Looking for an affordable smartphone that doesn't completely break the bank? The Xiaomi Redmi A2 and Samsung Galaxy A04 are two contenders vying for the budget crown. But which one truly delivers the best experience for the price?
🏆 Quick Verdict
The Samsung Galaxy A04 edges out the Redmi A2 thanks to its slightly more powerful chipset and potentially better software support. Both offer decent value, but the A04 provides a marginally smoother experience, making it the preferred choice for most users.
| 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 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE Cat4 150/50 Mbps |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| | 1, 3, 5, 8, 40, 41 - India | - |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2023, March 24 | 2022, August 24 |
| Status | Available. Released 2023, March 24 | Available. Released 2022, October 10 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | - | Glass front, plastic back, plastic frame |
| Dimensions | 164.9 x 76.8 x 9.1 mm (6.49 x 3.02 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) | 192 g (6.77 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Resolution | 720 x 1600 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~269 ppi density) | 720 x 1600 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~270 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.52 inches, 102.6 cm2 (~81.0% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.5 inches, 102.0 cm2 (~81.3% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD, 400 nits (typ) | PLS LCD |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (4x2.2 GHz Cortex-A53 & 4x1.7 GHz Cortex-A53) | Octa-core (4x2.3 GHz Cortex-A53 & 4x1.8 GHz Cortex-A53) |
| Chipset | Mediatek Helio G36 (12 nm) | Mediatek MT6765 Helio P35 (12 nm) |
| GPU | PowerVR GE8320 | PowerVR GE8320 |
| OS | Android 12 or 13 (Go edition), MIUI | Android 12, upgradable to Android 13, One UI Core 5.0 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 32GB 2GB RAM, 32GB 3GB RAM, 64GB 2GB RAM, 64GB 3GB RAM, 64GB 4GB 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 | 8 MP, f/2.0, (wide)
0.08 MP (depth) | 50 MP, f/1.8, 25mm (wide), 1/2.51", 0.7µm, AF
Auxiliary lens |
| Features | Dual-LED flash, HDR | LED flash |
| Single | 8 MP, f/2.0, (wide)
Auxiliary lens | 5 MP, f/2.2 |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Single | 5 MP, f/2.2 | 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, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS |
| Radio | FM radio | Unspecified |
| USB | microUSB 2.0 | USB Type-C 2.0 |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Accelerometer | Accelerometer, proximity |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 10W wired | - |
| Type | Li-Po 5000 mAh | Li-Po 5000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Aqua Blue, Classic Black, Sea Green | Black, Green, White, Copper |
| Models | 23028RN4DG, 23026RN54G | SM-A045F, SM-A045F/DS, SM-A045M |
| Price | € 59.00 / £ 54.95 | About 70 EUR |
| SAR | 1.10 W/kg (head) 1.01 W/kg (body) | - |
| SAR EU | 0.90 W/kg (head) 1.00 W/kg (body) | 0.32 W/kg (head) 1.10 W/kg (body) |
Xiaomi Redmi A2
- Very affordable
- Decent battery life
- Lightweight design
- Lower performance
- Basic camera
- Slow charging
Samsung Galaxy A04
- Slightly better performance
- Reputable brand
- Potentially better software support
- Still entry-level performance
- Basic camera
- Slow charging
Display Comparison
Both phones feature a 6.5-inch HD+ display, offering adequate viewing for everyday tasks. Color accuracy and brightness are typical for this price range, with neither phone excelling in this area. The Galaxy A04 might have slightly better viewing angles due to Samsung's display technology, but the difference is minimal.
Camera Comparison
The Redmi A2 typically features a 13MP main camera, while the Galaxy A04 often includes a 50MP main camera. While megapixels aren't everything, the A04's higher resolution *could* translate to slightly more detailed photos in good lighting conditions. Low-light performance will be similar on both, and generally not impressive.
Performance
The Samsung Galaxy A04's Helio P35 chipset holds a slight advantage over the Redmi A2's Helio G36. While both are entry-level processors, the P35 generally offers a bit more responsive performance for multitasking and light gaming. Expect some lag on both devices with demanding apps.
Battery Life
Both phones typically pack a 5000mAh battery, promising all-day battery life for moderate users. Charging speeds are limited to 10W on both devices, so expect relatively slow charging times.
Buying Guide
The Xiaomi Redmi A2 is ideal for users prioritizing a very low price point and basic functionality. The Samsung Galaxy A04 is better suited for those needing a bit more performance and a more reliable brand reputation, even if it costs a little more.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Which phone has better software support?
Samsung generally offers better software support and longer update cycles compared to Xiaomi in the budget segment.
❓ Can I play games on these phones?
Both phones can handle basic games, but don't expect to play demanding titles smoothly. Light, casual games are more suitable.
