Galaxy A04S Vs Galaxy Z Fold7

Galaxy A04S
Galaxy A04S
Starting at

Refurbished price:£99.00

Versus £179.00 new

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Galaxy Z Fold7
Galaxy Z Fold7
Starting at

Refurbished price:£916.00

Versus £1,799.00 new

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Ratings

The Samsung Galaxy A04s, released in September 2022, and the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold7, launched in July 2025, represent distinct approaches to smartphone design and functionality. While the A04s offers a traditional smartphone experience focused on essential features, the Z Fold7 introduces a foldable form factor, providing a larger, adaptable display for enhanced productivity and entertainment. Both devices operate on the Android platform, but they cater to different user needs through their core specifications and design philosophies.

Scores

Durability

When considering the longevity of these devices, their respective release timelines and software support policies are key factors.

  • Release Timeline and Age: The Galaxy A04s, released in September 2022, is an older model compared to the Galaxy Z Fold7, which launched in July 2025. This age difference directly impacts the remaining period of official software and security updates.
  • OS Support Duration: The Galaxy A04s launched with Android 12 and is upgradable to Android 14. The Galaxy Z Fold7, however, launched with Android 16 and is expected to receive up to seven major Android OS upgrades, offering a significantly longer period of software support and access to future features. [14, 17, 29]
  • Expected Practical Lifespan: Users prioritizing the latest software and security updates for an extended period will find the Z Fold7 offers a longer practical lifespan due to its newer release and more extensive update commitment. The A04s will continue to function, but its software support window is naturally shorter.

Year of Release

2022

2025

Compatible with latest Update

Yes

Yes

OS

Android

Android

Foldable

No

Yes

Performance

The performance capabilities of the Galaxy A04s and the Galaxy Z Fold7 differ significantly, reflecting their distinct design and target user experiences.

  • Processor Capabilities: The Galaxy A04s is equipped with a processor designed for everyday tasks and efficient handling of low to mid-setting mobile games and general browsing. [1, 5] In contrast, the Galaxy Z Fold7 features a current-generation flagship processor, enabling smooth operation of demanding applications, intensive multitasking, and high-performance gaming without noticeable slowdowns. [3, 17, 19]
  • Multitasking and Responsiveness: The A04s provides a responsive experience for typical smartphone usage, but the Z Fold7 excels in multitasking, allowing users to run and view multiple applications simultaneously on its expansive display with fluid transitions. [17] Its higher RAM capacity further supports this advanced multitasking. [3, 14, 19]
  • Storage Options: The Galaxy A04s offers storage options up to 128GB, with the flexibility of expandable storage via a microSD card up to 1TB. [1, 6] The Galaxy Z Fold7 provides larger internal storage configurations, ranging from 256GB up to 1TB, but it does not support external memory expansion. [3, 14, 19]

Memory (GB)

3 GB

12 GB

Screen quality

The display technologies and viewing experiences offered by these two devices are fundamentally different, catering to varied user preferences and use cases.

  • Display Technology and Resolution: The Galaxy A04s features a 6.5-inch PLS LCD display with an HD+ resolution, providing clear visuals for daily content consumption. [1, 6] The Galaxy Z Fold7, on the other hand, boasts a foldable 8-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X main display and a 6.5-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X cover display, both offering significantly higher resolutions and vibrant colors with deep blacks. [3, 17, 24]
  • Refresh Rate and Smoothness: The A04s offers a 90Hz refresh rate, contributing to smoother scrolling and a more fluid visual experience compared to standard 60Hz displays. [1, 6] The Z Fold7's displays feature an adaptive 120Hz refresh rate, which dynamically adjusts to content for exceptionally smooth scrolling, gaming, and video playback, enhancing overall visual fluidity. [3, 17, 24]
  • Brightness and Viewing Experience: With a peak brightness of 400 nits, the A04s display is suitable for indoor use and moderate outdoor conditions. [2, 5] The Z Fold7's displays reach a peak brightness of 2600 nits, ensuring excellent visibility even in bright outdoor environments and delivering a more immersive and detailed viewing experience for media and productivity. [3, 17, 24]

Resolution

720 x 1600

1968 x 2184

Audiovisual

The camera systems of the Galaxy A04s and the Galaxy Z Fold7 are designed for different levels of photographic capability and versatility.

  • Rear Camera System: The Galaxy A04s is equipped with a triple rear camera setup, featuring a 50MP main sensor for clear everyday photos, complemented by 2MP macro and depth sensors for specific effects. [1, 6] The Galaxy Z Fold7 offers a more advanced triple rear camera system, including a 200MP main sensor, a 12MP ultra-wide lens, and a 10MP telephoto lens with 3x optical zoom, providing greater detail, wider perspectives, and optical zoom capabilities. [3, 18, 19]
  • Low-Light and Video Performance: The A04s is capable of capturing decent photos in well-lit conditions and records video at 1080p at 30 frames per second. [6, 12] The Z Fold7's advanced sensors and computational photography, including its ProVisual Engine, are designed for superior performance across various lighting conditions, and all its cameras support 4K video recording at 60 frames per second, with the ability to switch between lenses during recording. [11, 18]
  • Front Camera and Audio: The A04s features a 5MP front camera for selfies and video calls. [1, 6] The Z Fold7 includes a 10MP camera on its cover screen and a 4MP under-display camera on its main screen, offering higher resolution for selfies and video conferencing. [3, 18] For audio, the Z Fold7 provides an enhanced media consumption experience with features like Dolby Atmos surround sound. [17]

Miscellaneous

Beyond core performance, several practical elements differentiate the Galaxy A04s and the Galaxy Z Fold7 in terms of connectivity, design, and user interaction.

  • Connectivity Options: The Galaxy A04s supports 4G LTE networks, Wi-Fi 5, and Bluetooth 5.0, providing standard wireless connectivity. [1, 2, 9] The Galaxy Z Fold7 is equipped with 5G capabilities, the latest Wi-Fi 7 standard, and Bluetooth 5.4, offering faster data speeds and more robust wireless connections. [11, 14, 19]
  • Ports and Sensors: Both devices feature a USB-C port for charging and data transfer. The A04s retains a 3.5mm headphone jack, which is absent on the Z Fold7. [1, 9] The A04s has a side-mounted fingerprint sensor, while the Z Fold7 also includes fingerprint ID, along with advanced facial recognition. [1, 9, 11]
  • Build Materials and Handling: The Galaxy A04s has a glass front with a plastic back and frame, weighing 195g and measuring 9.1mm thick. [1, 2] The Galaxy Z Fold7 utilizes premium materials like Gorilla Glass Victus 2 and Ultra-Thin Glass, with an aluminum frame, and is designed to be thinner and lighter, measuring 8.9mm when folded and 4.2mm when unfolded, and weighing 215g. [7, 11, 14, 19] It also boasts an IP48 rating for dust and water resistance. [7]

Weight

195 g

187 g

Screen size (in)

6.5

8

Mobile network

4G

5G

SIM card

Dual Physical SIM

Dual Physical SIM + eSIM

Carrier compatibility

Unlocked

Unlocked

Connector

USB-C

USB-C

The Samsung Galaxy A04s and Galaxy Z Fold7 cater to distinct user needs, with each device receiving praise for its specific strengths and facing common criticisms.

Users often commend the Galaxy A04s for its reliable battery life and its ability to handle everyday smartphone functions effectively. [1, 5] It is frequently noted for providing a solid, no-frills experience for communication and basic media consumption. Criticisms typically revolve around its display brightness and the use of plastic in its construction, which some users perceive as less premium. [5]

The Galaxy Z Fold7 is widely praised for its innovative foldable design, offering a large, immersive display that enhances multitasking and media viewing. [17, 19] Its powerful performance and significantly upgraded camera system are also frequently highlighted as major advantages. [3, 11, 18] However, a recurring concern among users of the Z Fold series, including the Z Fold7, is the battery capacity, which has remained consistent across several generations despite the device's advanced features and larger screen. [13, 15, 21]

Users prioritizing a straightforward, dependable smartphone for essential tasks and extended battery life may find the Galaxy A04s well-suited to their needs. Conversely, users who require a versatile device for advanced multitasking, immersive entertainment, high-quality photography, and are drawn to cutting-edge technology will likely lean towards the Galaxy Z Fold7. For those considering either option, exploring quality-assured refurbished alternatives can provide an eco-friendly choice for acquiring these devices.

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