1. Specifications Comparison
Design
| Feature | OnePlus 8T | Samsung Galaxy A04s | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dimensions | 160.7 × 74.1 × 8.4 mm | 164.7 × 76.7 × 9.1 mm | The 8T is more compact, potentially easier to handle with one hand. The A04s is bulkier and may feel less comfortable. |
| Weight | 188g | 195g | The 8T is slightly lighter, which may be noticeable during extended use. |
| Build Quality (Screen) | Corning Gorilla Glass 5 | Unknown | The 8T's screen is more resistant to scratches and cracks. The A04s' screen durability is unknown. |
Display
| Feature | OnePlus 8T | Samsung Galaxy A04s | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Size | 6.55" | 6.5" | Negligible difference in screen size. |
| Resolution | 1080x2400 | 720x1600 | The 8T's display is much sharper, resulting in clearer text, images, and videos. |
| PPI | 402 | 270 | The 8T provides significantly better clarity. Text and images will appear much more defined. |
| Technology | AMOLED | PLS LCD | The 8T's AMOLED display offers deeper blacks, better contrast, more vibrant colors, and better power efficiency with dark themes. |
| Refresh Rate | 120Hz | 90Hz | The 8T's display offers smoother scrolling and animations, resulting in a more responsive feel. |
| Brightness | 1100 nits | 0 nits | The 8T's display is much brighter and more easily viewable in direct sunlight. |
Performance
| Feature | OnePlus 8T | Samsung Galaxy A04s | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chipset | Qualcomm Snapdragon 865 5G | Exynos 850 | The 8T's chipset is significantly more powerful, offering much faster app loading, smoother multitasking, and better gaming performance. |
| AnTuTu Score | 744,900 | 117,300 | The 8T offers a vastly superior user experience, especially for demanding tasks. |
| GPU | Adreno 650 | Mali-G52 | The 8T's GPU offers significantly better graphics performance, resulting in smoother gameplay and faster image/video processing. |
| RAM | 8/12 GB | 3/4 GB | The 8T has much more RAM, allowing for more apps to run in the background without slowdowns and ensuring smoother multitasking. |
Camera
| Feature | OnePlus 8T | Samsung Galaxy A04s | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Main Camera | 48MP, f/1.7 | 50MP, f/1.8 | The 8T has a slightly wider aperture which let in more light. |
| Ultrawide Lens | 16MP | None | The 8T allows for capturing wider scenes. |
| Selfie Camera | 16MP, f/2.4 | 5MP, f/2.2 | The 8T has a significantly higher resolution selfie camera, which leads to much better photo and video quality. |
| Video Recording | Up to 4K@60fps | Up to 1080p@30fps | The 8T records much higher quality videos. |
| Optical Image Stabilization (OIS) | Yes | No | The 8T will produce smoother, less shaky videos. |
Battery
| Feature | OnePlus 8T | Samsung Galaxy A04s | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Capacity | 4500mAh | 5000mAh | The A04s has a slightly larger battery, potentially offering slightly longer battery life. |
| Charging | 65W Fast Charging | 15W Fast Charging | The 8T charges much faster, minimizing downtime. |
Software
| Feature | OnePlus 8T | Samsung Galaxy A04s | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| OS (Launch) | Android 11 | Android 12 | The A04s launched with a newer version of Android. |
| Max OS Version | Android 14 | Android 14 | Both are expected to reach Android 14. |
Connectivity
| Feature | OnePlus 8T | Samsung Galaxy A04s | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| WiFi | WiFi 6 | WiFi 5 | The 8T supports faster and more efficient WiFi connections. |
| Bluetooth | 5.1 | 5.0 | Minor improvements in range and efficiency on the 8T. |
Storage
| Feature | OnePlus 8T | Samsung Galaxy A04s | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Internal Storage | 128/256 GB | 32/64/128 GB | The 8T offers larger storage options for more apps, photos, and videos. |
| Expandable Storage | No | No | Neither phone allows for expanding storage via microSD card. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
OnePlus 8T Advantages:
- Significantly Higher Performance: The Snapdragon 865 offers a vastly superior user experience compared to the Exynos 850, especially for gaming and demanding apps.
- Superior Display: The AMOLED display with a 120Hz refresh rate offers better image quality, smoother animations, and better outdoor visibility.
- Faster Charging: 65W charging significantly reduces charging time.
- Better Cameras: Higher resolution selfie camera, ultrawide lens, OIS, and 4K video recording capability make it a more versatile option for photography and videography.
- Better Audio: Stereo speakers and Dolby Atmos support provide a more immersive audio experience.
- WiFi 6 Support: Allows for faster and more efficient WiFi connections.
- More RAM/Storage: The 8T comes with larger RAM and internal storage capacities.
Samsung Galaxy A04s Advantages:
- Potentially Longer Battery Life: The slightly larger battery capacity might translate into marginally longer battery life.
- Newer out of the box OS: Launched with Android 12, but both will be updated to 14.
- Side-mounted fingerprint sensor: Some users prefer this placement over in-display.
- Depth sensor: This allows for dedicated portrait mode shots.
Trade-offs:
- The OnePlus 8T is older and may not receive software updates for as long as the Galaxy A04s.
- The Samsung Galaxy A04s may offer slightly better battery life.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
OnePlus 8T Ideal User:
- Gamers: The powerful processor and GPU provide a superior gaming experience.
- Multimedia Consumers: The AMOLED display, stereo speakers, and fast charging make it ideal for watching videos and listening to music.
- Photography Enthusiasts: The versatile camera system with OIS and 4K video recording capabilities make it a good choice for capturing photos and videos.
- Power Users: Those who need fast performance for multitasking and running demanding apps.
Samsung Galaxy A04s Ideal User:
- Budget-Conscious Consumers: Those looking for an affordable smartphone for basic tasks.
- Users with Simple Needs: Those who primarily use their phone for calls, texts, and basic social media.
- Users Prioritizing Battery Life: Those who need a phone that can last all day on a single charge.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions to Consider:
- What is your budget? The Galaxy A04s is likely significantly cheaper.
- What are your primary use cases? If gaming, photography, or multimedia consumption are important, the 8T is the better choice.
- How important is battery life versus charging speed? The A04s might last slightly longer, but the 8T charges much faster.
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Scenario 1: High-Performance Needs, Budget Flexible: Choose the OnePlus 8T for its superior performance, display, and camera capabilities.
- Scenario 2: Budget is Tight, Basic Functionality Required: Choose the Samsung Galaxy A04s as a cost-effective option for basic smartphone use.
- Scenario 3: Balanced Needs, Moderate Budget: The OnePlus 8T provides far more value assuming the price difference isn't massive.
What I would choose and why
I would choose the OnePlus 8T. Even though it's an older phone, the sheer difference in performance, display quality, camera capabilities, and charging speed makes it a far superior device for my needs. I prioritize a smooth and responsive user experience, and the Snapdragon 865 chipset and 120Hz AMOLED display would make a huge difference. I also value good photo and video quality, and the 8T's camera system is much more versatile. While the A04s might offer slightly better battery life, the 8T's incredibly fast 65W charging more than makes up for that. Overall, the 8T offers a significantly better user experience that justifies choosing it over the A04s, even if it is an older device.
