Okay, let's dive into a head-to-head comparison of the Samsung Galaxy A04s and the ZTE nubia Z50S Pro. I'll break down the specs, translate them into real-world experiences, and help you decide which phone might be the better fit for you.
1. Specifications Breakdown
Here's a detailed comparison table, focusing on the practical impact of the specifications:
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy A04s | ZTE nubia Z50S Pro | Real-World Implications |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Dimensions | 164.7 x 76.7 x 9.1 mm | 163.9 x 76.3 x 8.3 mm | Similar size; Nubia is slightly thinner and less bulky |
| Weight | 195g | 228g | A04s is noticeably lighter; Z50S Pro feels more substantial |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.5" | 6.8" | Z50S Pro provides a slightly larger viewing area |
| Resolution | 720 x 1600 | 1260 x 2800 | Z50S Pro offers far crisper and detailed visuals |
| Pixel Density | 270 ppi | 452 ppi | Z50S Pro display is significantly sharper |
| Technology | PLS LCD | AMOLED | Z50S Pro has superior color, contrast, and viewing angles. |
| Refresh Rate | 90Hz | 120Hz | Z50S Pro screen will look slightly smoother |
| Brightness | 0 nits | 1500 nits | Z50S Pro has much better visibility in bright sunlight |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Exynos 850 (8nm) | Snapdragon 8+ Gen 2 (4nm) | Z50S Pro is much faster with smoother multitasking |
| Antutu Score | 117,300 | 1,579,720 | Z50S Pro is much more capable for gaming and heavy use |
| GPU | Mali-G52 | Adreno 740 | Z50S Pro is far more graphically powerful |
| Camera | |||
| Main Camera | 50MP, f/1.8 | 54MP, f/1.6, 1/1.49" Sony IMX800 | Z50S Pro offers higher resolution, larger sensor and a wider aperture, better in low light |
| Telephoto Camera | None | 8MP, f/2.4 | Z50S Pro allows for optical zoom; A04s lacks this feature |
| Wide Angle Lens | None | 50MP, f/2.0 | Z50S Pro offers a wider view for photos |
| Selfie Camera | 5MP, f/2.2 | 16MP, f/2.5 | Z50S Pro offers higher resolution selfies |
| Depth Camera | 2MP, f/2.4 | None | A04s can blur backgrounds slightly; Z50S Pro has better main lens. |
| Macro Camera | 2MP, f/2.4 | None | A04s can take close-up shots; Z50S Pro does not have one. |
| Video Recording | 1080p@30fps | 8K@30fps, 4K@120fps | Z50S Pro offers far better video recording quality & flexibility |
| Camera Features | Basic, PDAF | OIS, EIS, 8K, RAW, Night Mode, More Manual Features | Z50S Pro has a more robust camera feature set |
| Battery Life | |||
| Capacity | 5000mAh | 5100mAh | Both offer all-day battery life; Z50S Pro negligibly better. |
| Charging | 15W | 80W | Z50S Pro charges much faster |
| Software | |||
| OS | Android 12 (upgradable to 14) | Android 13 | Z50S Pro ships with a newer version of Android |
| Storage | |||
| Internal Storage | 32/64/128 GB | 256/1024 GB | Z50S Pro offers significantly more storage space |
| RAM | 3/4 GB | 12/16 GB | Z50S Pro provides much smoother multitasking. |
| Expandable Storage | No | No | Neither device allows for external storage |
| Audio | Basic | DTS / DTS X, Stereo Speakers | Z50S Pro has better audio output |
| Security | Side-mounted Fingerprint | Basic Fingerprint | A04s has a more convenient side-mounted fingerprint sensor |
| Connectivity | |||
| WiFi | 802.11ac | WiFi 7 (802.11be) | Z50S Pro is faster with newer Wi-Fi standard |
| Bluetooth | 5.0 LE | 5.3 LE, AptX, LDAC | Z50S Pro has newer standard with better audio codecs |
| GPS | Basic | Advanced | Z50S Pro has better location accuracy |
2. Key Insights
Samsung Galaxy A04s
Strengths:
- Lightweight & Comfortable: Significantly lighter, making it more comfortable for prolonged use.
- Affordable: Designed to be budget-friendly.
- Decent Battery Life: Large 5000mAh battery can easily last a full day.
- Side-Mounted Fingerprint Sensor: More convenient access
- Macro Camera: Unique feature that the ZTE doesn't have
Limitations:
- Basic Display: Lower resolution, pixel density, brightness, and older LCD tech.
- Slow Performance: The Exynos 850 chipset is underpowered, affecting multitasking and gaming.
- Basic Camera: Limited features and performance, especially in low light and video.
- Slow Charging: 15W charging is significantly slower compared to the Z50S Pro.
- Less Storage: Lower storage capacity options without the option to expand.
ZTE nubia Z50S Pro
Strengths:
- High-End Performance: The Snapdragon 8+ Gen 2 chipset offers top-tier speed and responsiveness.
- Stunning Display: AMOLED display with higher resolution, refresh rate, and brightness.
- Advanced Camera System: Versatile system with a larger main sensor, wide-angle and telephoto lens. It has better low-light performance, video capabilities, and RAW capture.
- Fast Charging: 80W fast charging significantly reduces charging times.
- Large Storage: Larger storage space and more RAM.
- Stereo Speakers: Enhanced audio output.
- Modern Wi-Fi and Bluetooth: Faster and better connectivity for daily use.
- Advanced GPS: Better location accuracy.
Limitations:
- Heavier: The added weight may not be ideal for all users.
- Fingerprint Sensor: More basic fingerprint sensor implementation.
- No Macro Camera: Lacks a dedicated Macro lens.
- No Expandable Storage: Limited to the internal storage it comes with.
- Battery Life: Only a slight increase in battery capacity.
3. User Profiles and Recommendations
Samsung Galaxy A04s is ideal for:
- Budget-Conscious Users: Those who prioritize affordability and basic functionality.
- Light Users: Those who primarily browse the web, use social media, and make calls.
- Users who prefer a Lightweight Phone: The A04s is much more light weight than the Z50S Pro.
- Users who want macro photos: The A04s features a macro camera lens, unlike the Z50S Pro
ZTE nubia Z50S Pro is best for:
- Performance Enthusiasts: Users who want top-tier speed, responsiveness, and gaming capabilities.
- Multimedia Lovers: Those who value a high-quality display, advanced audio, and premium multimedia experience.
- Photography Buffs: Users who seek versatility, excellent low-light performance, and professional-level features.
- Users who prefer high performance: The Z50S Pro is much faster.
- Users who want better video: The Z50S Pro offers better video recording.
- Users who prefer fast charging: The Z50S Pro offers much faster charging.
4. Buying Decision Framework
Here are three questions to help you choose:
- What's your budget? If you have a strict budget, the Samsung Galaxy A04s is the more affordable option.
- What do you primarily use your phone for? If you just need basic functionality the A04s is sufficient. If you need a phone for gaming, content creation or consume a lot of media the Z50S Pro is the better option.
- How important are the display and camera features? If you prioritize a vibrant display, a versatile camera system, and want to capture great photos/videos the Z50S Pro is the clear winner.
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Scenario 1: Basic Everyday Use, Tight Budget If your priority is affordability, and you're not a heavy user, the Samsung Galaxy A04s is the better option.
- Scenario 2: Content Creation and Gaming If you value high performance, you'll want to opt for the Z50S Pro for gaming, editing, and high-quality content creation.
- Scenario 3: Multimedia and Photography Enthusiast The ZTE nubia Z50S Pro is the clear winner if you want better audio, video, and camera capabilities.
Which one would I pick?
I would choose the ZTE nubia Z50S Pro, hands down. As a tech journalist and someone who appreciates high-performance devices, the Z50S Pro's superior display, chipset, camera system, and faster charging make it the obvious choice. While the A04s is a decent budget phone, the Z50S Pro's technological edge translates to a much better user experience in almost every aspect. I also value the ability to have high-quality video and the better camera versatility that it offers. I'm not necessarily worried about the weight since that isn't a major issue for me. While the A04s has a side-mounted fingerprint scanner which can be slightly more convenient, the performance difference of the Z50S Pro easily outweighs this one small benefit. If you value performance, and want a phone that has better capabilities for content creation and multimedia, then the Z50S Pro is worth the investment.
