Edward Collins
Nov 22, 2023
In the competitive landscape of budget-friendly smartphones, the Samsung Galaxy A14 5G emerges as a standout choice, blending commendable performance, a promising 5G feature, and an attractive software upgrade policy. However, despite its notable strengths, certain compromises may give potential buyers pause.
| Pros | Cons |
| Expansive and vibrant display with a 90Hz refresh rate | Lack of dust or water resistance |
| Admirable performance for its price range | Sunlight visibility issues with the screen |
| Excellent software update commitment | — |
The Samsung Galaxy A14 5G showcases noticeable enhancements compared to its predecessor, the Galaxy A13. The device boasts a slightly larger 6.6-inch screen, maintaining a 90Hz refresh rate while significantly elevating resolution from 1,600 by 720 pixels to a crisp 2,400 by 1,080 pixels. This upgrade substantially enhances the overall sharpness and user experience. In comparison, rivals like the Moto G Play and TCL 40 X 5G offer lower-resolution screens, making the A14 5G stand out.
However, Samsung's choice to cap the screen brightness at 500 nits remains a downside. This limitation poses visibility challenges under bright sunlight, a common issue in the realm of $200 handsets.
Galaxy A14 5G specs at a glance
| A14 | Specs |
| Display Type | PLS LCD, 90Hz |
| Body Dimensions | 167.7 x 78 x 9.1 mm |
| Main Camera | 50 MP, f/1.8, (wide), PDAF |
| Sensors | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, barometer (USA only) |
| CPU | Octa-core (2x2.4 GHz Cortex-A78 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55) - SM-A146B Octa-core (2x2.2 GHz Cortex-A76 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55) - SM-A146P |
| Battery | Li-Po 5000 mAh, non-removable |
| Memory | 64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM |
| Colours | Black, Light Green, Dark Red, Silver |
The Galaxy A14 5G stands as a sizeable device, measuring 6.60 by 3.07 by 0.36 inches (HWD) and weighing 7.13 ounces. While offering a sturdy grip due to a rough-textured plastic rear panel, the device lacks durability assurances. Its unexplained glass type and plastic chassis hint at potential fragility and lack of water resistance, a drawback further highlighted by the absence of an IP rating.
Internally, the phone houses a MediaTek Dimensity 700 processor, continuing from its predecessor, accompanied by 4GB of RAM and 64GB of storage. While the processor's performance is respectable, the limited storage capacity could be a concern considering that only 45GB is available out of the box.
Performance-wise, the Galaxy A14 5G holds its ground, offering smooth operations for everyday tasks. However, it struggles with graphically intense games like Genshin Impact, revealing its limitations in handling such applications.
Battery life, though decent, falls short of expectations. The 5,000mAh battery managed approximately 9 hours and 40 minutes while streaming a YouTube video, an adequate yet not standout performance.
In terms of its 5G capability, the device impressively supports AT&T and T-Mobile bands, showcasing commendable speeds within its limitations.
The camera setup mirrors its predecessor, with a 50MP main camera accompanied by 2MP macro and depth sensors. While capturing quality photos in good lighting conditions, the phone struggles in low-light scenarios, a common trait in budget-friendly devices.
Regarding software, the Galaxy A14 5G arrives with Android 13 and Samsung's One UI 5. The device promises two major Android updates and four years of security patches, offering a competitive software upgrade policy.
Samsung Galaxy A14 5G review: Verdict
Overall, the Samsung Galaxy A14 5G delivers an attractive package for its price, offering impressive display enhancements, decent performance, and a promising 5G feature. However, its compromises in durability, storage, and camera performance may steer some prospective buyers towards other alternatives. Therefore, it is neither underrated nor overrated. It simply depends on what the user wants and can afford. A14 is right in the middle.
