Okay, let's dive into a detailed comparison of the Samsung Galaxy A04s and the realme 8. I'll put on my tech journalist hat and break down what these specs mean for you, the user.
1. Specifications Breakdown
Here's a detailed look at the key specifications of the Samsung Galaxy A04s and the realme 8, along with their real-world implications:
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy A04s | realme 8 | Real-World Implications |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Launch Date | 2022-09-22 | 2024-05-28 | The realme 8 is a newer device by about 8 months, potentially having more current software and design elements. |
| Dimensions | 164.7 x 76.7 x 9.1 mm | 162 x 75.1 x 8.7 mm | The A04s is slightly larger and thicker; The realme 8 is more compact and pocketable. |
| Weight | 195g | 191g | Both phones are similarly weighted, making them comfortable to hold. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.5" | 6.78" | The realme 8 offers a slightly larger screen, beneficial for media consumption. |
| Resolution | 720x1600 | 1264x2780 | The realme 8 has a much sharper display, resulting in clearer images and text. |
| PPI | 270 | 450 | The realme 8 has a noticeably crisper display due to higher pixel density. |
| Technology | PLS LCD | AMOLED | The realme 8's AMOLED display offers superior colors, contrast, and black levels, making for a more vibrant viewing experience. |
| Refresh Rate | 90Hz | 120Hz | The realme 8's higher refresh rate provides slightly smoother scrolling and animations. |
| Brightness | 0 nits | 0 nits | Both seem to have no brightness specified so it is hard to tell how well either will perform in direct sunlight. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Exynos 850 (8nm) | Snapdragon 7+ Gen 3 (4nm) | The realme 8's chipset is significantly more powerful and more efficient, leading to faster app loading, smoother multitasking, and better gaming performance. |
| AnTuTu Score | 117,300 | N/A | No comparison available. |
| GPU | Mali-G52 | Adreno 732 | The realme 8's GPU is more capable, resulting in better graphics performance for gaming and other graphics-intensive tasks. |
| Camera | |||
| Main Camera | 50MP, f/1.8 | N/A | The A04s has a decent main camera while the realme 8 is missing any data regarding its camera hardware |
| Selfie Camera | 5MP, f/2.2 | N/A | The A04s offers a selfie camera while the realme 8 seems to be missing. |
| Portrait Camera | 2MP, f/2.4 | N/A | The A04s has a portrait depth camera. |
| Macro Camera | 2MP, f/2.4 | N/A | The A04s has a dedicated macro lens for close-up shots. |
| Video Recording | 1080p@30fps, slow-motion | 4K@60fps, OIS, EIS, 1080p@120fps | The realme 8 offers higher resolution video and stability via OIS and EIS, resulting in higher-quality and smoother videos. |
| Camera Features | Digital zoom, Triple camera, Autofocus, Touch focus, Phase detection autofocus (PDAF), Geotagging, HDR, Face detection, Scene mode, Self-timer | N/A | The A04s includes more additional camera features that could provide more flexibility |
| Battery Life | |||
| Capacity | 5000mAh | 0mAh | The A04s has a large battery which should provide a long battery life while the realme 8 seems to be missing data. |
| Charging | 15W Fast Charging | Standard Charging | The A04s supports faster charging, while the realme 8 has no charging info |
| Software | |||
| OS | Android 12, Max 14 | Android 14 | The realme 8 comes with a newer version of Android, offering the latest features and security enhancements. |
| Connectivity | |||
| Wi-Fi | 802.11a/b/g/n/ac | N/A | The A04s supports newer Wi-Fi standards, along with additional Wi-Fi features. |
| Bluetooth | 5.0 LE | N/A | The A04s has the latest Bluetooth technology, along with additional bluetooth features |
| GPS | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, QZSS, Galileo | N/A | The A04s supports more satellite navigation systems, resulting in better location accuracy. |
| SIM | Dual SIM Dual Standby (Nano SIM + Nano SIM) | N/A | The A04s allows dual SIM usage. |
| Storage | |||
| Internal | 32/64/128GB | N/A | The A04s provides multiple storage options, while the realme 8 is missing the data. |
| RAM | 3/4 GB | N/A | The A04s offers a small amount of RAM for basic performance. |
| Expandable Storage | No | No | Neither phone supports expandable storage, so you're stuck with the base models storage. |
| Audio | |||
| Quality | Basic | Basic | Both devices are equal on audio. |
| Security | |||
| Features | Side-mounted fingerprint sensor | Basic fingerprint sensor | The A04s has a more advanced fingerprint sensor which is mounted on the side of the device. |
| Build Quality | |||
| Screen Protection | Unknown | Unknown | Both devices seem to use similar screen protection. |
| Sensors | |||
| Features | Biometric: Fingerprint; Motion: Accelerometer; Proximity: Ultrasonic proximity virtual | Basic sensors | The A04s has a more complete sensor suite. |
2. Key Insights
Samsung Galaxy A04s Strengths
- Strong Camera System: Offers a triple-camera setup with a decent main sensor and additional lenses, providing more versatility for photography.
- Large Battery: The 5000mAh battery should translate to longer usage.
- Side-Mounted Fingerprint Sensor: More ergonomically placed than older fingerprint sensors.
- Full Sensor Suite: Offers a more complete suite of sensors for various applications and functionalities.
- Connectivity Features: Offers more connectivity standards.
realme 8 Strengths
- Superior Display: The AMOLED display with a higher resolution and refresh rate offers a much better viewing experience.
- Significantly More Powerful Chipset: The Snapdragon 7+ Gen 3 chipset is substantially more powerful, which will translate to better overall performance and speed.
- Newer OS: The newer Android 14 OS provides the latest features and software support.
Trade-offs and Limitations
- realme 8 Camera: Lacks the information on its camera capabilities, making a good comparison harder.
realme 8 Battery: Lacks the information on battery capabilities.
A04s Overall Performance: The older Exynos chip may struggle with heavy multitasking or demanding applications.
- A04s Display: The lower-resolution LCD panel is less vibrant than the AMOLED on the realme 8.
3. User Profiles and Recommendations
- Samsung Galaxy A04s
- Ideal for: Budget-conscious users who prioritize battery life and a flexible camera system.
- Use Cases: Everyday usage, light social media browsing, general photography, and users needing reliable performance throughout the day.
- realme 8
- Ideal for: Users who value a premium display, high performance, and the latest Android software.
- Use Cases: Gamers, media enthusiasts, those needing a responsive phone, and those who love consuming media with a high-quality display.
4. Buying Decision Framework
Here are three questions to guide your decision:
How important is display quality?
- If display quality and visual fidelity is key for you, then the realme 8 is the clear winner with its AMOLED panel and higher resolution.
How important is camera flexibility and long battery life?
- If you want the ability to take more types of photos, and prioritize a larger battery, then the Samsung A04s will be the better option.
How important is raw processing power and smooth performance?
- If raw power is the most important thing, the realme 8 is superior due to its processor.
My Choice
If I had to choose between these two devices based solely on the data we have, I would choose the realme 8. Despite the missing information, what we do know is that it has a much better screen and a far better processor. The screen, for me, is one of the most important things for everyday use, and the increase in processing power will lead to smoother and faster experiences with every use.
Even though the A04s has a great battery and a good camera, the lack of information about the camera of the realme 8, plus the fact that the A04s also has a low end processor and display, leads me to the realme 8 as the ideal choice.
