Okay, let's dive into a detailed comparison of the Samsung Galaxy A04s and the Motorola Moto G Stylus 5G (2024). I'm excited to break down these devices, highlighting their strengths and weaknesses, and helping you decide which one best fits your needs.
1. Specifications Breakdown
Here's a side-by-side look at the key specs, coupled with insights into how they affect your day-to-day usage:
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy A04s | Motorola Moto G Stylus 5G (2024) | Real-World Implications |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Launch Date | 2022-09-22 | 2024-05-30 | The Moto G Stylus 5G (2024) is significantly newer, meaning newer software, features, and likely a longer support lifespan. |
| Dimensions | 164.7 x 76.7 x 9.1 mm | 162.6 x 74.8 x 8.3 mm | The A04s is slightly larger and thicker, while the Moto G Stylus is more compact and easier to handle. |
| Weight | 195g | 190g | The Moto G Stylus 5G is slightly lighter, potentially more comfortable for extended use. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.5" | 6.7" | The Moto G Stylus 5G offers a bit more screen real estate for content consumption. |
| Resolution | 720x1600 | 1080x2400 | The Moto G Stylus 5G provides a much sharper display with significantly more detail. |
| Pixel Density (PPI) | 270 | 395 | The Moto G Stylus 5G has a clearer, more vibrant display, making text and images look much crisper. |
| Technology | PLS LCD | P-OLED | The Moto G Stylus 5G's P-OLED display offers better contrast, deeper blacks, and more vibrant colors than the A04s's LCD. |
| Refresh Rate | 90Hz | 120Hz | The Moto G Stylus 5G has a smoother display, which makes scrolling and animations feel more fluid. |
| Brightness | 0 nits | 1200 nits | The Moto G Stylus 5G is much brighter, making it far more usable in direct sunlight. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Exynos 850 (8 nm) | Snapdragon 6 Gen 1 (4 nm) | The Moto G Stylus 5G's chipset is significantly more powerful, offering better overall performance and efficiency. |
| AnTuTu Score | 117,300 | 514,000 | The Moto G Stylus 5G scores over four times higher, indicating vastly superior app loading, multitasking, and gaming performance. |
| GPU | Mali-G52 | Adreno 710 | The Moto G Stylus 5G's GPU is much better for gaming and graphics-intensive tasks. |
| Camera | |||
| Standard Camera | 50MP, f/1.8 | 50MP, f/1.8, 1/1.56", Sony LYT-700C | Both have a 50MP main camera, but the Moto G Stylus 5G has a larger sensor and a more sophisticated sensor leading to better low light performance. |
| Selfie Camera | 5MP, f/2.2 | 32MP, f/2.45 | The Moto G Stylus 5G offers substantially higher selfie resolution with great detail and more dynamic range. |
| Portrait (Depth) | 2MP, f/2.4 | N/A | The A04s includes a dedicated depth sensor for portrait mode, though this is largely software on modern phones. |
| Macro Lens | 2MP, f/2.4 | N/A | The A04s has a macro lens for very close-up shots, a nice feature, but quality is generally low on these type of sensors |
| Wide Angle + Macro | N/A | 13MP, f/2.2 | The Moto G Stylus 5G has a very useful wide-angle lens that also acts as a macro lens. |
| Video Recording | 1080p@30fps, Slow-mo: 34fps | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60/120fps, Slow-mo: 240fps | The Moto G Stylus 5G supports much higher video resolution and slow-motion framerates, ideal for creative videography. |
| Features | Digital zoom, Triple camera, AF, PDAF, HDR... | Time-Lapse, 4K Video, Digital zoom, OIS, AF, PDAF, HDR, Night Mode... | The Moto G Stylus 5G has features like OIS and Night Mode, resulting in a more versatile and capable camera system. |
| Battery Life | |||
| Capacity | 5000mAh | 5000mAh | Both offer comparable battery capacity for a full day of typical use. |
| Charging | 15W Fast Charging | 30W Fast Charging | The Moto G Stylus 5G charges much faster, reducing time spent plugged in. |
| Features | Non-Removable | Reverse charging, 15W wireless charging, Non-Removable | The Moto G Stylus 5G supports reverse wireless charging, a very useful feature to top up accessories or other phones, and wireless charging. |
| Software | |||
| OS | Android 12 (upgradable to 14) | Android 14 (upgradable to 15) | The Moto G Stylus 5G runs on a newer version of Android out of the box and will be supported further into the future compared to the A04s. |
| Connectivity | |||
| Wi-Fi | 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac | 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/ax (WiFi 6E) | The Moto G Stylus 5G supports WiFi 6E, providing faster and more reliable wireless connections. |
| Bluetooth | 5.0 LE | 5.1 LE, aptX, LDAC, SBC | The Moto G Stylus 5G has a newer Bluetooth version and supports higher-quality audio codecs. |
| GPS | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, QZSS, Galileo | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, SUPL, Galileo, L1+L5, NavIC | The Moto G Stylus 5G supports more satellite systems for better location accuracy, including dual-frequency GPS for enhanced precision in urban canyons |
| SIM | Dual SIM Nano | Dual SIM Nano + eSIM | The Moto G Stylus 5G also offers eSIM support, which is very useful for travel and switching between carriers. |
| Storage | |||
| Internal | 32/64/128GB | 256GB | The Moto G Stylus 5G offers a much larger internal storage capacity right away. |
| RAM | 3/4 GB | 8 GB | The Moto G Stylus 5G provides more RAM, enabling smoother multitasking and gaming. |
| Expandable Storage | No | No | Neither phone supports expandable storage. |
| Audio | |||
| Quality | Basic | Dolby Atmos, Stereo Speakers | The Moto G Stylus 5G provides enhanced audio with stereo speakers and Dolby Atmos support. |
| Security | |||
| Features | Side-mounted Fingerprint Sensor | Basic Fingerprint Sensor | The A04s' fingerprint sensor is located on the side for easy access, the Moto G Stylus 5G has a fingerprint sensor on the back. |
| Sensors | |||
| Features | Fingerprint, Accelerometer, Ultrasonic proximity virtual | Fingerprint, Proximity, Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope | The Moto G Stylus 5G offers a more comprehensive suite of sensors, including gyroscope for gaming and navigation, and a compass. |
2. Key Insights
Samsung Galaxy A04s:
- Strengths: It's more budget-friendly and includes a macro and depth camera lens, and a side mounted fingerprint sensor. It has a basic, no-frills, functionality that will appeal to some users.
- Trade-offs: Its performance lags significantly behind, with a lower-resolution display, basic audio, and an older chipset.
Motorola Moto G Stylus 5G (2024):
- Strengths: This phone excels with a much sharper P-OLED display, a significantly more powerful chipset, better cameras with stabilization and enhanced video recording, faster charging, wireless charging, and a stylus. It also features more RAM, and double the base storage. The better audio, and wider connectivity also give it a clear lead in those categories.
- Trade-offs: It is a larger device and lacks a dedicated depth or macro lens, but the wide-angle lens can be used for this.
3. User Profiles and Recommendations
Samsung Galaxy A04s: This is best for users who:
- Are on a very tight budget and prioritize cost over performance.
- Need a basic phone for calling, texting, and light browsing.
- Want a separate macro and portrait lens, and side fingerprint sensor.
Motorola Moto G Stylus 5G (2024): This is perfect for users who:
- Value a high-quality display for media consumption.
- Need robust performance for gaming, multitasking, and productivity.
- Want a better camera system for both photos and videos.
- Prefer fast charging, reverse wireless charging and the added convenience of a stylus.
- Want a modern experience with the latest software, and wireless/bluetooth connectivity.
4. Buying Decision Framework
Here are three questions to help you decide:
- How important is display quality? If you watch a lot of videos or need a sharp, bright display, the Moto G Stylus 5G is the clear choice.
- What kind of performance do you require? If you do more than basic phone tasks, the Moto G Stylus 5G will provide a smoother experience.
- What is your budget? The A04s may be better if you have a very tight budget, but the Moto G Stylus 5G offers much better value overall.
Final Verdict
If it were my money on the line, I would choose the Motorola Moto G Stylus 5G (2024) without hesitation. The difference in performance between these two devices is substantial, and the Motorola offers far better value for the money. While the A04s might be cheaper, its lack of power, poor display, and very basic feature set do not justify saving a few dollars. The Moto G Stylus is a much more modern and enjoyable device to use, with better camera quality, superior audio, wireless charging, and better software longevity. The stylus is a feature that provides a level of function that the Samsung simply can't compete with, making it a clear winner for daily use. I'd rather spend the extra cash for the smoother, richer experience that the Motorola provides.
