OnePlus Nord N200 5G vs. Samsung Galaxy A14 5G: A Deep Dive into Budget 5G Contenders

The sub-$250 5G smartphone market is fiercely competitive. The OnePlus Nord N200 5G and Samsung Galaxy A14 5G represent compelling options, but cater to slightly different priorities. The Nord N200 5G, with its Snapdragon 480, aims for efficient performance, while the A14 5G, utilizing either the Exynos 1330 or Dimensity 700, attempts to offer a more robust processing experience. This comparison dissects their key differences to determine which device delivers the best value.
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🏆 Quick Verdict

For the average user prioritizing consistent performance and a smoother experience, the Samsung Galaxy A14 5G (specifically the Exynos 1330 variant) is the better choice. The more modern 5nm Exynos 1330 offers a noticeable performance uplift over the 8nm Snapdragon 480 in the Nord N200 5G, despite slightly slower charging.

PHONES
Phone Names OnePlus Nord N200 5G Samsung Galaxy A14 5G
Network
2G bandsGSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
3G bandsHSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100
4G bands1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 20, 25, 26, 28, 66, 71, 38, 39, 40, 411, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 17, 20, 26, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66 - International
5G bands2, 25, 41, 66, 71 SA/NSA/Sub6 - USA2, 5, 66, 77 Sub6/mmWave - USA
SpeedHSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE Cat15 800/150 Mbps, 5GHSPA, LTE, 5G
TechnologyGSM / HSPA / LTE / 5GGSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G
 2, 25, 66, 71 SA/NSA/Sub6 - Canada1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 40, 41, 78 SA/NSA/Sub6 - India
Launch
Announced2021, June 212023, January 04
StatusAvailable. Released 2021, June 25Available. Released 2023, January 12
Body
Build-Glass front, plastic back, plastic frame
Dimensions163.1 x 74.9 x 8.3 mm (6.42 x 2.95 x 0.33 in)167.7 x 78 x 9.1 mm (6.60 x 3.07 x 0.36 in)
SIMNano-SIM· Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM
Weight189 g (6.67 oz)202 g (7.13 oz)
Display
Resolution1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~405 ppi density)1080 x 2408 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~400 ppi density)
Size6.49 inches, 102.2 cm2 (~83.7% screen-to-body ratio)6.6 inches, 104.9 cm2 (~80.2% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeIPS LCD, 90HzPLS LCD, 90Hz
Platform
CPUOcta-core (2x2.0 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
ChipsetQualcomm SM4350 Snapdragon 480 5G (8 nm)Exynos 1330 (5 nm) - SM-A146BMediatek Dimensity 700 (7 nm) - SM-A146P
GPUAdreno 619Mali-G68 MP2 - SM-A146BMali-G57 MC2 - SM-A146P
OSAndroid 11, OxygenOS 11Android 13, upgradable to Android 15, One UI Core 7
Memory
Card slotmicroSDXCmicroSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) - USA onlymicroSDXC (dedicated slot) - International
Internal64GB 4GB RAM64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM
 UFS 2.1-
Main Camera
FeaturesLED flash, HDR, panoramaLED flash, panorama, HDR
Single16 MP, f/2.113 MP, f/2.0, (wide)
Triple13 MP, f/2.2, (wide), PDAF 2 MP (macro) Auxiliary lens50 MP, f/1.8, 26mm (wide), 1/2.76", 0.64µm, PDAF 2 MP (macro) Auxiliary lens
Video1080p@30fps, gyro-EIS1080p@30fps
Selfie camera
FeaturesHDR-
Single16 MP, f/2.113 MP, f/2.0, 26mm (wide), 1.12µm
Video1080p@30fps1080p@30fps
Sound
3.5mm jack YesYes
35mm jackYesYes
Loudspeaker YesYes
Comms
Bluetooth5.1, A2DP, LE5.2, A2DP, LE
NFCYesYes
PositioningGPS (L1+L5), GLONASS, BDS, GALILEOGPS, GLONASS, GALILEO
RadioFM radioFM radio (Exynos 1330 chipset only), recording
USBUSB Type-C 2.0, OTGUSB Type-C 2.0
WLANWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-bandWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct
Features
SensorsFingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, barometerFingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, barometer (USA only)
Battery
Charging18W wired15W wired
TypeLi-Po 5000 mAhLi-Po 5000 mAh
Misc
ColorsBlue QuantumBlack, Light Green, Dark Red, Silver
ModelsDE2118, DE2117SM-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
PriceAbout 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)

OnePlus Nord N200 5G

  • Faster 18W charging
  • Potentially more compact form factor
  • Generally lower price point

  • Less powerful Snapdragon 480 chipset
  • 8nm process node leads to lower efficiency
  • Likely inferior camera performance

Samsung Galaxy A14 5G

  • More powerful Exynos 1330 (or Dimensity 700) chipset
  • Brighter display for outdoor visibility
  • 5nm process node for better efficiency

  • Slower 15W charging
  • Larger size may not suit all users
  • Potential for software bloat (Samsung)

Display Comparison

The Samsung Galaxy A14 5G boasts a brighter display, reaching a measured 519 nits compared to an unlisted value for the Nord N200 5G, making it significantly more usable outdoors. Both displays share a 1334:1 contrast ratio, suggesting similar color depth and black levels. However, the larger screen size of the A14 5G (6.6 inches vs. 6.43 inches) provides a more immersive viewing experience. While neither phone specifies refresh rates, the A14's brightness advantage is a key differentiator.

Camera Comparison

Both phones feature 'Photo / Video' capabilities, but lack detailed camera specifications. Without sensor size or aperture information, a direct comparison is difficult. However, given Samsung’s image processing expertise, the A14 5G is likely to deliver more refined images, particularly in challenging lighting conditions. The inclusion of a 2MP macro camera on both devices is largely a marketing tactic, offering limited practical benefit due to the small sensor size and lack of optical image stabilization (OIS).

Performance

The core difference lies in the chipsets. The Samsung Galaxy A14 5G comes in two variants: the Exynos 1330 (5nm) and the MediaTek Dimensity 700 (7nm). The Exynos 1330, with its Cortex-A78 performance cores clocked at 2.4 GHz, offers a substantial performance advantage over the OnePlus Nord N200 5G’s Snapdragon 480 (8nm) and its 2.0 GHz Kryo 460 cores. The 5nm process node of the Exynos 1330 also translates to improved thermal efficiency, reducing the likelihood of performance throttling during sustained workloads. The Dimensity 700 variant is still a step up from the Snapdragon 480, but the Exynos version is the clear winner.

Battery Life

Both the OnePlus Nord N200 5G and Samsung Galaxy A14 5G achieve an endurance rating of 130 hours, suggesting comparable battery life in typical usage scenarios. The A14 5G supports 15W wired charging, while the N200 5G offers 18W. While the N200 5G has a slightly faster charging rate, the difference is unlikely to be significant in real-world use, and the A14 5G’s more efficient chipset may offset this advantage.

Buying Guide

Buy the OnePlus Nord N200 5G if you prioritize a lighter, more compact phone and are primarily focused on basic tasks like browsing, social media, and light streaming. Buy the Samsung Galaxy A14 5G if you prefer a larger display, demand better performance for multitasking and occasional gaming, and value a brighter, more visible screen in outdoor conditions.

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 designed for improved thermal efficiency compared to the 8nm Snapdragon 480 in the Nord N200 5G. While it may get warm during extended gaming, it's less likely to experience significant throttling, maintaining a more consistent frame rate over longer periods.
❓ Is the 2MP macro camera on either phone actually useful for taking detailed close-up photos?
Unfortunately, the 2MP macro cameras on both the Nord N200 5G and Galaxy A14 5G are largely a marketing feature. The small sensor size and lack of optical image stabilization result in images that are often soft, noisy, and lack detail. They are best avoided for serious photography.
❓ Can the Samsung Galaxy A14 5G handle demanding games like PUBG Mobile at 60fps?
The Exynos 1330 variant of the Galaxy A14 5G can generally run PUBG Mobile at 60fps with medium graphics settings. However, performance may dip during intense firefights. The Dimensity 700 variant will likely require lower settings to maintain a stable 60fps.
❓ Which phone is better for streaming video content from services like Netflix and YouTube?
The Samsung Galaxy A14 5G is better suited for video streaming due to its brighter display. The increased brightness makes content more visible in well-lit environments, and the larger screen provides a more immersive viewing experience.