Okay, let's dive into a detailed comparison of the Samsung Galaxy A04s and the OnePlus Nord 4. I'll break down the specs, highlight key differences, and offer some real-world insights to help you decide which phone might be the better fit.
1. Specifications Breakdown
Here's a detailed table comparing the key specs of these two phones, focusing on how they translate to real-world use:
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy A04s | OnePlus Nord 4 | Real-World Implications |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Dimensions | 164.7 × 76.7 × 9.1 mm | 162.6 × 75 × 8 mm | The Nord 4 is slightly smaller, narrower, and thinner, potentially making it more comfortable to hold and pocket, while the A04s is a bit bulkier. |
| Weight | 195g | 199.5g | Both phones are quite similar in weight, so neither is particularly lightweight or heavy |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.5" | 6.74" | Nord 4 offers slightly more screen real estate for immersive viewing and productivity. |
| Resolution | 720x1600 | 1240x2772 | Nord 4's higher resolution provides much sharper text and images, enhancing clarity for reading, browsing, and media consumption. |
| Pixel Density (PPI) | 270 | 450 | The Nord 4 will look significantly sharper with denser pixels |
| Technology | PLS LCD | AMOLED | Nord 4's AMOLED panel will offer richer colours, better contrast, and true blacks, resulting in a more vibrant and enjoyable viewing experience. |
| Refresh Rate | 90Hz | 120Hz | Nord 4 offers smoother scrolling and animations for a more fluid user experience. |
| Brightness | 0 nits | 2200 nits | Nord 4 provides much better visibility in bright outdoor conditions thanks to dramatically higher peak brightness. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Exynos 850 (8 nm) | Snapdragon 7+ Gen 3 (4 nm) | Nord 4’s chipset is considerably more powerful, offering much faster app loading, smoother multitasking, and improved gaming performance. |
| AnTuTu Score | 117,300 | 1,366,982 | Nord 4 has significantly higher performance in benchmarks meaning much faster loading times, multitasking and smoother gaming. |
| GPU | Mali-G52 (ARM Mali-G52) | Adreno 732 (Qualcomm Adreno 732) | Nord 4’s GPU is significantly more capable, providing a better gaming experience and faster graphics processing. |
| Battery Life | |||
| Capacity | 5000mAh | 5500mAh | Nord 4 offers slightly better battery capacity for longer usage between charges. |
| Charging | 15W Fast Charging | 100W Fast Charging | Nord 4 charges much faster, taking less time to recharge the phone, this is a huge quality of life improvement over the A04s |
| Camera | |||
| Standard Camera | 50MP, f/1.8 | 50MP, f/1.8 (Sony LYT-600) | Both have 50MP main cameras with the same aperture, but the Nord 4 uses a better sensor from Sony which will result in much better image quality. |
| Selfie Camera | 5MP, f/2.2 | 16MP, f/2.4 (Sony IMX471) | Nord 4 captures much higher resolution and better quality selfies due to a better sensor. |
| Wide Angle Lens | N/A | 8MP, f/2.2 (Sony IMX355) | Nord 4 includes a wide-angle camera for more versatile photography. |
| Portrait Mode (depth) | 2MP, f/2.4 | N/A | The A04s includes a dedicated depth sensor. |
| Macro Lens | 2MP, f/2.4 | N/A | The A04s includes a macro lens for close up photos.. |
| Video Recording | 1080p@30fps | 4K@60fps, 1080p@120fps | Nord 4 records much higher quality videos with more stabilisation options. |
| Features | Triple Camera | Dual camera, OIS, 4K Video | The Nord 4 has significantly more professional options with better image stabilization |
| Software | |||
| OS | Android 12 (upgradable to 14) | Android 14 (upgradable to 18) | Nord 4 launches with a more recent Android version and will have longer support with future updates. |
| Connectivity | |||
| Wi-Fi | 802.11ac | Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax) | Nord 4 supports a newer, faster Wi-Fi standard for quicker and more reliable wireless connections. |
| Bluetooth | 5.0 | 5.4 | Nord 4 has newer bluetooth providing better sound quality |
| GPS | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, QZSS, Galileo | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, QZSS, Galileo, GPS (L1+L5), GLONASS (L1), BeiDou (B1), Galileo (E1+E5a), BeiDou (B2), QZSS (L1 + L5) | Nord 4 has better GPS with more accuracy |
| SIM | Dual SIM Dual Standby | Dual SIM Dual Standby | Both support Dual SIMs |
| Storage & RAM | |||
| Internal Storage | 32/64/128GB | 128/256/512GB | Nord 4 offers much larger storage capacities for more apps, photos, and files. |
| RAM | 3/4GB | 8/12/16GB | Nord 4 provides significantly more RAM for smoother multitasking and overall system performance. |
| Expandable Storage | No | No | Neither device supports external storage via microSD. |
| Audio | |||
| Quality | Basic audio features | Stereo Speakers, 2 mics | Nord 4 offers a better sound experience, both when listening to music and while making calls. |
| Security | |||
| Features | side-mounted fingerprint sensor | basic fingerprint sensor | Side-mounted fingerprint sensor is generally faster and more reliable than the traditional sensor in the Nord 4. |
| Build | |||
| Screen Protection | Unknown | Unknown | Both lack specific details on the screen's protection type in the provided specs. |
| Sensors | |||
| Sensors | Accelerometer, ultrasonic proximity | Accelerometer, Gyroscope, Proximity, Gravity, Geomagnetic | Nord 4 has a more comprehensive suite of sensors for a wider range of applications and advanced functionality. |
2. Key Insights
Samsung Galaxy A04s Strengths:
- Affordable Entry Point: The A04s is designed to be a budget-friendly option, focusing on essential functions without high-end features.
- Decent Battery Life: 5000mAh ensures you can get through the day on a single charge with light usage.
- Triple Camera Setup: While not high-end, it offers some flexibility with a main, macro, and depth sensor.
- Side-mounted fingerprint sensor: Allows for quicker and more reliable unlocking.
Samsung Galaxy A04s Trade-offs:
- Lower Display Quality: The low-resolution LCD screen and limited brightness can make outdoor viewing difficult.
- Basic Performance: The Exynos 850 chipset struggles with heavy tasks and gaming.
- Limited Storage/RAM: The base model with 3GB of RAM and 32GB of storage is restrictive for heavy users.
- Slower Charging: 15W charging is very slow by today's standards.
OnePlus Nord 4 Strengths:
- High-Quality AMOLED Display: Vibrant colors, excellent contrast, high brightness, and smooth refresh rates offer a superior viewing experience.
- Powerful Performance: The Snapdragon 7+ Gen 3 chipset provides a snappy experience for multitasking, gaming, and demanding apps.
- Versatile Camera: The main sensor with OIS is very good, and the inclusion of a wide-angle lens makes it flexible for various scenarios.
- Faster Charging: 100W charging rapidly replenishes the battery, ensuring less downtime.
- Better Audio: Stereo speakers and dual microphones offer better sound quality.
- Superior connectivity: Has newer Wifi and Bluetooth versions with more GPS accuracy.
OnePlus Nord 4 Trade-offs:
- Price: It comes at a higher price point than the A04s.
- No expandable Storage: Both phones lack this feature.
- Basic fingerprint sensor: Not as fast or reliable as a side mounted fingerprint sensor.
3. User Profiles and Recommendations
Samsung Galaxy A04s:
- Best For: Budget-conscious users who prioritize basic functionality, light web browsing, social media, and media consumption, older users, students who want a secondary device, or as a backup device.
- Use Cases: Making calls, texting, checking emails, listening to podcasts, very basic use.
- Price-to-Value: The A04s provides basic functionality at a very low cost, making it great for users who don't require much performance or high-end features.
OnePlus Nord 4:
- Best For: Users who want a great screen experience, fast performance, advanced camera quality, quick charging, and a generally much better overall experience. Good for all-day users.
- Use Cases: Mobile gaming, social media, photography, video consumption, heavy multitasking, work tasks.
- Price-to-Value: The Nord 4 delivers a premium experience at a mid-range price point, offering exceptional value for the features it offers.
4. Buying Decision Framework
Here are three practical questions to help you decide:
- What is your primary use case?
- If it's basic communication and light media consumption, the A04s is adequate.
- If you are doing anything else including media, gaming, and multi-tasking, the Nord 4 is the better option.
- How important is screen quality and performance?
- If you're okay with a basic screen and slower performance, the A04s will work, but not optimally.
- If you prioritize a vibrant, sharp display and smooth, snappy performance, the Nord 4 is the only choice here.
- What is your budget?
- If you have a very tight budget, the A04s is one of the cheapest options you can buy.
- If you are able to spend more money, the Nord 4 will provide much more enjoyment in the long term.
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- The Budget Shopper: If you absolutely need the cheapest option and only use your phone for basic tasks, the A04s is acceptable.
- The Media Consumer: If you watch videos and read a lot, the Nord 4's AMOLED screen is a much better fit.
- The Mobile Gamer: The Nord 4's powerful chipset and GPU are essential for a smooth gaming experience.
- The Photography Enthusiast: The Nord 4's versatile camera system and image processing make it the far superior choice for photography.
What I Would Choose and Why
Personally, I would choose the OnePlus Nord 4. The difference in the experience would be night and day. The higher quality display, significantly better performance, faster charging, better camera quality and a newer OS make the Nord 4 the clear winner. While the Samsung is a decent budget phone, it will struggle with any kind of demanding task and the screen is very basic, making the Nord 4 the best choice even with the higher cost. The Nord 4 provides a better user experience in virtually every aspect and is well worth the investment.
