Samsung's A-series continues to dominate the budget 5G space, but navigating the options can be tricky. The Galaxy A14 5G represents a newer generation, while the A22 5G has been available longer and may offer better value depending on current pricing. This comparison dives deep into the key differences between these two devices, focusing on performance, display quality, and battery endurance.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For most users, the Samsung Galaxy A14 5G is the better choice. Its brighter display (519 nits vs 385 nits) and potentially more efficient Exynos 1330 chipset (depending on the variant) offer a more modern experience, despite similar battery life. However, the A22 5G remains a viable option if found at a significantly lower price.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 2, 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 | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41, 78, 79 SA/NSA/Sub6 | 2, 5, 66, 77 Sub6/mmWave - USA |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE, 5G | HSPA, LTE, 5G |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G | GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G |
| | - | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 40, 41, 78 SA/NSA/Sub6 - India |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2021, June 03 | 2023, January 04 |
| Status | Available. Released 2021, June 24 | Available. Released 2023, January 12 |
| 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) | 202 g (7.13 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, 90Hz |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (2x2.2 GHz Cortex-A76 & 6x2.0 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 | Mediatek Dimensity 700 (7 nm) | Exynos 1330 (5 nm) - SM-A146BMediatek Dimensity 700 (7 nm) - SM-A146P |
| GPU | Mali-G57 MC2 | Mali-G68 MP2 - SM-A146BMali-G57 MC2 - SM-A146P |
| OS | Android 11, upgradable to Android 13, One UI core 5 | 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 | 64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM | 64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB 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), 1/2.76", 0.64µm, PDAF
2 MP (macro)
Auxiliary lens |
| Video | 1152p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Single | 8 MP, f/2.0, (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 | FM radio | FM radio (Exynos 1330 chipset only), recording |
| 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, gyro, proximity, compass, barometer (USA only) |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 15W wired | 15W wired |
| Type | Li-Po 5000 mAh | Li-Po 5000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Gray, White, Mint, Violet | Black, Light Green, Dark Red, Silver |
| Models | SM-A226B, SM-A226B/DS, SM-A226B/DSN, SM-A226BR, SM-A226BR/N, SM-A226L, SC-56B | 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 | £ 92.00 / € 125.99 | $ 77.63 / C$ 151.00 / £ 97.00 / € 159.79 / ₹ 14,990 |
| SAR | - | 1.00 W/kg (head) 1.00 W/kg (body) |
| SAR EU | 0.73 W/kg (head) 1.23 W/kg (body) | 0.56 W/kg (head) 1.28 W/kg (body) |
| Tests |
|---|
| Battery life |
Endurance rating 118h
|
Endurance rating 130h
|
| Camera |
Photo / Video |
Photo / Video |
| Display |
Contrast ratio: 1631:1 (nominal) |
Contrast ratio: 1334:1 (nominal) |
| Loudspeaker |
-28.5 LUFS (Average)
|
-26.8 LUFS (Good)
|
| Performance |
AnTuTu: 242155 (v8), 223188 (v9)
GeekBench: 6913 (v4.4), 1719 (v5.1)
GFXBench: 12fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) |
AnTuTu: 307886 (v9)
GeekBench: 1727 (v5.1)
GFXBench: 12fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) |
Samsung Galaxy A22 5G
- Brighter display for better outdoor visibility
- Potentially faster performance with Exynos 1330 (SM-A146B)
- Slightly better battery endurance
- Performance can be identical to A22 5G with Dimensity 700 variant (SM-A146P)
- Camera specs are not significantly different
Samsung Galaxy A14 5G
- Proven reliability and established user base
- May be available at a lower price point
- Solid performance for basic tasks
- Dimmer display compared to A14 5G
- Less efficient chipset (Dimensity 700)
- Older generation device
Display Comparison
The A14 5G boasts a significantly brighter display, reaching 519 nits compared to the A22 5G’s 385 nits. This translates to better visibility outdoors and a more engaging viewing experience. While both displays have a nominal contrast ratio around 1334:1 and 1631:1 respectively, the higher brightness of the A14 5G makes a more noticeable difference in real-world use. Both are likely to use TFT LCD panels, common in this price bracket, so color accuracy and viewing angles won't be flagship-level.
Camera Comparison
Both phones feature a 'Photo / Video' camera setup, but detailed sensor information is lacking. Given the price point, expect similar image quality, with both likely relying on software processing to enhance photos. The inclusion of a 2MP macro camera on both is largely a marketing feature with limited practical use. Real-world performance will depend heavily on Samsung’s image processing algorithms and the quality of the main sensor, which isn't specified in the provided data. Without further details, it's difficult to declare a clear winner in the camera department.
Performance
This is where the biggest potential difference lies. The A14 5G comes in two chipset variants: the Exynos 1330 (5nm) and the Mediatek Dimensity 700 (7nm). The Exynos 1330, found in the SM-A146B model, utilizes a more efficient 5nm process and features Cortex-A78 cores, offering a performance uplift over the A22 5G’s Dimensity 700. The A22 5G’s Dimensity 700, while capable, is based on a larger 7nm process. The A14 5G’s CPU configuration (2x2.4 GHz Cortex-A78 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55) provides a clock speed advantage over the A22 5G’s (2x2.2 GHz Cortex-A76 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55), resulting in snappier app loading and smoother multitasking. However, the A146P variant of the A14 5G uses the same Dimensity 700 as the A22 5G, negating this performance benefit.
Battery Life
Both the A14 5G and A22 5G achieve an impressive endurance rating of 130h and 118h respectively, suggesting excellent battery life. The A14 5G’s slightly higher rating likely stems from the efficiency gains of the Exynos 1330 (in the SM-A146B variant) or optimized software. Both phones support 15W wired charging, meaning charge times will be comparable – expect around 2-3 hours for a full charge from 0%. The A14 5G’s improved efficiency may translate to slightly longer screen-on time, but the difference is unlikely to be dramatic.
Buying Guide
Buy the Samsung Galaxy A22 5G if you prioritize a proven track record and can find it at a substantial discount. It's a solid performer for basic tasks and offers reliable 5G connectivity. Buy the Samsung Galaxy A14 5G if you want a brighter, more vibrant display and the potential for slightly improved performance with the newer Exynos 1330 chipset, especially if you frequently use media apps or light gaming.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Does the Exynos 1330 in the A14 5G get hot during extended gaming sessions?
While the 5nm process of the Exynos 1330 is more efficient than the 7nm Dimensity 700, sustained gaming will still generate heat. However, the improved efficiency should result in less thermal throttling compared to the A22 5G, allowing for slightly longer periods of peak performance. Expect moderate warmth, but not overheating, during typical gaming use.
❓ Is the 2MP macro camera on either phone worth using?
Generally, 2MP macro cameras on budget phones offer limited image quality. The small sensor size and lack of optical image stabilization result in soft, noisy images. While it can be fun to experiment with close-up shots, don't expect professional-level results. The standard camera mode will likely produce better overall photos.
❓ Which phone is better for streaming video content?
The Samsung Galaxy A14 5G is the better choice for streaming due to its significantly brighter display. The increased brightness makes videos more visible and vibrant, especially in well-lit environments. The slightly improved processor could also contribute to smoother playback.
❓ What is the difference between the SM-A146B and SM-A146P variants of the A14 5G?
The SM-A146B variant of the A14 5G is powered by the more efficient Exynos 1330 chipset, offering a performance advantage. The SM-A146P variant uses the Mediatek Dimensity 700, which is the same chipset found in the A22 5G. Therefore, the SM-A146B is the preferred model if performance is a priority.
