The budget smartphone market is fiercely competitive, offering incredible value for your money. Today, we're pitting two contenders against each other: the Nokia G11 Plus and the Samsung Galaxy A14. Both promise solid features at an affordable price, but which one truly comes out on top?
🏆 Quick Verdict
The Samsung Galaxy A14 generally edges out the Nokia G11 Plus thanks to its more powerful chipset (especially the Exynos version), faster charging, and Samsung's typically superior software support. However, the Nokia G11 Plus might appeal to those prioritizing a cleaner Android experience and potentially a slightly lower price.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 2100 - International | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41 - International | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41 |
| Speed | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE Cat4 150/50 Mbps | HSPA, LTE |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| | 1, 3, 5, 8, 40, 41 - India | - |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2022, June 29 | 2023, February 28 |
| Status | Available. Released 2022, July 20 | Available. Released 2023, March 27 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front, plastic frame, plastic back | Glass front, plastic back, plastic frame |
| Dimensions | 164.8 x 75.9 x 8.6 mm (6.49 x 2.99 x 0.34 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 + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 192 g (6.77 oz) | 201 g (7.09 oz) |
| | Splash protection | - |
| Display |
|---|
| 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 (~82.1% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.6 inches, 104.9 cm2 (~80.2% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD, 90Hz, 400 nits (typ) | PLS LCD |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (2x1.6 GHz Cortex-A75 & 6x1.6 GHz Cortex-A55) | Octa-core (2x2.0 GHz Cortex-A75 & 6x1.8 GHz Cortex-A55) - Version AOcta-core (4x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55 & 4x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55) - Version B |
| Chipset | Unisoc T606 (12 nm) | Mediatek MT6769 Helio G80 (12 nm) - Version AExynos 850 (8 nm) - Version B |
| GPU | Mali-G57 MP1 | Mali-G52 MC2 |
| OS | Android 12, upgradable to Android 13 | Android 13, upgradable to Android 15, One UI 7 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 32GB 3GB RAM, 64GB 3GB RAM, 64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 3GB RAM | 64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM |
| | eMMC 5.1 | - |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Dual | 50 MP, f/1.8, (wide), 1/2.67", PDAF
Auxiliary lens | - |
| Features | LED flash | LED flash, panorama, HDR |
| Single | 8 MP, f/2.0, (wide), 1/4.0" | 13 MP, f/2.0, (wide) |
| Triple | - | 50 MP, f/1.8, 26mm (wide), 1/2.75", 0.64µm, PDAF
5 MP, f/2.2, 17mm (ultrawide), 1/5.0", 1.12µm
2 MP (macro) |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Single | 8 MP, f/2.0, (wide), 1/4.0" | 13 MP, f/2.0, 26mm (wide), 1/3.1", 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 | 5.1 or 5.3, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | No | Yes (market/region dependent) |
| Positioning | GPS | GPS, GALILEO, GLONASS, BDS, QZSS |
| Radio | FM radio | Unspecified |
| 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, proximity | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, proximity, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 10W wired | 15W wired |
| Type | Li-Ion 5000 mAh | Li-Po 5000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Lake Blue, Charcoal Grey | Black, Dark Red, Silver, Green |
| Models | - | SM-A145F, SM-A145F/DSN, SM-A145M, SM-A145M/DS, SM-A145P, SM-A145R |
| Price | About 130 EUR | € 85.76 / $ 147.60 / £ 79.95 |
| SAR EU | - | 0.46 W/kg (head) 1.37 W/kg (body) |
Nokia G11 Plus
- Clean Android experience
- Reliable brand reputation
- Decent battery life
- Affordable price
- Slower processor
- Slow charging
- Lower resolution display
- Less versatile camera
Samsung Galaxy A14
- More powerful processor
- Faster charging
- Better display (potentially)
- More versatile camera
- Samsung's One UI
- More expensive
- One UI can be bloated for some
- Design may be less appealing to some
Display Comparison
Both phones feature large 6.6-inch displays, but the Galaxy A14 typically boasts a slightly higher resolution (FHD+ vs. HD+) and potentially better color accuracy. The A14's display also often has a higher peak brightness, making it easier to view in direct sunlight. Nokia G11 Plus often uses a standard 60Hz refresh rate, while the A14 may offer a 90Hz refresh rate for smoother scrolling.
Camera Comparison
The Galaxy A14 generally offers a more versatile camera system, often including a higher-resolution main sensor and potentially an ultrawide lens. While Nokia G11 Plus camera quality is decent, the A14 typically captures more detailed photos with better dynamic range and low-light performance. Samsung's image processing is also generally considered superior.
Performance
The Samsung Galaxy A14 holds a significant advantage here. The Helio G80 (or Exynos 850) chipset is noticeably faster than the Unisoc T606. Expect smoother multitasking, faster app loading times, and better gaming performance on the A14. The A14's CPU architecture is also more efficient, potentially leading to better overall battery life despite the similar battery capacity.
Battery Life
Both phones feature large 5000mAh batteries, promising all-day battery life. However, the Galaxy A14's more efficient chipset and faster 15W charging give it an edge. The Nokia G11 Plus's 10W charging is considerably slower, meaning longer charging times.
Buying Guide
Who should buy the Nokia G11 Plus? Users seeking a near-stock Android experience, prioritizing simplicity, and potentially looking for a slightly more budget-friendly option. Who should buy the Samsung Galaxy A14? Those wanting a more powerful processor for smoother performance, faster charging, and the benefits of Samsung's One UI and ecosystem.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Which phone has better software support?
Samsung generally provides longer software update support for its Galaxy A series devices compared to Nokia.
❓ Is the Nokia G11 Plus worth buying if I want a simple phone?
Yes, if you prioritize a clean Android experience and don't need high-end performance, the Nokia G11 Plus is a solid choice.