Samsung Galaxy A04e: Not Worth the Savings (259 User Reviews Analyzed)

💡Quick Summary

  • 📊 We analyzed 259 user reviews of the Samsung Galaxy A04e to uncover its real-world pros and cons.
  • ✅ Exceptional value is the key draw, with 93% of users feeling their overall satisfaction outweighs the phone's low price.
  • ⚠️ Performance is a critical flaw, with a positive rating scoring 26 points below the category average, leading to freezes and daily lag.
  • 🔻 The camera is a major regression, scoring 16 points below the category average, with many users claiming it’s worse than the older Samsung A03.
  • 🏁 It's outclassed by rivals like the Motorola Moto G24, which beats its performance score by a significant 13 points.
  • 💡 Bottom line: Perfect for the most basic users, but the slow performance and weak camera make it a frustrating compromise for anyone else.

What did we cover?

💡We count the number of positive, negative, and neutral mentions and calculate the percentage of positives for each aspect we are covering. Then, we compare them to the category and similar products.

We analyzed 259 verified reviews for the Samsung Galaxy A04e to see how it performs in the real world. Our process is direct. We read what actual owners said and identified the key features they discussed most, from performance and battery life to the camera and design. We then tallied every positive and negative comment for each of these features. This gives us a clear percentage score for every part of the phone, showing exactly what people think after using it every day.

💰 Value for Money: Great Price, Hidden Costs

For the Samsung Galaxy A04e, the perception of its value for money is overwhelmingly positive, driven by a deep sense of satisfaction that what you get is more than what you pay for.

The feeling of securing a bargain from a trusted brand is the central pillar of the A04e’s appeal. An impressive 93% of users feel their overall satisfaction outweighs the cost, a figure that stands a full 9 percentage points above the category average of 84%.

This isn’t just a number; it reflects a genuine belief that the phone delivers exceptional value. Buyers repeatedly express that “for the price, it exceeds expectations,” making it a go-to choice for those who don’t require high-end features.

As one user aptly put it, “For those who don’t need sophisticated features, it’s a great phone,” highlighting its role as a reliable, no-frills device perfect for daily use, or as a sensible first phone for children and older relatives.

Unexpected Costs & Missing Items

However, this satisfaction with the initial price can be soured by what’s not included in the box. Discussions around unexpected costs or missing items score a low 33% in positive sentiment, revealing a significant point of friction. While this is better than the category average of 21%, the frustration is tangible.

Users are disappointed by missing accessories, noting, “I missed the headphones that don’t come with it.” More critically, the limited internal storage can create an unforeseen expense that undermines the initial value.

One user captured this sentiment perfectly:

There is no storage space, and to spend on a 1TB SD Card, I should have taken a better handset for that money. I really thought this was value for money… Samsung, you fell really short with this one.

For these users, the “great deal” quickly became a financial compromise.

Competitive Comparison

This dynamic becomes even clearer when placed against its Motorola rivals. The Galaxy A04e’s exceptional price-to-satisfaction score of 93% edges out competitors like the Motorola Moto E13 and G24, which both sit at 89%. This suggests that when it comes to the core feeling of value, Samsung holds a slight advantage.

Yet, the story flips when considering the complete package. While the A04e disappoints with missing items, the Moto E13 is a far worse offender, scoring an abysmal 0% in this area. In contrast, the Moto G24 and E14 perform much better, at 60% and 56% respectively, indicating a buyer is more likely to get a complete, ready-to-use package from them.

This presents a clear decision: opt for the A04e’s slightly superior core value, or choose a competitor for a more comprehensive out-of-the-box experience.

Trade-Off: The Samsung Galaxy A04e offers outstanding foundational value for its price, but this comes at the cost of essential in-box accessories and sufficient storage, which can lead to frustrating hidden expenses.

📸 Camera: Compromise for Cost

When evaluating the camera on the Samsung Galaxy A04e, users paint a picture of functionality over flair. For those seeking a device for basic, everyday photography, the camera is often deemed sufficient. With a 62% positive score for image and video quality, many users find it delivers acceptable results relative to its low cost.

This sentiment is captured by one owner who noted:

Excellent cameras, the image quality is very good for its cost.

Another user was even pleasantly surprised by its performance in challenging conditions, stating:

I took some photos in a dimly lit space, and the result was highly applauded and commented on by my friends.

This suggests it can occasionally exceed the low expectations set by its price point.

Camera Disappointment

However, the camera is a significant source of user disappointment, a fact underscored by its performance data. The A04e’s 62% positive rating for image quality falls a dramatic 16 percentage points below the 78% category average, revealing a substantial gap between this device and what users typically expect from a modern smartphone camera.

This isn’t just a number; it’s a frustration felt by users who notice a lack of progress. As one owner bluntly stated:

Its camera is of lower quality than the Samsung a03 and is equal to the J line; I have a J6 and the camera is the same.

This comparison to much older models highlights a feeling of stagnation, a sentiment echoed by another user who reported performance degradation over time:

Over time, the camera became more yellow and not as good as when I first bought it.

Competitive Context

This underperformance becomes even more pronounced when placed in the context of its direct competitors. The Motorola Moto E13, for example, achieves a 75% positive rating for its camera—a full 13 points higher than the Galaxy A04e.

For potential buyers, this difference is critical. It means that within the same budget-friendly category, a rival phone offers a demonstrably more reliable and satisfying photography experience, making the A04e’s camera a notable point of compromise.

Trade-Off: Users are clearly trading modern camera performance and quality for the Galaxy A04e’s affordable price.

✨ Design: Looks Great, Feels Cheap

The design of the Samsung Galaxy A04e is one of its most celebrated features, yet a story of striking contrasts lies just beneath the surface. Users are overwhelmingly drawn to its visual appeal, driven by an impressive 92% positive sentiment for its aesthetics, a score that sits a full 4 percentage points above the category average.

This isn’t just a number; it translates into a genuine sense of pride and satisfaction for owners, with one user noting,

The phone is so cool, it’s like an iPhone,

while another praised its

sleek shape and color are perfect.

This aspirational look makes the budget-friendly phone feel more valuable than it is.

Build Quality and Key Omissions

However, this visual satisfaction is tempered by feelings about the phone’s substance. The factor for build quality and materials scores a modest 77%, an almost negligible 1 point above the category average, revealing a point of user ambivalence.

A key source of this disappointment is the tangible feel of the device, with one user bluntly stating,

I found the external case fragile, light, seems to be made of plastic.

This feeling is compounded by a significant design omission: the lack of a fingerprint sensor. This decision creates daily friction for users, as one explained,

What I missed was having a digital unlock, because the face unlock fails a lot in recognition.

Handling and Competitor Comparison

This internal conflict between look and feel becomes even clearer when placed against its rivals. The A04e’s 77% build quality score noticeably trails competitors like the Motorola Moto E13 (84%) and Moto E14 (83%), suggesting that buyers prioritizing a sturdier, more durable feel might find better options elsewhere.

Yet, Samsung scores a decisive victory in handling, where its 82% positive score for size and ergonomics far outpaces the Moto E13’s 61%. This means the A04e delivers a superior in-hand experience for many, who find it

compact, easy to take to parties

and appreciate that

the screen is also large at 6 inches, comfortable to use,

making it a more practical daily companion despite its less robust materials.

Trade-Off: Users receive a device that looks and handles like a more expensive product, but this comes at the cost of a noticeably plastic build and the frustrating omission of a fingerprint sensor.

🐌 Performance: Slow for Most

When evaluating the performance of the Samsung Galaxy A04e, a deeply divided user experience emerges. For a specific type of user, the device is perfectly adequate. These owners, who have modest expectations, contribute to its 57% positive score for processing power and find it suitable for minimal tasks.

They describe it as a device that

met expectations for basic daily needs like messaging and short videos

or is

excellent for people with very reasonable usage.

For some, this means the phone is ideal for a limited role, with one user noting,

it’s more than enough for a child’s use.

A few even find surprising capability in niche areas, like one student who reported that

multitasking runs smoothly and its split-screen and pop-up screen functions are very efficient for my university tasks.

Widespread Frustration

However, this conditional satisfaction is overshadowed by widespread frustration. The phone’s 57% positive rating for processing power and speed plummets a staggering 26 points below the category average of 83%. This immense gap isn’t just a number; it translates into daily aggravation for a majority of users.

They report a device that is simply

very, very slow,

with one person lamenting,

Its performance is too weak, slow processing.

This sluggishness manifests in concrete ways, as users report that

navigation can get slow at times even without many things open

and that basic functions can fail unexpectedly, like when one user’s phone

froze when trying the BeautyPlus feature.

The experience leaves many feeling they made a mistake, with some anticipating future issues:

I know that after a few months, it will start to lag.

Competitive Context

This performance deficit becomes even clearer in a competitive context. While the Galaxy A04e’s processing speed score of 57% is on par with the Motorola Moto E13, it is significantly outclassed by the Moto G24, which boasts a 70% positive rating.

This 13-point difference represents the gap between a frequently lagging device and a much smoother daily operation, offering a compelling alternative for buyers wary of the frustrations detailed by A04e owners. For many, this comparison would highlight that a slight shift in budget or brand choice could mean escaping the core performance issues that define the A04e experience.

Trade-Off: The A04e’s performance is a stark compromise, acceptable only for the most basic of users who are willing to exchange a low price for a slow and often frustrating experience.

🤖 Software & OS: Intuition vs. Instability

For the Samsung Galaxy A04e, the Software and Operating System experience is a story of surprising delight set against a backdrop of frustrating instability. Users widely praise the phone for an exceptionally intuitive interface, a factor that scores a 79% positive rating, outpacing the category average by five percentage points.

This simplicity is a major selling point, especially for those who are less tech-savvy. One user expressed this relief, saying:

Wonderful, easy to handle because I’m old and don’t understand it very well, but I learned quickly how to handle it.

Beyond just basic accessibility, others found unexpected power in the software, with one student noting, “its split-screen and pop-up screen functions are very efficient for doing my university tasks.”

Software Stability and Bloatware

However, this smooth user interface is undermined by significant concerns about software stability. While its 47% positive score in this area is a full 20 points higher than the dismal category average, it still means that a majority of user comments point to problems.

For some, these are not minor glitches but catastrophic failures that render the device useless. One customer reported a dire situation:

I bought mine on July 17, 2023… but today, on August 6, 2023, it simply turned off and won’t turn on anymore.

Others face persistent bugs that disrupt daily use, such as the phone restarting on its own “several times a day, across various apps,” or the irritation of pre-installed bloatware, as one user lamented:

it’s a shame it comes with so many unnecessary apps that you can’t uninstall.

Competitive Landscape

Despite these serious flaws, the Galaxy A04e’s software finds its redemption when compared to its direct competitors. The A04e’s 47% positive score for stability, while low, appears robust when set against the extremely low scores of the Motorola Moto E13 (10%) and Moto G24 (22%).

This vast difference suggests that while buying the A04e carries a risk of software issues, that risk is substantially lower than with its key rivals. For buyers in this budget-conscious segment, the choice is not between a perfect device and the A04e, but between its known issues and the apparently more frequent and frustrating problems found elsewhere.

Trade-Off: You get a remarkably user-friendly interface that outperforms its class, but you must accept the significant risk of encountering software bugs and stability issues that its competitors suffer from even more frequently.

🔋 Battery: Long Life, Slow Charge

For the Samsung Galaxy A04e, the story of its battery is one of stark contrasts. While owners overwhelmingly celebrate its endurance, a significant frustration lurks behind the scenes, creating a deeply divided user experience.

The phone’s ability to last is a massive draw, but how it gets there is a source of major complaint.

Exceptional Battery Life

The core of the positive sentiment is driven by exceptional battery life. With a positive mention rate of 87% for this single factor—a full 13 points above the category average of 74%—users feel a genuine sense of freedom and reliability.

This isn’t just about avoiding a midday charge; it’s about confidence. As one owner explained:

I’ve had my Samsung Galaxy A04e for a month… the battery lasts all day. I use it for my university tasks and even for gaming, and it’s very efficient.

This sentiment is echoed by others who feel that “with its large battery, the usage time is very comfortable,” allowing them to use their device without anxiously watching the power level.

Frustrating Charging Speed

However, this impressive longevity is severely undermined by one glaring issue: charging speed. While the battery holds its charge well, replenishing it is a test of patience for many. The frustration is palpable in user reviews.

One owner described the experience in stark terms:

The charger is sooooo slow when charging; it can take more than 6 hours.

Another user, who was otherwise happy, called it the phone’s “only flaw,” stating the charger “takes a very long time to charge.” This core problem is compounded by reports of faulty accessories, with one user noting, “The charger was faulty after just one week,” and another pointing out a regional issue:

the only bad thing is that the charger is not suitable for use in Mexico.

Competitive Landscape

This dual experience puts the Galaxy A04e in a fascinating position against its rivals. Its 87% positive score for battery life puts it in a statistical tie with the Motorola Moto G24 (85%) but gives it a decisive advantage over other key competitors like the Motorola Moto E13 (54%) and Moto E14 (66%).

For a potential buyer weighing their options, the A04e’s superior stamina is a powerful selling point, promising a more dependable all-day experience than most of its peers. The crucial question is whether that long-lasting power is worth the long, frustrating wait to get it back.

Trade-Off: Users gain exceptional all-day battery endurance at the significant cost of frustratingly slow and lengthy charging times.

Bottom Line

  • ✅ Exceptional initial value, with a 93% satisfaction rating, but this is undermined by unexpected costs for essentials like SD cards, which have a low 33% positive sentiment.
  • ⚠️ Performance is the biggest failure, with a “very, very slow” experience scoring just 57% for speed—a staggering 26 points below the category average.
  • 🔻 Feels like a downgrade, with users calling its camera “lower quality than the Samsung a03” and its 62% image quality score falling 16 points below average.
  • 🏁 Lags significantly behind rivals like the Motorola Moto G24, which offers a much smoother experience with a 13-point advantage in performance ratings.
  • 🔋 Excellent all-day battery life (87% positive score) is a major highlight, but it’s severely undercut by extremely slow charging that users report can take over 6 hours.
  • 💡 The ultimate budget phone for very basic users who prioritize a low price and long battery life above all else and can tolerate major performance and camera compromises.