Xiaomi Redmi 15C vs Samsung Galaxy A04s: A Deep Dive into Budget Smartphone Value

The sub-$200 smartphone market is fiercely competitive. The Xiaomi Redmi 15C and Samsung Galaxy A04s represent two compelling options, but cater to slightly different priorities. The Redmi 15C emphasizes rapid charging and potentially longer-lasting battery health, while the Galaxy A04s focuses on a usable display experience and Samsung’s established software ecosystem. This comparison dissects their key differences to help you choose.
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🏆 Quick Verdict

For the average user prioritizing longevity and fast charging, the Xiaomi Redmi 15C emerges as the stronger choice. Its Mediatek Dimensity 6300 chipset and 33W charging significantly outperform the Galaxy A04s’ Exynos 850 and 15W charging, despite the A04s’ slightly brighter display.

PHONES
Phone Names Xiaomi Redmi 15C Samsung Galaxy A04s
Network
2G bandsGSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
3G bandsHSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100HSDPA 850 / 900 / 2100
4G bands1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 18, 19, 20, 26, 28, 32, 38, 40, 41, 42, 48, 66, 711, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41
5G bands1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 12, 20, 26, 28, 38, 40, 41, 48, 66, 71, 77, 78 SA/NSA-
SpeedHSPA, LTE, 5GHSPA, LTE
TechnologyGSM / HSPA / LTE / 5GGSM / HSPA / LTE
Launch
Announced2025, September 182022, August 31
StatusAvailable. Released 2025, September 18Available. Released 2022, September 22
Body
Build-Glass front, plastic back, plastic frame
Dimensions173.2 x 81.1 x 8.2 mm (6.82 x 3.19 x 0.32 in)164.7 x 76.7 x 9.1 mm (6.48 x 3.02 x 0.36 in)
SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIM
Weight211 g (7.44 oz)195 g (6.88 oz)
Display
ProtectionMohs level 6-
Resolution720 x 1600 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~254 ppi density)720 x 1600 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~270 ppi density)
Size6.9 inches, 114.9 cm2 (~81.8% screen-to-body ratio)6.5 inches, 102.0 cm2 (~80.7% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeIPS LCD, 120Hz, 810 nits (HBM)PLS LCD, 90Hz, 400 nits (peak)
Platform
CPUOcta-core (2x2.4 GHz Cortex-A76 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55)Octa-core (4x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55 & 4x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55)
ChipsetMediatek Dimensity 6300 (6 nm)Exynos 850 (8 nm)
GPUMali-G57 MC2Mali-G52
OSAndroid 15, HyperOS 2Android 12, upgradable to Android 14, One UI 6.1
Memory
Card slotmicroSDXC (dedicated slot)microSDXC (dedicated slot)
Internal128GB 4GB RAM, 256GB 4GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM32GB 3GB RAM, 32GB 4GB RAM, 64GB 3GB RAM, 64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 3GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM
 -eMMC 5.1
Main Camera
Dual50 MP, f/1.8, 28mm (wide), 1/2.76", 0.64µm, PDAF Auxiliary lens-
FeaturesLED flash, HDRLED flash, panorama, HDR
Triple-50 MP, f/1.8, 26mm (wide), 1/2.76", 0.64µm, PDAF 2 MP (macro) Auxiliary lens
Video1080p@30fps1080p@30fps
Selfie camera
FeaturesHDR-
Single8 MP, f/2.0, (wide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm5 MP, f/2.2, (wide)
Video1080p@30fps720p@30fps
Sound
3.5mm jack -Yes
35mm jackYesYes
Loudspeaker YesYes
Comms
Bluetooth5.4, A2DP, LE5.0, A2DP, LE
NFCYes (market/region dependent)Yes (market/region dependent)
PositioningGPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDSGPS, GLONASS, BDS, GALILEO, QZSS
RadioFM radioNo
USBUSB Type-C 2.0, OTGUSB Type-C 2.0
WLANWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-bandWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct
Features
SensorsFingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, compassFingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer
 -Virtual Proximity Sensing
Battery
Charging33W wired, PD, 50% in 28 min 10W reverse wired15W wired
Type6000 mAhLi-Po 5000 mAh
Misc
ColorsMidnight Black, Mint Green, Dusk PurpleBlack, Green, White, Copper
Models2508CRN2BC, 2508CRN2BG, 25062RN2DESM-A047F, SM-A047F/DS, SM-A047F/DSN, SM-A047M
Price€ 131.09€ 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)
EU LABEL
Battery62:06h endurance, 1000 cycles-
EnergyClass B-
Free fallClass A (270 falls)-
RepairabilityClass C-

Xiaomi Redmi 15C

  • Significantly faster 33W charging with PD
  • More powerful Mediatek Dimensity 6300 chipset
  • Exceptional battery endurance (62:06h)

  • Display specifications are unknown
  • Camera details are limited

Samsung Galaxy A04s

  • Brighter display (389 nits)
  • Samsung’s One UI software experience
  • Established brand reputation

  • Slower 15W charging
  • Less powerful Exynos 850 chipset
  • Lower battery endurance rating

Display Comparison

The Samsung Galaxy A04s boasts a measured peak brightness of 389 nits and a 1614:1 contrast ratio, offering a reasonably viewable experience, particularly indoors. However, the Redmi 15C’s display specifications are not provided, making a direct comparison difficult. Given the price point, it’s likely the Redmi 15C utilizes a similar LCD panel, but without knowing its brightness and contrast, the A04s holds a slight edge for users who frequently use their phones outdoors. Both phones likely lack high refresh rates, focusing on power efficiency.

Camera Comparison

Both phones are listed as having 'Photo / Video' capabilities, but lack specific details. Given the budget nature of both devices, image quality will likely be similar, relying heavily on software processing. The absence of details regarding sensor size or aperture makes a meaningful comparison impossible. It’s safe to assume both phones feature a primary camera alongside basic auxiliary lenses (likely a depth or macro sensor), but these are unlikely to deliver exceptional results. We can expect the A04s to lean towards Samsung’s typically vibrant image processing, while the Redmi 15C may offer a more natural look.

Performance

The core difference lies in the chipsets. The Xiaomi Redmi 15C’s Mediatek Dimensity 6300 (6nm) is architecturally superior to the Samsung Galaxy A04s’ Exynos 850 (8nm). The Dimensity 6300 features two high-performance Cortex-A76 cores alongside six efficiency cores, while the Exynos 850 relies solely on Cortex-A55 cores. This translates to a noticeable performance advantage for the Redmi 15C in demanding tasks and gaming. The 6nm process node of the Dimensity 6300 also contributes to better thermal efficiency, potentially reducing throttling during sustained workloads. The A04s’ CPU configuration of 4x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55 & 4x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55 is less capable than the Redmi 15C’s.

Battery Life

The Xiaomi Redmi 15C’s battery endurance rating of 62:06h is significantly higher than the Galaxy A04s’ 114h (which is likely a misreporting of hours, and should be interpreted as a relative score). This suggests the Redmi 15C can last considerably longer on a single charge. Furthermore, the Redmi 15C supports 33W wired charging with PD, achieving 50% charge in just 28 minutes, a substantial improvement over the Galaxy A04s’ 15W charging. The Redmi 15C also offers 10W reverse wired charging, a feature absent on the A04s. The Redmi 15C also claims 1000 charge cycles, suggesting a focus on long-term battery health.

Buying Guide

Buy the Xiaomi Redmi 15C if you need a phone that can withstand heavy daily use with minimal downtime, thanks to its exceptional battery endurance and fast charging capabilities. It’s ideal for users who prioritize performance for social media, streaming, and light gaming. Buy the Samsung Galaxy A04s if you prefer a slightly brighter display for outdoor visibility and value Samsung’s One UI software experience, but are willing to compromise on charging speed and overall performance.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Does the Exynos 850 in the Galaxy A04s overheat during prolonged gaming sessions?
The Exynos 850 is a relatively efficient chip, but its performance is limited. While it won't likely overheat dramatically, you may experience noticeable frame drops and throttling during extended gaming, especially with graphically demanding titles. The Redmi 15C’s Dimensity 6300, with its more efficient 6nm process, is better equipped to handle sustained workloads.
❓ Is the 10W reverse wired charging on the Redmi 15C useful for topping up accessories?
Yes, the 10W reverse wired charging is a convenient feature for charging smaller accessories like wireless earbuds or a smartwatch. While it won't rapidly charge a phone, it can provide a useful boost in emergencies or when you don't have access to a traditional charger.
❓ How does the software experience differ between Xiaomi's MIUI and Samsung's One UI?
Samsung’s One UI is generally considered more polished and user-friendly, with a cleaner aesthetic and a wider range of features. Xiaomi’s MIUI is known for its customization options and aggressive battery optimization, which can sometimes lead to unexpected app closures. Preference is subjective, but One UI is often favored for its stability and ease of use.
❓ What type of storage does each phone use, and is it expandable?
While not specified, both phones likely utilize eMMC storage to keep costs down. Both devices are expected to have a dedicated microSD card slot for expandable storage, allowing users to increase the internal capacity as needed. Check the specific model's specifications for maximum supported microSD card size.