Alright, let's dive into a detailed comparison between the Samsung Galaxy A04s and the Honor X8b. I've got my engineering hat on, and we're going to break this down in a way that’s both technically sound and incredibly practical. Let's get started!
1. Specifications Breakdown
Here's a deep dive into the specs, structured to show you what these numbers mean for your everyday use.
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy A04s | Honor X8b | Real-World Implications |
|---|---|---|---|
| DESIGN | |||
| Launch Date | 2022-09-22 | 2023-12-22 | Honor X8b is a newer device, potentially offering more modern features and software support. |
| Dimensions | 164.7x76.7x9.1 mm | 161.1x74.6x6.8 mm | The Honor X8b is more compact and significantly thinner, making it more pocketable and comfortable to hold. |
| Weight | 195g | 166g | The Honor X8b is noticeably lighter, offering greater comfort for extended use. |
| DISPLAY | |||
| Size | 6.5" | 6.7" | Honor X8b has a slightly larger screen, which can enhance the viewing experience for multimedia and browsing. |
| Resolution | 720x1600 | 1080x2412 | The Honor X8b offers a significantly sharper display, resulting in clearer text and images. |
| Pixel Density (PPI) | 270 | 394 | The Honor X8b has a noticeably crisper display due to higher pixel density. |
| Technology | PLS LCD | AMOLED | The Honor X8b's AMOLED panel provides better contrast, deeper blacks, and more vibrant colors than the A04s' PLS LCD. |
| Refresh Rate | 90Hz | 90Hz | Both offer the same 90Hz refresh rate, providing smoother scrolling and animations. |
| Brightness | 0 nits | 2000 nits | The Honor X8b boasts incredibly high brightness, ensuring much better visibility in bright, outdoor environments. |
| PERFORMANCE | |||
| Chipset | Exynos 850 (8nm) | Snapdragon 680 (6nm) | The Snapdragon 680 in the Honor X8b generally provides a better balance of performance and power efficiency. |
| AnTuTu Score | 117,300 | 250,000 | The Honor X8b has significantly higher benchmark scores, translating to faster app loading and smoother multitasking. |
| GPU | Mali-G52 | Adreno 610 | Different GPUs, the Adreno 610 in the Honor X8b is generally more powerful for gaming. |
| BATTERY | |||
| Capacity | 5000mAh | 4500mAh | The Galaxy A04s has a larger battery, suggesting potentially longer battery life. |
| Charging | 15W | 35W | The Honor X8b has significantly faster charging, reducing the time spent tethered to a charger. |
| CAMERA | |||
| Rear Main Camera | 50MP (f/1.8) | 108MP (f/1.75) | The Honor X8b's higher resolution main camera captures more detail, and its wider aperture allows for better low light images. |
| Front Selfie Camera | 5MP (f/2.2) | 50MP (f/2.1) | The Honor X8b has a vastly superior front camera, offering better selfies and video calls. |
| Wide Angle Lens | None | 5MP (f/2.2) | The Honor X8b includes a dedicated wide angle lens, allowing for greater flexibility when capturing photos. |
| Portrait Lens | 2MP (f/2.4) | None | The A04s has a dedicated depth sensor for portrait shots, but in general terms is inferior to the X8b's camera setup |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps | Both record up to 1080p at 30fps, suitable for standard video capture. |
| Slow Motion | 34 fps | 120 fps | The Honor X8b records much smoother slow-motion video (120fps vs 34fps). |
| SOFTWARE | |||
| OS | Android 12 (up to 14) | Android 13 | The Honor X8b ships with a newer version of Android, which may offer more recent features. |
| CONNECTIVITY | |||
| Wi-Fi | 802.11ac | 802.11ac | Both support similar WiFi standards, the Honor X8b has added dual band support |
| Bluetooth | 5.0 | 5.0 | Both offer the same Bluetooth version and similar features. |
| GPS | Multiple | GPS (L1+L5) | The Samsung supports multiple satellite systems for more accurate positioning, while the Honor uses L1+L5 which is also very good |
| STORAGE & RAM | |||
| Internal Storage | 32/64/128 GB | 128/256/512 GB | The Honor X8b offers significantly more storage options, providing more space for apps, photos, and videos. |
| RAM | 3/4 GB | 8 GB | The Honor X8b has more RAM, resulting in better multitasking performance and smoother app switching. |
| Expandable Storage | No | No | Neither phone offers expandable storage via SD card. |
| AUDIO | |||
| Audio Quality | Basic | Basic | Both phones offer basic audio features. |
| SECURITY | |||
| Security | side fingerprint | side fingerprint | Both have similar side mounted fingerprint sensors for security. |
| BUILD | |||
| Protection | Unknown | Unknown | Both have unknown protection. |
| SENSORS | |||
| Sensors | Fingerprint, Accelerometer, Proximity | Fingerprint, Accelerometer, Compass, Proximity | The Honor has added sensors such as a Compass |
2. Key Insights
Honor X8b Strengths:
- Superior Display: The AMOLED screen is a huge win, offering vibrant colors, deep blacks, and exceptional outdoor visibility.
- Performance Boost: With a much higher benchmark score and a more efficient chipset, it handles multitasking and demanding apps much better.
- Camera Prowess: The 108MP main camera and 50MP selfie camera are leaps and bounds ahead, capturing much more detail.
- Faster Charging: The 35W fast charging means less time waiting for your phone to power up.
- Storage Flexibility: With up to 512 GB, the Honor X8b offers significantly more space.
- More Modern OS: Shipping with Android 13, this device has access to newer Android features
Samsung Galaxy A04s Strengths:
- Larger Battery: The 5000mAh battery could provide longer battery life, which is great for users who need their phone to last a full day.
- GPS Accuracy: Support for multiple systems including GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, QZSS and Galileo means better positioning.
- Price: The A04s is likely to be cheaper than the Honor X8b, making it an attractive budget option.
Trade-offs:
- The A04s sacrifices display quality and performance for a potentially longer battery life.
- The Honor X8b does not have the same levels of GPS accuracy that the A04s offers and its battery is smaller.
- Neither phone offers expandable storage.
3. User Profiles and Recommendations
Samsung Galaxy A04s:
- Budget-Conscious Users: Ideal for those who need a reliable smartphone for basic tasks without breaking the bank.
- Battery Prioritizers: If having the most longevity from one single charge is crucial, this will last longer than the Honor X8b.
- Basic Use Cases: Good for casual browsing, calling, texting, and simple photo taking.
Honor X8b:
- Multimedia Enthusiasts: Excellent for watching videos, browsing photos, and enjoying content on a vibrant display.
- Social Media Savvy: The superior front camera and processing power make it ideal for taking selfies and keeping up with socials.
- Performance-Focused Users: If you need fast app loading and smooth multitasking, this phone is a better fit.
4. Buying Decision Framework
Here are three questions to help you decide:
How much do I value display quality? If a vibrant, sharp display is important, the Honor X8b is the clear winner. If it isn't much of a priority for you, then you may not need to pay the premium price for the X8b.
How important is performance and multitasking? If you need your phone to handle multiple apps and tasks without lagging, the Honor X8b has much better benchmark scores. The A04s is suitable for basic use, but not ideal for demanding users.
What's my budget and what am I happy to sacrifice? The Galaxy A04s will be cheaper, and its battery may last longer, while the X8b has a better screen, a better camera, and faster speeds. Decide what you're comfortable sacrificing in order to save money.
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Scenario 1: "I just need a phone for calls, texts, and a little browsing." Choose the Samsung Galaxy A04s; it's cheaper and it gets the job done.
- Scenario 2: "I watch a lot of videos and browse social media, so a great screen is essential." Go with the Honor X8b for the superior display and camera, and overall performance.
- Scenario 3: "I need a good all-rounder, and I want better camera capabilities." The Honor X8b is the better choice due to its vastly superior camera setup, better screen and faster performance.
- Scenario 4: "I need a phone that will last as long as possible from one single charge." While not confirmed in the information provided, the larger 5000 mAh battery of the A04s means that it will likely last longer on a single charge.
My Personal Choice:
If I had to choose, I'd go with the Honor X8b. The superior display quality, camera capabilities, and performance gains are too significant to ignore. As someone who values screen quality and the fluidity of user experience, the X8b's AMOLED screen, faster chipset, and improved camera performance make it the more compelling choice. Even though the Samsung Galaxy A04s has a larger battery, the Honor X8b more than makes up for it with 35W fast charging, and the much more enjoyable experience that the better screen offers.
The Honor X8b will give me a better visual experience, a more capable camera, a better experience with daily use, and the added convenience of significantly faster charging. All things considered, the X8b's advantages align much more closely with my priorities and how I use a smartphone on a daily basis.
