Alright, let's break down this comparison between the Samsung Galaxy A04s and the Asus ROG Phone 8 Pro. It's like comparing a dependable, fuel-efficient sedan with a high-performance sports car—both have their place, but they cater to very different needs. Let's dive in:
1. Specifications Breakdown
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy A04s | Asus ROG Phone 8 Pro | Real-World Implications |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Dimensions | 164.7 × 76.7 × 9.1 mm | 163.8 × 76.8 × 8.9 mm | Slightly larger, but a negligible difference, and similar thickness. |
| Weight | 195g | 225g | The A04s is significantly lighter, making it more comfortable for one-handed use over long periods. |
| Build Quality | Unknown screen protection | Corning Gorilla Glass Victus 2 | The ROG Phone 8 Pro provides superior scratch and impact resistance. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.5" | 6.78" | The ROG Phone 8 Pro offers a slightly larger screen for more immersive content consumption. |
| Resolution | 720x1600 | 1080x2400 | The ROG Phone 8 Pro's higher resolution makes for much sharper text and images. |
| PPI | 270 | 388 | The ROG Phone 8 Pro's higher pixel density results in significantly crisper visuals. |
| Technology | PLS LCD | AMOLED | The ROG Phone 8 Pro's AMOLED display provides much better contrast, deeper blacks, and more vibrant colours. |
| Refresh Rate | 90Hz | 165Hz | The ROG Phone 8 Pro's high refresh rate makes scrolling and animations incredibly smooth. |
| Brightness | 0 nits | 2500 nits | The ROG Phone 8 Pro's extreme brightness offers excellent visibility, even in direct sunlight. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Exynos 850 (8 nm) | Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 (4 nm) | The ROG Phone 8 Pro boasts a far more powerful chip, resulting in faster app loading, gaming and multitasking. |
| Antutu Score | 117,300 | 2,020,000 | The ROG Phone 8 Pro delivers massively higher performance, making it significantly more future-proof. |
| GPU | Mali-G52 | Adreno 750 | The ROG Phone 8 Pro's superior GPU offers significantly better graphical performance for games and demanding apps. |
| RAM | 3 GB or 4 GB | 16 GB or 24 GB | The ROG Phone 8 Pro's significantly higher RAM ensures smoother multitasking and responsiveness. |
| Camera | |||
| Main Camera | 50MP, f/1.8 | 50MP, f/1.9, 1/1.56” sensor | The ROG Phone 8 Pro features a larger sensor for better light capture. |
| Selfie Camera | 5MP, f/2.2 | 32MP, 1/3.2” sensor | The ROG Phone 8 Pro offers far superior selfie quality with a much higher resolution sensor. |
| Telephoto Lens | None | 32MP, f/2.4 | The ROG Phone 8 Pro has a dedicated telephoto lens for optical zoom. |
| Portrait Camera | 2MP, f/2.4 | None | The A04s has a dedicated portrait camera, the ROG phone does not. |
| Macro Lens | 2MP, f/2.4 | None | The A04s has a dedicated macro lens for close-up shots, the ROG phone does not. |
| Wide Angle + Macro | None | 13MP, f/2.2 | The ROG Phone 8 Pro has a dedicated ultra-wide angle camera that also acts as a macro lens. |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | Up to 8K@24fps | The ROG Phone 8 Pro offers vastly superior video quality and frame rate options, including 8K recording. |
| Features | Basic Features, PDAF | Advanced features including OIS, Gimbal, Laser Autofocus | The ROG Phone 8 Pro offers advanced features for higher-quality photos and videos. |
| Battery Life | |||
| Capacity | 5000mAh | 5500mAh | The ROG Phone 8 Pro has a slightly larger battery for extended usage. |
| Charging | 15W Fast Charging | 65W Fast Charging | The ROG Phone 8 Pro charges much faster, minimizing downtime. |
| Battery Type | Li-Ion | Li-Polymer | ROG Phone offers superior longevity of charge and cycle lifespan |
| Software | |||
| OS | Android 12 (Upgradable to 14) | Android 14 (Upgradable to 16) | The ROG Phone 8 Pro has the latest Android version for a more modern experience. |
| Connectivity | |||
| WiFi | 802.11ac | Wi-Fi 7 | The ROG Phone 8 Pro supports the latest Wi-Fi standards for faster speeds. |
| Bluetooth | Bluetooth 5.0 | Bluetooth 5.3 | The ROG Phone 8 Pro offers improved audio quality and connectivity. |
| GPS | Basic GPS | Advanced GPS | ROG Phone 8 Pro offers improved GPS with support for multiple global navigation systems and bands. |
| Storage | |||
| Internal | 32/64/128 GB | 512/1024 GB | The ROG Phone 8 Pro has significantly more internal storage for apps, games, and media. |
| Expandable | No | No | Neither phone supports expandable storage. |
| Audio | Basic audio | DTS / DTS X, Stereo Speakers, 3 microphones | ROG phone has a more robust audio offering, with stereo speakers and DTS support |
| Security | side-mounted fingerprint sensor | Basic Fingerprint sensor | The A04s provides a superior, more secure side mounted sensor for biometric security. |
| Sensors | Ultrasonic proximity virtual | Gyroscope, Compass | The ROG Phone 8 Pro provides more sensors that are useful for games and motion-tracking apps. |
| ### 2. Key Insights |
- Samsung Galaxy A04s: This phone is a budget-friendly option that focuses on essential smartphone functionality. It’s lightweight, has a decent battery, and is designed for users who primarily use their phones for basic tasks like calls, texting, browsing, and casual social media. The side-mounted fingerprint sensor is a plus at this price point, and the dedicated macro and portrait lenses are helpful, although performance of these will be mediocre.
- Asus ROG Phone 8 Pro: This is a high-end gaming phone, built for extreme performance. It features a top-tier processor, a high refresh rate AMOLED display, a robust cooling system, advanced camera capabilities, a large amount of RAM and storage, plus the latest connectivity options. It targets gamers and power users who demand the best possible performance.
3. User Profiles and Recommendations
- Samsung Galaxy A04s:
- Ideal User: First-time smartphone buyers, budget-conscious consumers, seniors, or anyone who needs a reliable device for basic use.
- Use Cases: Making calls, sending messages, browsing the web, using social media apps, and taking casual photos, and a general phone that works well.
- Asus ROG Phone 8 Pro:
- Ideal User: Mobile gamers, tech enthusiasts, content creators, and power users who need top-tier performance and features.
- Use Cases: Playing demanding mobile games, video editing, high-resolution photography, and using cutting-edge applications, general day-to-day tasks and anything else.
4. Buying Decision Framework
Here are three questions to help you decide:
- What’s your primary use case?
- A04s: If you need a reliable, no-frills phone for everyday tasks.
- ROG Phone 8 Pro: If you need maximum performance for gaming, demanding apps, and high-quality content creation.
- What’s your budget?
- A04s: If you're looking for a budget phone, the A04s is great.
- ROG Phone 8 Pro: Be ready to spend significantly more for top-of-the-line performance.
- How important is performance?
- A04s: It's perfectly capable for basic tasks, but will struggle with more demanding tasks.
- ROG Phone 8 Pro: If you need the fastest, smoothest experience, this is the better option.
Scenario-Based Recommendations
- The Casual User: If you mainly need a phone for calls, texts, social media, and light browsing on a budget, the A04s will serve you well.
- The Gamer: If you want to play the latest games at their highest settings and need smooth gameplay, the ROG Phone 8 Pro is the obvious choice.
- The Creator: If you’re a content creator who needs a phone with a fantastic camera, fast performance and storage, the ROG Phone 8 Pro is significantly better.
Conclusion
The Samsung Galaxy A04s and Asus ROG Phone 8 Pro are in completely different classes. The A04s is a solid budget phone for basic use, whereas the ROG Phone 8 Pro is built for pure power and high-end gaming. Your choice should depend on your budget and your phone usage.
My Choice:
Personally, I would choose the Asus ROG Phone 8 Pro. While the price difference is significant, as a tech journalist, I'm constantly pushing devices to their limits. The superior display, unmatched performance, enhanced camera capabilities, and advanced connectivity would make it my go-to device for both work and personal use. The ROG Phone 8 Pro is a more future-proof device and will have a much longer lifespan before being outdated or slow. Despite it being more expensive, the experience you receive with the ROG Phone 8 Pro is well worth it.
