking, a brighter and more viewable display, and slightly faster charging, even if it means spending a little more.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Does the Exynos 850 chip in the Galaxy A04s overheat during prolonged use like gaming?
The Exynos 850 is an efficient chip designed for entry-level devices. While it won't deliver flagship-level gaming performance, it's unlikely to overheat significantly during moderate gaming sessions. Thermal throttling may occur during extended, demanding gameplay, but it shouldn't be a major concern for casual gamers.
❓ Is the 2MP macro camera on the Galaxy A04s actually useful for taking detailed close-up photos?
Unfortunately, 2MP macro cameras on budget phones typically produce images with limited detail and sharpness. The small sensor size and lack of optical image stabilization result in soft, noisy photos. It's usable for casual snapshots, but don't expect professional-quality macro photography.
❓ Can the Samsung Galaxy A04s handle popular games like PUBG Mobile at acceptable frame rates?
The Galaxy A04s can run PUBG Mobile, but you'll likely need to use low to medium graphics settings to achieve a stable frame rate. Expect around 30-40 FPS, which is playable but not ideal for competitive gaming. The Redmi 11A will likely struggle to maintain even these frame rates.
❓ How long does it realistically take to fully charge the Samsung Galaxy A04s from 0% with the 15W charger?
With the included 15W charger, the Samsung Galaxy A04s should fully charge from 0% in approximately 2.5 to 3 hours. While not the fastest charging speed available, it's significantly quicker than the Redmi 11A’s 10W charging.
