The budget 5G smartphone market is heating up, and the Lava Blaze 5G and Samsung Galaxy M14 are two contenders vying for your attention. Both offer 5G connectivity at an attractive price point, but which one delivers the best overall experience? Let's dive into a comprehensive comparison.
🏆 Quick Verdict
The Samsung Galaxy M14 edges out the Lava Blaze 5G thanks to its superior chipset, more efficient 5nm process, faster charging (especially in India), and generally better software support. While the Blaze 5G is a decent budget option, the M14 provides a more polished and future-proof experience.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 900 / 1800 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 3, 5, 8, 40, 41 | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 17, 20, 26, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66 |
| 5G bands | SA/NSA | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66, 77, 78 SA/NSA |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE, 5G | HSPA, LTE, 5G |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G | GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2022, October 3 | 2023, March 08 |
| Status | Available. Released 2022, October 24 | Available. Released 2023, March 08 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | - | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 5), plastic back, plastic frame |
| Dimensions | 165.3 x 76.4 x 8.9 mm (6.51 x 3.01 x 0.35 in) | 166.8 x 77.2 x 9.4 mm (6.57 x 3.04 x 0.37 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | · Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 207 g (7.30 oz) | 206 g (7.27 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | - | Corning Gorilla Glass 5 |
| Resolution | 720 x 1600 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~269 ppi density) | 1080 x 2408 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~400 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.52 inches, 102.6 cm2 (~81.3% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.6 inches, 104.9 cm2 (~81.5% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD, 90Hz | PLS LCD, 90Hz |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (2x2.2 GHz Cortex-A76 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55) | Octa-core (2x2.4 GHz Cortex-A78 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55) |
| Chipset | Mediatek Dimensity 700 (7 nm) | Exynos 1330 (5 nm) |
| GPU | Mali-G57 MC2 | Mali-G68 MP2 |
| OS | Android 12 | Android 13, One UI core 5.1 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) | microSDHC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM | 64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM |
| | eMMC 5.1 | - |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash, HDR, panorama | LED flash, panorama, HDR |
| Single | 8 MP, f/2.0, (wide) | 13 MP, f/2.0, (wide) |
| Triple | 50 MP, (wide), 0.64µm, AF
2 MP (macro)
0.3 MP | 50 MP, f/1.8, (wide), PDAF
2 MP (macro)
Auxiliary lens |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Single | 8 MP, f/2.0, (wide) | 13 MP, f/2.0, (wide) |
| Video | Yes | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.0, A2DP, LE | 5.2, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | No | Yes |
| Positioning | GPS | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS, QZSS, NavIC |
| Radio | FM radio | Unspecified |
| USB | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG | USB Type-C 2.0 |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n/ac | 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 |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 10W wired | 15W wired - international
25W wired - India |
| Type | Li-Po 5000 mAh | Li-Po 6000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Green, Blue | Navy Blue, Light Blue, Silver |
| Models | LXX503 | SM-M146B, SM-M146B/DS, SM-M146B/DSN |
| Price | About 130 EUR | ₹ 10,990 |
| SAR EU | - | 0.48 W/kg (head) 1.53 W/kg (body) |
Lava Blaze 5G
- Very affordable
- 5G connectivity
- Decent performance for basic tasks
- Less powerful chipset
- Slower charging
- Potentially less software support
- Basic camera system
Samsung Galaxy M14
- Powerful Exynos 1330 chipset
- Excellent battery life (6000mAh)
- Faster charging (especially in India)
- Better camera system
- Samsung's software support
- Slightly more expensive
- Design may be less premium
Display Comparison
Both phones feature large displays, likely around 6.6 inches, but the Samsung Galaxy M14 is expected to have a slightly better panel with potentially higher brightness and color accuracy. The Blaze 5G might utilize a standard 60Hz refresh rate, while the M14 could offer a 90Hz refresh rate for smoother scrolling and animations. Resolution is likely FHD+ for both.
Camera Comparison
While specific camera specs are not fully detailed for the Blaze 5G, the Galaxy M14 is expected to have a versatile triple-camera setup, likely including a high-resolution main sensor (50MP or higher), an ultrawide lens, and a macro lens. The M14's image processing capabilities are also likely to be superior, resulting in better image quality, especially in low-light conditions. The Blaze 5G will likely have a more basic camera setup.
Performance
The Samsung Galaxy M14's Exynos 1330 (5nm) holds a significant advantage over the Lava Blaze 5G's Dimensity 700 (7nm). The 5nm process offers better power efficiency and generally superior performance. Expect smoother multitasking, faster app loading times, and better gaming performance on the M14. The Dimensity 700 is adequate for everyday tasks but may struggle with demanding games.
Battery Life
The Samsung Galaxy M14 is known for its large 6000mAh battery, providing excellent battery life. The Lava Blaze 5G likely has a smaller battery, potentially around 5000mAh. While both should offer all-day battery life, the M14 will likely last significantly longer, especially with heavy usage. The M14's faster charging (25W in India) is another advantage.
Buying Guide
The Lava Blaze 5G is a good choice for users prioritizing a very budget-friendly 5G device and are less concerned about long-term performance or software updates. The Samsung Galaxy M14 is ideal for those seeking a reliable, well-supported 5G phone with a strong battery life and a smoother overall experience, even if it costs a bit more.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Is the Lava Blaze 5G worth buying?
It's a decent option if you're on a very tight budget and primarily need 5G connectivity for basic tasks. However, consider the Samsung Galaxy M14 for a better overall experience.
❓ Which phone has better battery life?
The Samsung Galaxy M14's 6000mAh battery provides significantly better battery life than the Lava Blaze 5G.
❓ Does the Samsung Galaxy M14 get software updates regularly?
Yes, Samsung is known for providing regular software updates and security patches for its Galaxy devices, including the M14.
