Alright, let's break down the Honor 70 and Samsung Galaxy A04. We've got a classic case of a mid-ranger battling it out with a budget-friendly contender. I'm going to put on my tech journalist hat and dig into what this really means for you, the user.
1. Specifications Breakdown
Here's a detailed table comparing the key technical specifications and what they mean in the real world:
| Feature | Honor 70 | Samsung Galaxy A04 | Real-World Implications |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Dimensions | 161.4 x 73.3 x 7.9 mm, 178g | 164.4 x 76.3 x 9.1 mm, 192g | Honor 70 is noticeably slimmer and lighter, making it more comfortable for one-handed use and pocket-friendly. The A04 is slightly bulkier. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.67" | 6.5" | Honor 70 offers a bit more screen real estate, which is better for media consumption and multitasking. |
| Resolution | 1080 x 2400 | 720 x 1600 | Honor 70's screen is much sharper. Text will look clearer, and images will have more detail. The A04's screen is less dense, resulting in a less sharp visual experience. |
| Pixel Density | 395 ppi | 270 ppi | Sharper images and better text clarity on the Honor 70. |
| Technology | OLED | PLS LCD | OLED provides more vibrant colors, deeper blacks, and better viewing angles than PLS LCD. Honor 70 offers a superior visual experience with better contrast and color accuracy. |
| Refresh Rate | 120Hz | 60Hz | Honor 70’s display is much smoother, especially during scrolling and gaming. The A04's 60Hz display can feel less fluid and responsive. |
| Brightness | 0 nits | 0 nits | Peak brightness is equal, but OLED typically has a higher perceived brightness and better contrast. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Qualcomm Snapdragon 778G+ 5G (6nm) | Mediatek Helio P35 (12nm) | The Snapdragon 778G+ in the Honor 70 is significantly faster and more efficient. The Helio P35 in the A04 is designed for basic tasks and may struggle with demanding apps and multitasking. |
| AnTuTu Score | 600,525 | 124,000 | The Honor 70 is substantially faster, offering a smoother, more responsive experience in apps, games, and general usage. |
| GPU | Adreno 642L | PowerVR GE8320 | The Adreno GPU in Honor 70 provides much better graphics performance, critical for gaming and graphically demanding apps. |
| Camera | |||
| Main Camera | 54MP, f/1.9, 1/1.49" Sony IMX800 | 50MP, f/1.8 | Honor 70 has a larger sensor size and better lens for higher quality photos with better low light performance. |
| Selfie Camera | 32MP, f/2.4, 1/3.2" Omnivision OV32C | 5MP, f/2.2 | Honor 70 has much higher resolution, and larger sensor, resulting in detailed selfies with better light sensitivity. |
| Wide Angle Lens | 50MP, f/2.2 | None | Honor 70 can take wide angle photos, making it more versatile. |
| Portrait Lens | None | 2MP, f/2.4 | The Galaxy A04 can take portrait photos, but is limited to a single lens. |
| Macro Lens | 2MP, f/2.4 | None | Honor 70 has a dedicated macro lens, allowing for close-up shots. |
| Video | 4K@30fps, 1080p@60fps EIS | 1080p@30fps | Honor 70 can record high quality 4K videos with stabilization, while the A04 maxes out at 1080p. |
| DXOMark | Main 115/ Photo 115/ Video 129 | Not Tested | Honor 70's camera performance is significantly better than the A04, with a score of 115/115/129 on DXOMark, indicating superior image quality and video capabilities. |
| Features | 4K Video, Digital zoom, Triple camera, Digital image stabilization, Ultra stable video, Autofocus, Touch focus, Continuous shooting, Geotagging, Panorama, HDR, Face detection, White balance settings, ISO settings, Exposure compensation, Scene mode, Self-timer, RAW, Night Mode | Digital zoom, Dual camera, Autofocus, Touch focus, Continuous shooting, Geotagging, Panorama, HDR, Face detection, White balance settings, ISO settings, Exposure compensation, Scene mode, Self-timer | Honor 70 offers a much wider range of photo and video features for advanced photography. |
| Battery Life | |||
| Capacity | 4800mAh | 5000mAh | The A04 has a slightly larger battery, but the Honor 70's more efficient chipset may result in similar battery life. |
| Charging | 66W fast charging, Li-Polymer | Li-Ion | Honor 70's 66W fast charging will fill the battery much faster than the A04, which lacks any sort of fast charging. |
| Features | Reverse Charging, Non-removable | Non-removable | The ability to charge other devices with the Honor 70 is a bonus for users with multiple gadgets. |
| Software | |||
| OS | Android 12 | Android 12, upgradable to 13 | Both phones feature Android 12 out of the box, with the A04 having a potential upgrade to 13. |
| Connectivity | |||
| WiFi | 802.11a/b/g/n/ac/ax Dual band, Wi-Fi Hotspot, Wi-Fi Direct, Wi-Fi Display, Wi-Fi MiMO | 802.11b/g/n/ac, Wi-Fi Hotspot, Wi-Fi Direct | Honor 70 has more advanced WiFi capabilities, including support for WiFi 6 (802.11ax) for faster speeds. |
| Bluetooth | 5.2 LE A2DP, LE, APT-x, LDAC, SBC, AAC | 5.0 LE A2DP, LE | The Honor 70 offers better Bluetooth codecs for higher-quality audio. |
| GPS | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, Galileo | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS | The Honor 70 has more accurate location tracking. |
| Storage | |||
| Internal | 128GB/256GB/512GB | 32GB/64GB/128GB | Honor 70 offers larger storage options, which is critical if you take many photos or videos or install a lot of apps. |
| RAM | 6GB/8GB/12GB | 3GB/4GB/6GB | Honor 70 has considerably more RAM, allowing for smoother multitasking and performance. |
| Expandable | No | No | Neither phone offers expandable storage. |
| Audio | |||
| Quality | Hi-Res Audio, Stereo Speakers | Basic | Honor 70 provides a superior audio experience with higher quality playback and stereo speakers. |
| Security | |||
| Features | Fingerprint Sensor | Basic Security | Only the Honor 70 has a fingerprint sensor for biometric security. |
| Build Quality | |||
| Screen Protection | Unknown | Unknown | Both use similar screen protection, but they are not specified. |
| Sensors | Biometric: Fingerprint, Proximity, Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope | Proximity, Accelerometer | Honor 70 offers more advanced sensors, enabling more features and better gaming capabilities. |
| ## 2. Key Insights |
Honor 70 Strengths:
- Superior Display: The OLED display with 120Hz refresh rate offers a much more vibrant and smoother visual experience than the A04's LCD screen.
- Much Higher Performance: The Snapdragon 778G+ chipset provides significantly better processing power than the Helio P35, resulting in faster loading times, smoother multitasking, and better gaming performance.
- Better Cameras: The Honor 70 has higher resolution sensors, a larger main sensor, and a wide range of features, allowing for better photo and video capture in diverse conditions.
- Faster Charging: 66W fast charging capability ensures you spend less time plugged in.
- Advanced Audio: Hi-Res Audio and stereo speakers provide an elevated audio experience.
- Additional Features: Reverse charging and a fingerprint sensor are nice to haves. Samsung Galaxy A04 Strengths:
- Larger Battery: The slightly larger 5000mAh battery might offer marginally better battery life, though the difference may be negligible due to less efficient processor.
- Lower Price: The A04 is likely to be much more affordable, making it a budget-friendly option for basic use.
- Expandable OS: The device can be upgraded to Android 13.
Trade-offs:
- The Honor 70 is significantly more expensive, reflecting its higher-end specs and performance.
- The Samsung Galaxy A04 compromises heavily on performance, display quality, and camera capabilities to achieve its lower price point.
3. User Profiles and Recommendations
- Honor 70:
- Ideal For: Power users, mobile gamers, and photography enthusiasts who prioritize performance, display quality, and camera versatility.
- Use Cases: Playing graphics-intensive games, video editing, content creation, capturing high-quality photos and videos, and heavy multitasking.
- Pros: The best for users who want to watch videos, view social media, take pictures, and play games.
- Samsung Galaxy A04:
- Ideal For: Budget-conscious users, first-time smartphone buyers, and those who need a basic device for calls, messaging, and light browsing.
- Use Cases: Basic tasks like making calls, sending messages, browsing social media, and using simple apps.
- Pros: A very cost-effective device if you need something cheap.
4. Buying Decision Framework
Consider these questions to help you choose:
- What is your primary use case?
- If you need a device for power-intensive tasks, gaming, and high-quality media, choose the Honor 70.
- If you only need a basic device for calls, messaging, and light browsing, the A04 will suffice.
- How much do you value screen quality?
- If a vibrant, smooth, and sharp display is important to you, the Honor 70's OLED screen is the way to go.
- If a basic LCD screen is acceptable, the A04 will work.
- What is your budget?
- If you have a larger budget and want a device that will perform well for a few years, the Honor 70 is a good investment.
- If you are on a very tight budget, the A04 offers basic functionality at a low price.
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Mobile Gamer: The Honor 70 is the clear choice due to its powerful chipset, excellent graphics, and high-refresh-rate screen.
- Budget Shopper: The Samsung Galaxy A04 is the more economical choice for basic tasks and users who can compromise on performance and quality.
- Photography Enthusiast: The Honor 70 offers significantly more versatile and higher-quality cameras, making it the better option.
- Media Consumption: The Honor 70's OLED display, Hi-Res Audio, and stereo speakers provide a superior experience for movies and videos.
- Basic User: If a cheap, basic smartphone is all you need, then the A04 is the right pick.
My Choice
If I were choosing between these two phones, I would go with the Honor 70, hands down. The difference in performance, display quality, and camera capabilities is massive, and for me, those are the key areas that matter. I'm not okay with a subpar screen, slow loading times, or mediocre photos. As a tech journalist, I need a phone that can keep up with my needs. The Honor 70 provides the experience I look for in a mid-range phone without compromising on features. While I acknowledge the A04 is a very cost-effective phone, it sacrifices too much on the critical elements that I value in a modern smartphone. For those who can afford it, I truly believe the Honor 70 provides a better overall experience.
