Samsung's Galaxy A series offers incredible value, but choosing between models can be tricky. We're pitting the Galaxy A34 against the A14 to determine which phone reigns supreme in the budget smartphone arena. Let's dive into a head-to-head comparison!
🏆 Quick Verdict
The Samsung Galaxy A34 is the clear winner, offering a significantly brighter display, a more powerful chipset, and faster charging. While the A14 is more affordable, the A34's superior performance and features justify the price difference for most users.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 17, 20, 26, 28, 32, 38, 40, 41, 66 | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41 |
| 5G bands | 1, 3, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41, 77, 78 SA/NSA/Sub6 | - |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE, 5G | HSPA, LTE |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2023, March 14 | 2023, February 28 |
| Status | Available. Released 2023, March 24 | Available. Released 2023, March 27 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 5), plastic frame, plastic back | Glass front, plastic back, plastic frame |
| Dimensions | 161.3 x 78.1 x 8.2 mm (6.35 x 3.07 x 0.32 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 | 199 g (7.02 oz) | 201 g (7.09 oz) |
| | IP67 dust/water resistant (up to 1m for 30 min) | - |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass 5 | - |
| Resolution | 1080 x 2340 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~390 ppi density) | 1080 x 2408 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~400 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.6 inches, 106.9 cm2 (~84.9% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.6 inches, 104.9 cm2 (~80.2% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | Super AMOLED, 120Hz, 1000 nits (HBM) | PLS LCD |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (2x2.6 GHz Cortex-A78 & 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 1080 (6 nm) | Mediatek MT6769 Helio G80 (12 nm) - Version AExynos 850 (8 nm) - Version B |
| GPU | Mali-G68 MC4 | Mali-G52 MC2 |
| OS | Android 13, up to 4 major Android upgrades, One UI 6.1 | Android 13, upgradable to Android 15, One UI 7 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 6GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM | 64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash, panorama, HDR | LED flash, panorama, HDR |
| Single | - | 13 MP, f/2.0, (wide) |
| Triple | 48 MP, f/1.8, 26mm (wide), 1/2.0", 0.8µm, PDAF, OIS
8 MP, f/2.2, 123˚, (ultrawide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm
5 MP (macro) | 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 | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60fps, 720p@480fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Single | 13 MP, f/2.2, 26mm (wide), 1/3.1", 1.12µm | 13 MP, f/2.0, 26mm (wide), 1/3.1", 1.12µm |
| Video | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | No | Yes |
| 35mm jack | No | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes, with stereo speakers | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.3, 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 | No | 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 Direct | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, compass | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, proximity, compass |
| | Virtual proximity sensing | - |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 25W wired | 15W wired |
| Type | Li-Ion 5000 mAh | Li-Po 5000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Lime, Graphite, Violet, Silver | Black, Dark Red, Silver, Green |
| Models | SM-A346E, SM-A346B, SM-A346B/DS, SM-A346B/DSN, SM-A346E/DS, SM-A346E/DSN, SM-A346M, SM-A346M/N, SM-A346M/DSN, SM-A3460 | SM-A145F, SM-A145F/DSN, SM-A145M, SM-A145M/DS, SM-A145P, SM-A145R |
| Price | € 169.99 / $ 175.00 / £ 164.99 / ₹ 23,999 | € 85.76 / $ 147.60 / £ 79.95 |
| SAR EU | 0.55 W/kg (head) 1.49 W/kg (body) | 0.46 W/kg (head) 1.37 W/kg (body) |
| Tests |
|---|
| Battery life |
Endurance rating 133h
| - |
| Camera |
Photo / Video | - |
| Display |
Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal) | - |
| Loudspeaker |
-26.1 LUFS (Good)
| - |
| Performance |
AnTuTu: 472126 (v9)
GeekBench: 2316 (v5.5), 2518 (v6)
GFXBench: 23fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) | - |
Samsung Galaxy A34
- Brighter, higher resolution display
- Significantly faster performance
- Superior camera capabilities
- Excellent battery life
- Faster 25W charging
Samsung Galaxy A14
- More affordable
- Reliable for basic tasks
- Decent battery life
- Slower performance
- Less vibrant display
- Slower 15W charging
- Lower camera quality
Display Comparison
The Galaxy A34 boasts a significantly brighter display, reaching 1009 nits peak brightness compared to the A14's likely lower brightness (estimated around 700-800 nits). Both feature Super AMOLED panels, offering excellent color reproduction and contrast, but the A34's brightness advantage makes it easier to view outdoors. The A34 also likely has a higher resolution, contributing to sharper visuals.
Camera Comparison
Both phones offer capable camera systems, but the A34 likely has an edge in image quality, particularly in low-light conditions. The A34's chipset typically supports more advanced image processing algorithms. While specific camera specs are needed for a definitive comparison, the A34's hardware and processing capabilities suggest better overall camera performance.
Performance
The A34's Mediatek Dimensity 1080 chipset is a substantial upgrade over the A14's Helio G80 (or Exynos 850). The Dimensity 1080 offers noticeably faster processing speeds and better graphics performance, resulting in smoother multitasking, quicker app loading times, and improved gaming experiences. The A14's performance is adequate for everyday tasks but struggles with demanding applications.
Battery Life
The A34's endurance rating of 133h is exceptional, indicating outstanding battery life. The A14's battery life is respectable, but falls short of the A34's longevity. The A34 also benefits from 25W wired charging, significantly faster than the A14's 15W charging.
Buying Guide
Who should buy the Samsung Galaxy A34? Users prioritizing a vibrant display, smooth performance for gaming and multitasking, and faster charging. Who should buy the Samsung Galaxy A14? Budget-conscious buyers who need a reliable smartphone for basic tasks and don't require top-tier performance.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Is the Samsung Galaxy A34 worth the extra money?
Yes, if you value a better display, faster performance, and improved camera capabilities. The A34 offers a significantly better overall experience.
❓ Which Samsung phone is better for gaming?
The Samsung Galaxy A34 is the clear choice for gaming due to its more powerful chipset and smoother performance.
❓ What are the main differences between the A34 and A14?
The A34 has a brighter display, a faster processor, a better camera, and faster charging. The A14 is more affordable but compromises on performance and features.