Samsung's Budget 5G Powerhouse Arrives

The Samsung Galaxy A14 5G delivers a 90Hz display, 50MP camera, and long-lasting battery, making 5G accessible.

Introduction: Democratizing 5G

Samsung's Galaxy A14 5G is a strategic entry in the competitive budget smartphone segment, designed to bring next-generation connectivity to the masses. Launched in early 2023, it packs essential modern features like a high-refresh-rate display and a versatile camera system into an affordable package, proving that 5G doesn't have to break the bank.

Design & Display

The phone features a practical design with a plastic frame and back, weighing in at a manageable 202 grams. Its 6.6-inch PLS LCD screen is the highlight, offering a smooth 90Hz refresh rate for fluid scrolling and a sharp Full HD+ (1080 x 2408 pixels) resolution. The 20:9 aspect ratio and minimal bezels provide an immersive viewing experience for its price point.

Performance & Hardware

Depending on the region, the Galaxy A14 5G is powered by either Samsung's own Exynos 1330 or the MediaTek Dimensity 700 chipset. Both are capable 5G processors built on efficient architectures (5nm and 7nm respectively) that handle everyday tasks and light gaming. It comes with options of 4GB, 6GB, or 8GB of RAM paired with 64GB or 128GB of storage, which is further expandable via a microSDXC card.

Camera

The triple-camera array on the back is led by a 50MP main sensor that captures decent detail in good lighting. It's accompanied by a 2MP macro camera for close-up shots and a 2MP depth sensor to assist with portrait mode effects. For selfies and video calls, a 13MP front-facing camera is housed in a waterdrop notch. Video recording is capped at 1080p at 30fps on both front and rear cameras.

Battery & Charging

A substantial 5000mAh battery provides the juice, easily lasting a full day and often stretching into a second day of moderate use. It supports 15W wired charging, which is standard for the category, though it lacks support for wireless charging.

Software & Features

The device launched with Android 13 skinned with Samsung's One UI Core 5. It is upgradable to Android 14 with One UI 6, ensuring access to the latest security patches and software features from Samsung. A side-mounted fingerprint sensor provides quick and secure unlocking.

Pros & Cons

Pros

• Strong value with 5G connectivity
• Smooth 90Hz display
• Excellent battery life
• Clean software with upgrade promise
• Useful expandable storage

Cons

• Charging speed is only 15W
• Low-light camera performance is average
• 2MP macro and depth sensors are of limited use
• Plastic build feels utilitarian

Tags: Samsung, Galaxy A14 5G, budget phone, Android, 5G smartphone, specs, camera, battery

The Samsung Galaxy A14 5G delivers a 90Hz display, 50MP camera, and long-lasting battery, making 5G accessible.