Alright, let's dive deep into the tech specs of the Samsung Galaxy A04s and the Honor 90. I've broken down the details to help you see beyond the numbers and understand what these differences mean for your everyday use.
1. Specifications Breakdown
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy A04s | Honor 90 | Real-World Implications |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Launch Date | 2022-09-22 | 2023-06-07 | Honor 90 is newer, benefiting from newer tech trends |
| Dimensions | 164.7x76.7x9.1 mm | 161.9x74.1x7.8 mm | Honor 90 is more compact and thinner, better for one-handed use. |
| Weight | 195g | 183g | Honor 90 is slightly lighter, which feels better over long periods of use. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.5" | 6.7" | Honor 90 offers a more immersive experience due to slightly larger screen |
| Resolution | 720x1600 | 1200x2664 | Honor 90 displays significantly sharper images, better for detail-rich content |
| Pixel Density | 270 PPI | 435 PPI | Honor 90 will have much clearer text and images with a better screen |
| Technology | PLS LCD | AMOLED | Honor 90 provides more vibrant colors, deeper blacks, and better power efficiency |
| Refresh Rate | 90Hz | 120Hz | Honor 90 provides smoother scrolling and animations, feels more responsive. |
| Brightness | 0 nits | 1600 nits | Honor 90 offers superior outdoor visibility, crucial under bright sunlight. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Exynos 850 (8 nm) | Snapdragon 7 Gen 1 (4 nm) | Honor 90 runs much faster, handles heavy tasks and gaming effortlessly. |
| AnTuTu Score | 117,300 | 701,227 | Honor 90 demonstrates significantly higher performance for all tasks. |
| GPU | Mali-G52 | Adreno 644 | Honor 90's GPU will handle graphics-intensive apps and games better |
| Camera | |||
| Main Camera | 50MP f/1.8 | 200MP f/1.9 | Honor 90 captures much higher resolution photos, better for detail. A04s has a slightly wider aperture for better low-light photos |
| Selfie Camera | 5MP f/2.2 | 50MP f/2.4 | Honor 90 captures much higher resolution selfies, better for detail. A04s has a slightly wider aperture for better low-light photos |
| Depth Camera | 2MP f/2.4 | 2MP f/2.4 | Comparable depth sensors, both enhance portrait mode effects |
| Macro Lens | 2MP f/2.4 | N/A | Samsung offers macro shots but Honor 90 offers Ultra Wide + macro lens |
| Wide Angle + Macro | N/A | 12MP f/2.2 | Honor 90 offers the ability to take wide photos and good macro shots with one lens |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 4K@30fps | Honor 90 offers higher quality video recording. Both have slow-motion |
| DXOMark Score | N/A | 122 (Mobile) | Honor 90 boasts a well-tested camera, outperforming Samsung by a fair margin. |
| Battery Life | |||
| Capacity | 5000mAh | 5000mAh | Similar battery sizes means similar endurance, pending usage. |
| Charging | 15W | 66W | Honor 90 will charge significantly faster, saving you a lot of time. |
| Software | |||
| OS | Android 12 (up to 14) | Android 13 | Honor 90 has a more updated system out of the box. |
| Storage | |||
| Internal Storage | 32/64/128GB | 256/512GB | Honor 90 offers much more storage for your files. |
| RAM | 3/4GB | 8/12/16GB | Honor 90 offers smoother multitasking and better performance. |
| Expandable | No | No | Neither phone supports expandable storage |
| Connectivity | |||
| Wi-Fi | 802.11ac | WiFi 6 (802.11ax) | Honor 90 offers faster, more efficient Wi-Fi for better connectivity |
| Bluetooth | 5.0 LE | 5.2 LE | Honor 90 offers better audio codecs and slightly better connection speed |
| GPS | QZSS,Galileo,etc | Beidou B1,Galileo etc | Samsung has slightly more satellite system options which might be beneficial in some areas. |
| Audio | |||
| Features | Basic audio | Noise cancellation mic | Honor 90 might have slightly better call quality for noisy environments. |
| Security | |||
| Features | side-mounted finger sensor | Fingerprint sensor | Samsung has a better finger print sensor. |
| Sensors | |||
| Features | Ultrasonic proximity virtual | Proximity, Compass, RGB | Samsung has a slightly different approach to proximity. |
2. Key Insights
Samsung Galaxy A04s Strengths:
- Affordable: The A04s is positioned as a budget-friendly option, making it accessible for users seeking essential smartphone functions without a high price tag.
- Decent Camera Good main camera with slightly better aperture.
- More Satellites Supported: Better GPS location.
- Side Fingerprint Sensor: Better security features than the Honor 90.
Honor 90 Strengths:
- Superior Display: The AMOLED screen with higher resolution, pixel density, and refresh rate makes everything from browsing to watching videos look stunning.
- Blazing Performance: The Snapdragon 7 Gen 1 chipset is significantly more powerful, providing a much smoother user experience.
- Impressive Camera: The 200MP main camera and 50MP selfie camera capture incredibly detailed photos and videos.
- Fast Charging: 66W fast charging means you spend less time tethered to a power outlet and more time using your phone.
- Newer Technology: Newer chip, wifi, bluetooth, and overall newer device with better performance.
Trade-offs and Limitations:
- The Galaxy A04s is a budget device, so it lacks many of the higher end features. The screen quality is considerably lower and performance is much worse when compared to the Honor 90.
- The Honor 90 doesn't have a macro lens, but instead has a wide-angle/macro lens. Which may not be preferred by some users.
- Neither device offers expandable storage.
3. User Profiles and Recommendations
Samsung Galaxy A04s:
- Ideal for: Budget-conscious users, first-time smartphone buyers, or those who need a reliable basic phone for calls, texts, and some light browsing.
- Use Cases: Casual social media use, basic photography, web browsing, and everyday communication.
- Why: The A04s provides these core functionalities without breaking the bank.
Honor 90:
- Ideal for: Tech enthusiasts, mobile photographers, gamers, and users who prioritize performance, display quality, and fast charging.
- Use Cases: High-end gaming, high resolution photography, video creation, watching HD content, and multitasking with multiple apps.
- Why: The Honor 90 excels in performance, display quality, and camera capabilities, perfect for power users.
4. Buying Decision Framework
Here are three questions to help you decide:
- What is my Budget? If you are on a tight budget and need basic functionality, the A04s might be a better pick. If you're willing to spend more for top-notch features, the Honor 90 is the clear winner.
- What Features Are Essential? If you want high resolution display, good camera performance and fast charging, the Honor 90 is the best choice. The Samsung A04s provides basic usability but not much else.
- How do I use my phone? If you primarily use your phone for simple tasks, the Samsung A04s is sufficient. If you are a heavy user, the Honor 90 is better for you.
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Scenario 1: Budget-Conscious User
- Recommendation: Samsung Galaxy A04s. It is the most affordable option that gets the job done.
- Scenario 2: Content Creator:
- Recommendation: Honor 90. The higher resolution camera, video, and faster processing power are essential for editing, and creating content on the fly.
- Scenario 3: Mobile Gamer
- Recommendation: Honor 90. Its powerful processor, GPU and high refresh rate will offer a much better experience overall.
- Scenario 4: Everyday User:
- Recommendation: Honor 90. The superior display and performance will make it the better choice for long-term use and enjoyment.
What I Would Choose
Personally, I would choose the Honor 90. While the Samsung A04s is a solid budget phone, the Honor 90 is simply in a different league. It boasts a superior display, significantly faster performance, and a much better camera, which would allow me to enjoy my favorite games and videos while being able to take incredible high resolution photos when needed. As someone who spends a lot of time on my phone, the extra performance and camera quality is worth the premium for me.
