Alright, let's dive deep into the Samsung Galaxy A04s and the Galaxy S24 FE. I've got my engineering hat on, ready to dissect these devices and lay out what it all means for you.
1. Specifications Breakdown
Here's a detailed breakdown, focusing on what these specs mean for your day-to-day usage:
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy A04s | Samsung Galaxy S24 FE | Real-World Implications |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Dimensions | 164.7 x 76.7 x 9.1 mm | 162 x 77.3 x 8 mm | A04s is slightly taller and thicker, may feel bulkier. S24 FE is thinner and more modern-feeling. |
| Weight | 195g | 213g | A04s is noticeably lighter, more comfortable for extended holding. S24 FE is heavier, feels more premium. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.5" | 6.7" | S24 FE offers a slightly larger screen, more immersive for content consumption. |
| Resolution | 720 x 1600 | 1080 x 2340 | S24 FE has a much sharper and detailed display. A04s will appear less crisp. |
| PPI | 270 | 385 | S24 FE’s higher pixel density results in a clearer, less pixelated display. |
| Technology | PLS LCD | AMOLED | S24 FE provides richer colors, deeper blacks, and better contrast. A04s display will look washed out in comparison |
| Refresh Rate | 90Hz | 120Hz | S24 FE offers slightly smoother animations and scrolling, more responsive feel in daily usage. |
| Brightness | 0 nits | 1900 nits | S24 FE is far brighter for outdoor visibility and HDR content viewing. A04s will be hard to see in direct sunlight. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Exynos 850 (8 nm) | Exynos 2400e (4 nm) | S24 FE’s chip is vastly superior, resulting in drastically faster processing, and is more future proof. |
| Antutu Score | 117,300 | 1,600,000 | S24 FE offers vastly superior performance. Apps open faster, and gameplay is much smoother. A04s can feel laggy with many apps or games. |
| GPU | Mali-G52 | Xclipse 940 | S24 FE’s GPU offers significantly better graphics for gaming and graphic-intensive tasks. |
| Camera | |||
| Standard Camera | 50MP, f/1.8 | 50MP, f/1.8, 1/1.57", Samsung GN3 | Similar resolution, but S24 FE features a larger sensor with better low light performance. |
| Selfie Camera | 5MP, f/2.2 | 10.8MP, f/2.4, 1/2.65", Samsung S5K3J1 | S24 FE's selfie camera captures more detail and has a larger sensor, but is slightly less sensitive to light due to the smaller aperture |
| Telephoto Lens | N/A | 8MP, f/2.4, 1/4.4", Omnivision OV08A10 | S24 FE has a telephoto lens for zooming, A04s lacks this |
| Wide Angle Lens | N/A | 13MP, f/2.2, 1/3.1", Samsung S5K3L6 | S24 FE has a wide-angle lens for capturing more in a scene, A04s does not have this |
| Depth Camera | 2MP, f/2.4 | N/A | A04s has a depth sensor for portrait mode, S24 FE does not. |
| Macro Lens | 2MP, f/2.4 | N/A | A04s has a macro lens for close-up shots, S24 FE does not have this. |
| Video Recording | 1080p@30fps | Up to 8K@30fps, 4K@60fps | S24 FE offers vastly superior video recording capabilities and better slow motion. |
| DxOMark | N/A | Main Score: 133 | S24 FE has a high-rated camera, A04s is not benchmarked. |
| Camera Features | Basic set | Night Mode 2.0, Optical Zoom, OIS, RAW, Extensive features | S24 FE features advanced options for professional-quality shots |
| Battery Life | |||
| Capacity | 5000mAh | 4700mAh | A04s has a slightly bigger battery, but real world usage will depend heavily on how the phones are used. |
| Charging | 15W Fast Charging | 25W Fast Charging, 15W Wireless | S24 FE charges faster and also offers wireless charging, A04s is limited to slower wired charging |
| Features | Non-removable | Bypass Charging, Reverse Charging, 15W Wireless, Non-removable | S24 FE offers added flexibility in charging options |
| Software | |||
| OS | Android 12 (Upgradeable to 14) | Android 14 | S24 FE starts with a newer version of Android, A04s is older but can be upgraded. |
| Connectivity | |||
| WiFi | 802.11ac | WiFi 6E | S24 FE supports newer WiFi technology, resulting in faster speeds, better range and lower latency. |
| Bluetooth | 5.0 | 5.3 | S24 FE supports a newer Bluetooth standard for better and more reliable connections. |
| GPS | Full suite | L1/L5 and additional bands | S24 FE provides more accuracy with dual band GPS |
| SIM | Dual Nano | Dual Nano/eSIM | S24 FE offers eSIM support, A04s is limited to nano SIMs. |
| Storage | |||
| Internal | 32/64/128 GB | 128/256/512 GB | S24 FE offers significantly more storage options, catering to users with extensive needs. A04s is more limited |
| RAM | 3/4 GB | 8 GB | S24 FE has twice as much RAM, enabling smoother multitasking and running of demanding apps. A04s will stutter under heavy load |
| Expandable | No | No | Neither phone offers microSD card storage, so you need to choose the correct variant for your needs. |
| Audio | |||
| Quality | Basic | Stereo Speakers, Noise Cancellation Mic | S24 FE offers better audio quality, especially for multimedia. |
| Security | |||
| Features | Side-mounted Fingerprint Sensor | Fingerprint sensor | A04s's fingerprint sensor is on the side of the phone, and is more ergonomic. S24FE's sensor is unknown. |
| Build | |||
| Screen Protection | Unknown | Corning Gorilla Glass Victus+ | S24 FE is more durable and scratch resistant. |
| Sensors | |||
| Fingerprint, Accelerometer, Proximity | Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope, Barometer, Proximity | S24 FE features a more complete sensor array, better suited for fitness and gaming. |
2. Key Insights
Samsung Galaxy A04s:
- Strengths: Lighter weight, slightly larger battery, more budget friendly, ergonomic fingerprint sensor.
- Advantages: Simpler to use, good for basic tasks like calls, texts, and light social media use. Good for users who prefer physical buttons and are less concerned with visual quality.
- Trade-offs: Significantly less powerful, lower quality display and camera, no advanced features, and feels quite a bit slower.
- Limitations: No expandable storage, slow charging, basic audio features.
Samsung Galaxy S24 FE:
- Strengths: Superior display, vastly better performance, advanced camera system with zoom and wide angle, faster charging, great audio, comprehensive sensors, and higher build quality.
- Advantages: Excellent for media consumption, gaming, photography, and productivity. Much more future proof and supports advanced features.
- Trade-offs: Heavier, smaller battery, more expensive.
- Limitations: No macro or depth sensor, slightly less ergonomics.
3. User Profiles and Recommendations
Samsung Galaxy A04s:
- Ideal User: Budget-conscious users who need a basic smartphone for calling, texting, and light web browsing.
- Use Cases: First smartphone for teenagers, backup phone, elderly individuals, or for users who do not need advanced features.
- Value: Good choice for users primarily concerned about price and basic functionality.
Samsung Galaxy S24 FE:
- Ideal User: Tech-savvy users who want a premium smartphone experience with excellent performance, camera capabilities, and multimedia features.
- Use Cases: Photography, gaming, professional tasks, media consumption, or users who like having access to the newest technology.
- Value: Justified for users who value performance, want a future proof phone, and can take advantage of advanced features.
4. Buying Decision Framework
Here are three key questions to help you decide:
Budget: How much are you willing to spend on a phone? If budget is a primary concern, the A04s is the obvious choice, but if you are willing to spend more, the S24 FE provides better future proofing and will feel much more pleasant to use.
Performance Needs: Do you need a high-performance phone for demanding tasks, gaming, and photography? If yes, the S24 FE is the only option here. If you are happy with basic performance, the A04s will be adequate.
Features: Are you looking for advanced features, like wireless charging, a great camera, and a vibrant display? The S24 FE is better in these aspects, whereas the A04s offers a much more basic experience.
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Basic User: If you mainly use a phone for calling, texting, and occasional web browsing, the A04s will suffice and save you money.
- Casual User: If you want a more enjoyable and responsive experience, the S24 FE is the better choice.
- Power User: If you're a gamer, content creator, or tech enthusiast, the S24 FE is the only logical option.
Personal Choice
If I were choosing between these two, I'd pick the Samsung Galaxy S24 FE without a second thought. The leap in performance, display quality, and camera capabilities is just too significant to ignore. While I appreciate the A04s's affordability and light weight, I know I'd be constantly frustrated by its lack of power and the mediocre display quality. The S24 FE simply offers a far more satisfying and future-proofed experience that aligns with my usage patterns as a tech journalist. The vastly improved camera and much better display are just the starting point. The S24 FE feels like a proper upgrade, whereas the A04s feels like a basic device with major compromises.
