Galaxy A04S Vs Galaxy S25+

Galaxy A04S
Galaxy A04S
Starting at

Refurbished price:£99.00

Versus £179.00 new

See options
Galaxy S25+
Galaxy S25+
Starting at

Refurbished price:£550.00

Versus £958.39 new

See options

Ratings

The Samsung Galaxy A04S, released in September 2022, and the Samsung Galaxy S25 Plus, a flagship device launched in early 2025, represent distinct segments of the smartphone market. While both operate on the Android platform, the S25 Plus offers a significantly more advanced and premium experience compared to the A04S, which is designed for essential smartphone functions. This comparison will highlight the practical differences in their capabilities and features.

Scores

Durability

The expected lifespan and software support differ considerably between these two devices, reflecting their respective market positions and release timelines.

  • Release Timeline: The Galaxy A04S was released in September 2022, making it an older device compared to the Galaxy S25 Plus, which launched in early 2025. This age difference directly impacts their remaining software support and overall practical lifespan.
  • Software Longevity: The Galaxy A04S launched with Android 12 and is upgradable to Android 13, with some sources suggesting potential for Android 14 [8, 9]. In contrast, the Galaxy S25 Plus launched with Android 15, ensuring a longer period of major OS updates and security patches [21]. Users can expect the S25 Plus to receive software support for several years longer than the A04S.
  • Build and Repairability: The Galaxy A04S features a plastic construction that some users describe as not very stable, with pressure easily affecting the screen [7]. The Galaxy S25 Plus, as a flagship, boasts a premium build with glass and an aluminum frame, along with an IP68 rating for water and dust resistance, contributing to its enhanced durability [22]. While specific repairability scores vary, the A04S is noted as being relatively inexpensive to fix if the display is damaged [1].

Year of Release

2022

2025

OS

Android

Android

Foldable

No

No

Performance

The performance capabilities of the Galaxy A04S and the Galaxy S25 Plus cater to vastly different user demands, from basic daily tasks to intensive applications.

  • Everyday Responsiveness: The Galaxy A04S is equipped with a processor suitable for fundamental smartphone functions like messaging, browsing, and light social media use [1, 23]. However, users frequently report slowdowns, stuttering, and struggles with multitasking or more demanding applications [5, 10, 14, 24]. The Galaxy S25 Plus, featuring a current-generation flagship processor, delivers exceptionally smooth performance across all tasks, handling demanding apps, complex multitasking, and graphic-intensive games with ease [17, 21, 28].
  • Storage and Multitasking: The A04S offers storage options up to 128GB and typically 3GB or 4GB of RAM, which can limit the number of applications that can run simultaneously without performance degradation [2, 6]. The S25 Plus comes with a minimum of 256GB of internal storage and 12GB of RAM, providing ample space for files and ensuring seamless transitions between numerous open applications [21, 28].
  • Battery Behavior: Both devices feature a 5000mAh or similar capacity battery (4900mAh for S25 Plus) [4, 17, 21]. The A04S generally offers good battery life for its intended use, often lasting a full day due to its less demanding hardware [3, 5, 23]. The S25 Plus, despite its powerful components, is optimized for efficient power management, with users often reporting a full day of use even with heavy activity [19, 36].

Memory (GB)

3 GB

12 GB

Screen quality

The visual experience offered by the displays of the Galaxy A04S and the Galaxy S25 Plus presents a clear distinction in technology and clarity.

  • Display Technology and Clarity: The Galaxy A04S features a 6.5-inch PLS LCD display with HD+ resolution (720 x 1600 pixels) [2, 4]. This provides adequate clarity for general viewing, though some users note moderate sharpness [7]. The Galaxy S25 Plus boasts a 6.7-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X display with a significantly higher QHD+ resolution (1440 x 3120 pixels), resulting in exceptionally sharp text and vibrant, detailed images [17, 21, 28].
  • Brightness and Refresh Rate: The A04S has a maximum brightness of under 400 cd/m², which can make outdoor visibility challenging in bright conditions [3, 5, 7]. It offers a 90Hz refresh rate for smoother scrolling than standard 60Hz screens [2, 4]. The S25 Plus features a high peak brightness of up to 2600 nits, ensuring excellent visibility even in direct sunlight, and an adaptive refresh rate that can scale from 1Hz to 120Hz for fluid motion and power efficiency [18, 22, 28].
  • Viewing Experience: The PLS LCD panel on the A04S can exhibit noticeable shifts in contrast at wider viewing angles [3, 7]. The Dynamic AMOLED 2X display of the S25 Plus provides superior contrast, deep blacks, and consistent color accuracy from virtually any angle, enhancing the overall viewing experience for media consumption and daily use [17].

Resolution

720 x 1600

1440x3120

Audiovisual

The camera systems on the Galaxy A04S and the Galaxy S25 Plus are designed for different photographic needs, from casual snapshots to advanced imaging.

  • Rear Camera Capabilities: The Galaxy A04S includes a triple rear camera setup with a 50-megapixel main sensor, complemented by 2-megapixel macro and depth sensors [2, 4]. It performs well in good lighting conditions, capturing decent sharpness and natural colors [5]. However, it lacks an ultrawide lens and struggles with low-light photography [3, 5, 7]. The Galaxy S25 Plus features a versatile triple camera system, typically comprising a 50-megapixel main sensor, a 12-megapixel ultrawide lens, and a 10-megapixel telephoto lens with 3x optical zoom [17, 28]. This setup allows for a wider range of photographic scenarios, including detailed zoomed shots and expansive landscape photos.
  • Low-Light and Video Performance: For the A04S, low-light photos are generally acceptable for its class, but lack detail and dynamic range [5, 7]. Video recording is limited to 1080p at 30 frames per second [4, 5]. The S25 Plus excels in various lighting conditions, offering advanced computational photography for improved low-light performance and high-quality video recording, including 8K resolution [22, 34].
  • Front Camera and Audio: The A04S has a 5-megapixel front camera that produces decent selfies in good lighting [4, 5]. The S25 Plus features a higher-resolution 12-megapixel front camera, often with autofocus, providing clearer and more detailed self-portraits and video calls [17]. Both devices include speakers, with the S25 Plus typically offering a more robust and immersive audio experience for media consumption. The A04S retains a 3.5mm headphone jack, which is absent on the S25 Plus [2, 4].

Miscellaneous

Beyond core features, several practical elements differentiate the user experience between the Galaxy A04S and the Galaxy S25 Plus.

  • Connectivity and Ports: The Galaxy A04S supports 4G LTE, Wi-Fi 5, and Bluetooth 5.0, providing standard wireless connectivity [3, 4, 8]. It includes a USB-C 2.0 port for charging and data transfer, and notably, a 3.5mm headphone jack [4]. The Galaxy S25 Plus offers advanced connectivity with 5G support, the latest Wi-Fi standards (expected Wi-Fi 7), and Bluetooth 5.4, ensuring faster data speeds and more reliable connections [25]. It features a more advanced USB-C port, but typically omits the 3.5mm headphone jack.
  • Security and Sensors: The A04S incorporates a side-mounted fingerprint sensor for biometric security [2]. It lacks NFC, meaning it cannot be used for contactless payments [3, 14]. The S25 Plus includes an under-display fingerprint sensor and often face recognition for secure unlocking. It supports NFC for mobile payments and other contactless functions, along with Ultra-Wideband (UWB) for enhanced spatial awareness and device tracking [22].
  • Design and Handling: The A04S has a plastic build and weighs around 195 grams [2, 7]. Its dimensions are 164.7 x 76.7 x 9.1 mm [2]. The S25 Plus features a more refined design with premium materials, often weighing slightly more but offering a more balanced feel in hand [22, 25]. Its dimensions are typically around 158.5 x 75.9 x 7.7 mm, making it slightly more compact despite its larger screen size due to thinner bezels [25, 27].

Weight

195 g

190 g

Screen size (in)

6.5

6.7

Mobile network

4G

5G

SIM card

Dual Physical SIM

Dual Physical SIM

Carrier compatibility

Unlocked

Unlocked

The Samsung Galaxy A04S and Galaxy S25 Plus cater to distinct user needs and expectations. Users of the Galaxy A04S often praise its long battery life and the presence of a headphone jack, making it a practical choice for essential communication and basic media consumption [10, 23]. However, common criticisms include its sluggish performance, particularly with multitasking and demanding apps, and a display that struggles in bright outdoor conditions [5, 10, 14, 24].

Conversely, the Galaxy S25 Plus receives acclaim for its powerful performance, vibrant and bright display, and advanced camera capabilities, making it well-suited for users who demand a premium smartphone experience for productivity, gaming, and high-quality photography [12, 19, 22]. Some users of previous S-series Plus models have noted concerns about battery drain under heavy use or with certain chipsets, though overall satisfaction with performance and display remains high [12, 19, 30].

Users prioritizing extended software support, robust performance for demanding applications, and a high-quality visual and photographic experience will find the Galaxy S25 Plus aligns better with their needs. For those seeking a device primarily for communication, basic internet use, and long battery life without requiring advanced features or top-tier performance, the Galaxy A04S remains a functional option. When considering either device, exploring quality-assured refurbished options can provide an eco-friendly alternative.

See all articles

Our recent comparisons