Samsung's budget 5G lineup can be confusing. The Galaxy F06 5G and A14 5G both aim for affordability, but diverge in their core components. The F06 5G features a newer Mediatek Dimensity 6300, while the A14 5G offers a choice between the Exynos 1330 and Dimensity 700 depending on the region. This comparison dissects these differences to determine which phone delivers the best value.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For most users, the Samsung Galaxy F06 5G is the better choice. Its newer Mediatek Dimensity 6300 chipset, built on a more efficient 6nm process, provides a performance edge over both variants of the A14 5G, despite the A14's slightly faster peak CPU clock speeds. While the A14 5G boasts comparable battery endurance, the F06's faster 25W charging is a significant advantage.
| 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 | LTE | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 17, 20, 26, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66 - International |
| 5G bands | SA/NSA | 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 | 2025, February 12 | 2023, January 04 |
| Status | Available. Released February 20 | Available. Released 2023, January 12 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front, plastic back, plastic frame | Glass front, plastic back, plastic frame |
| Dimensions | 167.4 x 77.4 x 8 mm (6.59 x 3.05 x 0.31 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 |
| Weight | 191 g (6.74 oz) | 202 g (7.13 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Resolution | 720 x 1600 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~262 ppi density) | 1080 x 2408 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~400 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.7 inches, 108.4 cm2 (~83.6% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.6 inches, 104.9 cm2 (~80.2% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | PLS LCD, 800 nits (HBM) | PLS LCD, 90Hz |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (2x2.4 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 6300 (6 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 15, up to 4 major Android upgrades, One UI Core 7.0 | Android 13, upgradable to Android 15, One UI Core 7 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) - USA onlymicroSDXC (dedicated slot) - International |
| Internal | 64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM | 64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Dual | 50 MP, f/1.8, (wide), PDAF
Auxiliary lens | - |
| Features | LED flash | LED flash, panorama, HDR |
| Single | - | 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@30/60fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Single | 8 MP, f/2.0, (wide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm | 13 MP, f/2.0, 26mm (wide), 1.12µm |
| Video | Yes | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | - | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.3, A2DP, LE | 5.2, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | No | Yes |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO |
| Radio | Unspecified | 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, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, barometer (USA only) |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 25W wired | 15W wired |
| Type | Li-Ion 5000 mAh | Li-Po 5000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Bahama Blue, Lit Violet | Black, Light Green, Dark Red, Silver |
| Models | SM-E066B, SM-E066B/DS | 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 | ₹ 8,727 | $ 77.63 / C$ 151.00 / £ 97.00 / € 159.79 / ₹ 14,990 |
| SAR | 1.05 W/kg (head) | 1.00 W/kg (head) 1.00 W/kg (body) |
| SAR EU | 1.30 W/kg (head) 1.30 W/kg (body) | 0.56 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 F06 5G
- Newer, more efficient Dimensity 6300 chipset
- Faster 25W wired charging
- Potentially better sustained performance
- Battery capacity not specified
- Display brightness details missing
Samsung Galaxy A14 5G
- Proven 130-hour battery endurance
- Measured 519 nits peak brightness
- Exynos 1330 variant offers competitive CPU performance
- Slower 15W charging
- Dimensity 700 variant is significantly less powerful
Display Comparison
Both the F06 5G and A14 5G share a similar display profile, with a 1334:1 contrast ratio. The A14 5G’s measured peak brightness of 519 nits is a key specification, suggesting decent outdoor visibility. However, details regarding the F06 5G’s display brightness are missing, making a direct comparison difficult. Both likely utilize LCD panels, common in this price bracket, and lack high refresh rates. The similar contrast ratios suggest comparable viewing experiences, but the A14 5G’s measured brightness gives it a slight edge.
Camera Comparison
Both phones feature a 'Photo / Video' camera setup, lacking specific details. Without sensor size or aperture information, a meaningful comparison is impossible. The inclusion of a 2MP macro camera on both devices is largely a marketing tactic, offering limited practical benefit. Image quality will likely be similar, relying heavily on Samsung’s software processing. The absence of Optical Image Stabilization (OIS) on either device suggests similar low-light performance limitations.
Performance
The performance gap is the most significant differentiator. The F06 5G’s Mediatek Dimensity 6300 (6nm) is a newer chip than either the A14 5G’s Exynos 1330 (5nm) or Dimensity 700 (7nm). While the A14 5G’s Exynos variant features Cortex-A78 cores clocked at 2.4GHz, matching the F06’s Cortex-A76 cores, the 6nm process of the Dimensity 6300 offers superior power efficiency. The Dimensity 700 variant of the A14 5G is further behind, with slower Cortex-A76 cores clocked at 2.2GHz and a less efficient 7nm process. This translates to better sustained performance and less thermal throttling on the F06 5G, particularly during demanding tasks. The F06 5G will likely offer a smoother experience in graphically intensive games and multitasking scenarios.
Battery Life
The Samsung Galaxy A14 5G boasts an endurance rating of 130 hours, indicating solid battery life. The F06 5G’s battery capacity is not specified, but its more efficient Dimensity 6300 chipset should allow it to achieve comparable endurance. However, the F06 5G’s 25W wired charging significantly outperforms the A14 5G’s 15W charging. This means the F06 5G will recharge much faster, reducing downtime and offering greater convenience. A full charge on the F06 5G is expected to take considerably less time than on the A14 5G.
Buying Guide
Buy the Samsung Galaxy F06 5G if you prioritize a smoother, more responsive user experience and faster charging speeds. It's ideal for users who frequently multitask, play mobile games, or simply want a phone that feels snappy. Buy the Samsung Galaxy A14 5G if you are looking for a phone with a proven track record of battery life and are willing to accept slightly slower performance, especially if you find a model equipped with the Exynos 1330.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Does the Exynos 1330 in the A14 5G tend to overheat during prolonged gaming sessions?
The Exynos 1330 is a capable chip, but its 5nm process isn't as efficient as the Dimensity 6300's 6nm process. While it won't necessarily overheat, users may experience some thermal throttling during extended gaming, leading to a slight performance dip. The F06 5G is likely to maintain more consistent performance over longer periods.
❓ Is the 2MP macro camera on either phone worth using for detailed close-up shots?
Generally, 2MP macro cameras on budget phones offer limited image quality. The small sensor size and lack of autofocus result in soft, often noisy images. They are more of a marketing feature than a genuinely useful tool for serious photography. Expect better results using the main camera in standard photo mode.
❓ Which phone is better suited for playing PUBG Mobile at higher frame rates?
The Samsung Galaxy F06 5G, with its Dimensity 6300, is better equipped to handle PUBG Mobile at higher frame rates. The more efficient chipset and potentially better thermal management will allow for more stable performance and less frame dropping compared to the A14 5G, especially the Dimensity 700 variant.
❓ How long does it realistically take to fully charge the Samsung Galaxy A14 5G with the 15W charger?
With the 15W charger, a full charge from 0% to 100% on the Samsung Galaxy A14 5G will likely take around 2.5 to 3 hours. This is significantly slower than the F06 5G's 25W charging, which should complete a full charge in approximately 1.5 to 2 hours.
