Samsung’s Galaxy A-series is understood for providing budget-friendly telephones that retain a contact of premium design and dependable efficiency. The Galaxy A16 5G and its predecessor, the Galaxy A15 5G, are not any exceptions.
Each fashions are priced equally round £200/$200 and goal customers in search of good worth with out breaking the financial institution. Nonetheless, refined variations between the 2 would possibly affect your determination.
Right here, we’ll discover key variations intimately, highlighting key variations within the specs and our expertise with them that can assist you resolve which one to purchase.
Design & Show
The Galaxy A16 5G contains a barely bigger 6.7-inch Tremendous AMOLED show in comparison with the A15 5G’s 6.5-inch display.
Whereas each supply the identical 90Hz refresh price and vibrant AMOLED colors and distinction, the rise in display dimension offers the A16 5G a extra expansive viewing expertise, making it a more sensible choice for media consumption.
Nonetheless, it’s value noting that the A16 5G nonetheless sports activities comparatively chunky bezels and a teardrop notch, which really feel dated in comparison with extra fashionable alternate options.
By way of construct, the A16 5G retains Samsung’s flat-edged plastic design however is marginally thinner at 7.9mm in comparison with the A15 5G’s 8.4mm thickness.
Each telephones additionally lack an IP rating, so neither is built to withstand water or dust exposure.
While the A15 5G’s vibrant ‘Personality Yellow’ colour option adds a playful touch, the A16 5G offers more subdued hues like Light Green, Blue Black, and Light Grey for a sleeker look.
Battery Life & Charging
Battery life is an essential factor for budget phone users, and this is where the Galaxy A15 5G surprisingly outshines its successor (at least that’s what our tests show.)
Both models house a 5000mAh battery and support 25W charging, but the A15 5G delivers longer runtime.
Benchmark tests during our test periods show the A15 5G lasting over 15 hours, whereas the A16 5G lags with a score of just 10 hours and 24 minutes.
While light users might still manage two days of use on the A16 5G, power users might notice the reduced efficiency.
Jon Mundy / Foundry
Charging times remain comparable, with both models reaching around 50% in 30 minutes using a compatible charger.
However, neither phone includes a charger in the box, which could inconvenience first-time smartphone buyers.
Software Updates
The Galaxy A16 5G comes with a standout promise of six years of software updates, extending support to October 2030. In contrast, the A15 5G offers only three years of core Android updates.
For users planning to keep their phone for several years, the A16 5G provides a compelling reason to choose it over its predecessor.
Simon Chandler / Foundry
Both models run on Android 14 with Samsung’s One UI, and both lack advanced Galaxy AI features found on the best Samsung Galaxy phones.
While the software experience is largely similar, the extended updates on the A16 5G ensure a much longer lifespan in terms of security and app compatibility.
Other Differences
The Galaxy A16 5G marginally improves in thinness and display size as mentioned but shows limited progress in performance.
Still, performance remains a weak point for both phones as is often the case for phones this cheap.
The A16 5G’s Exynos 1330 chipset provides only a modest upgrade over the A15 5G’s MediaTek Dimensity 6100+, resulting in similar levels of stuttering during intensive tasks.
The 4GB RAM in both models feels restrictive, particularly for multitasking or gaming.
Jon Mundy / Foundry
Both models also have similar camera setups: a 50Mp main lens, 5Mp ultrawide, and 2Mp macro, with a 13Mp selfie camera.
However, neither offers significant advancements in photo quality, particularly in low-light scenarios.
Price & Availability
The Galaxy A16 5G is priced at £199 in the UK, and is available from Samsung and major retailers like Amazon.
Within the US, you should buy it from Samsung for $199.99.
The A15 5G will not be obtainable from Samsung however it is best to nonetheless be capable to discover it at retail companions for around £150. The A15 5G can also be obtainable within the US for $169.99 (down from its typical worth of $199).
Each units embrace 128GB of storage with microSDXC assist, and better RAM/storage configurations are restricted to pick areas.
Verdict
The Galaxy A16 5G refines the components set by the A15 5G, providing a bigger display, sleeker design, and industry-leading software program replace assist.
Nonetheless, its lowered battery life and modest efficiency good points make it really feel much less of an improve than anticipated.
Nonetheless, for many customers, the additional £50/$50 leading to six years of software program assist is a giant issue. Except you actually need to save cash or want the higher battery lifetime of the A16, we’d advocate investing within the newest mannequin for its longevity.