Skilled’s Ranking
Execs
- Smooth S23-inspired design
- Lengthy battery life
- Consumer-friendly software program
- 4 years of safety updates
Cons
- Gradual charging
- Show inferior to rivals
- Blended cameras
Our Verdict
While the Galaxy A14 makes compromises to maintain the prices down, it’s an enormous step up from the earlier technology and can virtually actually be a funds contender for a lot of consumers.
Samsung could also be finest recognized for its flagship S-series and foldable units, nevertheless it additionally has a spread of telephones to go well with these with a extra conservative funds.
There are a number of telephones within the A-series, and the Samsung Galaxy A14 reviewed right here is the entry-level system, clocking in at a really reasonably priced $150/£179. There may be additionally a 5G model of this cellphone which comes with barely increased specs, although this does bump up the associated fee barely.
However how does this smartphone evaluate to rival telephones? Right here’s my expertise with the Samsung Galaxy A14.
Design & construct
- Three color choices
- Room for 2 SIM playing cards and a micro-SD card
- No waterproofing
It could be constructed from plastic, however the Samsung Galaxy A14 is a handsome cellphone that takes inspiration from the flagship Galaxy S23. I used to be an enormous fan of my mild inexperienced overview unit, which supplies it a contemporary and enjoyable really feel. For those who desire one thing extra understated, it additionally is available in black and silver, in addition to darkish crimson within the 5G model.
The ribbed again panel signifies that it doesn’t decide up too many fingerprints, although it doesn’t really feel fairly as premium as different funds telephones from the likes of Poco and Nokia. At 9.11mm thick, it isn’t the slimmest cellphone, nevertheless it’s nonetheless comparatively light-weight at 201g.
The triple digicam module sits on the left-hand aspect and is unobtrusive in comparison with the remainder of the system. In actual fact, it’s extraordinarily much like the costlier Galaxy A34.
Hannah Cowton / Foundry
The inclusion of a headphone jack is welcome – although I’d desire if it had been on the highest of the A14, somewhat than the underside subsequent to the USB-C port for charging. It additionally has room for 2 SIM playing cards, in addition to a micro-SD card.
It ought to come as no shock that this system as no type of waterproofing, and Samsung doesn’t embrace a case within the field to guard it from any knocks or drops.
The fingerprint sensor is side-mounted on the facility button. I did have just a few hiccups with this after simply washing my arms – however the face recognition labored properly, even when carrying glasses.
Display & audio system
- 6.6in FHD LCD show
- 60Hz refresh fee
- One downward firing speaker
The Samsung Galaxy A14 has a 6.6in FHD LCD show. While that is completely nice for utilizing indoors, it’s merely not shiny sufficient should you use it beneath direct daylight – you’ll encounter plenty of glare and battle to see something on the display screen.
In any other case, colors are daring and distinction properly. The 60Hz refresh fee shouldn’t be as easy as on different telephones’ 90Hz or 120Hz screens, however the system feels simply nice for scrolling by social media and tapping round on varied apps.
Hannah Cowton / Foundry
You’ll have the ability to do some fundamental cellular gaming with non-strenuous titles like Animal Crossing: Pocket Camp. If you wish to play one thing extra demanding, I like to recommend both choosing a extra highly effective cellphone, or taking a step as much as the A34 should you’re adamant on staying with Samsung.
The cellphone solely comes geared up with one downward firing speaker, which leaves quite a bit to be desired. Music lacks depth and bass, and even having the quantity cranked all the way in which up shouldn’t be fairly as loud as I would love.
Specs & efficiency
- Mediatek Helio G80
- 4GB RAM/64GB storage
- 4G solely
The model I examined comes with a Mediatek Helio G80, although some markets have the Samsung Exynos 850 as a substitute. That is paired with 4GB RAM and 64GB storage, although completely different international locations have increased configurations.
This isn’t very a lot storage, however the micro-SD card slot additionally provides you 1TB extra wiggle room for images, movies and paperwork.
General, efficiency is about what you’d anticipate from a cellphone of this worth. It’s sluggish as well up, and infrequently struggles to load demanding webpages. Nonetheless, I might nonetheless multitask between movies and social media with ease.
It’s a large enchancment over the past technology cellphone, the Galaxy A13, however nonetheless behind some rivals such because the Moto G62 and the Realme 9i:
The cellphone solely comes with 4G, and that is noticeable should you’re in a location that struggles with cellular information – I actually had points at Comedian-Con in London. If it is a dealbreaker, then you could possibly go for the 5G model of the cellphone.
Cameras
- Triple 50Mp rear digicam
- 13Mp front-facing digicam
- No night time mode assist
The Galaxy A14 has a triple rear digicam set-up. That is led by a predominant 50Mp lens with a f/1.8 aperture and complimented by a 5Mp ultra-wide with a f/2.2 aperture and a 2Mp f/2.4 macro lens.
For those who’re utilizing the primary digicam in shiny daylight, then the A14 works surprisingly properly for the value. It captures a good quantity of element in textures and the setting, and has sufficient background blur on portrait pictures.
The picture processing appears to overcompensate quite a bit, whacking up the brightness of colors to the purpose that it appears to be like like you might have a filter on. For instance, once I took a photograph beneath an orange parasol, the entire picture acquired a really heat tinge to it that wasn’t true to life.
For close-up pictures, I wouldn’t advocate utilizing something greater than x2 zoom. That is first rate for panorama images, however something previous that (the A14 can do all the way in which as much as x10 zoom) produces plenty of blur and noise.
On the alternative finish of the spectrum, the wide-angle lens appears to offer all the things extra of a pale tone. Nonetheless, while some particulars will not be as crisp on this mode, it’s nonetheless higher than what I’ve seen from different smartphone cameras at this worth vary.
I wouldn’t advocate utilizing the A14 in extraordinarily low mild circumstances. Firstly, there isn’t a devoted night time mode. Due to this fact, the digicam will both massively blow out colors if synthetic lighting is current (making the night time sky an unnatural shade of blue), or will decide up hardly any particulars in any respect if little mild is current.
I additionally wouldn’t trouble with the macro mode – it’s extraordinarily laborious to get a good shot with the quantity of wobbling throughout focus.
Hannah Cowton / Foundry
I used to be pleasantly shocked by the front-facing 13Mp digicam. This picks up quantity of pores and skin particulars, and the bokeh blur in portrait mode is kind of good at not smudging rogue strands of hair into the background.
Video is capped at 30fps at 1080p on each the entrance and rear cameras. That is nice for capturing informal footage, however don’t expect high-quality outcomes.
Battery life & charging
- Two-day battery life
- Gradual charging
- No brick included
As with many different funds telephones, among the best issues concerning the A14 is its lengthy battery life.
The cellphone is full of a 5000mAh cell, and on account of its undemanding processor, it lasts round two days on common – even with me watching Twitch streams and taking images. This was additionally mirrored within the benchmarking check, the place the cellphone achieved a formidable 13 hours and 28 seconds.
Hannah Cowton / Foundry
The trade-off is that charging is extraordinarily sluggish at 15W through USB-C. For one factor, the cellphone doesn’t embrace a charging brick within the field – solely the cable. While that is higher for the setting, it could come as an annoyance should you don’t have a spare charger mendacity round the home. You should buy one from Samsung within the UK, although this prices an additional £16.
Utilizing my very own charging brick, I solely managed to juice it to a measly 21% in half an hour, so that you’re just a few hours to get it from full to flat. A number of different rivals pack in quick charging with funds units, so it is a letdown for the A14.
Software program & apps
One of many greatest benefits of choosing a Samsung over different funds units is its user-friendly OS. While it isn’t inventory Android, One UI 5.1 (primarily based on Android 13) is straightforward and doesn’t embrace plenty of bloatware like Xiaomi and Realme telephones do.
That’s to not say it doesn’t come with out pre-installed apps – Netflix, Spotify, and LinkedIn had been on the system out of the field, and Samsung additionally asks should you’d like some ‘really helpful’ apps whenever you arrange the cellphone. I might decline this, because it suggests plenty of obscure video games that may more than likely collect digital mud.
Hannah Cowton / Foundry
These can all be uninstalled, fortunately. In any other case, there may be little to complain about. You’ll be able to entry the fast settings by swiping down from the highest twice, which incorporates shortcuts for media management and Samsung SmartThings.
Samsung lists the A14 (4G) as one of many units lined by its beneficiant 4 years of safety updates, nevertheless it’s unclear what number of Android model updates it’ll get. It comes with a two-year guarantee within the UK.
Value & availability
The Samsung Galaxy A14 retails for $150/£179. Within the US, the 4G model is simply out there through Amazon as an unlocked system.
UK consumers can get it from Samsung, Amazon and Currys. You may as well see the very best contract offers out there within the UK under:
If you wish to go for the 5G model, then that is at the moment priced at $199.99/£219.99. As soon as once more, you should buy it from Samsung, Amazon and Currys within the UK.
Within the US this mannequin is extra broadly out there, so you will get it from Samsung, Amazon, Walmart and Greatest Purchase.
For those who’re selecting between the 2 fashions, then there are just a few variations moreover the plain 4G/5G connectivity that will seal the deal. Firstly, the 5G model replaces the wide-angle lens with a 2Mp depth sensor. So, you’ll be buying and selling large group pictures for barely higher predominant digicam images.
The 5G model additionally runs on the marginally extra highly effective MediaTek Dimensity 700 chipset within the UK, so efficiency needs to be marginally higher, and the 90Hz refresh fee will make for a smoother visible expertise.
Finally, you’re a $50/£50 worth distinction between these two telephones. For those who’d desire to economize, you received’t lose out on a lot by going for the 4G model. You would additionally contemplate the Moto G62, or present favorite funds cellphone, or the properly designed Realme C35.
Try our charts of the very best funds telephones and finest Samsung telephones for additional choices.
Verdict
If ‘A’ within the Galaxy A collection stands for ‘Superior’, then its protected to say that the the Galaxy A14 lives as much as that label. It presents the Samsung cellphone expertise with out the hefty price ticket.
As is the case with many funds telephones, there are some compromises. While efficiency is a marked enchancment over the A13, it isn’t fairly as spectacular as rivals – the identical goes for the show. The digicam additionally has points with ramping up the colors and can’t modify for nighttime images.
For those who can overlook these flaws, you then’ll nonetheless get a nice-looking cellphone with a formidable battery life and a easy OS for a really reasonably priced worth.
Specs
- Android 13 with One UI 5.1
- 6.6in LCD, 1920 x 1080, 60Hz
- Mediatek MT6769 Helio G80 chipset
- 4GB RAM
- 64GB of storage (expandable through microSDXC)
- Cameras: 50Mp f/1.8 predominant digicam, 5Mp f/2.2 ultrawide, 2Mp f/2.4 macro and 13Mp f/2.0 selfie digicam
- Twin-SIM (separate microSDXC slot)
- One downward firing speaker
- NFC
- GPS
- Bluetooth 5.3
- Wi-Fi 5
- Facet-mounted fingerprint sensor
- 5000mAh battery
- 15W wired charging
- USB-C charging port
- 167.7 x 78.0 x 9.1mm
- 201g