An Affordable Option – Samsung Galaxy A04s

The Samsung Galaxy A04s was announced in September 2022 as one of Samsung’s newest budget-friendly Android offerings. Priced under $150, it aims to provide a basic Samsung experience for those on a tight budget.

Design and Display

Made of plastic rather than glass, the A04s has a simple yet functional design. At 195g it’s on the heavier side but still comfortably portable. A 6.5-inch LCD screen occupies most of the front, with slim bezels all around.

Resolution is 720p which is quite low for the screen size but expected at this price point. Max brightness measures around 400 nits which should be sufficient outdoors. The 90Hz refresh rate makes general usage feel snappier than standard 60Hz displays.

Hardware and Performance

Powering the A04s is Samsung’s own Exynos 850 chipset paired with either 3 or 4GB RAM depending on storage configuration. Benchmark results place it around entry-level performance levels as expected.

Basic tasks like messaging, calls, and media playback work smoothly for the most part. However, more demanding apps and 3D games may struggle at times. Storage options go up to 128GB which is generous. MicroSD support allows for expansion as well.

Camera

The triple rear camera system consists of a 50MP main, 2MP macro, and 2MP depth sensor. While megapixel numbers are high, image quality is average with lack of advanced processing. The detail is soft in low light.

The front camera resolution is just 5MP which is underwhelming. Video capture maxes out at 1080p30 which will suffice for casual recording but lacks stabilization. Overall, photography is passable at best for the price tier.

Battery Life

A large 5000mAh battery powers the A04s, which translates to solid endurance. Samsung’s optimizations help it last over a day of moderate usage despite the low-power chipset. 15W fast charging topped it up reasonably quickly in my tests too.

Wireless charging is missed at this price point, however. Battery life will remain the A04s’ biggest strength over its competitors.

Software and Pricing

The A04s shipped with Android 12 and One UI Core 5, a lightweight version of Samsung’s software without all the extras. It should receive one additional Android version upgrade to 13.

Pricing starts around the $110-120 range which is competitive against rival offerings. At pennies shy of $150, the A04s provides decent valued basics on a budget.

In conclusion, while not without its limitations, the Galaxy A04s represents an affordable Samsung option for those seeking the company’s brand recognition on a tight budget. Reliable battery life is its main advantage in a pinch.