Galaxy A04S Vs Motorola Moto G14

Galaxy A04S
Galaxy A04S
Starting at

Refurbished price:£99.00

Versus £179.00 new

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Motorola Moto G14
Motorola Moto G14
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Ratings

The Samsung Galaxy A04S, released in September 2022, and the Motorola Moto G14, launched in August 2023, are both Android smartphones designed for everyday use. While they share a focus on essential features, the Moto G14 offers a sharper display resolution, whereas the Galaxy A04S provides a smoother screen refresh rate. Both devices operate on the Android platform, offering a familiar user experience with their respective software customizations.

Scores

Durability

When considering the practical lifespan of these devices, their release dates and software support are key factors. The Moto G14, being released nearly a year later, is expected to receive Android operating system updates for a slightly longer duration than the Galaxy A04S, potentially extending its usable life for users who prioritize the latest software features and security patches. Both phones feature plastic constructions, which offer a degree of resilience to everyday bumps.

  • Software Longevity: The Motorola Moto G14 launched with Android 13 and is planned to receive an upgrade to Android 14, along with security updates for up to three years. The Samsung Galaxy A04S, released with Android 12, is eligible for Android 14 (One UI 6.1) and receives quarterly security updates.
  • Build and Protection: Both devices feature plastic frames and backs. The Moto G14 includes a splash-resistant design, offering a minor advantage in protection against accidental spills. The Galaxy A04S has a glass front, plastic back, and plastic frame.
  • Repairability: The Samsung Galaxy A04S has a repairability index score of 7.9 out of 10, indicating good parts availability and ease of disassembly. The Motorola Moto G14 has a repairability score of 5.0 out of 10, suggesting that the use of adhesive for the back cover and battery can make repairs more complex.

Year of Release

2022

2023

Compatible with latest Update

Yes

Yes

OS

Android

Android

Foldable

No

No

Performance

Both smartphones are equipped to handle daily tasks, though with some distinctions in their underlying capabilities. The Moto G14 generally offers a slightly more responsive experience for common applications and light multitasking, thanks to its processing unit. The Galaxy A04S also handles daily tasks adequately, but may exhibit minor delays with more demanding operations. Both devices come with varying RAM and storage configurations.

  • Everyday Responsiveness: The Motorola Moto G14, powered by an octa-core processor, provides adequate performance for daily use, though some users report occasional lag with heavy multitasking or gaming, especially in the 4GB RAM variant. The Samsung Galaxy A04S, also featuring an octa-core processor, is noted by some users to experience occasional lagging when switching apps and may struggle with demanding tasks.
  • Storage and Multitasking: The Moto G14 typically comes with 4GB or 8GB of RAM and 128GB or 256GB of internal storage, which is expandable via microSD. The Galaxy A04S is available with 3GB or 4GB of RAM and 32GB, 64GB, or 128GB of internal storage, also expandable via microSD.
  • Gaming and Heavy Apps: Neither device is designed for intensive gaming or heavy application use. While they can run basic games and common applications, users may encounter performance limitations when pushing the devices with more resource-intensive tasks.

Memory (GB)

3 GB

4 GB

Screen quality

The display experience on these two phones presents a clear trade-off between sharpness and smoothness. Both devices feature 6.5-inch displays, but they differ in resolution and refresh rate, impacting the visual clarity and fluidity of content.

  • Resolution and Clarity: The Motorola Moto G14 features an IPS LCD with a Full HD+ resolution (1080x2400 pixels), resulting in sharper text and more detailed images with a pixel density of 405 ppi. The Samsung Galaxy A04S uses a PLS LCD panel with an HD+ resolution (720x1600 pixels), which is less sharp but still adequate for general viewing, with a pixel density of approximately 270 ppi.
  • Refresh Rate and Smoothness: The Galaxy A04S offers a 90Hz refresh rate, providing a noticeably smoother scrolling experience and more fluid animations compared to the Moto G14's standard 60Hz refresh rate. The Moto G14's 60Hz refresh rate is standard but may appear less fluid during fast-paced content or scrolling.
  • Brightness and Viewing Experience: The Galaxy A04S has a peak brightness of 400 nits, which can be challenging to view in bright outdoor conditions. The Moto G14's IPS LCD panel offers respectable sharpness and colors, though some users note that the color calibration might be slightly off.

Resolution

720 x 1600

1080 x 2400

Screen type

PLS LCD

IPS LCD

Audiovisual

Both smartphones are equipped with camera systems capable of capturing everyday moments, with their primary sensors being the highlight. While both offer a 50-megapixel main camera, there are differences in their secondary lenses and front-facing camera capabilities, as well as their performance in various lighting conditions.

  • Main Camera Performance: Both the Motorola Moto G14 and Samsung Galaxy A04S feature a 50-megapixel main camera. The Moto G14's main camera delivers sharp and detailed daylight shots, with decent low-light capabilities for its segment, enhanced by a dedicated Night mode. The Galaxy A04S also takes decent pictures in daylight conditions with good lighting, handling dynamic range nicely, but struggles in low-light environments.
  • Secondary Lenses and Front Camera: The Moto G14 includes a 2-megapixel macro lens and an 8-megapixel front camera, which provides slightly more detail for selfies and video calls. The Galaxy A04S features a 2-megapixel macro lens and a 2-megapixel depth sensor, along with a 5-megapixel front camera. The practical utility of these low-resolution secondary sensors is often limited on both devices.
  • Video Recording and Audio: Both devices support Full HD video recording at 30 frames per second from their main cameras. The Moto G14 stands out with stereo speakers, offering a more immersive audio experience for media consumption compared to the Galaxy A04S, which typically features a single mono speaker.

Main camera

50 megapixels

50 megapixels

Front camera

5 megapixels

8 megapixels

Miscellaneous

Beyond the core specifications, several practical elements contribute to the overall user experience of these smartphones. These include connectivity options, physical ports, biometric security features, and the overall design and handling characteristics.

  • Connectivity and Ports: Both devices support 4G cellular networks, Wi-Fi 5 (802.11ac), and Bluetooth 5.0, ensuring standard wireless connectivity. Both also include a USB-C port for charging and data transfer, and a 3.5mm headphone jack for wired audio.
  • Biometric Security: For unlocking and security, both the Samsung Galaxy A04S and Motorola Moto G14 feature a side-mounted fingerprint sensor, offering a quick and intuitive way to access the device. The Moto G14 also supports face recognition.
  • Design and Handling: The Motorola Moto G14 is slightly lighter at 177 grams and thinner at 8 mm compared to the Galaxy A04S, which weighs 195 grams and is 9.1 mm thick. The Moto G14's matte finish provides a pleasant grip, while the Galaxy A04S has a glossy plastic build that can attract fingerprints.

Weight

195 g

177 g

Screen size (in)

6.5

6.5

Mobile network

4G

4G

SIM card

Dual Physical SIM

Dual Physical SIM

Carrier compatibility

Unlocked

Unlocked

Connector

USB-C

USB-C + Jack 3.5mm

The Samsung Galaxy A04S and Motorola Moto G14 both cater to users seeking functional smartphones for everyday tasks, each with distinct advantages. User feedback for the Galaxy A04S often praises its battery life and the 90Hz display for smoother scrolling, but some criticisms point to occasional performance lag and a less vibrant display compared to competitors. The Moto G14 generally receives positive remarks for its sharper Full HD+ display, clean software experience, and stereo speakers, though some users note that performance can be mediocre for demanding applications, particularly with lower RAM configurations.

Users prioritizing a smoother visual experience for scrolling and navigation might lean towards the Samsung Galaxy A04S due to its 90Hz refresh rate. Conversely, those who value a sharper, more detailed display for media consumption and a potentially more responsive general user experience may find the Motorola Moto G14 better suited to their needs. The Moto G14 also offers a slightly more robust audio experience with its stereo speakers. Both devices provide reliable battery life for daily use. For those considering a more sustainable choice, both the Galaxy A04S and Moto G14 are available as quality-assured refurbished options, extending their lifecycle and reducing electronic waste.

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