Galaxy A06 Vs Galaxy Z Fold4

Galaxy A06
Galaxy A06
Starting at

Refurbished price:108.00

Versus €186.96 new

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Galaxy Z Fold4
Galaxy Z Fold4
Starting at

Refurbished price:470.00

Versus €1,799.00 new

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Ratings

The Samsung Galaxy A05s, released in October 2023, represents an entry-level smartphone designed for essential daily tasks, while the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold4, launched in August 2022, is a premium foldable device offering a versatile, tablet-like experience. These two Android-based smartphones cater to vastly different user needs, primarily distinguished by their form factor, performance capabilities, and advanced features. The A05s focuses on core smartphone functionalities in a traditional design, whereas the Z Fold4 provides a unique folding display for enhanced productivity and media consumption.

Scores

Durability

The longevity of a smartphone is influenced by its release timeline, software support, and physical resilience. The Galaxy A05s and Galaxy Z Fold4 offer different expectations in these areas.

  • Release Timeline and Software Support: The Galaxy A05s, released in October 2023, launched with Android 13 and is expected to receive at least two major Android OS updates, potentially up to Android 15, along with up to four years of security updates. In contrast, the Galaxy Z Fold4, released in August 2022, launched with Android 12L and was promised four major Android OS updates, extending to Android 16, and five years of security updates, which would last until 2027. This means the Z Fold4, despite being older, has a longer guaranteed software update period remaining.
  • Physical Durability: The Galaxy A05s features a glass front with a plastic back and frame, offering standard durability for an entry-level device. The Galaxy Z Fold4, a more complex device, incorporates Gorilla Glass Victus+ on its cover screen and back, an aluminum frame, and boasts an IPX8 water resistance rating, indicating protection against submersion in water. However, the folding mechanism and inner screen of the Z Fold4 introduce unique considerations for long-term mechanical durability, though user reports suggest it holds up well with careful handling.
  • Repairability: While specific repairability scores can vary by region, the traditional design of the A05s generally makes it more straightforward to repair compared to the intricate, foldable design of the Z Fold4. The Z Fold4's advanced engineering, while enabling its unique form factor, can lead to more complex and potentially costly repairs if internal components are damaged.

Year of Release

2024

2022

OS

Android

Android

Foldable

No

Yes

Performance

Performance varies significantly between these two devices, reflecting their different market segments and intended uses.

  • Processing Power: The Galaxy A05s is equipped with a processor designed for everyday tasks, handling common applications and light multitasking. Users generally find it suitable for basic smartphone functions, though it may exhibit slower responses during quick app switching or when managing multiple demanding applications simultaneously. The Galaxy Z Fold4, on the other hand, features a high-end processor built for intensive tasks, ensuring smooth operation for demanding apps, advanced multitasking, and graphic-intensive gaming.
  • Multitasking and Responsiveness: With its processing capabilities, the A05s provides a functional experience for typical daily usage. The Z Fold4, supported by its powerful internal components and 12GB of RAM, offers a highly responsive experience, allowing users to run multiple applications side-by-side on its larger inner display without noticeable slowdowns.
  • Storage Options: The A05s offers internal storage options of 64GB or 128GB, with the added flexibility of expandable storage via a microSD card. The Z Fold4 provides more generous internal storage options, ranging from 256GB to 1TB, but it does not support expandable storage.
  • Battery Behavior: Both devices feature substantial battery capacities. The A05s has a 5000mAh battery, which users report can comfortably last a full day, and often extends to two days with lighter usage. The Z Fold4, with its 4400mAh battery, is also noted by users to provide a full day of power under regular use, despite powering two displays. Both support 25W wired fast charging.

Memory (GB)

4 GB

12 GB

Screen quality

The display technologies and user experiences offered by the Galaxy A05s and Galaxy Z Fold4 are fundamentally different.

  • Display Technology and Resolution: The Galaxy A05s features a 6.7-inch PLS LCD display with a Full HD+ resolution (1080 x 2400 pixels). This provides clear visuals for general content consumption. The Galaxy Z Fold4 offers a dual-screen setup: a 6.2-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X cover display and a 7.6-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X foldable inner display. Both Z Fold4 displays offer vibrant colors, deep blacks, and high resolutions (2316 x 904 for the cover, 2176 x 1812 for the main).
  • Refresh Rate and Brightness: The A05s has a 90Hz refresh rate, contributing to smoother scrolling compared to standard 60Hz displays. The Z Fold4's displays both feature an adaptive 120Hz refresh rate, providing a fluid visual experience and optimizing power efficiency. The AMOLED technology in the Z Fold4 also allows for higher peak brightness, enhancing visibility in bright outdoor conditions compared to the A05s's LCD panel.
  • Viewing Experience and Form Factor: The A05s offers a traditional flat-screen experience suitable for everyday media and browsing. The Z Fold4's foldable design allows for a compact phone experience when closed and expands into a large, tablet-like display when open, ideal for multitasking, reading, and immersive media viewing. The inner display of the Z Fold4 also supports S Pen input for enhanced productivity.

Resolution

720 x 1600

1812 x 2176

Screen type

PLS LCD

Foldable Dynamic AMOLED 2X

Audiovisual

The camera systems of the Galaxy A05s and Galaxy Z Fold4 are designed for different levels of photographic capability and versatility.

  • Rear Camera System: The Galaxy A05s includes a triple rear camera setup with a 50MP main sensor, a 2MP macro lens, and a 2MP depth sensor. This configuration is suitable for basic photography in good lighting conditions. The Galaxy Z Fold4 features a more advanced triple camera system, including a 50MP wide-angle main sensor with optical image stabilization (OIS), a 12MP ultra-wide lens, and a 10MP telephoto lens with 3x optical zoom and OIS. This setup provides greater flexibility and image quality across various scenarios.
  • Photography Performance: In everyday lighting, the A05s captures decent photos for its category, though it may struggle with detail in low-light environments, and its selfie camera can apply aggressive post-processing. The Z Fold4's camera system, which shares similarities with other flagship devices, delivers vibrant and detailed images in diverse lighting conditions, including improved low-light performance. Its telephoto lens allows for clear zoomed-in shots.
  • Video Recording and Additional Features: The A05s supports video recording up to 1080p at 60 frames per second, without optical image stabilization. The Z Fold4 offers higher-resolution video recording, including 8K at 24 frames per second, and benefits from OIS on its main and telephoto lenses for more stable footage. The Z Fold4 also features an under-display camera on its main screen and a cover screen camera, offering multiple options for video calls and selfies.

Miscellaneous

Beyond core features, several practical elements differentiate the user experience of these two devices.

  • Connectivity: The Galaxy A05s supports 4G LTE networks, along with Wi-Fi 5 (802.11 a/b/g/n/ac) and Bluetooth 5.1. It lacks NFC, meaning it cannot be used for contactless payments. The Galaxy Z Fold4 offers more advanced connectivity, including 5G network support, Wi-Fi 6E, Bluetooth 5.2, NFC for mobile payments, and Ultra-Wideband (UWB) capabilities for enhanced spatial awareness and device tracking.
  • Ports and Audio: The A05s includes a 3.5mm headphone jack, providing a traditional audio connection, and uses a USB Type-C 2.0 port for charging and data transfer. The Z Fold4 foregoes the headphone jack, relying on its USB Type-C 3.2 port for audio, charging, and faster data transfer. Both devices feature loudspeakers for media playback.
  • Biometric Security and Design: Both smartphones incorporate a side-mounted fingerprint sensor for secure unlocking. The A05s has a conventional slab design with a plastic build, measuring 168 x 77.8 x 8.8 mm and weighing 194g. The Z Fold4, with its foldable design, is significantly more compact when closed (155.1 x 67.1 x 14.2-15.8 mm) and expands into a larger, thinner device when unfolded (155.1 x 130.1 x 6.3 mm), weighing 263g. Its premium build materials include glass and aluminum.

Weight

189 g

263 g

Screen size (in)

6.7

7.6

Network

4G

5G

SIM card

Dual Physical SIM

Dual Physical SIM + eSIM

Carrier compatibility

Unlocked

Unlocked

Connector

USB-C + Jack 3.5mm

USB-C

User feedback for the Galaxy A05s often praises its long battery life and large display for its segment, making it a practical choice for essential smartphone functions. However, some users note its performance can be sluggish during multitasking and that the camera, while adequate, is not its strongest feature, particularly in challenging lighting. The absence of NFC is also a frequent point of criticism for users who rely on contactless payments.

The Galaxy Z Fold4 receives commendation for its innovative foldable design, offering a unique blend of smartphone portability and tablet-like productivity. Users appreciate its powerful performance, versatile camera system, and the immersive experience of its large inner display for media and multitasking. Common concerns include its weight and thickness when folded, the visible crease on the inner display, and the overall durability of the folding screen, though many find these trade-offs acceptable for the functionality it provides.

Users prioritizing a straightforward, long-lasting device for communication, browsing, and light media consumption may find the Galaxy A05s well-suited to their needs. It offers a reliable experience for daily essentials. For those seeking a device that pushes the boundaries of smartphone functionality, offering a large, adaptable screen for advanced multitasking, creative work, and immersive entertainment, the Galaxy Z Fold4 presents a compelling option. Its robust performance and advanced features cater to users who value versatility and a premium experience.

Both models, whether new or as quality-assured refurbished options, provide distinct advantages depending on individual user priorities and usage patterns.

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