Smartphone Comparison: Samsung Galaxy A02 vs. Honor Magic4 Pro
1. Specifications Comparison
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy A02 | Honor Magic4 Pro | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Dimensions | 164 × 75.9 × 9.1 mm | 163.6 × 74.7 × 9.1 mm | A02 slightly wider, otherwise nearly identical size, both comfortable to hold. |
| Weight | 206g | 209g | Negligible weight difference. Both feel similarly heavy. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.5" | 6.81" | Honor Magic4 Pro offers a more immersive viewing experience due to its larger screen. |
| Resolution | 720x1600 | 1312x2848 | Honor Magic4 Pro will have much sharper text and images. |
| PPI | 270 | 460 | Honor Magic4 Pro's display will look significantly clearer. |
| Technology | PLS LCD | OLED | Honor Magic4 Pro offers much better contrast, colors and viewing angles, leading to a more visually appealing display |
| Refresh Rate | 60Hz | 120Hz | Honor Magic4 Pro provides smoother scrolling and animations. |
| Brightness | 0 nits | 1000 nits | Honor Magic4 Pro will be clearly visible even in bright sunlight. A02 is not suitable for outdoor use on sunny days. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Mediatek MT6739W (28 nm) | Qualcomm SM8450 Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 (4 nm) | Honor Magic4 Pro will be much faster, with a significant improvement in app loading, multitasking and gaming. |
| AnTuTu Score | 50,774 | 945,832 | Honor Magic4 Pro is dramatically more powerful, suitable for demanding tasks. |
| GPU | PowerVR GE8100 | Adreno 730 | Honor Magic4 Pro provides much better graphics performance for gaming and other GPU intensive tasks. |
| Battery | |||
| Capacity | 5000mAh | 4600mAh | Samsung Galaxy A02 might have slightly longer battery life, but not significantly different. |
| Charging | 7.5W Fast Charging | 100W Fast Charging | Honor Magic4 Pro charges much faster; significantly reducing charging times. |
| Features | Non-removable | Reverse charging, Non-removable, Wireless charging 100W | Honor Magic4 Pro offers more convenient charging options (wireless and reverse) |
| Camera | |||
| Main Camera | 13MP, f/1.9, 1.12µm pixel size | 50MP, f/1.9, 1/1.56" sensor, 1.00µm pixel size | Honor Magic4 Pro captures significantly higher quality photos due to better sensor, resolution and image processing capabilities. |
| Telephoto + Portrait | N/A | 64MP, f/2.0, 1/2" sensor, 0.70µm pixel size | Honor Magic4 Pro can take better quality portrait photos and zoom photos with dedicated telephoto lens |
| Selfie Camera | 5MP, f/2.0 | 12MP, f/2.4 | Honor Magic4 Pro captures higher-resolution selfie photos. Samsung Galaxy A02 has slightly wider aperture for slightly better low-light selfie photos. |
| ToF 3D Sensor | N/A | 0.3MP | Honor Magic4 Pro uses time-of-flight sensor to create more accurate depth maps which could help with portrait mode photos |
| Macro Lens | 2MP, f/2.4 | N/A | Samsung Galaxy A02 can take close up photos of small objects |
| Wide Angle + Macro | N/A | 50MP, f/2.2 | Honor Magic4 Pro has a wide angle camera which allows for a wider field of view and more versatility |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 4K@60fps with HDR, EIS | Honor Magic4 Pro records much higher quality videos with better stabilization. |
| Slow Motion | No | Yes, 960fps | Honor Magic4 Pro can record detailed slow motion videos, whereas Galaxy A02 can not |
| DxOMark | N/A | Mobile: 126, Photo: 132, Video: 117 | Honor Magic4 Pro has significantly higher rated camera performance |
| Features | 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 | 4K Video, Digital zoom, Optical zoom, Quadruple camera, Digital image stabilization, Optical Stabilization (OIS), Ultra stable video, Autofocus, Touch focus, Continuous autofocus, Manual focus, Laser AF, Phase detection autofocus (PDAF), Laser autofocus (LAF), Dual front camera, Main camera for Selfies, Continuous shooting, Geotagging, Panorama, HDR, Face detection, White balance settings, ISO settings, Exposure compensation, Scene mode, Self-timer, RAW, Night Mode | Honor Magic4 Pro has much more camera features to provide more flexibility in shooting. |
| Software | |||
| OS | Android 10 (upgradable to 11) | Android 12 | Honor Magic4 Pro has newer version of Android and hence will have new features and better support. |
| Connectivity | |||
| WiFi | 802.11b/g/n | 802.11a/b/g/n/ac/ax | Honor Magic4 Pro has more up to date WiFi standards which gives faster speeds, better latency. |
| Bluetooth | 4.2 LE | 5.2 LE | Honor Magic4 Pro has a faster, more power efficient version of Bluetooth for improved connectivity |
| GPS | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS | GPS, A-GPS, Beidou, QZSS, Galileo, GPS (L1+L5), GLONASS (L1), BeiDou (B1), Galileo (E1+E5a), BeiDou (B2), NavIC System, QZSS (L1 + L5) | Honor Magic4 Pro has more accurate location tracking due to it's advanced GPS system |
| SIM | Dual SIM (Nano SIM + Nano SIM) | Dual SIM (Nano SIM + Nano SIM) | Both have dual sim support |
| Storage | |||
| Internal | 32 GB or 64 GB | 256 GB or 512 GB | Honor Magic4 Pro has much more internal storage for apps, photos and media. |
| RAM | 2 GB, 3 GB or 4 GB | 8 GB or 12 GB | Honor Magic4 Pro is better for heavy multitasking and demanding gaming |
| Expandable | No | No | Neither phone offers SD card slot |
| Audio | |||
| Quality | Dolby Atmos | DTS / DTS X, Stereo Speakers | Honor Magic4 Pro offers better audio quality due to stereo speakers and DTS technology. |
| Security | |||
| Features | Basic security features | Fingerprint sensor | Honor Magic4 Pro has a biometric sensor for enhanced security. |
| Build Quality | |||
| Protection | Unknown | Unknown | Both phones have an unknown screen protection rating |
| Sensors | |||
| Sensors | Proximity, Accelerometer | Fingerprint, Proximity, Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope | Honor Magic4 Pro has more advanced sensors which are required for advanced features and gaming. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Samsung Galaxy A02 Advantages:
- Slightly Larger Battery: Offers a marginally larger battery capacity (5000mAh vs 4600mAh) which could result in slightly better battery life.
- Macro Lens: Inclusion of a dedicated macro lens enables detailed close-up photography.
- Dolby Atmos: For headphones, Dolby Atmos offers a more immersive audio experience than standard audio, but not as good as Honor's stereo speakers.
- Potentially Lower Cost: As an older and lower spec model, it will be significantly cheaper than Honor Magic4 Pro.
Practical Implications (Samsung A02):
- More suited for basic tasks, limited gaming.
- Better for users on a very tight budget.
Honor Magic4 Pro Advantages:
- Superior Display: Larger, higher resolution OLED screen with a 120Hz refresh rate, leading to a much more vibrant, smoother, sharper viewing experience.
- Significantly Higher Performance: The Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 chipset is far more powerful than the Mediatek chipset, leading to faster performance across the board.
- Much Better Cameras: Superior sensors, resolutions, and features like telephoto, wide-angle, and better stabilization, resulting in much higher-quality photos and videos.
- Faster Charging: 100W fast charging allows for significantly faster charging times than the Samsung A02.
- More Storage and RAM: The Honor Magic4 Pro has much more storage for apps, photos and media. The ram is significantly higher for better multitasking performance.
- Enhanced Connectivity: Newer Bluetooth and WiFi standards as well as an improved GPS system means faster and more reliable connections.
- Additional Features: Includes reverse charging, wireless charging, a fingerprint sensor, stereo speakers, and a more comprehensive set of sensors.
Practical Implications (Honor Magic4 Pro):
- Ideal for users who demand high performance for gaming, video editing, and other demanding tasks.
- Perfect for those who prioritize a premium display experience and a versatile, high-quality camera system.
- Better for users who need fast charging, and a smoother, faster phone experience overall.
Significant Trade-offs:
- The Honor Magic4 Pro is a much more expensive option due to its premium features and performance capabilities.
- The Samsung Galaxy A02 sacrifices performance and features for cost.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Samsung Galaxy A02 Ideal User:
- Budget-conscious users who need a basic smartphone for calls, texts, and simple apps.
- Users who do not require demanding performance for gaming or multitasking.
- Individuals who mainly use their phones indoors and do not need a bright display.
- Users who value a larger battery life for light use.
Use Cases (Samsung Galaxy A02):
- Basic phone calls and messaging.
- Browsing social media and the web.
- Light use of basic apps.
- Basic photography in well-lit environments.
Honor Magic4 Pro Ideal User:
- Power users who need top-tier performance for gaming, video editing, or other demanding tasks.
- Users who want a high-quality display and a superior camera experience.
- Individuals who value convenience features like fast charging, wireless charging, and reverse charging.
- Users who want future proofing and a smartphone that will remain relevant for longer.
Use Cases (Honor Magic4 Pro):
- Mobile gaming.
- High-quality video recording and photo capture.
- Professional use cases requiring powerful performance, such as mobile editing.
- Extensive multitasking.
- High end media consumption.
- Demanding photography and videography in low light environments.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions for Buyers:
- What is my budget? The Samsung Galaxy A02 will be significantly more affordable compared to the Honor Magic4 Pro.
- What tasks will I perform most frequently on my phone? Basic tasks can be handled by the A02; for gaming, multimedia, and productivity, the Magic4 Pro is superior.
- How important are camera quality and display quality to me? The Honor Magic4 Pro provides a significantly better camera and display, while the A02 provides a much more basic experience in both areas.
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Scenario 1: Budget-Conscious User: If your budget is very tight and you just need a basic phone, the Samsung Galaxy A02 is the more appropriate option.
- Scenario 2: Performance and Quality Focused User: If you want a powerful phone with a great display and camera, and your budget allows, the Honor Magic4 Pro is the clear winner.
- Scenario 3: Balanced User: If you want the best possible experience but still want to keep some costs down, then the Samsung Galaxy A02 isn't the option to choose due to its many performance compromises, however if the Honor Magic4 Pro is too expensive, perhaps looking at a different mid-range option would be better.
Conclusion
The Samsung Galaxy A02 is a very basic smartphone, that is meant to be used for very light tasks, while the Honor Magic4 Pro is a premium flagship device with significantly better performance, display and camera features.
If you need basic smartphone functionality and your budget is very tight, then the Samsung Galaxy A02 is the better option. If you want the best experience and the very best features, then the Honor Magic4 Pro is the superior choice, despite the significant price difference.
My Choice
If I had to choose between these two devices, I would choose the Honor Magic4 Pro. While the Samsung Galaxy A02 might be sufficient for some basic use cases, the performance compromises are too severe. The Honor Magic4 Pro offers a much better experience overall with its superior display, camera system, performance, and features. The improved connectivity and build quality make it a more compelling option for anyone who needs a reliable, high-performing phone. While the price point is much higher, the long term experience justifies this expense, as the Samsung Galaxy A02 would quickly become unusable for modern smartphone tasks.
The Honor Magic4 Pro's camera is significantly better and more versatile for photography and video, and the smoother 120hz display is a night and day difference. The performance difference is also massive, so the Honor Magic4 Pro provides a much better experience in terms of smoothness and app launch times. Therefore, even if cost was a factor I would recommend a different mid range phone that has better performance compared to the Samsung Galaxy A02.
