Alright, let's break down these two budget contenders, the Samsung Galaxy A04s and the Motorola Moto G24 Power. I'm going to approach this from a practical perspective, focusing on how these specs translate to your daily smartphone experience.
1. Specifications Breakdown
Here's a side-by-side look at the key specs, along with what they actually mean for you:
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy A04s | Motorola Moto G24 Power | Real-World Implications |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Dimensions | 164.7 x 76.7 x 9.1 mm | 163.5 x 74.5 x 9 mm | The G24 Power is slightly more compact and may feel more comfortable in hand, although it's just a hair thinner. |
| Weight | 195g | 197g | Both devices are virtually the same weight, so no big difference in feel when carrying around. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.5" | 6.56" | Both are nearly identical, the 0.06" difference is negligible. |
| Resolution | 720x1600 | 720x1612 | Similar clarity, fine for casual use, but neither will be sharp as a flagship display. |
| PPI | 270 | 269 | Pixel density is about the same, so text and images look equally sharp. |
| Technology | PLS LCD | IPS LCD | IPS LCD offers better viewing angles and more accurate colors than PLS LCD. |
| Refresh Rate | 90Hz | 90Hz | Smooth scrolling experience on both phones which reduces eye strain. |
| Brightness | 0 nits | 500 nits | Moto G24 Power will be MUCH easier to see outdoors in bright sunlight. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Exynos 850 (8nm) | Mediatek G85 (12nm) | Mediatek G85 is a more modern architecture which performs better than the Exynos 850. |
| AnTuTu Score | 117,300 | 266,894 | Moto G24 Power is significantly faster, smoother performance for apps and games. |
| GPU | Mali-G52 | Mali-G52 MC2 | The Moto G24 Power has a slightly improved GPU which may mean slightly smoother graphics. |
| Battery | |||
| Capacity | 5000mAh | 6000mAh | Moto G24 Power provides 20% more battery power, meaning less time worrying about a low battery level. |
| Charging | 15W Fast Charging | 33W Fast Charging | Motorola will charge far faster, meaning less time tethered to an outlet. |
| Battery Type | Li-Ion | Li-Polymer | Li-Polymer batteries are generally more durable and have a longer lifespan than Li-Ion. |
| Camera | |||
| Main Camera | 50MP f/1.8 | 50MP f/1.8 | Both offer a similar main camera experience. |
| Selfie Camera | 5MP f/2.2 | 8MP f/2.0 | Moto G24 Power has a superior front-facing camera for better selfies and video calls. |
| Wide Angle Lens | None | 2MP f/2.4 | The Motorola has a wide angle lens for more creative shots. |
| Depth Camera | 2MP f/2.4 | None | Samsung has a dedicated depth lens for creating portrait mode style photos with a blurred background. |
| Macro Lens | 2MP f/2.4 | 2MP f/2.4 | Both offer comparable Macro Lens capabilities for close up shots. |
| Video Recording | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps | Both capture Full HD videos. |
| Slow-mo | 34fps | 120fps | Moto G24 Power has better slow-motion for capturing fast action scenes. |
| Additional Features | Basic | Panorama, RAW, Digital Image Stabilization | Moto G24 Power has more features for better photos. |
| Software | |||
| OS | Android 12 (up to 14) | Android 14 | Moto G24 power has the latest OS, while the Samsung may get an upgrade down the road. |
| Connectivity | |||
| Wi-Fi | 802.11a/b/g/n/ac, Wi-Fi Direct/Display, Hotspot | 802.11a/b/g/n/ac, Dual Band, Wi-Fi Direct, Hotspot | Similar Wi-Fi features, but Moto offers Dual Band support. |
| Bluetooth | 5.0 LE, A2DP | 5.0 LE, A2DP, EDR, HID | Motorola has more Bluetooth options for enhanced use of accessories. |
| GPS | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, QZSS, Galileo | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, SUPL, Galileo | Both have a great selection of GPS systems. |
| Storage | |||
| Internal | 32/64/128GB | Not Specified | Samsung offers more storage space on the devices. |
| RAM | 3/4 GB | Not Specified | Samsung provides an option for more RAM. |
| Expandable | No | No | Both lack expandable storage. |
| Audio | |||
| Audio Features | Basic | Dolby Atmos, Stereo Speakers | Motorola has superior audio quality. |
| Security | |||
| Fingerprint | Side-mounted | Side-mounted | Standard fingerprint security on both devices. |
| Build Quality | |||
| Screen Protection | Unknown | Unknown | Both devices lack any known screen protection. |
| Sensors | |||
| Sensors | Fingerprint, Accelerometer, Ultrasonic proximity virtual | Fingerprint, Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope, Proximity | Motorola provides more sensors. |
2. Key Insights
Samsung Galaxy A04s:
- Strengths: Offers a more diverse range of storage options, along with an option for more RAM. A decent main camera and a dedicated depth lens for portraits.
- Competitive Advantages: Potentially more storage with an option for 4 GB of RAM.
- Trade-offs: Older processor and GPU which means slower performance. Screen brightness, older OS, basic audio and battery charging speed are all inferior to the Motorola. No expandable storage and basic sensor setup.
Motorola Moto G24 Power:
- Strengths: Superior performance due to a faster chipset, significantly brighter display for outdoor use, much larger battery, faster charging, higher resolution front camera with a wider aperture, and more camera features like a dedicated wide angle lens and better slow motion. Superior audio thanks to Dolby Atmos and stereo speakers, and more modern version of Android.
- Competitive Advantages: Offers far better performance across the board, better overall camera system, amazing battery life, faster charging and an enhanced audio system.
- Trade-offs: Limited info on RAM and Storage options, and the lack of expandable storage might be an issue for some users.
3. User Profiles and Recommendations
Samsung Galaxy A04s is best for:
- Budget-conscious users who need a basic smartphone for essential tasks, and place a premium on more internal storage and RAM options.
- Users who rarely game or use performance-intensive apps, and value the extra depth sensor for portraits.
Motorola Moto G24 Power is best for:
- Users who want a long-lasting battery and don’t want to constantly worry about charging, great for travel and long days out and about.
- Users who prioritize performance and speed for everyday use.
- Media consumers who enjoy good audio and video for streaming content.
- Casual photographers who value a solid camera with additional features and a wide-angle lens.
4. Buying Decision Framework
Here are three questions to help you decide:
- How important is performance? If you are a gamer, multitasker, or use more demanding apps, the G24 Power is the clear winner. If you only use your phone for basic tasks the A04s will be adequate.
- How much do you value battery life? If a long battery is high on your list of requirements, then the Moto G24 Power has a clear advantage.
- What features are must-haves? If a brighter display for outdoors, a better front-facing camera and advanced audio and connectivity are on your list, the G24 Power is the better option. If you value more storage on the device itself, the A04s would be a better choice.
Scenario-Based Recommendations
- The Power User: You need the phone to keep up with your fast pace, you'll absolutely prefer the Moto G24 Power.
- The Casual User: If you only use your phone for basic tasks, and want a dedicated depth camera for portrait shots, the Samsung A04s will be perfectly fine.
- The Media Enthusiast: The G24 Power’s Dolby Atmos and stereo speakers, combined with a bright display make it the perfect media consumption device.
My Choice
If it were up to me, I'd choose the Motorola Moto G24 Power. It offers a noticeably better user experience, from its significantly faster performance and much brighter screen to its superior battery life and faster charging. While the Samsung has an optional 128 GB of internal storage which is a bonus, that's not enough to outweigh the much better feature set of the Motorola. The better front-facing camera, superior audio, and extra connectivity options just seal the deal for me. For the vast majority of users, the Moto G24 Power provides better value for the money due to it's significantly better performance, and much better features.
