Realme 9 5G vs Samsung Galaxy M14: The Ultimate Showdown

The budget smartphone market is fiercely competitive, and two contenders vying for your attention are the Realme 9 5G and the Samsung Galaxy M14. Both offer compelling features at accessible prices, but which one truly delivers the best overall experience? Let's dive into a detailed comparison to help you decide.

Phones Images

🏆 Quick Verdict

The Samsung Galaxy M14 edges out the Realme 9 5G thanks to its more efficient chipset, larger battery, and faster charging (in India). While the Realme 9 5G offers a slightly better display, the M14's overall package provides better value and longevity.

PHONES
Phone Names	Realme 9 5G (India)	Samsung Galaxy M14

Network
2G bands	GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900	GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
3G bands	HSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100	HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100
4G bands	1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 28, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41	1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 17, 20, 26, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66
5G bands	1, 28, 41, 77, 78 SA/NSA	1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66, 77, 78 SA/NSA
Speed	HSPA, LTE, 5G	HSPA, LTE, 5G
Technology	GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G	GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G

Launch
Announced	2022, March 10	2023, March 08
Status	Available. Released 2022, March 14	Available. Released 2023, March 08

Body
Build	Glass front, plastic back	Glass front (Gorilla Glass 5), plastic back, plastic frame
Dimensions	162.6 x 74.8 x 8.5 mm (6.40 x 2.94 x 0.33 in)	166.8 x 77.2 x 9.4 mm (6.57 x 3.04 x 0.37 in)
SIM	Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM	· Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM
Weight	188 g (6.63 oz)	206 g (7.27 oz)

Display
Protection	-	Corning Gorilla Glass 5
Resolution	1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~405 ppi density)	1080 x 2408 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~400 ppi density)
Size	6.5 inches, 102.0 cm2 (~83.9% screen-to-body ratio)	6.6 inches, 104.9 cm2 (~81.5% screen-to-body ratio)
Type	IPS LCD, 90Hz, 480 nits (typ), 600 nits (HBM)	PLS LCD, 90Hz

Platform
CPU	Octa-core (2x2.4 GHz Cortex-A76 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55)	Octa-core (2x2.4 GHz Cortex-A78 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55)
Chipset	Mediatek Dimensity 810 (6 nm)	Exynos 1330 (5 nm)
GPU	Mali-G57 MC2	Mali-G68 MP2
OS	Android 11, Realme UI 2.0	Android 13, One UI core 5.1

Memory
Card slot	microSDXC (dedicated slot)	microSDHC (dedicated slot)
Internal	64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM	64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM
	UFS 2.1	-

Main Camera
Features	LED flash, HDR, panorama	LED flash, panorama, HDR
Single	16 MP, f/2.1, 26mm (wide), 1/3.09", 1.0µm	13 MP, f/2.0, (wide)
Triple	48 MP, f/1.8, 26mm (wide), 1/2.0", 0.8µm, PDAF 2 MP (macro) Auxiliary lens	50 MP, f/1.8, (wide), PDAF 2 MP (macro) Auxiliary lens
Video	1080p@30fps	1080p@30fps

Selfie camera
Features	HDR, panorama	-
Single	16 MP, f/2.1, 26mm (wide), 1/3.09", 1.0µm	13 MP, f/2.0, (wide)
Video	1080p@30fps	1080p@30fps

Sound
3.5mm jack	Yes	Yes
35mm jack	Yes	Yes
Loudspeaker	Yes	Yes
	24-bit/192kHz audio	-

Comms
Bluetooth	5.1, A2DP, LE, aptX HD	5.2, A2DP, LE
NFC	No	Yes
Positioning	GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS, QZSS	GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS, QZSS, NavIC
Radio	Unspecified	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 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct

Features
Sensors	Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass	Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass

Battery
Charging	18W wired	15W wired - international 25W wired - India
Type	5000 mAh	Li-Po 6000 mAh

Misc
Colors	Stargaze White, Meteor Black	Navy Blue, Light Blue, Silver
Models	RMX3388	SM-M146B, SM-M146B/DS, SM-M146B/DSN
Price	About 180 EUR	₹ 10,990
SAR	1.05 W/kg (head) 0.74 W/kg (body)	-
SAR EU	-	0.48 W/kg (head) 1.53 W/kg (body)

Realme 9 5G (India)

120Hz Display
Compact Design
OIS on Main Camera
Good Value

Less Efficient Chipset
Slower Charging
Lower Battery Capacity

Samsung Galaxy M14

Super AMOLED Display
Excellent Battery Life
Efficient Chipset
Faster Charging (India)
Future-Proof Chipset

Less Vibrant Colors than Realme (subjective)
Larger Size
Plastic Build

Display Comparison

The Realme 9 5G boasts a 6.6-inch 120Hz IPS LCD display, offering a smoother scrolling experience and vibrant colors. The Galaxy M14 features a 6.6-inch 90Hz Super AMOLED display, known for its deeper blacks and excellent contrast. While the Realme has a higher refresh rate, the M14's AMOLED technology provides a superior viewing experience overall.

Camera Comparison

The Realme 9 5G features a 50MP primary camera with OIS, a 8MP ultrawide, and a 2MP macro lens. The Galaxy M14 sports a 50MP primary camera, a 5MP ultrawide, and a 2MP macro lens. While both offer decent image quality in good lighting, the Realme's OIS provides better stability in low-light conditions. Samsung's image processing tends to be more saturated.

Performance

The Samsung Galaxy M14's Exynos 1330 (5nm) generally outperforms the Realme 9 5G's Dimensity 810 (6nm). The Exynos 1330's more modern architecture and efficient manufacturing process translate to better sustained performance and improved power efficiency. Gaming and multitasking will feel noticeably smoother on the M14.

Battery Life

The Samsung Galaxy M14 shines in the battery department with a massive 6000mAh battery, significantly larger than the Realme 9 5G's 5000mAh battery. Coupled with the Exynos 1330's efficiency, the M14 offers exceptional battery life, easily lasting a full day or more. The M14 also supports 25W fast charging in India, a notable advantage over the Realme's 18W charging.

Buying Guide

The Realme 9 5G is ideal for users prioritizing a vibrant display and a slightly more compact design. The Samsung Galaxy M14 is a better choice for those seeking long battery life, smoother performance, and a more future-proof chipset.