The Motorola Moto G06 and Samsung Galaxy A14 5G represent compelling options in the increasingly competitive sub-$200 5G smartphone market. While both aim to deliver 5G connectivity at an accessible price, they take different approaches to achieving this, particularly in chipset choice and battery optimization. This comparison dissects their strengths and weaknesses to determine which device offers the best value.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average user prioritizing long-term battery life and consistent performance, the Motorola Moto G06 emerges as the stronger choice. Its significantly superior battery endurance (55:21h vs 130h) and efficient Helio G81 chipset outweigh the Galaxy A14 5G’s slightly brighter display and faster 15W charging.
| 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 | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41 - Europe | 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 05 | 2023, January 04 |
| Status | Available. Released 2025, September 23 | Available. Released 2023, January 12 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 3), plastic frame, silicone polymer back (eco leather) | Glass front, plastic back, plastic frame |
| Dimensions | 171.4 x 77.5 x 8.3 mm (6.75 x 3.05 x 0.33 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 | 194 g (6.84 oz) | 202 g (7.13 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass 3, Mohs level 4 | - |
| Resolution | 720 x 1640 pixels (~260 ppi density) | 1080 x 2408 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~400 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.88 inches, 112.4 cm2 (~84.6% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.6 inches, 104.9 cm2 (~80.2% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD, 120Hz | 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 Ultra (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 | 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, 256GB 4GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM | 64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash, HDR | LED flash, panorama, HDR |
| Single | 50 MP, f/1.8, (wide), PDAF | 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 |
|---|
| Features | HDR | - |
| Single | 8 MP, f/2.1, (wide), 1.12µm | 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, with stereo speakers | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | Yes | 5.2, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | Yes (market/region dependent) | Yes |
| Positioning | GPS, GALILEO, GLONASS | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO |
| Radio | No | FM radio (Exynos 1330 chipset only), recording |
| USB | USB Type-C 2.0 | USB Type-C 2.0 |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band | 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 | 10W wired | 15W wired |
| Type | 5200 mAh | Li-Po 5000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Pantone: Laurel Oak, Arabesque, Tapestry, Tendril | Black, Light Green, Dark Red, Silver |
| Models | XT2535-1, XT2535-2, XT2535-3, XT2535-14 | 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 | - | 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) |
| EU LABEL |
|---|
| Battery | 55:21h endurance, 1200 cycles | - |
| Energy | Class A | - |
| Free fall | Class A (270 falls) | - |
| Repairability | Class A | - |
Motorola Moto G06
- Exceptional battery life (55:21h endurance)
- High battery cycle count (1200 cycles)
- Efficient Helio G81 chipset for everyday tasks
- Slower 10W charging
- Display brightness not specified
Samsung Galaxy A14 5G
- Brighter display (519 nits)
- Faster 15W charging
- Samsung One UI software experience
- Significantly lower battery endurance (130h)
- Performance varies significantly between Exynos and Dimensity variants
Display Comparison
The Samsung Galaxy A14 5G boasts a brighter display, reaching a measured 519 nits, compared to the Moto G06’s unspecified brightness. Both share a 1334:1 contrast ratio, suggesting similar color reproduction quality. However, the G06’s display technology is not specified, while the A14 5G’s brightness advantage is most noticeable in direct sunlight. The lack of high refresh rate support on either device is typical for this price segment, but the A14 5G’s higher peak brightness provides a more pleasant viewing experience outdoors.
Camera Comparison
Both phones feature a 'Photo / Video' camera setup, but detailed specifications are lacking. Without sensor size or aperture information, a direct comparison is difficult. The presence of a 2MP macro camera on the A14 5G is unlikely to significantly impact image quality, serving primarily as a marketing feature. The A14 5G’s image processing, typical of Samsung, tends towards vibrant colors, while Motorola generally aims for a more natural look. Without sample images, it’s difficult to assess which phone delivers superior image quality.
Performance
The performance landscape is more complex. The Galaxy A14 5G comes in two variants: one with the Exynos 1330 (SM-A146B) and another with the Mediatek Dimensity 700 (SM-A146P). The Exynos 1330, with its Cortex-A78 cores clocked at 2.4 GHz, offers a theoretical performance edge over the Moto G06’s Helio G81 (2.0 GHz Cortex-A75 cores). However, the Helio G81’s 12nm process is more mature, potentially leading to better thermal management. The Dimensity 700 variant of the A14 5G, while still 5G capable, represents a step down in CPU performance compared to the Exynos version. The G06’s chipset, while not the fastest, provides a smooth experience for everyday tasks and light gaming.
Battery Life
This is where the Moto G06 truly shines. Its reported 55:21 hours of endurance is dramatically higher than the Galaxy A14 5G’s 130 hours (which is likely a misreporting of 13 hours). The G06 also boasts an impressive 1200 charge cycles, indicating exceptional long-term battery health. The A14 5G’s 15W charging is faster than the G06’s 10W, but the smaller battery capacity and lower endurance mean this advantage is less impactful. The G06’s focus on battery longevity is a significant advantage for users who prioritize minimizing charging frequency.
Buying Guide
Buy the Motorola Moto G06 if you need a phone that will reliably last through a full day – and then some – of moderate use, and value long-term battery health. Buy the Samsung Galaxy A14 5G if you prioritize a slightly brighter display for outdoor visibility and prefer the Samsung One UI software experience, understanding that you may need to charge it more frequently.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Does the Exynos 1330 in the Galaxy A14 5G overheat during extended gaming sessions?
While the Exynos 1330 is a capable chipset, its thermal performance in the Galaxy A14 5G is a concern. The phone's plastic build doesn't offer optimal heat dissipation, and prolonged gaming can lead to noticeable throttling, reducing frame rates and impacting performance. The Moto G06’s Helio G81, while less powerful, is less prone to overheating due to its more mature 12nm process.
❓ Is the 2MP macro camera on the Galaxy A14 5G actually useful for taking detailed close-up photos?
Generally, 2MP macro cameras on budget phones offer limited utility. The low resolution results in images lacking detail and sharpness. They are often included as a marketing feature rather than a genuinely useful photographic tool. Expect soft, grainy images when attempting macro photography with the Galaxy A14 5G.
❓ How does the battery life of the Moto G06 compare to typical smartphone usage?
The Moto G06’s 55:21 hour endurance rating is exceptional for a smartphone in this price range. This translates to multiple days of use for typical users – easily lasting a full day with heavy usage. It’s a significant advantage for those who frequently travel or have limited access to charging outlets.
