Galaxy A04S Vs Galaxy S24 Ultra

Galaxy A04S
Galaxy A04S
Starting at

Refurbished price:£99.00

Versus £179.00 new

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Galaxy S24 Ultra
Galaxy S24 Ultra
Starting at

Refurbished price:£422.00

Versus £1,357.64 new

See options

Ratings

The Samsung Galaxy A04s, released in September 2022, and the Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra, launched in January 2024, represent distinct tiers within Samsung's smartphone offerings. The A04s is designed as an essential device for everyday communication and basic tasks, while the S24 Ultra stands as a premium flagship, offering advanced features and high-end performance. Both devices operate on the Android platform, though the S24 Ultra benefits from a newer operating system version and a significantly longer commitment to software updates.

Scores

Durability

The practical lifespan of a smartphone is influenced by its release timeline, software support, and physical build quality.

  • Release Timeline and Software Support: The Galaxy A04s, released in September 2022, typically receives 2-3 major Android OS updates and security patches for a few years. In contrast, the Galaxy S24 Ultra, launched in January 2024, benefits from Samsung's commitment to providing seven years of OS upgrades and security updates, ensuring a much longer period of software longevity.
  • Physical Durability: The Galaxy A04s features a glass front with a plastic back and frame, offering a standard level of durability for its category. The Galaxy S24 Ultra, however, incorporates a titanium frame and Corning Gorilla Armor on both its front and back, providing enhanced resistance to drops and scratches, along with an IP68 rating for dust and water resistance.
  • Expected Practical Lifespan: Users prioritizing extended software support and robust physical protection will find the Galaxy S24 Ultra designed for a longer practical lifespan. The A04s is suitable for users who upgrade their devices more frequently or have less demanding usage scenarios.

Year of Release

2022

2024

Compatible with latest Update

Yes

Yes

OS

Android

Android

Foldable

No

No

Performance

Performance differences between these two devices are substantial, impacting everything from app responsiveness to demanding tasks.

  • Storage and RAM: The Galaxy A04s offers internal storage options ranging from 32GB to 128GB, with the flexibility of expandable storage via a microSD card up to 1TB. The Galaxy S24 Ultra comes with larger internal storage capacities, from 256GB up to 1TB, and features 12GB of RAM, which is beneficial for intensive multitasking and demanding applications. The A04s typically has 3GB or 4GB of RAM.
  • Processor Capabilities: The Galaxy A04s is equipped with a processor suitable for essential daily tasks such as browsing, messaging, and light app usage, providing a smooth experience for these activities. The Galaxy S24 Ultra features a current-generation processor designed to handle demanding applications, intensive multitasking, and graphically rich gaming with high responsiveness and efficiency.
  • Battery Behavior: Both devices house a 5000 mAh battery. However, the S24 Ultra's more efficient processor and display technology contribute to extended endurance in real-world usage, with users reporting it can last significantly longer on a single charge even with heavy use. The A04s provides sufficient power for a full day of moderate use.

Memory (GB)

3 GB

12 GB

Screen quality

The display experience varies significantly between the two models, affecting visual clarity, brightness, and overall smoothness.

  • Display Technology and Resolution: The Galaxy A04s features a 6.5-inch PLS LCD display with an HD+ resolution (720 x 1600 pixels), suitable for general viewing. The Galaxy S24 Ultra boasts a larger 6.8-inch Dynamic LTPO AMOLED 2X display with a QHD+ resolution (1440 x 3120 pixels), offering superior sharpness and detail.
  • Brightness and Refresh Rate: The A04s has a 90Hz refresh rate, providing a smoother scrolling experience than standard 60Hz displays, and a peak brightness of 400 nits. The S24 Ultra features an adaptive refresh rate that can scale from 1Hz to 120Hz for fluid motion and power efficiency, alongside a peak brightness of 2600 nits, ensuring excellent visibility even in bright outdoor conditions.
  • Viewing Experience: The S24 Ultra's display technology delivers vibrant colors, deep blacks, and exceptional clarity, making it well-suited for media consumption and detailed work. The A04s provides a functional and clear display for everyday tasks.

Resolution

720 x 1600

1440 x 3120

Screen type

PLS LCD

Dynamic LTPO AMOLED 2X

Audiovisual

Camera capabilities are a major differentiating factor, with the S24 Ultra offering a highly advanced system compared to the A04s.

  • Rear Camera System: The Galaxy A04s includes a triple rear camera setup with a 50MP main sensor, complemented by 2MP macro and 2MP depth sensors, capable of capturing clear everyday photos and Full HD video at 30fps. The Galaxy S24 Ultra features a versatile quad-camera system, including a 200MP main sensor, a 12MP ultrawide, a 10MP telephoto with 3x optical zoom, and a 50MP periscope telephoto with 5x optical zoom, supporting advanced photography and 8K video recording.
  • Low-Light and Zoom Performance: The S24 Ultra excels in low-light conditions and offers extensive zoom capabilities, including up to 100x digital zoom, providing detailed images from a distance. The A04s performs adequately in well-lit environments but has more limited capabilities in challenging lighting or for distant subjects.
  • Front Camera and Audio: The A04s has a 5MP front camera for selfies and video calls. The S24 Ultra features a 12MP front camera with advanced autofocus, delivering sharper and more detailed self-portraits. The S24 Ultra also provides a more refined audio experience for media playback and calls due to its advanced speaker and microphone systems.

Main camera

50 megapixels

200 megapixels

Front camera

5 megapixels

12 megapixels

Miscellaneous

Beyond core specifications, several practical elements contribute to the overall user experience of each device.

  • Connectivity and Ports: The Galaxy A04s supports 4G LTE networks, Wi-Fi 5, Bluetooth 5.0, and includes a 3.5mm headphone jack and a USB-C 2.0 port. The Galaxy S24 Ultra offers more advanced connectivity with 5G support, Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 5.3, and a USB-C 3.2 port, along with Ultra-Wideband (UWB) capabilities.
  • Biometric Security and Navigation: The A04s features a side-mounted fingerprint sensor for secure unlocking. The S24 Ultra incorporates an under-display ultrasonic fingerprint sensor and advanced facial recognition, offering multiple convenient and secure authentication methods. The S24 Ultra also supports the S Pen, enhancing productivity and creative tasks.
  • Build Materials and Handling: The A04s has a plastic construction, contributing to its lighter weight of 195g and a comfortable grip. The S24 Ultra, with its titanium frame and Gorilla Armor glass, weighs 232g, providing a more robust and premium feel. Its dimensions are slightly larger, which may impact one-handed use for some users.

Weight

195 g

232 g

Screen size (in)

6.5

6.8

Mobile network

4G

5G

SIM card

Dual Physical SIM

Dual Physical SIM + eSIM

Carrier compatibility

Unlocked

Unlocked

User feedback for the Galaxy A04s often highlights its reliability for basic smartphone functions, its long-lasting battery, and the convenience of expandable storage and a headphone jack. Common criticisms tend to focus on its camera performance in challenging conditions, lower screen resolution, and overall processing speed for more demanding applications. It is generally seen as a straightforward device for essential communication and light usage.

The Galaxy S24 Ultra receives praise for its exceptional camera versatility, particularly its zoom capabilities and low-light performance, its vibrant and bright display, and its powerful performance for gaming and multitasking. Users also appreciate the integrated S Pen for productivity and the extended software update commitment. Some users note its larger size and weight as a factor in handling.

Users prioritizing a device for essential communication, web browsing, and social media, along with the flexibility of expandable storage and a traditional headphone jack, may find the Galaxy A04s well-suited to their needs. For individuals who require top-tier camera capabilities, a highly responsive and vibrant display, powerful performance for demanding applications and gaming, and advanced productivity features like the S Pen, the Galaxy S24 Ultra is the more appropriate choice. Both devices are available as quality-assured refurbished options, providing an eco-friendly alternative for consumers.

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