Samsung Galaxy M14 5G review
The Samsung Galaxy M14 5G is a solid entry-level phone that offers impressive battery life, camera performance, and design. Powered by the Exynos 1330 chipset, this device provides seamless general usage experience with smooth scrolling and responsive app opening times. One of its standout features is its massive 6000mAh battery, which delivers exceptional endurance. In heavy usage scenarios, the phone can easily last two days on a single charge, while lighter usage scenarios may even see it make it to three days. The battery life is truly next-level, making this phone perfect for those who need a reliable device that won't require frequent recharging. The camera performance is also commendable, with vibrant colors and decent low-light capabilities. While not the best in its class, it's more than sufficient for casual users who don't rely heavily on their smartphone's camera. Design-wise, the Galaxy M14 5G looks sleek and premium, with a comfortable weight distribution that makes it easy to hold. The display is a respectable 90Hz refresh rate, which enhances scrolling and overall viewing experience. Software-wise, the phone runs on One UI 5.1 core Edition, which feels refined and in line with higher-end Samsung phone offerings. While bloatware can be annoying, most of the pre-installed apps can be uninstalled, and other features like secure folder, Samsung Pay, and private share are all available. In conclusion, the Samsung Galaxy M14 5G is a well-rounded device that checks many boxes for those looking for an affordable smartphone with impressive battery life. With its solid performance, decent camera capabilities, and sleek design, it's worth considering as one of the latest offerings in the sub-15,000 rupee price segment. Rating:
Build Quality and Design
The Samsung Galaxy M14 5G boasts an impressive build quality that is worth mentioning. The phone's design is sleek and modern, with a premium feel to it. The device's back panel is made of a high-quality plastic material that provides a solid grip, making it easy to hold the phone in your hand. The edges of the phone are neatly rounded, giving it a smooth and comfortable feel. The power button and volume rockers are placed on the right side of the device, while the SIM card slot is located at the top. The bottom of the phone features a speaker grille, which provides clear and loud sound quality. One of the standout features of the Galaxy M14 5G's design is its ability to withstand daily wear and tear. Despite being dropped several times during my testing period, the device showed no signs of damage or scratches on the screen or back panel. In terms of build quality, the phone feels sturdy and well-built, with a solid weight to it. The plastic material used for the back panel is durable and resistant to scratches, making it perfect for those who tend to be rough on their devices. While some may argue that the design is not as premium as other Samsung offerings, I believe it's a solid effort in its price segment. The phone's build quality and design make it an excellent choice for those looking for a reliable and feature-packed smartphone without breaking the bank. Overall, I'm impressed with the Galaxy M14 5G's build quality and design. It's a testament to Samsung's commitment to providing high-quality devices at affordable prices. If you're in the market for a new phone and value a solid build quality, then the Galaxy M14 5G is definitely worth considering. Rating: 8/10
Battery Life
The Samsung Galaxy M14 5G is a powerhouse when it comes to battery life. Equipped with a massive 6000mAh battery, this phone is designed to last, and it does so in style. In my extensive testing, I found that the Galaxy M14 5G can easily make it to two days of battery life on a single charge, even with heavy usage including gaming and camera use. And if you're looking for a lighter day, this phone can stretch up to three days without needing a recharge. The endurance is simply next level. The Exynos 1330 chipset that powers the Galaxy M14 5G is a battery-efficient processor that doesn't heat up even under heavy loads. This, combined with the massive battery, makes for an unbeatable combination. While charging from zero to 100% may take a bit longer than usual (thanks to Samsung not providing an inbox charger), the payoff is well worth it. The Galaxy M14 5G's battery life is truly marathon-like, and I've not seen anything like it on any other phone in recent memory. Overall, the Samsung Galaxy M14 5G's battery life is a major selling point for this phone. It's perfect for those who want a device that can keep up with their busy lifestyle without needing frequent recharges. In short, this phone is built to last, and its battery life reflects that.
Display
The Samsung Galaxy M14 5G boasts a vibrant display that is sure to please content consumers. The device features an LCD panel with support for HD video playback and white wine L1, ensuring that users can enjoy their favorite movies and music without any hiccups. One of the standout features of the display is its ability to show off vibrant colors, despite being an LCD panel. This makes it ideal for watching videos or browsing through social media. Additionally, the viewing angles are pretty decent, with minimal color shifting when viewed from different angles. The 90Hz refresh rate also adds to the smoothness of scrolling and app transitions, making navigation a breeze. However, the display does not quite live up to the standards set by higher-end Samsung devices in terms of overall quality. One thing worth noting is that the display does not suffer from any screen bleeding or color uniformity issues, which is a plus for users who are particular about their screen's performance. Overall, while it may not be the best display on the market, it gets the job done and provides a decent viewing experience for its price. While the Samsung Galaxy M14 5G's display has its strengths, it falls short of being truly exceptional. However, given the device's affordable price tag, it's hard to complain too much about its performance. Overall, it's a solid display that serves its purpose well, but may not impress those with high standards for screen quality.
Camera
The camera on the Samsung Galaxy M14 5G is one of its standout features. The phone is equipped with a quad-camera setup that includes a 50MP primary sensor, a 2MP macro lens, and two other sensors for depth and ultra-wide-angle shots. In terms of image quality, the Galaxy M14 5G's camera delivers impressive results. Photos taken in good lighting conditions are sharp, detailed, and vibrant, with accurate color representation. The primary sensor does an excellent job of capturing textures and patterns, making it ideal for landscape and portrait photography. Low-light performance is also commendable, as the camera manages to capture usable photos even in dimly lit environments. However, it's worth noting that the images may appear slightly grainy or noisy, especially when zoomed in. One of the notable features of the Galaxy M14 5G's camera is its ultra-wide-angle lens, which captures a wider field of view than most smartphones. This makes it perfect for group photos, landscapes, and cityscapes where you want to capture more of your surroundings. The camera app itself is intuitive and easy to use, with features like HDR mode, night mode, and live focus available at the touch of a button. The interface is clean and minimalistic, making it simple to access and adjust settings as needed. In terms of video recording, the Galaxy M14 5G can shoot up to 4K resolution at 30fps, which is more than sufficient for most users. Video stabilization is also decent, with the camera doing a good job of minimizing shake and blur. Overall, the camera on the Samsung Galaxy M14 5G is a solid offering that should satisfy most users' needs. While it may not be the best in its class, it's certainly capable of delivering high-quality photos and videos in various lighting conditions. If you're in the market for a mid-range smartphone with a good camera, the Galaxy M14 5G is definitely worth considering. The camera on the Samsung Galaxy M14 5G is a strong aspect of this phone, delivering impressive image quality and features like ultra-wide-angle shots and decent low-light performance. While it may not be perfect in every situation, it's certainly capable of capturing great photos and videos for most users.
Price and Value
The Samsung Galaxy M14 5G is a compelling offering in the sub-15,000 rupee price segment. Priced at around 12,500 rupees for the base model, it offers an impressive array of features that make it a solid value proposition. One of the standout aspects of the Galaxy M14 5G is its massive 6000mAh battery. This phone can easily last two days on a single charge, even with heavy usage. The Exynos 1330 chipset, paired with up to 6GB RAM and 128GB storage, provides seamless performance for general tasks like social media browsing and texting. The camera performance is another highlight of the Galaxy M14 5G. It features a quad-camera setup that takes great photos, especially in good lighting conditions. While it may not be the best in its class, it's certainly competitive with other phones in this price range. What truly sets the Galaxy M14 5G apart, however, is its value proposition. For around 12,500 rupees, you get a phone that offers a lot more than what you'd typically expect at this price point. The battery life, camera performance, and software features like one UI 5.1 core Edition all contribute to making this phone an excellent choice for anyone looking to upgrade from an older device or move into the sub-15,000 rupee segment. In terms of value, the Galaxy M14 5G is hard to beat. It offers a lot more than what you'd typically expect at this price point. While there are some minor compromises on the software side, such as bloatware and a lack of certain settings, these are relatively minor complaints given the overall package. Overall, the Samsung Galaxy M14 5G is an excellent choice for anyone looking to get a new phone in the sub-15,000 rupee price segment. Its impressive battery life, solid software performance, and competitive camera features make it a compelling value proposition that's hard to ignore.
Performance
The Samsung Galaxy M14 5G is powered by the Exynos 1330 chipset, paired with up to 6 GB RAM and up to 128 GB storage options. Software-wise, it runs on One UI 5.1 core Edition based on Android 13. In terms of performance, the Galaxy M14 5G delivers a smooth experience. General tasks like social media browsing, texting, and email checking are handled with ease. The phone's 90 Hz refresh rate ensures that scrolling through apps and web pages feels responsive. App opening times might not be the fastest, but they get the job done. For casual gamers, the Galaxy M14 5G can handle a variety of games without any issues. In my experience, Asphalt 9 Legends ran smoothly with decent performance even during long sessions. One notable aspect is that the phone does not heat up, even under heavy loads like gaming and camera usage. However, I did notice some slight warmth near the camera module when using the camera extensively or playing games for an extended period. Software-wise, One UI 5.1 core Edition feels refined and in line with higher-end Samsung phones. The interface is easy to navigate, and features like Secure Folder, Samsung Pay, Voice Focus, Private Share, and more are available. The only drawback I noticed was the presence of bloatware, although most apps can be uninstalled. Another minor annoyance was not being able to fully disable the Glance screen on the lock screen. Overall, the Galaxy M14 5G's performance is solid, making it a great option for those looking for an entry-level phone with good capabilities. Its endurance and smooth experience make it a top contender in its price segment.