Samsung Galaxy A14 5G vs Oppo A78: The Ultimate Budget Showdown

The budget smartphone market is fiercely competitive, offering incredible value for money. Today, we're pitting two strong contenders against each other: the Samsung Galaxy A14 5G and the Oppo A78. Both promise a lot, but which one delivers the best overall experience?
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🏆 Quick Verdict

The Oppo A78 takes the lead thanks to its significantly faster charging and comparable performance. While the A14 5G boasts impressive battery endurance, the A78's charging speed and generally smoother experience make it the more appealing choice for most users.

PHONES
Phone Names Samsung Galaxy A14 5G Oppo A78
Network
2G bandsGSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
3G bandsHSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100HSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100
4G bands1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 17, 20, 26, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66 - International1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 18, 19, 20, 26, 28, 38, 39, 40, 41, 66
5G bands2, 5, 66, 77 Sub6/mmWave - USA1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66, 77, 78 SA/NSA
SpeedHSPA, LTE, 5GHSPA, LTE, 5G
TechnologyGSM / HSPA / LTE / 5GGSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G
 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 40, 41, 78 SA/NSA/Sub6 - IndiaIP54
Launch
Announced2023, January 042023, January 07
StatusAvailable. Released 2023, January 12Available. Released 2023, January 07
Body
BuildGlass front, plastic back, plastic frame-
Dimensions167.7 x 78 x 9.1 mm (6.60 x 3.07 x 0.36 in)163.8 x 75.1 x 8 mm (6.45 x 2.96 x 0.31 in)
SIM· Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIM
Weight202 g (7.13 oz)188 g (6.63 oz)
Display
Protection-Panda glass
Resolution1080 x 2408 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~400 ppi density)720 x 1612 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~269 ppi density)
Size6.6 inches, 104.9 cm2 (~80.2% screen-to-body ratio)6.56 inches, 103.4 cm2 (~84.0% screen-to-body ratio)
TypePLS LCD, 90HzIPS LCD, 90Hz, 480 nits (typ), 600 nits (HBM)
Platform
CPUOcta-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-A146POcta-core (2x2.2 GHz Cortex-A76 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55)
ChipsetExynos 1330 (5 nm) - SM-A146BMediatek Dimensity 700 (7 nm) - SM-A146PMediatek Dimensity 700 (7 nm)
GPUMali-G68 MP2 - SM-A146BMali-G57 MC2 - SM-A146PMali-G57 MC2
OSAndroid 13, upgradable to Android 15, One UI Core 7Android 12, upgradable to Android 14, ColorOS 14
Memory
Card slotmicroSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) - USA onlymicroSDXC (dedicated slot) - InternationalmicroSDXC
Internal64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM
 -UFS 2.2
Main Camera
Dual-50 MP, f/1.8, 27mm (wide), PDAF Auxiliary lens
FeaturesLED flash, panorama, HDRLED flash, HDR, panorama
Single13 MP, f/2.0, (wide)8 MP, f/2.0, 27mm (wide)
Triple50 MP, f/1.8, 26mm (wide), 1/2.76", 0.64µm, PDAF 2 MP (macro) Auxiliary lens-
Video1080p@30fps1080p@30fps
Selfie camera
Single13 MP, f/2.0, 26mm (wide), 1.12µm8 MP, f/2.0, 27mm (wide)
Video1080p@30fps1080p@30fps
Sound
3.5mm jack YesYes
35mm jackYesYes
Loudspeaker YesYes, with stereo speakers
Comms
Bluetooth5.2, A2DP, LE5.3, A2DP, LE, aptX
NFCYesYes
PositioningGPS, GLONASS, GALILEOGPS, GALILEO, GLONASS, BDS, QZSS
RadioFM radio (Exynos 1330 chipset only), recordingNo
USBUSB Type-C 2.0USB Type-C 2.0, OTG
WLANWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi DirectWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band
Features
SensorsFingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, barometer (USA only)Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, proximity, compass
Battery
Charging15W wired33W wired, PD, 52% in 30 min, 100% in 67 min
TypeLi-Po 5000 mAhLi-Po 5000 mAh
Misc
ColorsBlack, Light Green, Dark Red, SilverGlowing Black, Glowing Purple
ModelsSM-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-A146MCPH2483, CPH2495
Price$ 77.63 / C$ 151.00 / £ 97.00 / € 159.79 / ₹ 14,990€ 188.99 / $ 102.92 / ₹ 16,290
SAR1.00 W/kg (head)     1.00 W/kg (body)-
SAR EU0.56 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)-

Samsung Galaxy A14 5G

  • Exceptional battery life
  • Familiar Samsung UI
  • 5G Connectivity

  • Slower charging
  • Potentially less vibrant display
  • Performance may vary by variant

Oppo A78

  • Fast 33W charging
  • Vibrant display
  • Smooth performance
  • Modern software experience

  • Battery life not as exceptional as A14 5G
  • Oppo's ColorOS may not appeal to everyone

Display Comparison

Both phones feature large displays, but the Oppo A78 likely has a slightly more vibrant and color-accurate panel. The A14 5G's 1334:1 contrast ratio is impressive, but real-world viewing experience depends on panel quality, which isn't fully specified. The Oppo A78's display is generally considered to be brighter and more visually appealing.

Camera Comparison

Camera performance is difficult to definitively assess without detailed testing. Both phones offer versatile camera setups, but image quality will depend on software processing and sensor capabilities. Expect decent results in good lighting conditions from both, but low-light performance may be a weak point.

Performance

The Oppo A78's Dimensity 700 with Cortex-A76 cores offers a slight edge in performance over the A14 5G's Exynos 1330 (SM-A146B) or Dimensity 700 (SM-A146P) depending on the variant. Both are capable of handling everyday tasks, but the Oppo A78 might feel a bit snappier. Gaming performance will be adequate on both, but don't expect high frame rates on demanding titles.

Battery Life

The Samsung Galaxy A14 5G's endurance rating of 130h is exceptional, suggesting incredible standby time. However, the Oppo A78's 33W charging is a game-changer, allowing for a full charge in under 70 minutes. While the A14 5G lasts longer on a single charge, the A78's charging speed makes up for it.

Buying Guide

The Samsung Galaxy A14 5G is ideal for users prioritizing long battery life and a familiar Samsung ecosystem. The Oppo A78 is a better fit for those who value fast charging, a vibrant display, and a generally more modern software experience.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Which phone has better battery life?
The Samsung Galaxy A14 5G boasts significantly longer standby time due to its exceptional endurance rating, but the Oppo A78's fast charging makes up for it.
❓ Is the Oppo A78 worth the extra cost?
If fast charging and a smoother user experience are priorities, the Oppo A78 is likely worth the slight premium. However, if battery life is your absolute top concern, the A14 5G remains a compelling option.