The Samsung Galaxy A14 5G is a budget mid-ranger that offers a decent smartphone experience despite its unimpressive status. The phone has a similar design to this year's flagship models, but made of plastic instead of premium materials. It features a new 6.6-inch display with a 1080p resolution and 90Hz refresh rate, which makes movements on the screen appear smoother. The A14's rear camera setup is identical to its predecessor, consisting of a 50-megapixel main camera, a 2-megapixel macro camera, and a depth sensor. Photos from the main camera are excellent for its class, with good detail, contrast, and dynamic range. However, colors could use some more saturation, and low-light performance is average. The phone's battery life is excellent, with a score of 130 hours in our proprietary tests. It has the same 5,000mAh capacity as last year's model and supports 15W charging, although an adapter isn't included in the box. Unfortunately, the A14 5G's chipset situation is complicated, with different chipsets depending on the market. The US variant uses a Dimensity 700, which delivers average performance for its price range. In contrast, the Indian model features an Exynos 1330 chipset, which is more powerful and appealing to consumers. Overall, the Samsung Galaxy A14 5G offers a solid budget phone experience, with a great display upgrade, good battery life, and decent cameras. However, it's not perfect, and the chipset issue may be a disappointment for some users.
The Samsung Galaxy A14 5G's design is an interesting aspect to discuss. While it may not be the most impressive, it certainly provides a decent smartphone experience. The phone's build quality feels grippy enough and quite solid, which is a pleasant surprise considering its budget-friendly nature. One of the notable features of the A14's design is its flat back panel, which has an interesting vinyl-like texture to it. This textured finish gives the phone a premium feel, although it's not as luxurious as some of Samsung's flagship models. The individual bumps for each of the rear cameras add a touch of sophistication to the overall design. The front of the phone features a new 6.6-inch display with a 1080p resolution and a 90Hz refresh rate. While this is an LCD panel, it still manages to deliver a sharp image with decent contrast. The absence of color options may be a drawback for some users, but overall, the display is a notable upgrade over last year's model. The phone's dimensions are quite standard, making it easy to hold and use in everyday life. However, it does feel slightly larger than other budget smartphones on the market. The headphone jack and single bottom-firing speaker are nice touches, adding to the phone's overall usability. Overall, the Samsung Galaxy A14 5G's design is a decent effort from the company. While it may not be the most impressive, it certainly provides a solid foundation for a budget smartphone. With some minor tweaks and refinements, it could potentially become a serious contender in the mid-range market.
The Samsung Galaxy A14 5G boasts an impressive battery life, which is one of its standout features. The phone comes with the same 5000mAh battery capacity as its predecessor, but in our tests, it delivered even more hours of usage. In our proprietary tests, the Galaxy A14 5G scored a respectable 130 hours, which is excellent for a budget phone. This means you can use your phone extensively throughout the day and still have plenty of juice left to last you through the night. The phone's battery life is impressive, but it does take some time to charge fully. While the Galaxy A14 5G is rated for 15W fast charging, we found that using an official 25W Samsung charger only got us from zero to 30% in half an hour. This might be a bit slower than what you're used to, but it's still relatively quick. Overall, the battery life on the Galaxy A14 5G is one of its strongest points. With such a long-lasting battery, you can use your phone for extended periods without worrying about running out of juice. If you're looking for a budget phone with great battery life, the Samsung Galaxy A14 5G is definitely worth considering.
The Samsung Galaxy A14 5G boasts an impressive display upgrade over its predecessor, the A13 5G. The new phone features a slightly larger 6.6-inch screen with a resolution bumped up to 1080p from last year's 720p. This results in a much sharper and more vibrant visual experience. The LCD panel, while not as deep in blacks as an OLED display, still manages to deliver decent contrast. The 90Hz refresh rate is a welcome addition, making movements and swiping on the screen feel smoother than on a standard 60Hz screen. However, it's worth noting that the screen will dial down to 60Hz when idling to save energy. Color accuracy could be improved out of the box, but overall, the display is an upgrade over last year's model. The lack of color options might be a drawback for some users, but for those seeking a reliable and feature-rich mid-range phone, the A14's display should satisfy their needs. One notable improvement is the increased pixel density of 400 PPI, which results in crisp text and clear visuals. While not as vibrant as more premium displays, the Galaxy A14's screen is an excellent addition to this budget-friendly device. In terms of brightness, the maximum measured output was 520 nits, which is decent but not exceptional. Unfortunately, there is no boost available for bright conditions. Nevertheless, the display upgrade in the Samsung Galaxy A14 5G makes it a more compelling option for those seeking a feature-rich mid-range phone.
The Samsung Galaxy A14 5G boasts the same rear camera setup as its predecessor, the A13 5G. This means you get a 50-megapixel main camera, a 2-megapixel macro camera, and a depth sensor. While this may not be an exciting upgrade, it's reassuring to see Samsung sticking with what works. In good lighting conditions, photos from the main camera are very good for its class. The level of detail is excellent, and contrast and dynamic range are well-handled. However, colors could use some more saturation, and there is visible noise in some areas. Close-up shots taken with the macro camera, on the other hand, are predictably mediocre, with little to no detail and muted colors. When it comes to low-light photography, the main camera produces shots with good detail, but highlights can be blown out, and shadows contain plenty of noise. This is where night mode makes a significant difference. With this feature enabled, dynamic range is improved, and light sources are restored. However, shadows become darker, and the detail gets some heavy sharpening applied. Capturing selfies with the 13-megapixel front-facing camera results in good shots with plenty of detail and sharpness. Colors are accurate, and dynamic range is very good. There is some noise present, but it's not a major issue. When it comes to video recording, the main camera can capture footage at 1080p at 30fps. Detail is nice for this resolution, colors are saturated, and dynamic range is okay. Electronic stabilization is available, which smooths out footage but results in heavy sharpening and some loss of detail. Overall, while the camera capabilities of the Samsung Galaxy A14 5G may not be the most exciting feature, it's still a decent setup for a budget phone. The main camera takes good photos, especially in good lighting conditions, and the front-facing camera is capable of capturing nice selfies. However, low-light photography could benefit from some improvement. In comparison to other smartphones in its class, the Galaxy A14 5G's camera capabilities hold their own. While it may not be the most impressive setup, it's still a solid choice for those looking for an affordable smartphone with good camera performance.
The Samsung Galaxy A14 5G is the latest budget mid-ranger from Samsung, aiming to provide a decent smartphone experience without breaking the bank. While it may not be the most impressive Samsung phone around, the A14 5G still has some notable features that make it worth considering. In terms of price and value, the Galaxy A14 5G is quite competitive in its price range. Starting at $199, it's an affordable option for those looking for a reliable smartphone without sacrificing too much in terms of features. However, as with any budget device, compromises have to be made. One notable area where the A14 5G falls short is its chipset. While some markets get the more powerful Exynos 1330 chip, US variants are stuck with the old Dimensity 700, which delivers average performance for this price range. This means that the Indian model is significantly more appealing in terms of value. Battery life, on the other hand, is an area where the A14 5G excels. With a 5000mAh battery capacity, it's no surprise that it scored well in our proprietary tests, with a respectable 130 hours of usage time. However, charging times are somewhat slow, taking around half an hour to reach 30% from zero. Overall, while the Galaxy A14 5G is not without its flaws, it still offers good value for those on a tight budget. With some compromises, you can get a decent smartphone experience that won't break the bank. However, if you're looking for a more competitive product with better performance and features, there are other options available in this price range. In conclusion, the Samsung Galaxy A14 5G is a solid budget mid-ranger that provides decent value for its price. While it may not be the most impressive Samsung phone around, it's still worth considering if you're on a tight budget.
The Samsung Galaxy A14 5G's performance is a highlight that's worth exploring in more detail. While the device boasts a sleek design and impressive display, its internal workings are a different story altogether. In terms of chipset, there's some confusion surrounding the US variant. Unlike the Indian model, which comes with an Exynos 1330 processor, our review unit runs on the older Dimensity 700 chip. This is a low-end 5G-capable chipset that, while sufficient for basic tasks, falls short in providing snappy performance. In our tests, we found the A14 5G's performance to be average at best. While it handled everyday tasks like social media browsing and streaming without issues, more demanding activities like gaming and video editing were met with noticeable lag. To make matters worse, the device's performance doesn't improve when pushing the processor harder. The result is a device that feels sluggish and unresponsive, even in situations where you'd expect it to deliver a better experience. The Exynos 1330-powered Indian variant, on the other hand, promises improved performance. However, this model may not be readily available in all markets, leaving US consumers with a less competitive product. Overall, while the Samsung Galaxy A14 5G's display and battery life are notable strengths, its performance is a mixed bag. Unless you're specifically looking for a budget phone with decent camera capabilities and a good screen, there are likely better options available that offer more robust internal specs.