1. Specifications Comparison
Design
| Feature | Realme 8 | Samsung Galaxy A04s | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dimensions | 160.6 × 73.9 × 8 mm | 164.7 × 76.7 × 9.1 mm | The A04s is noticeably larger, which may feel less comfortable for single-handed use and for users with smaller hands. |
| Weight | 177g | 195g | The Realme 8 is lighter, making it more comfortable for extended holding and usage, especially one-handed. |
Display
| Feature | Realme 8 | Samsung Galaxy A04s | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Size | 6.4" | 6.5" | Minimal difference. The A04s screen is negligibly larger by 0.1". |
| Resolution | 1080 x 2400 | 720 x 1600 | The Realme 8 has significantly sharper text and images, better for reading, videos, and detailed content. |
| PPI | 411 | 270 | The Realme 8's higher pixel density results in a crisper, less pixelated display experience, especially noticeable when viewing small details. |
| Technology | AMOLED | PLS LCD | The Realme 8's AMOLED screen offers superior contrast, deeper blacks, and more vibrant colors; ideal for media consumption and dark mode usage. |
| Refresh Rate | 60Hz | 90Hz | The Samsung Galaxy A04s will offer slightly smoother scrolling and animations, though the difference may not be noticeable for all users. |
| Brightness | 1000 nits | 0 nits | The Realme 8 has dramatically better screen visibility in bright sunlight, making it easier to use outdoors. |
Performance
| Feature | Realme 8 | Samsung Galaxy A04s | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chipset | Mediatek Helio G95 (12 nm) | Exynos 850 (8 nm) | The Realme 8’s chipset is significantly more powerful, translating to faster app launches, smoother multitasking, and better gaming performance. |
| AnTuTu Score | 409,874 | 117,300 | The Realme 8 is much more responsive, handling demanding apps and games with ease; the A04s may struggle with heavy multitasking or resource-intensive tasks. |
| GPU | Mali-G76 MC4 | Mali-G52 | The Realme 8 has a more powerful GPU resulting in superior graphics performance, ideal for gaming. |
Camera
| Feature | Realme 8 | Samsung Galaxy A04s | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Main Camera | 64MP, f/1.79 | 50MP, f/1.8 | The Realme 8 captures more detailed images due to higher resolution, and its wider aperture allows for better low-light performance; both have autofocus and touch focus. |
| Selfie Camera | 16MP, f/2.45 | 5MP, f/2.2 | The Realme 8 captures much higher-resolution selfies; the Samsung Galaxy A04s's wider aperture might be negligibly better for low-light selfies |
| Wide Angle | 8MP, f/2.25 | N/A | The Realme 8 offers a wider field of view in photos, useful for group shots and landscapes. |
| Portrait (depth) | N/A | 2MP, f/2.4 | The Samsung A04s has a dedicated depth sensor, improving the bokeh effect in portrait photos. |
| Macro | 2MP, f/2.4 | 2MP, f/2.4 | Both phones offer similar macro capabilities, suitable for capturing close-up details. |
| Black & White | 2MP, f/2.4 | N/A | The Realme 8 offers dedicated monochrome photos, providing creative flexibility. |
| Video | 4K@30fps, 1080p@120fps | 1080p@30fps | The Realme 8 captures higher quality video, including 4K footage and slow-motion at 120fps. |
Battery
| Feature | Realme 8 | Samsung Galaxy A04s | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Capacity | 5000mAh | 5000mAh | Both phones offer comparable battery life, suitable for a full day's use for most users. |
| Charging | 30W Fast Charging | 15W Fast Charging | The Realme 8 charges significantly faster, reducing downtime. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Realme 8 Advantages:
- Superior Display: Significantly higher resolution, AMOLED panel, and much higher brightness make for a better viewing experience, particularly outdoors.
- Much Stronger Performance: The Helio G95 chipset offers far superior speed for apps and games, leading to a more responsive device.
- Better Camera System: Higher resolution main and selfie cameras, plus additional lenses for wide-angle and black & white shots, provide more versatility.
- Faster Charging: 30W charging allows much faster battery replenishment compared to the A04s's 15W.
- Hi-Res Audio: The Realme 8 offers higher quality audio playback.
Samsung Galaxy A04s Advantages:
- Slightly Smoother Display: The 90Hz refresh rate offers slightly smoother animations, though the real-world difference may not be very noticeable.
- Depth Sensor: A dedicated depth sensor enhances the portrait mode photos.
- Newer OS: The Samsung Galaxy A04s ships with a more recent version of Android (12), and has updates to Android 14.
- Better Location Accuracy: Supports more satellite systems (QZSS) for slightly improved GPS accuracy.
- Side-mounted fingerprint sensor: Offers a more advanced and convenient security unlock method.
Trade-offs:
- Realme 8: Sacrifices a higher refresh rate and depth sensor for a superior display and much better performance. The lack of expandable storage might be a limiting factor for some users.
- Samsung Galaxy A04s: Offers slightly smoother animations and a depth sensor, but with a significantly inferior screen, much lower performance, slower charging, and less versatile camera system. The basic audio quality might be a letdown for music lovers.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Realme 8 Ideal User:
- Media Consumers: Users who frequently watch videos, browse the web, and view images will greatly appreciate the vibrant AMOLED display and higher resolution.
- Gamers: Casual and moderate gamers will find the superior performance offered by the Helio G95 chipset much more enjoyable.
- Photography Enthusiasts: Users who value camera versatility and quality will appreciate the higher-resolution sensors, wide-angle lens, and 4K video recording capability.
- Users who value fast charging: The 30W charging will be a great fit for people who hate to wait.
Use Cases:
- Streaming movies and TV shows.
- Playing graphically intensive games.
- Capturing high-quality photos and videos for social media.
- Quickly charging the phone during short breaks.
Samsung Galaxy A04s Ideal User:
- Basic Smartphone Users: Users who primarily use their phone for calls, texts, and light social media.
- Price-Conscious Buyers: Users on a tight budget who prioritize a basic smartphone functionality over performance and display quality.
- Users looking for a side-mounted fingerprint sensor. The fingerprint sensor on the A04s is more advanced and secure.
Use Cases:
- Making phone calls and sending text messages.
- Browsing social media and email.
- Basic web browsing.
- Taking occasional photos for casual sharing.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions for Buyers:
- How important is display quality to you? (Do you prioritize resolution, vibrant colors, and brightness?)
- How important is performance to you? (Do you need to run demanding apps or play games?)
- Do you need a versatile camera? (Do you need features like wide-angle shots, high-resolution images, and good video quality?)
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Scenario 1: Daily Commuter
- Recommendation: Realme 8 for its superior outdoor visibility, faster performance for using maps, and fast charging for busy days.
- Scenario 2: Casual User on a Budget
- Recommendation: Samsung Galaxy A04s as a cost-effective option for basic tasks, but with awareness of its performance and display limitations.
- Scenario 3: Multimedia Enthusiast
- Recommendation: Realme 8 because of its vastly superior display and stronger performance. The device is better suited for video streaming and gaming.
My Choice
I would choose the Realme 8.
While the Samsung Galaxy A04s has a slightly smoother 90Hz display and offers a newer OS and a side-mounted fingerprint sensor, the Realme 8 outperforms it in almost every other critical area for a smartphone. The Realme 8’s vastly superior display quality with AMOLED technology and higher resolution, along with its much faster chipset, make it significantly better for a wide range of tasks. From media consumption and gaming to everyday app usage, the Realme 8 offers a smoother and more enjoyable experience. The camera system on the Realme 8 is also more versatile with a wide-angle lens, better video recording and a better selfie camera. Additionally, the 30W fast charging is a significant advantage, reducing downtime. For me, the enhanced user experience provided by the Realme 8 outweighs the advantages of the Samsung A04s.
