Galaxy A04S Vs Galaxy S10+

Galaxy A04S
Galaxy A04S
Starting at

Refurbished price:£99.00

Versus £179.00 new

See options
Galaxy S10+
Galaxy S10+
Starting at

Refurbished price:£115.32

Versus £330.00 new

See options

Ratings

The Samsung Galaxy A04s, released in September 2022, and the Samsung Galaxy S10 Plus, launched in March 2019, represent different tiers and generations within Samsung's smartphone lineup. While both devices run on the Android operating system, they cater to distinct user needs, primarily differing in their performance capabilities, display technology, and camera systems. The A04s is a more recent entry-level device, focusing on essential smartphone functions, whereas the S10 Plus was a flagship model in its time, offering advanced features and a premium experience.

Scores

Durability

When considering the practical lifespan of these devices, their release timelines and software support are key factors. The Galaxy A04s, being a newer device, generally benefits from a longer remaining period of official software updates compared to the older Galaxy S10 Plus.

  • Software Longevity: The Galaxy A04s launched with Android 12 and has received updates up to Android 14, which is its final major Android update. It will continue to receive security patches for a period after that. The Galaxy S10 Plus, released with Android 9, concluded its major OS updates with Android 12, though it still receives security updates.
  • Physical Durability: The Galaxy A04s features a plastic back and frame, with a glass front. The Galaxy S10 Plus boasts a more robust construction with a glass front and back, protected by Gorilla Glass 6 and 5 respectively, and an aluminum frame. It also carries an IP68 rating for dust and water resistance, a feature absent in the A04s.
  • Expected Practical Lifespan: Users prioritizing the latest software features and a longer window for major Android updates will find the A04s more suitable. However, the S10 Plus offers superior physical protection against environmental elements.

Year of Release

2022

2019

Compatible with latest Update

Yes

No

OS

Android

Android

Foldable

No

No

Performance

The performance of these two Galaxy phones varies significantly due to their different hardware generations and target markets. The Galaxy A04s is designed for everyday tasks, while the Galaxy S10 Plus, a former flagship, offers a more robust experience for demanding applications.

  • Processing Capabilities: The Galaxy A04s is equipped with an octa-core processor suitable for basic navigation, social media, and light applications. The Galaxy S10 Plus features a more powerful processor from its era, enabling smoother multitasking, faster app loading, and more capable handling of graphically intensive games and demanding applications.
  • Multitasking and Storage: The A04s typically comes with 3GB or 4GB of RAM, which is adequate for essential multitasking. Storage options range from 32GB to 128GB, expandable via microSD. The S10 Plus offers more substantial RAM, starting at 8GB and going up to 12GB, providing a more fluid experience when switching between numerous applications. Its internal storage options are also larger, up to 1TB, with microSD expansion.
  • Battery Behavior: The Galaxy A04s houses a large 5000 mAh battery, which, combined with its less demanding processor and lower-resolution screen, contributes to extended usage times for many users. The Galaxy S10 Plus has a 4100 mAh battery. While it was considered excellent for its time, real-world usage reports indicate it generally provides a full day of use for moderate users, though heavy usage might require more frequent charging.

Memory (GB)

3 GB

8 GB

Screen quality

The visual experience offered by these two devices differs considerably, primarily due to their display technologies and resolutions.

  • Display Technology and Clarity: The Galaxy A04s features a 6.5-inch PLS LCD display with a resolution of 720 x 1600 pixels. This provides clear visuals for general use, though individual pixels may be discernible upon close inspection. The Galaxy S10 Plus, on the other hand, sports a 6.4-inch Dynamic AMOLED display with a significantly higher resolution of 1440 x 3040 pixels, resulting in sharper images, deeper blacks, and more vibrant colors.
  • Refresh Rate and Smoothness: The A04s offers a 90Hz refresh rate, which contributes to smoother scrolling and a more responsive feel during navigation. The S10 Plus has a standard 60Hz refresh rate.
  • Brightness and Viewing Experience: The Dynamic AMOLED panel on the S10 Plus generally achieves higher peak brightness levels, making it more comfortable to view content outdoors or in brightly lit environments. The A04s's LCD panel offers typical brightness for its class.

Resolution

720 x 1600

1440 x 3040

Screen type

PLS LCD

Dynamic AMOLED

Audiovisual

The camera systems on the Galaxy A04s and Galaxy S10 Plus reflect their different market positions, with the S10 Plus offering a more versatile and advanced photography experience.

  • Rear Camera System: The Galaxy A04s features a triple rear camera setup, including a 50-megapixel main sensor, a 2-megapixel macro lens, and a 2-megapixel depth sensor. In good lighting, the main camera can capture detailed photos with natural colors. The Galaxy S10 Plus comes with a more comprehensive triple-camera array: a 12-megapixel wide-angle lens with variable aperture and optical image stabilization (OIS), a 12-megapixel telephoto lens with OIS and 2x optical zoom, and a 16-megapixel ultrawide lens. This setup provides greater flexibility for various shooting scenarios, including better low-light performance and zoom capabilities.
  • Front Camera and Video: The A04s has a 5-megapixel front camera. Both devices can record video at 1080p resolution at 30 frames per second. The S10 Plus features a dual front camera system with a 10-megapixel main sensor and an 8-megapixel depth sensor, allowing for more refined portrait selfies.
  • Audio Experience: The S10 Plus includes stereo speakers and a 3.5mm headphone jack, offering a more immersive audio experience for media consumption. The A04s also retains a 3.5mm headphone jack and has a loudspeaker.

Main camera

50 megapixels

12 megapixels

Front camera

5 megapixels

10 megapixels

Miscellaneous

Beyond the core features, several practical elements differentiate these two Samsung smartphones, impacting daily usability and connectivity.

  • Connectivity and Ports: Both devices support 4G LTE networks. The Galaxy A04s supports Wi-Fi 5 and Bluetooth 5.0, and includes a USB-C port and a 3.5mm headphone jack. The Galaxy S10 Plus offers Wi-Fi 6 for potentially faster wireless internet speeds, Bluetooth 5.0, a USB-C port, and also retains the 3.5mm headphone jack.
  • Biometric Security: The A04s features a side-mounted fingerprint sensor for secure unlocking. The S10 Plus incorporates an ultrasonic in-display fingerprint sensor, providing a more integrated and modern unlocking experience, alongside face recognition.
  • Design and Handling: The Galaxy A04s has dimensions of 164.7 x 76.7 x 9.1 mm and weighs 195g. The Galaxy S10 Plus is slightly more compact and lighter at 157.6 x 74.1 x 7.8 mm and 175g, offering a more streamlined feel in hand. The S10 Plus also supports wireless charging and reverse wireless charging, features not present in the A04s.

Weight

195 g

175 g

Screen size (in)

6.5

6.4

Mobile network

4G

4G

SIM card

Dual Physical SIM

Dual Physical SIM

Carrier compatibility

Unlocked

Unlocked

User feedback for the Galaxy A04s often highlights its strong battery life and the inclusion of a 90Hz display as positive aspects for its category. However, some users note its performance can be modest for more demanding tasks, and the camera system, while featuring a high megapixel count, may lack the versatility and low-light capabilities of higher-end devices.

The Galaxy S10 Plus, despite its age, is frequently praised for its vibrant AMOLED display, versatile camera system, and premium build quality. Common criticisms, particularly in the current landscape, revolve around its battery life compared to newer phones and the fact that it no longer receives major Android operating system updates.

Users prioritizing a device with a longer remaining software support window, a large battery for extended use, and a more recent release date for essential daily tasks may find the Galaxy A04s well-suited to their needs. Conversely, users who value a superior display, a more capable and versatile camera system, a premium build with water resistance, and are comfortable with an older device that has concluded its major OS updates, might lean towards the Galaxy S10 Plus. Both devices, especially the S10 Plus, are available as quality-assured refurbished options, providing an eco-friendly alternative for consumers.

See all articles

Our recent comparisons