The Samsung Galaxy A series consistently delivers excellent value, and the A13 and A14 5G are prime examples. But with both vying for the budget smartphone crown, which one offers the best bang for your buck? This comprehensive comparison will break down every aspect, helping you make an informed decision.
🏆 Quick Verdict
The Galaxy A14 5G is the clear winner, offering a significantly faster processor, 5G connectivity, and a slightly improved battery life. While the A13 remains a solid choice, the A14 5G's upgrades make it the superior option for most users.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41 | 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 | 2022, March 04 | 2023, January 04 |
| Status | Available. Released 2022, March 23 | Available. Released 2023, January 12 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 5), plastic frame, plastic back | Glass front, plastic back, plastic frame |
| Dimensions | 165.1 x 76.4 x 8.8 mm (6.5 x 3.01 x 0.35 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 | 195 g (6.88 oz) | 202 g (7.13 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass 5 | - |
| Resolution | 1080 x 2408 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~400 ppi density) | 1080 x 2408 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~400 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.6 inches, 104.9 cm2 (~83.2% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.6 inches, 104.9 cm2 (~80.2% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | PLS LCD | PLS LCD, 90Hz |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (4x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55 & 4x2.0 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 | Exynos 850 (8 nm) | Exynos 1330 (5 nm) - SM-A146BMediatek Dimensity 700 (7 nm) - SM-A146P |
| GPU | Mali-G52 | Mali-G68 MP2 - SM-A146BMali-G57 MC2 - SM-A146P |
| OS | Android 12, upgradable to Android 14, One UI 6.1 | 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 | 32GB 3GB RAM, 32GB 4GB RAM, 64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 3GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM | 64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM |
| | eMMC 5.1 | - |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash, panorama, HDR | LED flash, panorama, HDR |
| Quad | 50 MP, f/1.8, (wide), PDAF
5 MP, f/2.2, 123˚ (ultrawide), 1/5.0", 1.12µm
2 MP (macro)
Auxiliary lens | - |
| Single | 8 MP, f/2.2, (wide) | 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 |
|---|
| Single | 8 MP, f/2.2, (wide) | 13 MP, f/2.0, 26mm (wide), 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 | 5.2, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | Yes (market/region dependent) | Yes |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS | 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 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 (side-mounted), accelerometer, compass | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, barometer (USA only) |
| | Virtual proximity sensing | - |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 15W wired | 15W wired |
| Type | Li-Po 5000 mAh | Li-Po 5000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Black, White, Peach, Blue | Black, Light Green, Dark Red, Silver |
| Models | SM-A135F, SM-A135F/DS, SM-A135M, SM-A135U, SM-A135U1, SM-A135N | 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 | € 94.99 / $ 129.99 / £ 89.00 | $ 77.63 / C$ 151.00 / £ 97.00 / € 159.79 / ₹ 14,990 |
| SAR | 0.49 W/kg (head) | 1.00 W/kg (head) 1.00 W/kg (body) |
| SAR EU | 0.37 W/kg (head) 1.39 W/kg (body) | 0.56 W/kg (head) 1.28 W/kg (body) |
| Tests |
|---|
| Battery life |
Endurance rating 114h
|
Endurance rating 130h
|
| Camera |
Photo / Video |
Photo / Video |
| Display |
Contrast ratio: 1324:1 (nominal) |
Contrast ratio: 1334:1 (nominal) |
| Loudspeaker |
-29.7 LUFS (Average)
|
-26.8 LUFS (Good)
|
| Performance |
AnTuTu: 122822 (v8), 136286 (v9)
GeekBench: 588 (v5.1)
GFXBench: 5.2fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) |
AnTuTu: 307886 (v9)
GeekBench: 1727 (v5.1)
GFXBench: 12fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) |
Samsung Galaxy A13
- Excellent battery life
- Affordable price
- Large display
- Good contrast ratio
- Outdated chipset
- Slow charging
- Lower performance
- No 5G
Samsung Galaxy A14 5G
- Faster processor (Exynos 1330 or Dimensity 700)
- 5G connectivity
- Improved performance
- Slightly better camera
- Slightly lower peak brightness
- 15W charging speed
- Price slightly higher than A13
Display Comparison
Both phones feature large displays with excellent contrast ratios (1324:1 and 1334:1 respectively). However, the A13 boasts a slightly higher peak brightness of 587 nits compared to the A14 5G's 519 nits, potentially offering better visibility in direct sunlight. Both use LCD panels, so don't expect OLED-level color accuracy or deep blacks.
Camera Comparison
While both phones offer capable cameras, the A14 5G generally produces slightly better images, particularly in well-lit conditions. The A14 5G often features a higher resolution main sensor. Low-light performance is comparable on both devices. Video recording capabilities are similar, offering 1080p resolution at various frame rates.
Performance
This is where the A14 5G truly shines. The Exynos 1330 (or Dimensity 700 depending on the region) is a substantial upgrade over the A13's Exynos 850. Expect noticeably faster app loading times, smoother multitasking, and improved gaming performance on the A14 5G. The A13's CPU is adequate for basic tasks but struggles with more demanding applications.
Battery Life
The A14 5G edges out the A13 with an endurance rating of 130 hours versus 114 hours. Both phones offer excellent battery life, easily lasting a full day of moderate use. Charging speeds are identical at 15W wired, which is relatively slow by modern standards.
Buying Guide
The Samsung Galaxy A13 is a good choice for users on a very tight budget who prioritize long battery life and don't need 5G. The Samsung Galaxy A14 5G is ideal for those seeking a faster phone with 5G capabilities, a more modern chipset, and a slightly better overall experience.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Is the Samsung Galaxy A14 5G worth the extra money?
Yes, the A14 5G's performance and 5G connectivity justify the slightly higher price for most users. The improved chipset makes a noticeable difference in everyday use.
❓ Does the A13 have 5G?
No, the Samsung Galaxy A13 does not support 5G connectivity.