The sub-$200 5G smartphone market is fiercely competitive. The Micromax In Note 1, a value-focused offering, goes head-to-head with Samsung’s Galaxy A14 5G, a more mainstream contender. This comparison dissects their key differences to determine which device delivers the best experience for budget-conscious consumers.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For most users, the Samsung Galaxy A14 5G emerges as the better choice. Its more efficient Exynos 1330 chipset (depending on region) and brighter display offer a smoother, more enjoyable experience, despite slightly slower charging. The Micromax In Note 1 remains a viable option for those prioritizing raw CPU performance on a tight budget.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 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 - International |
| 5G bands | - | 2, 5, 66, 77 Sub6/mmWave - USA |
| Speed | HSPA 42.2/11.5 Mbps, LTE (2CA) Cat7 300/150 Mbps | 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 | 2020, November 03. Released 2020, November 24 | 2023, January 04 |
| Status | Discontinued | Available. Released 2023, January 12 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | - | Glass front, plastic back, plastic frame |
| Dimensions | 165.2 x 77 x 9 mm (6.50 x 3.03 x 0.35 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 | 196 g (6.91 oz) | 202 g (7.13 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | Oleophobic coating | - |
| Resolution | 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~395 ppi density) | 1080 x 2408 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~400 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.67 inches, 107.4 cm2 (~84.4% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.6 inches, 104.9 cm2 (~80.2% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD, 450 nits (peak) | PLS LCD, 90Hz |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (2x2.0 GHz Cortex-A75 & 6x1.8 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 MT6769Z Helio G85 (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 10 | Android 13, upgradable to Android 15, One UI Core 7 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) - USA onlymicroSDXC (dedicated slot) - International |
| Internal | 64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM | 64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM |
| | eMMC 5.1 | - |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash, HDR | LED flash, panorama, HDR |
| Quad | 48 MP, f/1.8, 26mm (wide), 1/2.0", 0.8µm, PDAF
5 MP, f/2.2, 115˚ (ultrawide), 1/5.0", 1.12µm
2 MP (macro)
Auxiliary lens | - |
| Single | - | 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 | 16 MP, f/2.0, 27mm (wide), 1/3.06", 1.0µm | 13 MP, f/2.0, 26mm (wide), 1.12µm |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 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, 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 (rear-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, barometer (USA only) |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 18W wired
2.5W reverse wired | 15W wired |
| Type | Li-Po 5000 mAh | Li-Po 5000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Green, White | Black, Light Green, Dark Red, Silver |
| Models | E7746 | 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 130 EUR | $ 77.63 / C$ 151.00 / £ 97.00 / € 159.79 / ₹ 14,990 |
| SAR | 0.57 W/kg (head) 0.96 W/kg (body) | 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) |
Micromax In note 1
- Faster CPU clock speeds (on paper)
- 18W charging with reverse wired charging
- Potentially lower price point
- Less efficient chipset (12nm)
- Likely inferior display brightness
- Less refined software experience
Samsung Galaxy A14 5G
- More efficient chipset (5nm or 7nm)
- Brighter display for better outdoor visibility
- More polished software experience
- Slower charging speed (15W)
- No reverse wired charging
- Potentially higher price
Display Comparison
The Samsung Galaxy A14 5G boasts a brighter display, measured at 519 nits, compared to the Micromax In Note 1’s unspecified brightness. Both share a 1334:1 contrast ratio, suggesting similar color depth. However, the higher peak brightness of the A14 5G will significantly improve visibility outdoors. While neither phone specifies panel technology, Samsung’s history suggests a PLS LCD, offering wider viewing angles than the likely IPS LCD on the Micromax. The A14 5G’s larger screen size also contributes to a more immersive viewing experience.
Camera Comparison
Both phones offer a 'Photo / Video' camera system, but details are sparse. Without specific sensor sizes or aperture information, it’s difficult to make a definitive judgment. However, Samsung’s image processing algorithms are generally more refined, potentially leading to better image quality, especially in challenging lighting conditions. The inclusion of Optical Image Stabilization (OIS) on the A14 5G (if equipped) would further enhance image clarity and video stability. The 2MP macro cameras on both devices are likely to offer limited utility due to their low resolution.
Performance
The performance gap is significant. The Samsung Galaxy A14 5G utilizes either the Exynos 1330 (5nm) or the MediaTek Dimensity 700 (7nm), both superior to the Micromax In Note 1’s MediaTek Helio G85 (12nm). The 5nm process of the Exynos 1330 offers substantially better power efficiency and thermal performance, allowing for sustained performance under load. The A14 5G’s CPU, with its Cortex-A78 cores, also outperforms the In Note 1’s Cortex-A75 cores in single-core tasks. While the In Note 1’s CPU clock speed is slightly higher, the architectural advantages of the A14 5G’s chipset will be more noticeable in real-world usage.
Battery Life
Both devices achieve an endurance rating of 130 hours, suggesting comparable battery life. However, the Samsung Galaxy A14 5G’s more efficient chipset (Exynos 1330 or Dimensity 700) likely contributes to longer real-world usage. The Micromax In Note 1 charges at 18W, while the A14 5G charges at 15W. The In Note 1 also offers 2.5W reverse wired charging, a feature absent on the A14 5G. Despite the slower charging speed, the A14 5G’s efficiency may result in similar overall charging times due to lower power draw.
Buying Guide
Buy the Micromax In Note 1 if you prioritize maximizing CPU performance for tasks like light gaming and multitasking on a very limited budget, and are comfortable with potentially less refined software. Buy the Samsung Galaxy A14 5G if you value a more polished user experience, a brighter and more viewable display, and a more efficient chipset that should translate to better battery life and sustained performance, even if it means sacrificing some peak CPU power.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Does the Exynos 1330 in the Galaxy A14 5G overheat during prolonged gaming sessions?
The Exynos 1330's 5nm process node is significantly more efficient than the Helio G85's 12nm node. This translates to lower heat generation and reduced thermal throttling during gaming. While some throttling is inevitable, the A14 5G should maintain more consistent performance over extended periods.
❓ Is the 2MP macro camera on either phone worth using?
Generally, 2MP macro cameras offer limited image quality due to their small sensor size and low resolution. While they can capture close-up shots, the resulting images often lack detail and clarity. They are best considered a secondary feature rather than a primary camera tool.
❓ Can the Samsung Galaxy A14 5G handle demanding games like PUBG Mobile at high frame rates?
The Galaxy A14 5G, depending on the chipset variant, can likely run PUBG Mobile at balanced or HD graphics settings with medium frame rates. Achieving consistently high frame rates (60fps+) may require lowering the graphics settings. The Exynos 1330 variant will perform better than the Dimensity 700 variant.
❓ What are the software update commitments for the Micromax In Note 1?
Micromax's software update track record is less established than Samsung's. Users should expect fewer software updates and a shorter support lifespan for the In Note 1 compared to the Galaxy A14 5G, which benefits from Samsung's robust software support policies.
