I recently got my hands on a Samsung Galaxy A04, an entry-level smartphone that comes with basic features like 4G connectivity and dual camera. I was excited to try out its Helio G35 chipset and see how it performs, especially considering its affordable sub-15k price segment. Upon unboxing the phone, I noticed that it has an almost identical design as the Galaxy A04e, with the only significant difference being the better camera and improved speaker quality. I was curious to see if these updates made a significant difference in overall performance. In this review, I will share my direct impressions of the Samsung Galaxy A04 and how it stacks up against the competition.
Samsung Galaxy A04 Specifications
- Release date: 2022, August 24
- Colors: Black, Green, White, Copper
- Dimensions: 164.4 x 76.3 x 9.1 mm.
- Weight: 192 g.
- Screen: 6.5" in, 720 x 1600, PLS LCD
- Camera : Dual, 50MP
- Chipset: Unisoc SC9863A (28nm)
- CPU: Octa-core (4x2.3 GHz & 4x1.8 GHz)
- Memory: 32GB 3GB RAM, 32GB 4GB RAM, 64GB 4GB RAM, 64GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM
- Battery: 5000, Li-Po, non-removable
- Network: GSM / HSPA / LTE
- Operating system: Android 12, One UI Core 4.1
- Sensors: Accelerometer, proximity
If you are curious to find out all the details before reading the full review, visit the page for Samsung Galaxy A04 Specs, where you will find even the smallest detail about the phone.
Samsung Galaxy A04 Design
When it comes to the design of the Samsung Galaxy A04, I have to say that I am impressed by its elegance. The phone has a plastic body, which is quite common in budget smartphones, but it still looks sleek and modern. The front features a water notch, which is becoming the norm for budget phones these days. However, I find it quite acceptable in terms of the overall look of the phone.
One thing to note is that the device weighs around 192 grams, which is perhaps a bit heavier than what I'm used to, but it doesn't feel bulky or uncomfortable to hold. The camera module on the back is well designed and I like the way it pops out of the surface. The glossy finish on the back has its downside as it attracts fingerprints, but it cleans up pretty easily.
The headphone jack placement on the bottom left is a bit awkward, especially when playing in portrait mode. However, the overall feel of the phone in the hand is pretty good, with a balanced weight due to its large battery. It's a bit thicker than expected, at 9.1mm thick.
The Samsung Galaxy A04 comes in a variety of colors, including black, green, and copper. The black variant, in my opinion, looks the most natural and premium. The speaker grille, which houses the single speaker, Type-C charging port and MIC hole, is located at the bottom of the phone, while the second MIC hole is located at the top, which is quite impressive for a budget phone.
The volume up and down buttons and the power button are located on the right side, while a fingerprint sensor is not available. Moreover, the dedicated MicroSD SIM card slot is located on the left side - it can accommodate two Nano SIM cards and a MicroSD card simultaneously. Overall, the design and build quality of the Samsung Galaxy A04 are quite good and I am quite happy with my purchase.
Samsung Galaxy A04 Camera
I have to say that the camera on the Samsung Galaxy A04 is just average. It uses Isocell JN1 as the image sensor, which is pretty standard for cheap Samsung phones. The nominal resolution is 50 megapixels, but I noticed that it usually takes pictures with only a quarter of that value, which is 12.5 megapixels. Although this allows the pixels to collect more light, the resulting photos offer only moderate sharpness and detail in good lighting conditions.
In low-light and high-contrast situations, the backlighting barely works, and the dynamics leave much to be desired in dark areas. However, I found the exposure adjustment and autofocus to work quite reliably.
Videos can be recorded at a maximum speed of 1080p and 30 frames per second. However, the sharpness of the recordings is not that great. It doesn't help that there's no OIS support, so stable photos and videos are hard to come by. However, the autofocus and exposure adjustment work quite well.
I appreciate the fact that there are two very low resolution sensors for macro shots and for blur in portraits. Unfortunately, other than that, there are no other cameras on the back. On the front is the selfie camera, which takes 5-megapixel photos. While it's decent in good lighting conditions, the photos don't look as good when zoomed in.
Samsung Galaxy A04 Display
Let's talk about the display of the Samsung Galaxy A04. I was pleased to see that it features a 6.5-inch PLS LCD display, which is good enough for everyday use. The viewing angles are not a problem as they are quite sufficient. The screen is calibrated for a warmer tone, which I liked as it provides a comfortable viewing experience.
The device comes with an HD+ display with a resolution of 720 x 1560, which did not disappoint me in any way. However, it does not offer the highest refresh rate available on the market, which may not be suitable for high graphics usage. The drop-type cutout in the display looks good, but the chin is a bit thicker than I would have preferred.
I found the display worked well for low graphics use and normal tasks. The display supports 16 million color depths, which offers good color reproduction for images and videos.
Although the Galaxy A04's display is good, it lags behind comparable models in terms of brightness. The screen brightness averages under 400 cd/m² and offers an unevenly lit panel at just 84%. The low black value helps to maintain the contrast ratio, and the screen handles without a dimmer. However, response times are slow.
Outdoors, the Galaxy A04s struggles with the display's low brightness and highly reflective glass, making it difficult to view content under bright sunlight. In the shade, however, it works much better. Image stability is maintained even at flat viewing angles.
In conclusion, if you are looking for a budget device with an adequate display, the Samsung Galaxy A04 might be the right choice for you. It offers good color reproduction, comfortable viewing experience and works well for normal tasks. However, for high-quality graphics or brighter display options, you may need to consider other models available in the market.
Samsung Galaxy A04 Performance
When it comes to performance, the Samsung Galaxy A04 has its pros and cons. As an entry-level phone, it has a Mediatek Helio P35 chip that is sufficient for basic everyday activities like social media, multitasking, and light gaming. However, it falls short in terms of high-level performance tasks and I encountered some lag issues during multitasking.
In terms of gaming, the phone can handle basic games like Subway Surfers or Candy Crush, but anything more graphics intensive like PUBG will result in noticeable slowdown and longer rendering times. The phone heats up easily due to 12nm manufacturing technology, and battery consumption is also an issue.
The octa-core (2.3GHz Quad + 1.8GHz Quad ARM Cortex A53 CPU) processor has four cores for high performance tasks and four cores for low performance tasks. The IMG PowerVR GE8320 GPU can handle some games, but is not recommended for high graphics settings.
Overall performance is average at best. There may be stutters, infrequent crashes, and long boot times. Web browsing can also cause occasional slowdowns when loading images.
Samsung Galaxy A04 Battery
I must say that the battery life of the Samsung Galaxy A04 is quite impressive to say the least. With its 5000 mAh battery, I was able to get through an entire day with ease, even with moderate social media usage, gaming, and video streaming. This is definitely an advantage for me as I hate carrying around a mobile charger just to keep my phone alive.
The only downside I noticed is that charging time can take a while, with the 15W charger taking about 2 and a half hours to fully charge the cell. However, considering the battery life, I had no problems charging because it lasts so long. Although a fast charger would be more ideal, especially for on-the-go moments, the USB Type-C port is definitely welcome.
Samsung Galaxy A04 Software
When it comes to the software on the Samsung Galaxy A04, I have mixed feelings. On one hand, it runs the latest Android 12 operating system, which provides a seamless mobile experience. On the other hand, Samsung's One UI Core 4.1 software comes with a lot of bloatware. Apps like Snapchat, Carrom, Candy Crush and Public Apps are pre-installed and can be annoying. Notifications from these apps can be overwhelming and distract from the user experience.
One of the things I appreciate is that Samsung promises to provide security updates every three months, which is great for a budget phone. However, there is no official information on how long these updates will be guaranteed.
Another drawback is the amount of pre-installed apps, including some that duplicate features that already exist in Android. This can be frustrating, especially considering the limited memory of the device.
Samsung Galaxy A04 Price
One of the cheapest mid-range Samsung models available on the market. Priced at just under 170 euros, I was impressed with what this smartphone had to offer without costing dearly.
Samsung Galaxy A04 Conclusion
In my opinion, the Samsung Galaxy A04 is a decent entry-level smartphone for basic users looking for a good display and camera at an affordable price. However, the software experience could be improved with a better SoC, and the lack of a fingerprint scanner is a drawback. Despite these minor issues, the design, battery, and content viewing experience make it worthy for this price. While it may not be the most impressive option in its price range, it offers important features like NFC and accurate positioning. In conclusion, if you're looking for a simple smartphone for everyday use, the Samsung Galaxy A04 is worth considering.
Pros:
- Stylish and elegant design
- Good camera
- Great battery life
Cons:
- Poor performance
- Not a good selfie camera
Samsung Galaxy A04 video review
Disclaimer: The information presented in this article is based on our team's personal experience with the Samsung Galaxy A04 and third-party sources. While every effort has been made to provide accurate and reliable information, readers should keep in mind that this is a subjective assessment. The writing of this article was not paid for or sponsored by Samsung.
