The sub-$250 5G smartphone market is fiercely competitive. The Nokia G310, powered by the Snapdragon 480+ 5G, and the Samsung Galaxy A14 5G, featuring either the Exynos 1330 or Dimensity 700 (depending on region), represent compelling options for users prioritizing affordability and next-gen connectivity. This comparison dissects their key differences to determine which device delivers the best value.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For most users, the Samsung Galaxy A14 5G emerges as the stronger choice. While the Nokia G310 offers 20W charging, the A14 5G’s Exynos 1330 (or Dimensity 700) provides a noticeable performance uplift, making it better suited for multitasking and demanding applications, despite the slower 15W charging.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 1700(AWS) / 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 | SA/NSA | 2, 5, 66, 77 Sub6/mmWave - USA |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE, 5G | HSPA, LTE, 5G |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G | GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G |
| | - | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 40, 41, 78 SA/NSA/Sub6 - India |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2023, August 16 | 2023, January 04 |
| Status | Available. Released 2023, August 24 | Available. Released 2023, January 12 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | - | Glass front, plastic back, plastic frame |
| Dimensions | 165.1 x 75.7 x 8.6 mm (6.5 x 2.98 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 |
| Weight | 195.1 g (6.88 oz) | 202 g (7.13 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass 3 | - |
| Resolution | 720 x 1612 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~269 ppi density) | 1080 x 2408 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~400 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.56 inches, 103.4 cm2 (~82.7% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.6 inches, 104.9 cm2 (~80.2% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD, 90Hz | PLS LCD, 90Hz |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (2x2.2 GHz Kryo 460 & 6x1.8 GHz Kryo 460) | 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 | Qualcomm SM4350-AC Snapdragon 480+ 5G (8 nm) | Exynos 1330 (5 nm) - SM-A146BMediatek Dimensity 700 (7 nm) - SM-A146P |
| GPU | Adreno 619 | Mali-G68 MP2 - SM-A146BMali-G57 MC2 - SM-A146P |
| OS | Android 13 | 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 | 128GB 4GB 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 | - | 13 MP, f/2.0, (wide) |
| Triple | 50 MP, (wide), AF
2 MP (macro)
Auxiliary lens | 50 MP, f/1.8, 26mm (wide), 1/2.76", 0.64µm, PDAF
2 MP (macro)
Auxiliary lens |
| Video | 1080p@30/60fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Single | 8 MP, (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 | 5.2, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | No | Yes |
| Positioning | GPS (L1+L5) | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO |
| Radio | No | FM radio (Exynos 1330 chipset only), recording |
| 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, barometer (USA only) |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 20W wired, PD, QC | 15W wired |
| Type | Li-Po 5000 mAh | Li-Po 5000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Blue | 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 170 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) |
Nokia G310
- Faster 20W charging with PD/QC
- Potentially cleaner Android software experience
- Competitive 5G connectivity
- Less powerful Snapdragon 480+ chipset
- Likely lower peak display brightness
- Limited performance headroom for demanding apps
Samsung Galaxy A14 5G
- More powerful Exynos 1330 or Dimensity 700 chipset
- Brighter 519 nit display
- Better multitasking and app performance
- Slower 15W charging
- Samsung’s One UI can be resource-intensive
- Potential for regional chipset variations
Display Comparison
Both the Nokia G310 and Samsung Galaxy A14 5G share a 1334:1 contrast ratio, suggesting similar panel characteristics in terms of black levels. However, the A14 5G boasts a measured peak brightness of 519 nits, significantly exceeding what we’d expect from the G310, making it more visible in direct sunlight. While neither phone specifies refresh rates, the A14 5G’s brighter display provides a superior viewing experience for media consumption and outdoor use.
Camera Comparison
Both devices feature 'Photo / Video' capabilities, but lack detailed camera specifications. Given the price point, image quality will likely be similar in good lighting conditions. However, the A14 5G’s potential for more advanced image processing, leveraging the Exynos 1330’s ISP, could result in better dynamic range and noise reduction. The prevalence of 2MP macro lenses on both devices suggests limited utility for detailed close-up photography.
Performance
The Samsung Galaxy A14 5G’s chipset options – the Exynos 1330 (5nm) and Dimensity 700 (7nm) – represent a clear advantage over the Nokia G310’s Snapdragon 480+ 5G (8nm). The Exynos 1330, with its Cortex-A78 performance cores clocked at 2.4 GHz, offers a substantial CPU performance boost compared to the G310’s Kryo 460 cores. The 5nm process node of the Exynos 1330 also translates to improved thermal efficiency, potentially reducing throttling during sustained workloads. The Dimensity 700, while slightly less powerful than the Exynos, still outperforms the Snapdragon 480+.
Battery Life
Both the Nokia G310 and Samsung Galaxy A14 5G achieve an Endurance rating of 130 hours, indicating comparable battery life under similar usage scenarios. However, the Nokia G310’s 20W wired charging with PD and QC support offers a faster charging experience compared to the A14 5G’s 15W charging. This means the G310 can replenish its battery more quickly, a crucial advantage for users who need to minimize downtime.
Buying Guide
Buy the Nokia G310 if you prioritize faster charging speeds and a clean Android experience. Its 20W charging with PD and QC support is a significant advantage for those who frequently top up their battery. Buy the Samsung Galaxy A14 5G if you value overall performance and a brighter display. The Exynos 1330 (or Dimensity 700) chipset delivers a smoother user experience, and the 519 nits of brightness makes it more usable outdoors.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Does the Exynos 1330 in the Galaxy A14 5G tend to overheat during prolonged gaming sessions?
The Exynos 1330’s 5nm process node is more efficient than the Snapdragon 480+’s 8nm node, suggesting better thermal management. While sustained gaming will inevitably generate heat, the A14 5G is less likely to experience significant throttling compared to the G310, offering a more consistent gaming experience.
❓ Is the 2MP macro camera on either phone worth using for detailed close-up shots?
Generally, 2MP macro cameras on budget phones deliver limited detail and image quality. They are often included for marketing purposes but rarely produce usable results. Expect soft images with limited clarity when using the macro mode on either the Nokia G310 or the Samsung Galaxy A14 5G.
❓ Which phone is better for running multiple apps simultaneously without lag?
The Samsung Galaxy A14 5G, equipped with the Exynos 1330 or Dimensity 700, is significantly better suited for multitasking. The more powerful CPU cores and potentially more RAM (depending on the configuration) allow for smoother app switching and reduced lag compared to the Nokia G310’s Snapdragon 480+.
❓ Does the Samsung Galaxy A14 5G support 90fps gameplay in popular titles like PUBG Mobile?
While the Exynos 1330 or Dimensity 700 are capable chipsets, achieving a consistent 90fps in PUBG Mobile will likely require lowering graphics settings. The A14 5G can likely run PUBG at high frame rates, but expect to compromise on visual fidelity to maintain smooth gameplay.
