Okay, let's break down the Samsung Galaxy A04s and the Motorola Moto G34, focusing on what these specs mean for you in the real world.
Smartphone Showdown: Samsung Galaxy A04s vs. Motorola Moto G34
Here’s a deep dive into these two budget contenders, cutting through the spec sheet jargon to focus on how they’ll actually perform in your hands.
1. Specifications Breakdown
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy A04s | Motorola Moto G34 | Real-World Implications |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Launch Date | 2022-09-22 | 2023-12-29 | Moto G34 is a newer model, potentially with more up-to-date software and components. |
| Size | 164.7 x 76.7 x 9.1 mm | 162.7 x 74.6 x 8 mm | Moto G34 is slightly more compact and slimmer, which may be more comfortable for some users. |
| Weight | 195g | 179g | Moto G34 is significantly lighter, which can feel better during extended use. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.5" | 6.5" | Both phones offer the same size, which is a pretty standard and comfortable for daily usage. |
| Resolution | 720 x 1600 | 720 x 1600 | Same resolution, both are fine for basic usage but won't be the sharpest display available. |
| PPI | 270 | 270 | Pixel density is the same, so clarity will be similar on both devices. |
| Technology | PLS LCD | IPS LCD | Moto G34's IPS LCD generally offers better viewing angles and color reproduction than PLS LCD. |
| Refresh Rate | 90Hz | 120Hz | Moto G34 has a slightly smoother display experience, making scrolling and animations more fluid. |
| Brightness | 0 nits | 0 nits | Both phones have identical peak brightness which is usually fine indoors, may struggle in bright daylight. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Exynos 850 (8 nm) | Snapdragon 695 5G (6 nm) | Moto G34's Snapdragon chip is much faster, resulting in noticeably better app performance, multitasking and gaming. |
| AnTuTu Score | 117,300 | 424,100 | Moto G34 has significantly better performance, translating to smoother and snappier everyday use. |
| GPU | Mali-G52 | Adreno 619 | Moto G34 has a more powerful GPU, resulting in better graphics performance, especially for gaming. |
| Camera | |||
| Standard Camera | 50MP, f/1.8 | 50MP, f/1.8 | Both feature the same 50MP, f/1.8 standard camera lens. Performance likely to be similar. |
| Selfie Camera | 5MP, f/2.2 | 16MP | Moto G34's front camera has significantly more resolution, promising clearer and detailed selfies. |
| Depth Sensor | 2MP, f/2.4 | No | Galaxy A04s has a dedicated depth sensor for portrait mode which will deliver smoother background blurs. |
| Macro Lens | 2MP, f/2.4 | 2MP, f/2.4 | Both devices have the same 2MP macro lens for close-up shots. |
| Video Recording | 1080p@30fps, slow-motion:Yes, 34 fps | 1080p@30fps, slow-motion: No, 30 fps | Both record videos at 1080p. Samsung A04s has slight slow-motion video capability, while Motorola does not have. |
| Camera Features | Digital zoom, Triple camera, Autofocus, Touch focus, PDAF, Geotagging, HDR, Face detection, Scene mode, Self-timer | Digital zoom, Dual camera, Digital image stabilization, Autofocus, Touch focus, PDAF, LAF, Continuous shooting, Geotagging, Panorama, HDR, Face detection, White balance settings, ISO settings, Exposure compensation, Scene mode, Self-timer, RAW | Motorola has superior features including Image stabilization, Continuous shooting, Panorama, White balance, ISO settings, and RAW files capability |
| Battery Life | |||
| Capacity | 5000mAh | 5000mAh | Both have a 5000mAh battery, suggesting comparable battery life. |
| Charging | 15W fast charging, Li-Ion | 20W fast charging, Li-Polymer | Moto G34 charges slightly faster and has a more modern Li-Polymer battery technology. |
| Features | Non-removable | Non-removable | Both devices have non-removable batteries. |
| Software | |||
| OS | Android 12, max update 14 | Android 13 | Motorola has a more recent version of Android, Samsung can be upgraded to Android 14. |
| Connectivity | |||
| Wi-Fi | 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac | 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/ax | Moto G34 supports Wi-Fi 6, which offers better performance and efficiency than the Galaxy A04s wi-fi capabilities. |
| Bluetooth | 5.0 LE | 5.1 LE | Moto G34 has the latest Bluetooth version, leading to improved wireless connectivity. |
| GPS | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, QZSS, Galileo | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou | Galaxy A04s supports more satellite systems, leading to more accurate positioning services. |
| SIM | Dual SIM Dual Standby | Dual SIM Dual Standby | Both devices support dual SIM usage. |
| Storage | |||
| Internal Storage | 32/64/128 GB | 64/128/256 GB | Moto G34 offers more storage space than the Samsung A04s. |
| RAM | 3/4 GB | 4/8 GB | Moto G34 has more RAM options, which can lead to better multitasking. |
| Expandable Storage | No | No | Neither phone has expandable storage, which may be limiting for some users. |
| Audio | |||
| Quality | Basic audio features | Dolby Atmos, Stereo Speakers, 2 microphones | Moto G34 has superior audio features, more immersive experiences through its Dolby Atmos capabilities and stereo speakers. |
| Security | |||
| Features | Side-mounted Fingerprint sensor | Side-mounted Fingerprint sensor | Both devices share the same side-mounted fingerprint sensor for fast and secure unlocking. |
| Build Quality | |||
| Protection | Unknown | Unknown | Both devices have unknown screen protection, so protection would be similar. |
| Sensors | |||
| Sensors | Biometric: Fingerprint; Motion: Accelerometer; Proximity: Ultrasonic proximity virtual | Biometric: Fingerprint; Proximity: Proximity; Motion: Accelerometer | Galaxy A04s has ultrasonic proximity while the Moto G34 has Proximity sensors |
2. Key Insights
Samsung Galaxy A04s:
- Strengths: The Galaxy A04s comes with the added depth sensor for its camera, which delivers a higher quality portrait mode for the camera. The device also has a slightly wider selection of GPS positioning services.
- Trade-offs: It has a weaker chipset compared to the Moto G34, resulting in less performance, older Bluetooth and Wi-Fi standards, and a lower-resolution selfie camera.
Motorola Moto G34:
- Strengths: The Moto G34 significantly outperforms the Galaxy A04s in processing power, and also has a smoother 120Hz display, larger storage options, more RAM, a much higher resolution selfie camera, a better audio system, and support for modern Wi-Fi 6 and Bluetooth 5.1 standards.
- Trade-offs: It lacks a depth sensor, so the portrait mode will be slightly inferior to the Galaxy A04s. Also lacks in the GPS positioning system.
3. User Profiles and Recommendations
Samsung Galaxy A04s: This phone is best for users who prioritize a basic smartphone experience with a focus on a good portrait mode and more accurate GPS positioning, and who don't require intensive processing power or high graphics capabilities. It’s suitable for those who primarily use their phones for basic tasks like calls, texts, social media browsing, and basic photography.
Motorola Moto G34: This is the device for those who want a smoother and more responsive smartphone experience with much better general performance, gaming capabilities, more storage capacity, better sound quality and a higher quality selfie camera. It’s ideal for users who enjoy watching videos, playing games, and multitasking on their phones.
4. Buying Decision Framework
Here are three key questions to help you decide:
Performance Requirements: Do you prioritize smooth performance and responsiveness for gaming, multitasking, and demanding apps? If yes, the Motorola Moto G34 is the clear winner due to its superior processor and GPU. If the device is only used for basic use, the A04s will be enough.
Camera Priorities: Do you need a high-resolution front camera for selfies or more video features? If so, the Motorola Moto G34 is better due to its superior features. If you need a higher quality portrait mode, the Samsung Galaxy A04s is the better option.
Budget and Value: Is it important to you to have the latest and greatest technology, and performance? If so, the Motorola Moto G34 is a much better option for the price.
My Choice
If I were choosing between these two, I would absolutely go with the Motorola Moto G34. The difference in raw processing power between these two is significant, with the Moto G34 having nearly 4 times the benchmark score. The Moto also has much more RAM, storage and other upgraded features that would make it a much better smartphone for the long run. While the A04s has slightly better portrait photography, the Moto G34 more than makes up for that with its much more powerful performance and better sound system. If a device is to be chosen based on pure value, the Motorola Moto G34 wins by a landslide.
