The sub-$200 5G smartphone market is fiercely competitive. Both the Honor X5c Plus and the Samsung Galaxy A14 5G aim to deliver 5G connectivity and essential smartphone features at an accessible price point. However, they take different approaches to achieving this, with significant variations in chipset architecture and display characteristics. This comparison dives deep into the specifics to determine which device offers the best value.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For most users, the Samsung Galaxy A14 5G emerges as the stronger choice. Its Exynos 1330 chipset (or Dimensity 700 depending on region) offers a substantial performance advantage over the Honor X5c Plus’s Helio G81, translating to smoother multitasking and a more responsive user experience. While both charge at the same 15W rate, the A14 5G’s endurance rating suggests better overall battery management.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | LTE | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 17, 20, 26, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66 - International |
| 5G bands | - | 2, 5, 66, 77 Sub6/mmWave - USA |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE | HSPA, LTE, 5G |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G |
| | - | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 40, 41, 78 SA/NSA/Sub6 - India |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2025, September 24 | 2023, January 04 |
| Status | Available. Released 2025, September 24 | Available. Released 2023, January 12 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | - | Glass front, plastic back, plastic frame |
| Dimensions | 167 x 77 x 7.9 mm (6.57 x 3.03 x 0.31 in) | 167.7 x 78 x 9.1 mm (6.60 x 3.07 x 0.36 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | · Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 186 g (6.56 oz) | 202 g (7.13 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Resolution | 720 x 1600 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~260 ppi density) | 1080 x 2408 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~400 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.74 inches, 109.7 cm2 (~85.3% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.6 inches, 104.9 cm2 (~80.2% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | TFT LCD, 90Hz | PLS LCD, 90Hz |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (2x2.0 GHz Cortex-A75 & 6x1.7 GHz Cortex-A55) | Octa-core (2x2.4 GHz Cortex-A78 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55) - SM-A146BOcta-core (2x2.2 GHz Cortex-A76 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55) - SM-A146P |
| Chipset | Mediatek Helio G81 (12 nm) | Exynos 1330 (5 nm) - SM-A146BMediatek Dimensity 700 (7 nm) - SM-A146P |
| GPU | Mali-G52 MC2 | Mali-G68 MP2 - SM-A146BMali-G57 MC2 - SM-A146P |
| OS | Android 15, MagicOS 9 | Android 13, upgradable to Android 15, One UI Core 7 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) - USA onlymicroSDXC (dedicated slot) - International |
| Internal | 64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM, 256GB 4GB RAM, 256GB 6GB RAM | 64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash, HDR, panorama | LED flash, panorama, HDR |
| Single | 50 MP, f/1.8, (wide), PDAF
Auxiliary lens | 13 MP, f/2.0, (wide) |
| Triple | - | 50 MP, f/1.8, 26mm (wide), 1/2.76", 0.64µm, PDAF
2 MP (macro)
Auxiliary lens |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Single | 5 MP, f/2.2, (wide) | 13 MP, f/2.0, 26mm (wide), 1.12µm |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | - | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.1, A2DP, LE, aptX HD | 5.2, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | No | Yes |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO |
| Radio | FM radio | FM radio (Exynos 1330 chipset only), recording |
| USB | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG | USB Type-C 2.0 |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, proximity | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, barometer (USA only) |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 15W wired | 15W wired |
| Type | Li-Po 5260 mAh | Li-Po 5000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Ocean Cyan, Meteor Silver, and Midnight Black | Black, Light Green, Dark Red, Silver |
| Models | - | SM-A146B, SM-A146B/DS, SM-A146P, SM-A146P/DS, SM-A146U, SM-A146U1, SM-A146U1/DS, SM-A146W, SM-A146P/N, SM-A146P/DSN, SM-S146VL, SM-A146M |
| Price | About 80 EUR | $ 77.63 / C$ 151.00 / £ 97.00 / € 159.79 / ₹ 14,990 |
| SAR | - | 1.00 W/kg (head) 1.00 W/kg (body) |
| SAR EU | - | 0.56 W/kg (head) 1.28 W/kg (body) |
| Tests |
|---|
| Battery life | - |
Endurance rating 130h
|
| Camera | - |
Photo / Video |
| Display | - |
Contrast ratio: 1334:1 (nominal) |
| Loudspeaker | - |
-26.8 LUFS (Good)
|
| Performance | - |
AnTuTu: 307886 (v9)
GeekBench: 1727 (v5.1)
GFXBench: 12fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) |
Honor X5c Plus
- Potentially cleaner software experience (depending on MagicOS version)
- Competitive price point
- Decent for basic smartphone tasks
- Older Helio G81 chipset limits performance
- Likely lower display brightness and quality
- Limited long-term software support
Samsung Galaxy A14 5G
- More powerful Exynos 1330 or Dimensity 700 chipset
- Brighter and more vibrant display
- Stronger brand reputation and software support
- Samsung’s One UI can be resource-intensive
- 15W charging is relatively slow
- May be slightly more expensive than the X5c Plus
Display Comparison
The Samsung Galaxy A14 5G boasts a measured peak brightness of 519 nits and a 1334:1 contrast ratio, providing a noticeably more vivid and readable experience, especially outdoors. While the Honor X5c Plus’s display specifications aren’t provided, it’s likely to fall short of these figures. The identical contrast ratio suggests similar panel technology, but the brightness difference is key. Neither phone utilizes advanced display features like LTPO for variable refresh rates, focusing instead on maximizing battery life.
Camera Comparison
Both phones offer 'Photo / Video' capabilities, but details are sparse. Without specific sensor sizes or aperture information, it’s difficult to make a definitive judgment. However, the A14 5G’s larger user base and Samsung’s image processing expertise likely result in more consistent and pleasing photos. The presence of Optical Image Stabilization (OIS) on some A14 5G configurations would be a significant advantage, particularly in low-light conditions. The 2MP macro cameras on both devices are likely to offer limited utility, serving primarily as marketing features.
Performance
This is where the A14 5G truly pulls ahead. The Exynos 1330 (5nm) found in some A14 5G models features a more modern architecture – Cortex-A78 cores – compared to the Helio G81’s Cortex-A75 cores. The 5nm process node of the Exynos 1330 also provides superior power efficiency, reducing thermal throttling during sustained workloads. The Dimensity 700 (7nm) variant of the A14 5G still offers a performance edge due to its more efficient architecture. The Helio G81, while capable, is an older 12nm design and will struggle with demanding games or multitasking. The A14 5G’s CPU clock speeds (2.4 GHz vs 2.0 GHz) further reinforce its performance advantage.
Battery Life
Both the Honor X5c Plus and Samsung Galaxy A14 5G utilize 15W wired charging, meaning similar charging speeds. However, the Galaxy A14 5G’s endurance rating of 130 hours suggests superior battery optimization and potentially a larger battery capacity (though the exact mAh isn’t specified). The more efficient Exynos 1330 or Dimensity 700 chipset also contributes to better battery life, allowing the A14 5G to extract more usage from each charge.
Buying Guide
Buy the Honor X5c Plus if you prioritize a slightly more streamlined software experience and are primarily focused on basic smartphone tasks like calling, texting, and light social media use. Buy the Samsung Galaxy A14 5G if you need a phone capable of handling more demanding applications, enjoy a brighter and more vibrant display, and value the Samsung brand ecosystem and software support.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Does the Exynos 1330 in the Galaxy A14 5G overheat during prolonged gaming sessions?
While the Exynos 1330 isn't a flagship chip, its 5nm process node and Samsung's thermal management generally prevent significant overheating during gaming. You may experience some throttling after extended play, but it shouldn't be severe enough to render the phone unusable. The Helio G81 in the X5c Plus is more likely to throttle due to its older architecture.
❓ Is the 2MP macro camera on either phone worth using?
Realistically, no. 2MP macro cameras typically produce low-resolution, soft images with limited detail. They are primarily included as a marketing feature. You'll get far better results using the main camera in standard photo mode and cropping in if needed.
❓ Can the Samsung Galaxy A14 5G handle demanding games like PUBG Mobile at high settings?
The Galaxy A14 5G, particularly the Exynos 1330 variant, can run PUBG Mobile at medium to high settings with acceptable frame rates. However, you may need to lower the graphics settings for smoother gameplay during intense battles. The Helio G81 in the Honor X5c Plus will struggle with PUBG Mobile at higher settings.
❓ Which phone will receive more software updates and security patches?
Samsung is known for providing longer software support for its devices. The Galaxy A14 5G is likely to receive more Android version updates and security patches than the Honor X5c Plus, ensuring your phone remains secure and up-to-date for a longer period.
