Samsung Galaxy A16 4G review
The Samsung Galaxy A16 4G is a budget-friendly mid-ranger that offers a large screen, solid camera, and plenty of software support. While it shares many similarities with the 5G model, the 4G version has a different chipset and lower price tag. One of the standout features of the A16 4G is its display, which measures 6.7 inches and boasts an OLED panel with a 90Hz refresh rate. The screen is sharp and contrasty, but lacks HDR video support. The phone also features IP54 water splash protection and a side-mounted fingerprint reader. The A16 4G's camera setup includes a 50MP main sensor, 5MP ultra-wide lens, and 2MP macro cam. While the primary camera captures decent photos with natural colors and good detail, it struggles in low light conditions. The ultra-wide and macro cameras are also underwhelming, particularly in low-light scenarios. The phone's performance is powered by a MediaTek Helio G99 chipset, which results in average benchmark scores but smooth everyday use. Battery life is impressive, with an active use score of 14 hours and 43 minutes. Charging speeds are also commendable, reaching up to 25W. While the A16 4G has its strengths, it's not without its weaknesses. The phone lacks electronic video stabilization, which can result in shaky videos. Additionally, the camera performance is inconsistent, particularly when compared to other Samsung offerings. Overall, the Samsung Galaxy A16 4G is a solid mid-ranger that offers a high refresh rate OLED display and decent camera capabilities at an affordable price. However, it may not be the best choice for those who value exceptional camera performance or electronic video stabilization.
Build Quality and Design
The Samsung Galaxy A16 4G is a budget-friendly mid-ranger that boasts an impressive design language for its price point. The device features a flat plastic back with a matte metallic finish, which gives it a premium look. The frame is also made of plastic and has a contour around the buttons, adding to the overall aesthetic appeal. One of the notable changes in the A16 4G compared to its predecessor is the inclusion of IP54 rating for splash protection. This feature is a welcome addition, especially considering the device's affordable price tag. The phone's build quality is solid, with no creaks or flexes when pressed. The display on the Galaxy A16 4G is a significant improvement over previous models. It features a 6.7-inch OLED panel with a 1080p resolution and a 90Hz refresh rate. The screen is sharp and contrasty, making it a joy to use. While HDR video support is not available, the display's maximum brightness of around 400 nits is more than sufficient for everyday use. The device also features a side-mounted fingerprint reader built into the power button, which is fast and reliable. Unfortunately, Samsung has done away with the headphone jack on this generation, leaving only a single speaker at the bottom. Overall, the design and build quality of the Galaxy A16 4G are impressive for its price point. While it may not be as premium as higher-end Samsung devices, it's clear that Samsung has put thought into creating a visually appealing phone without breaking the bank. The device's matte metallic finish and IP54 rating add to its appeal, making it a solid choice for those seeking an affordable mid-ranger with a high-quality display.
Battery Life
In our review of the Samsung Galaxy A16 4G, one aspect stood out as particularly impressive: battery life. The device boasts a generous 5,000mAh battery, which delivers an impressive 14 hours and 43 minutes of active use time. This is a notable improvement over its sibling, the Galaxy A16 5G, which struggled to reach double-digit scores in our testing. The A16 4G's larger battery and efficient software optimization have clearly paid off, making it one of the longest-lasting budget phones on the market. We also appreciated the phone's fast charging capabilities, which support up to 25W wired charging. While the charger isn't included in the box, a proper adapter was able to charge the device from 0-53% in just half an hour, and reach a full charge in under two hours. In our daily usage, we found the A16 4G's battery life to be more than adequate, with only occasional dips below 20% throughout the day. This, combined with its other strengths, makes the phone an excellent choice for those who want a reliable device that won't need frequent recharging. While not every aspect of the Galaxy A16 4G is perfect, its battery life is certainly one of its highlights. If you're in the market for a budget phone with impressive endurance, this could be the device for you.
Display
The Samsung Galaxy A16 4G boasts a 6.7-inch OLED display with a 1080p resolution and a 90Hz refresh rate. While it's not the most impressive screen on the market, it's still sharp enough to provide an enjoyable viewing experience. The contrast is decent, and the bezels are slightly slimmer than last year's model. One notable improvement over its predecessor is the display's ability to reach maximum brightness of around 400 nits with a manual slider, and up to 800 nits in auto mode. This is especially welcome on a budget device like the Galaxy A16 4G. Unfortunately, this OLED panel lacks HDR video support, which might be a disappointment for some users who value high dynamic range content. However, the display's performance is still commendable, making it suitable for everyday use such as browsing, social media, and streaming. The refresh rate of 90Hz provides a smooth scrolling experience, although it's not adaptive. While this may not be essential for all users, it's a welcome feature that can enhance the overall user interface feel. In terms of display quality, the Galaxy A16 4G is decent but not exceptional. It's not going to rival the top-tier flagships from Samsung or other manufacturers in terms of screen performance. However, considering its budget-friendly price tag, the display holds up reasonably well. Overall, while the display on the Samsung Galaxy A16 4G may not be the most exciting aspect of this device, it still delivers a respectable viewing experience that's suitable for everyday use.
Camera
The Samsung Galaxy A16 4G is the latest affordable mid-ranger from Samsung, and while it offers impressive specs like a high-refresh-rate AMOLED display and IP54 protection, its cameras fall short of expectations. In this review, we'll dive into the camera performance of the Galaxy A16 4G to help you decide if it's the right phone for your photography needs. The primary camera on the Galaxy A16 4G is a 50-megapixel sensor that captures fairly decent photos in good lighting conditions. Colors look natural, and details are generally good, but dynamic range leaves much to be desired in certain scenarios. Photos of people can appear unnatural, with facial features smoothed out and looking more like wax figures. In low light, the main camera struggles, producing photos with poor contrast, dynamic range, and noise. The ultra-wide camera is equally disappointing, capturing soft photos with little detail. Contrast and dynamic range are also subpar, and colors look muted. Low-light conditions exacerbate these issues, resulting in shots that appear soft with clipped highlights and light sources. Unfortunately, there's no night mode available for the ultra-wide camera to help improve image quality. The macro camera is a neat feature, but its 2-megapixel resolution produces underwhelming results. Photos often lack sharpness, and the fixed focus can make it tricky to capture clear images. The selfie camera also falls short, producing photos with poor detail and skin texture rendering. Video recording on the Galaxy A16 4G maxes out at 1080p resolution, which is somewhat disappointing given the phone's capabilities. Video quality from the main camera is passable, but ultrawide video suffers due to lack of stabilization, resulting in shaky footage. Electronic video stabilization, a feature available on the 5G model, is noticeably absent here. In conclusion, while the Galaxy A16 4G offers an impressive display and solid performance, its cameras are a letdown. If camera quality is a top priority for you, it's worth considering other options in this price range. However, if you're willing to compromise on camera capabilities, the Galaxy A16 4G remains a formidable mid-ranger with plenty of software support.
Price and Value
The Samsung Galaxy A16 4G is a budget-friendly mid-ranger that offers a great balance of features and price. Priced lower than its 5G sibling, the A16 4G is an attractive option for those who don't need the latest connectivity standard. At this price point, the Galaxy A16 4G delivers impressive value. The device boasts a 6.7-inch OLED display with a 90Hz refresh rate, making it perfect for scrolling through social media or watching videos. The phone's interface is snappy and smooth, thanks to its Mediatek Helio G99 chipset. One of the standout features of the A16 4G is its battery life. With a 5,000mAh battery, you can expect a full day of use without needing to recharge. In our tests, the phone easily lasted for over 14 hours with moderate usage. In terms of cameras, the Galaxy A16 4G has a decent setup, but it's not the best in its class. The main camera takes acceptable photos, but struggles in low-light conditions and with dynamic range. However, considering the price point, this is a minor complaint. The value proposition of the Samsung Galaxy A16 4G is its affordability. With prices starting at just [insert price], it's an excellent option for those on a budget. If you're looking for a reliable mid-range phone that won't break the bank, the Galaxy A16 4G is definitely worth considering. Overall, the Samsung Galaxy A16 4G offers great value for its price. While it may not be the most powerful or feature-rich device in its class, it's an excellent choice for those who want a reliable mid-range phone without the hefty price tag.
Performance
The Samsung Galaxy A16 4G is a budget-friendly mid-ranger that's designed to offer a smooth user experience without breaking the bank. In terms of performance, this phone has its strengths and weaknesses. One of the standout features of the A16 4G is its fast 90Hz refresh rate display. This ensures that scrolling and swiping through menus and apps feels fluid and responsive. However, it's worth noting that the display isn't adaptive, which means it doesn't adjust to different content automatically. Under the hood, the phone is powered by a MediaTek Helio G99 chipset, which is the same processor used in last year's A5 4G model. In benchmarks, the results are about the same as its predecessor, placing them at the bottom of the ladder. Don't expect exceptional gaming performance from this device, but it should handle day-to-day tasks without any issues. Interestingly, our testing revealed that the A16 4G runs slightly smoother than its 5G sibling, the Galaxy A16 5G, which is equipped with an Exynos 1330 chip. This suggests that the Helio G99 chipset has some advantages in terms of overall performance. One area where the phone falls short is in data-intensive tasks. We noticed occasional lags and hiccups when performing demanding tasks like multitasking or gaming. However, for general use, the A16 4G should be more than capable of handling most tasks without any issues. In conclusion, while the Samsung Galaxy A16 4G may not set the world on fire in terms of performance, it's still a solid option for those looking for an affordable mid-ranger. Its fast refresh rate display and decent battery life make it a great choice for everyday use. Just keep your expectations in check when it comes to gaming or data-intensive tasks.