Samsung's Galaxy A-series is a powerhouse in the global smartphone market, largely thanks to its extensive lineup of budget and entry-level devices. These phones are designed to bring essential smartphone features, reliable performance, and a familiar user experience to the masses. The samsung galaxy a04s was a prime example of this strategy, aiming to provide a solid and affordable option for those who simply need a phone for calls, messaging, and a few basic apps.
At its launch, the samsung galaxy a04s stood out by offering a few key features that were uncommon in its price class, most notably a 90Hz refresh rate display and a large 5,000mAh battery. But in the fast-moving world of technology, even a year or two can make a phone feel outdated. For a consumer today, perhaps looking at a new or refurbished unit, the most important question is: is this phone still a smart purchase? This comprehensive Galaxy A04s review will provide a detailed, honest, and in-depth analysis of the phone from a 2025 perspective. We'll delve into its design, its display, its performance, and its camera to help you determine if this classic is still a smart buy or a relic of the past.
Design & Display: A Basic Build with a 90Hz Surprise
The design of the samsung galaxy a04s is as straightforward as its purpose: it's a basic, no-frills entry-level smartphone. The phone features a plastic back and frame, which is completely expected at this price point. The back has a subtle texture that helps with grip and keeps fingerprints at bay. The camera lenses are arranged vertically and protrude slightly from the back, giving it a clean, minimalist look. The phone feels solid in the hand, but it doesn't have the premium feel of its more expensive siblings.
However, the display is where the phone offers a surprise. The samsung galaxy a04s has a 6.5-inch HD+ LCD display. While the HD+ resolution is a clear sign of its budget status—meaning text and images are not as sharp as they would be on a Full HD+ screen—Samsung added a very compelling feature: a 90Hz refresh rate. For a phone in this price category, a 90Hz display was a major selling point at launch. It makes the user interface feel much smoother and more responsive when scrolling through menus or web pages. Even today, the 90Hz refresh rate is a great feature, and it makes the phone feel faster than its hardware would suggest.
The display’s quality, however, is a different story. The LCD panel lacks the vibrant colors and deep blacks of the AMOLED screens found on more expensive Samsung phones. It also has a V-shaped notch at the top for the selfie camera, which is a design choice that now looks dated. Overall, the display on the samsung galaxy a04s is a mixed bag: the 90Hz refresh rate is a great feature, but the HD+ resolution and LCD technology are clear reminders of its budget status.
Performance & Software: The Exynos 850 and One UI Core
Under the hood, the samsung galaxy a04s is powered by Samsung's own Exynos 850 processor, paired with 3GB or 4GB of RAM. The Exynos 850 was a decent chip for a budget phone at the time, but from a 2025 perspective, the Galaxy A04s performance is undeniably slow. The processor will struggle with multitasking, and running more demanding apps or games will result in significant lag and stuttering. The phone is best suited for basic tasks like calls, messaging, and using social media, but even those can feel sluggish at times.
The software is also a critical component of the user experience. The samsung galaxy a04s shipped with One UI Core, a stripped-down version of Samsung's One UI. While it offers a similar look and feel to more expensive Samsung phones, it lacks some of the features and customization options of the full version. A major point of concern for a potential buyer today is software updates. The Samsung Galaxy A04s, being an entry-level phone, has a much shorter software support window than its more expensive siblings. By 2025, it has likely received its last major Android update. This means it will no longer get new features, and more importantly, it will soon stop receiving crucial security patches. A phone that no longer gets security updates can become a significant security risk, making it a questionable long-term investment.
The Camera & Battery: Essential Features
The camera setup on the samsung galaxy a04s is another area where the phone tries to punch above its weight class. It sports a triple-camera system on the back, headlined by a 50-megapixel main sensor. It also includes a 2-megapixel macro and a 2-megapixel depth sensor. While the high megapixel count might seem impressive, a detailed look at the Galaxy A04s camera reveals that its performance is a mixed bag.
In good lighting conditions, the 50-megapixel main sensor takes decent photos with good detail and color, but it's not a flagship-level camera. Photos often look a bit over-processed, and the dynamic range is limited. In low-light conditions, the camera struggles, and photos are often noisy and lack detail. The macro and depth sensors are also of limited use, as their low resolution makes them impractical for most users. The selfie camera is a basic 5-megapixel sensor that is only suitable for video calls in good lighting. Overall, the camera is functional, but it's not a reason to buy this phone.
One area where the samsung galaxy a04s still shines is its battery life. The phone is equipped with a large 5,000mAh battery, which, combined with the power-efficient Exynos 850 processor and the HD+ display, provides excellent longevity. For an average user, the phone can easily last for a full day of heavy use, and often for a day and a half. The phone supports 15W charging, which is slow by today's standards, but the great battery life means you won't have to charge it as often. This remains a strong point in its favor, as great battery life is a timeless feature.
The Commercial Dilemma: The Samsung Galaxy A04s Price and Value Today
This brings us to the most important question for anyone considering a purchase: is the Samsung Galaxy A04s price a good deal in the current market? The phone can likely be found at a very low price, either new from a retailer clearing old stock or in the used market.
However, a low price doesn't always equal a smart purchase. When you analyze the Galaxy A04s vs competition in 2025, the phone’s weaknesses become apparent, and its value proposition is questionable.
Competition from Newer Samsung Models: Samsung's own product lineup is the biggest competitor. For a similar or slightly higher price, you can find a newer Galaxy A-series phone that offers a more powerful processor, a better camera, and a longer-lasting software support window. These newer phones provide a much better user experience and are a safer long-term investment.
Software and Security Risks: The most significant drawback of buying a samsung galaxy a04s today is its impending lack of software and security updates. This is a critical factor that can affect your phone's functionality and security in the very near future.
Performance Limitations: The Exynos 850 processor, while still functional, is slow by today's standards. It will struggle with demanding apps and will not provide the fluid, fast experience that modern users expect. The phone is best suited for a very basic user who only needs a phone for calls and messaging.
Final Verdict: A Phone for a Different Time
The samsung galaxy a04s was a decent phone for its time. It was a phone that offered a 90Hz refresh rate display and a massive battery at an accessible price point. It was a phone that delivered on its promise of value and was rightly celebrated for it.
But in 2025, the phone's age has caught up with it. The outdated processor, the HD+ display, and, most critically, its limited software and security update support make it a difficult phone to recommend. While the low Galaxy A04s price might seem like a good deal, it is a false economy. The money you save on the initial purchase will be offset by the phone’s limited lifespan and the security risks associated with an outdated operating system. For anyone looking for an entry-level smartphone, the best advice is to look at newer models from Samsung's current lineup or from its competitors. You'll find a phone that offers a better user experience, a more powerful processor, and a longer lifespan for a similar price.