Huawei nova 8i vs Samsung Galaxy A04s - Detailed Phone Comparison

Detailed Comparison

Specification

General

Launch Date July 22, 2021 September 22, 2022
Release Year 2021 2022

Physical

Volume 104.01 cm³ 114.96 cm³
Screen Size to Weight Ratio 3.51 "/g 3.33 "/g
Weight 190 g 195 g
Height 161.9 mm 164.7 mm
Width 74.7 mm 76.7 mm
Thickness 8.6 mm 9.1 mm
Foldable Design No No
Available Colors
  • Starry Black
  • Moonlight Silver
  • Interstellar Blue
  • Black
  • White
  • Green
  • Copper

Display

Screen Size 6.67 " 6.5 "
Resolution 1080 x 2376 720 x 1600
Aspect Ratio 20:9 20:9
Screen-to-Body Ratio 89.4 % 80.7 %
Pixel Density 391 PPI 270 PPI
Refresh Rate N/A 90 Hz
Typical Brightness N/A N/A
HBM Brightness N/A N/A
Peak Brightness N/A 400 nits

Hardware

Battery Capacity per Screen Area 96.65 mAh/in² 118.34 mAh/in²
Battery Density 41.34 mAh/cm³ 43.5 mAh/cm³
Battery Capacity 4300 mAh 5000 mAh
NFC Support No Yes
Chipset Qualcomm SM6115 Snapdragon 662 (11 nm) Exynos 850 (8 nm)
CPU Octa-core (4x2.0 GHz Kryo 260 Gold & 4x1.8 GHz Kryo 260 Silver) Octa-core (4x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55 & 4x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55)
GPU Adreno 610 Mali-G52

Connectivity

USB Version 2.0 2.0
OTG Support
DisplayPort
DisplayPort Version N/A N/A
USB Features USB Type-C 2.0 USB Type-C 2.0

Software

Operating System Android Android
Initial OS Version 10 12
Maximum OS Version 14

Comparison Summary

Alright, let's dive into a head-to-head comparison of the Huawei nova 8i and the Samsung Galaxy A04s. I'll break down the specs, translate them into real-world benefits, and help you figure out which one fits your needs best.

1. Specifications Breakdown

Here's a detailed look at how these two phones stack up, with an emphasis on what it actually means for you:

Design

FeatureHuawei nova 8iSamsung Galaxy A04sReal-World Implications
Physical Size161.9 × 74.7 × 8.6 mm164.7 × 76.7 × 9.1 mmThe Nova 8i is slightly more compact, which might make it a bit easier to handle, especially for those with smaller hands. The A04s is a bit bulkier.
Weight190g195gA minor difference, but the Nova 8i will feel negligibly lighter.

Display

FeatureHuawei nova 8iSamsung Galaxy A04sReal-World Implications
Size6.67"6.5"The Nova 8i offers a marginally larger viewing area, which can be nice for media consumption and gaming.
Resolution1080x2376720x1600This is a big one. The Nova 8i's display will look significantly sharper and clearer. Text will be crisper, and images will have more detail. The A04s's screen is noticeably less sharp.
PPI391270Further reinforces the Nova 8i's superior sharpness. Higher PPI means more detail.
TechnologyIPS LCDPLS LCDIPS LCDs generally offer better viewing angles and color accuracy compared to PLS LCDs. Again, the Nova 8i wins here.
Refresh Rate60Hz90HzThe Galaxy A04s's 90Hz refresh rate makes scrolling and animations feel smoother than the Nova 8i's 60Hz display, even though the Nova 8i's display is higher resolution and higher pixel density.
Brightness0 nits0 nitsAssuming that the given information is wrong, brightness of the display will be an important factor when using outside.

Performance

FeatureHuawei nova 8iSamsung Galaxy A04sReal-World Implications
ChipsetQualcomm SM6115 Snapdragon 662 (11 nm)Exynos 850 (8 nm)The Snapdragon 662 in the Nova 8i is more powerful than the Exynos 850 in the A04s. This means faster app loading, smoother multitasking, and better performance in demanding apps and games. The smaller manufacturing process (8nm) of the Exynos 850 could lead to slightly better battery efficiency.
AnTuTu Score201,000117,300Benchmarks confirm the Nova 8i's significant performance advantage.
GPUAdreno 610Mali-G52The Adreno 610 is the more capable GPU, so the Nova 8i will handle graphics-intensive tasks and games more smoothly.

Camera

FeatureHuawei nova 8iSamsung Galaxy A04sReal-World Implications
Main Camera64MP, f/1.950MP, f/1.8The Nova 8i's 64MP sensor has the potential for more detailed photos, especially in good lighting. The A04s's wider aperture might give it a slight edge in low-light performance, but that depends on processing.
Selfie Camera16MP, f/2.05MP, f/2.2Significantly sharper selfies on the Nova 8i.
Ultrawide Camera8MP, f/2.2NoneThe Nova 8i offers an ultrawide lens for capturing more expansive scenes - a feature the A04s lacks entirely.
Depth & Macro2MP each2MP eachPerformance in these auxiliary cameras is generally similar between the two.
Video Recording1080p@30fps1080p@30fpsBoth record at the same resolution and frame rate.
Camera FeaturesMore modes and settingsFewer modes and settingsThe Nova 8i offers Digital image stabilization, Continuous shooting, Panorama, White balance settings, ISO settings, Exposure compensation; the A04s does not.

Battery Life

FeatureHuawei nova 8iSamsung Galaxy A04sReal-World Implications
Capacity4300mAh5000mAhThe A04s has a noticeably larger battery, meaning it should last longer on a single charge, especially under heavy use.
Charging66W Fast Charging15W Fast ChargingHuge difference here. The Nova 8i's 66W charging is significantly faster. You can top up the battery much quicker, making it far more convenient if you're often in a hurry. The Nova 8i uses a Li-Polymer battery which is normally slimmer and have a better safety profile than Li-Ion batteries like the one in the A04s.

2. Key Insights

  • Huawei nova 8i: This phone prioritizes performance, display quality, and camera versatility. It's the better choice for users who value a sharp screen, smooth multitasking, and taking high-quality photos. The incredibly fast charging is a major convenience factor.
  • Samsung Galaxy A04s: Its main strength lies in battery life. The larger battery and efficient chipset should provide excellent endurance. The 90Hz display makes general usage more enjoyable.

Trade-offs: The Nova 8i sacrifices battery life for performance and a better display. The A04s sacrifices performance and screen quality for longer battery life.

3. User Profiles and Recommendations

  • Huawei nova 8i: Best for students, social media enthusiasts, and casual gamers who want a responsive phone with a great screen and versatile camera. Ideal if you don't mind charging more frequently for the sake of speed.
  • Samsung Galaxy A04s: Ideal for users who prioritize long battery life above all else. Good for those who need a reliable phone that can last all day with moderate use. Good for older generations.

4. Buying Decision Framework

Here are three questions to help you decide:

  1. How important is battery life? If you need a phone that can reliably last through a full day of heavy use (or even two days of light use), the A04s is the better choice. If you're okay with charging more often in exchange for better performance, the Nova 8i wins.
  2. How much do you value display quality? If you watch a lot of videos, browse social media, or read e-books, the Nova 8i's sharper, more vibrant display will make a noticeable difference.
  3. How important is fast charging? If you hate waiting for your phone to charge, the Nova 8i's 66W charging is a game-changer.

Scenario-Based Recommendations:

  • Frequent Traveler: Samsung Galaxy A04s - Long battery life is crucial when you're on the go and might not have access to a charger.
  • Social Media Creator: Huawei nova 8i - Better camera and faster performance for creating and editing content.
  • Budget-Conscious Student: Samsung Galaxy A04s - Reliable performance and long battery life at a more affordable price point.
  • Mobile Gamer: Huawei nova 8i - More powerful processor and GPU for smoother gaming performance.

My Choice

Personally, I'd choose the Huawei nova 8i. While the battery life of the A04s is tempting, the significant upgrade in display quality and overall performance is too good to pass up. The 66W fast charging mitigates the battery concerns, as I can quickly top up whenever needed. As someone who uses their phone for everything from streaming videos to occasional gaming, the Nova 8i simply offers a more enjoyable and responsive experience.

Alex Griffin
Alex Griffin

Technology analyst specializing in mobile devices and consumer electronics.

Core Expertise

  • Mobile technology analysis
  • Consumer electronics evaluation
  • Technical specification interpretation
  • User experience insights

Professional Mission Empowering readers to make informed technology decisions by transforming intricate specifications into understandable, practical guidance.

Demystifying technology, one device at a time.