In relation to smartphones, Samsung is a distinguished participant at just about each value level.
Its extra inexpensive units have a tendency to supply a fantastic stability between efficiency, options and value.
And that’s actually true of the Galaxy A15, which omits 5G however provides an impressively well-rounded expertise for simply £169. However how a lot of an improve is it in comparison with the Galaxy A14 from final yr, which persistently ranked as probably the greatest price range telephones round?
Listed below are the important thing similarities and variations it’s good to know, plus resolve which is best for you.
Variations between Galaxy A15 and Galaxy A14
Each the Galaxy A15 and the Galaxy A14 are related by way of design, and each have quite a bit in widespread with the common Galaxy S23.
The telephones are made with a plastic chassis and again and glass entrance panel, although there’s no toughened Gorilla Glass on both.
The A15 is barely smaller and lighter than the A14, measuring 160.1 x 76.8 x 8.4mm and weighing 200g, in comparison with 167.7 x 78.0 x 9.1mm and 201g.
Regardless of each that includes side-mounted fingerprint sensors built-in into the facility button, these on the A15 are situated on the ‘Key Island’ – a raised portion of the telephone’s body that ought to make these bodily buttons simpler to make use of.
Nonetheless, the A15’s rear panel tends to draw mud, whereas the A14’s ribbed again minimises fingerprint smudges. Notably, each lack waterproofing and neither machine features a case or charger within the field, requiring separate purchases.
Hannah Cowton / Foundry
The Galaxy A15 boasts a high-quality 6.5-inch AMOLED show, providing vivid colors and brightness as much as 570 nits. Its Full HD+ decision ensures crisp visuals, complemented by a easy 90Hz refresh charge for enhanced scrolling.
Regardless of occasional stuttering with image-heavy content material, the show’s 84.3% screen-to-body ratio supplies an immersive viewing expertise. Audio is delivered by way of a single backside speaker, providing spectacular quantity ranges for spoken content material however missing depth and bass for music.
In distinction, the Galaxy A14 includes a 6.6-inch Full HD LCD show with a great distinction, albeit inadequate brightness underneath direct daylight.
Its 60Hz refresh charge could not match the Galaxy A15, however suffices for each day duties. Audio high quality from the only downward-firing speaker is sub-par, missing depth and bass.
Martyn Casserly
The Galaxy A15 is supplied with a MediaTek Helio G99 processor which provides robust efficiency for on a regular basis duties. Regardless of potential occasional slowdowns because of the 4GB RAM, the machine provides ample storage with a base of 128GB, expandable as much as 1TB through a microSD card.
However, the Galaxy A14 includes a MediaTek Helio G80 processor, paired with 4GB of RAM and 64GB of storage. Efficiency is typical for its value vary, with sluggish boot-up and potential delays in loading demanding webpages. Nonetheless, multitasking between apps stays easy.
In our Geekbench 6 multi-core check, the Galaxy A15 scored 1890, properly forward of the Galaxy A14, which recorded 1321.
Connectivity options on each telephones embrace Twin SIM help, Wi-Fi 5, Bluetooth 5.3, GPS, and NFC, enabling the likes of contactless funds, Bluetooth connections and navigation.
Hannah Cowton / Foundry
The Galaxy A15 and A14 each characteristic triple rear digicam setups, with the identical 50Mp huge, 5Mp ultrawide,2Mp macro lens and 13Mp selfie digicam.
In well-lit situations, the primary cameras on each telephones produce respectable photos, however the high quality of the extra lenses is missing. Over-sharpening is obvious within the A15’s photos, probably compensating for softness, whereas the A14’s picture processing tends to oversaturate colors.
Each cameras additionally battle with high-contrast scenes, leading to blown-out highlights. Nonetheless, regardless of slight shutter lag, the primary cameras carry out adequately for on a regular basis use. Particular modes like Macro and Evening aren’t the perfect on both, with the latter battling noise and over-processing.
Video recording is restricted to 1080p/30fps on each units, with occasional dropped frames and sub-par low-light efficiency. Selfie cameras on each telephones are appropriate for social media and video content material, although not for something extra formal.
Martyn Casserly
Each the Galaxy A15 and the A14 characteristic an honest 5000mAh battery, making certain at the very least a full day of utilization for most individuals.
The A15, particularly, stands out with its potential to probably final two days underneath common utilization, supported by spectacular benchmark outcomes of 15 hours and quarter-hour within the PCMark for Android benchmark. Nonetheless, charging speeds for the A15 are comparatively sluggish at 25W, taking on 1 hour and half-hour to succeed in a full cost.
Equally, the A14 additionally boasts exceptional battery life, able to lasting as much as two days even underneath heavy utilization. Benchmark exams affirm its endurance, clocking a formidable 13 hours and 28 seconds. Nonetheless, the A14’s charging velocity is restricted to solely 15W, taking round two hours for a full cost.
Moreover, each telephones lack wi-fi charging, however that’s comprehensible given their budget-friendly costs.
Hannah Cowton / Foundry
The Galaxy A15 and the A14 each make the most of One UI 6, delivering a well-known Samsung-focused consumer experiences over Android 14.
Nonetheless, sure options like an always-on show, DeX or AI options aren’t accessible.
The A15 will get a really spectacular 4 OS updates and 5 years of safety updates from its 2024 launch – among the many better of any price range telephone. The A14 isn’t pretty much as good in that regard, with solely two years of OS updates and 4 years of safety updates from its 2023 launch.
Martyn Casserly
Worth & availability
Within the UK, the Galaxy A15 is priced at £169. It’s accessible from Samsung, but additionally through Amazon, Currys, and Very.
For US clients, the Galaxy A15 just isn’t accessible within the 4G model. You’ll should get the Galaxy A15 5G as a substitute.
Within the UK, the Galaxy A14 is out there for £179 from Samsung, but additionally through Amazon and Currys.
Within the US, the 4G model is solely bought through Amazon as an unlocked machine for round $150.
Verdict
In conclusion, each the Galaxy A15 and the Galaxy A14 are glorious price range telephones that supply a compelling mixture of options, efficiency and affordability.
Nonetheless, in case you’re contemplating solely these two telephones, the Galaxy A15 is the higher purchase. It provides higher efficiency, digicam high quality and battery life at a lower cost than the A14.
Martyn Casserly
Specs
Samsung Galaxy A15:
- Android 14 with One UI 6
- 6.5-inch Full HD+ AMOLED show
- 90Hz refresh charge
- 2.2Ghz MediaTek Helio G99 processor
- 4GB RAM
- 128GB Storage (expandable as much as 1TB through microSD)
- 50Mp f/1.8 principal digicam
- 5Mp f/2.2 Extremely-wide
- 2Mp f/2.4 Macro
- 13Mp f/2.0 selfie digicam
- Single speaker
- 3.5mm headphone jack
- Fingerprint sensor embedded in Energy button
- USB-C charging port
- 5000mAh battery
- 25W quick charging supported
- 160.1 x 76.8 x 8.4mm (6.30 x 3.02 x 0.33-inch)
- 200g/7.05oz
Samsung Galaxy A14:
- Android 14 with One UI 6
- 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 principal 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
- Aspect-mounted fingerprint sensor
- 5000mAh battery
- 15W wired charging
- USB-C charging port
- 167.7 x 78.0 x 9.1mm
- 201g