Samsung's A-series continues to dominate the budget smartphone space, but choosing between models can be tricky. The Galaxy A22 5G, released earlier, offers 5G connectivity and a more powerful processor, while the newer A14 focuses on refining the basics and offering a potentially longer-lasting experience. This comparison dives deep into the specs to determine which phone delivers the best value.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For users prioritizing 5G connectivity and smoother performance in demanding apps, the Samsung Galaxy A22 5G is the better choice. However, the A14 presents a compelling alternative for those who value a potentially more efficient chipset and are less concerned with bleeding-edge network speeds.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41 | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41 |
| 5G bands | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41, 78, 79 SA/NSA/Sub6 | - |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE, 5G | HSPA, LTE |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2021, June 03 | 2023, February 28 |
| Status | Available. Released 2021, June 24 | Available. Released 2023, March 27 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front, plastic frame, plastic back | Glass front, plastic back, plastic frame |
| Dimensions | 167.2 x 76.4 x 9 mm (6.58 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 | 203 g (7.16 oz) | 201 g (7.09 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Resolution | 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~399 ppi density) | 1080 x 2408 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~400 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.6 inches, 105.2 cm2 (~82.3% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.6 inches, 104.9 cm2 (~80.2% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | TFT LCD, 90Hz | PLS LCD |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (2x2.2 GHz Cortex-A76 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55) | Octa-core (2x2.0 GHz Cortex-A75 & 6x1.8 GHz Cortex-A55) - Version AOcta-core (4x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55 & 4x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55) - Version B |
| Chipset | Mediatek Dimensity 700 (7 nm) | Mediatek MT6769 Helio G80 (12 nm) - Version AExynos 850 (8 nm) - Version B |
| GPU | Mali-G57 MC2 | Mali-G52 MC2 |
| OS | Android 11, upgradable to Android 13, One UI core 5 | Android 13, upgradable to Android 15, One UI 7 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM | 64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash, panorama, HDR | LED flash, panorama, HDR |
| Single | 8 MP, f/2.0, (wide) | 13 MP, f/2.0, (wide) |
| Triple | 48 MP, f/1.8, (wide), PDAF
5 MP, f/2.2, 115˚ (ultrawide), 1/5.0", 1.12µm
Auxiliary lens | 50 MP, f/1.8, 26mm (wide), 1/2.75", 0.64µm, PDAF
5 MP, f/2.2, 17mm (ultrawide), 1/5.0", 1.12µm
2 MP (macro) |
| Video | 1152p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Single | 8 MP, f/2.0, (wide) | 13 MP, f/2.0, 26mm (wide), 1/3.1", 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 | 5.1 or 5.3, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | Yes (market/region dependent) | Yes (market/region dependent) |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS | GPS, GALILEO, GLONASS, BDS, QZSS |
| Radio | FM radio | Unspecified |
| USB | USB Type-C 2.0 | 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, gyro, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, proximity, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 15W wired | 15W wired |
| Type | Li-Po 5000 mAh | Li-Po 5000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Gray, White, Mint, Violet | Black, Dark Red, Silver, Green |
| Models | SM-A226B, SM-A226B/DS, SM-A226B/DSN, SM-A226BR, SM-A226BR/N, SM-A226L, SC-56B | SM-A145F, SM-A145F/DSN, SM-A145M, SM-A145M/DS, SM-A145P, SM-A145R |
| Price | £ 92.00 / € 125.99 | € 85.76 / $ 147.60 / £ 79.95 |
| SAR EU | 0.73 W/kg (head) 1.23 W/kg (body) | 0.46 W/kg (head) 1.37 W/kg (body) |
| Tests |
|---|
| Battery life |
Endurance rating 118h
| - |
| Camera |
Photo / Video | - |
| Display |
Contrast ratio: 1631:1 (nominal) | - |
| Loudspeaker |
-28.5 LUFS (Average)
| - |
| Performance |
AnTuTu: 242155 (v8), 223188 (v9)
GeekBench: 6913 (v4.4), 1719 (v5.1)
GFXBench: 12fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) | - |
Samsung Galaxy A22 5G
- Faster processor for smoother performance
- 5G connectivity for faster data speeds
- Excellent battery life (118h endurance)
- May be slightly more expensive
- 15W charging is relatively slow
Samsung Galaxy A14
- Potentially better battery efficiency (depending on variant)
- May be more affordable
- Simple and user-friendly experience
- Slower processor compared to A22 5G
- Limited gaming performance
Display Comparison
The Galaxy A22 5G boasts a display with a measured peak brightness of 385 nits and a 1631:1 contrast ratio, providing a reasonably vibrant viewing experience. While the A14’s display specifications aren’t provided, it’s likely to offer similar brightness levels given its market positioning. The A22 5G’s contrast ratio suggests deeper blacks and more vivid colors compared to what is typical for the A14’s price bracket. Neither phone is expected to feature high refresh rate panels, focusing instead on maximizing battery efficiency.
Camera Comparison
Both phones feature a 'Photo / Video' camera setup, but detailed sensor information is lacking. Given the price points, expect similar image quality in good lighting conditions. The A22 5G’s advantage likely lies in its image signal processor (ISP) paired with the Dimensity 700, potentially offering better noise reduction and dynamic range. The A14’s camera performance will depend heavily on the specific variant (Helio G80 vs. Exynos 850), with the Exynos version likely offering slightly better image processing capabilities. It's safe to assume both phones include a 2MP macro camera, which offers limited practical benefit due to its low resolution.
Performance
The core difference lies in the chipsets. The A22 5G utilizes the Mediatek Dimensity 700 (7nm), featuring an octa-core CPU with 2x2.2 GHz Cortex-A76 and 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55 cores. This 7nm process node offers superior power efficiency and performance compared to the A14’s options. The A14 comes in two variants: one with the Mediatek Helio G80 (12nm) and another with the Exynos 850 (8nm). The Helio G80, with its 2x2.0 GHz Cortex-A75 and 6x1.8 GHz Cortex-A55 cores, is less powerful and less efficient than the Dimensity 700. The Exynos 850, while built on a smaller 8nm node, still lags behind the Dimensity 700 in raw processing power. This translates to faster app loading times and smoother multitasking on the A22 5G.
Battery Life
The Galaxy A22 5G achieves an impressive endurance rating of 118 hours, indicating excellent battery life. The A14’s battery capacity isn’t specified, but its chipset options suggest it may offer comparable or slightly better endurance. The Helio G80’s 12nm process is less efficient, but the A14 may compensate with a larger battery. Both phones support 15W wired charging, meaning charge times will be similar – expect around 2-3 hours for a full charge from 0%.
Buying Guide
Buy the Samsung Galaxy A22 5G if you need 5G connectivity for faster data speeds, frequently stream high-resolution video, or play graphically intensive mobile games. Buy the Samsung Galaxy A14 if you prioritize all-day battery life, prefer a simpler user experience, and primarily use your phone for basic tasks like calling, texting, and social media.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Does the Exynos 850 chip in the A14 overheat during prolonged use?
The Exynos 850 is generally a thermally efficient chip. While it can get warm during extended gaming sessions, it's unlikely to overheat to the point of performance throttling. However, it won't match the sustained performance of the A22 5G's Dimensity 700.
❓ Is the 2MP macro camera on either phone worth using?
The 2MP macro cameras on both the A22 5G and A14 are largely a marketing feature. The low resolution results in images lacking detail and sharpness. While usable in ideal lighting conditions, they don't offer a significant improvement over standard photos taken with the main camera.
❓ Can the Galaxy A14 handle demanding games like PUBG Mobile?
The A14, particularly the Helio G80 variant, will struggle with PUBG Mobile at higher settings. You'll likely need to lower the graphics settings and frame rate to achieve a playable experience. The Exynos 850 version will perform slightly better, but still won't deliver a smooth, high-fidelity gaming experience.
❓ How much faster is 5G on the A22 5G compared to 4G?
5G speeds on the A22 5G can be significantly faster than 4G, potentially offering download speeds 10-100x faster depending on network conditions and carrier support. However, 5G availability varies greatly by location, and you'll need a 5G data plan to take advantage of the faster speeds.
