Looking for an affordable Samsung smartphone? The Galaxy M04 and A14 are both strong contenders in the budget segment. But which one offers the best value for your money? This comprehensive comparison will help you decide.
🏆 Quick Verdict
The Samsung Galaxy A14 is the clear winner. While both are budget phones, the A14 boasts a significantly more powerful chipset, a better camera system, and often a more refined design, making it the superior choice despite a potentially slightly higher price.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41 | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41 |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE | HSPA, LTE |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2022, December 10 | 2023, February 28 |
| Status | Available. Released 2022, December 16 | Available. Released 2023, March 27 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front, plastic back, plastic frame | Glass front, plastic back, plastic frame |
| Dimensions | 164.2 x 75.9 x 9.1 mm (6.46 x 2.99 x 0.36 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 | 188 g (6.63 oz) | 201 g (7.09 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Resolution | 720 x 1600 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~270 ppi density) | 1080 x 2408 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~400 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.5 inches, 102.0 cm2 (~81.8% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.6 inches, 104.9 cm2 (~80.2% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | PLS LCD | PLS LCD |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (4x2.35 GHz Cortex-A53 & 4x1.8 GHz Cortex-A53) | 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 MT6765 Helio P35 (12 nm) | Mediatek MT6769 Helio G80 (12 nm) - Version AExynos 850 (8 nm) - Version B |
| GPU | PowerVR GE8320 | Mali-G52 MC2 |
| OS | Android 12, One UI Core 4.1 | 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 | 64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Dual | 13 MP, f/2.2, (wide), AF
Auxiliary lens | - |
| Features | LED flash | LED flash, panorama, HDR |
| Single | 5 MP, f/2.2 | 13 MP, f/2.0, (wide) |
| Triple | - | 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 | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Single | 5 MP, f/2.2 | 13 MP, f/2.0, 26mm (wide), 1/3.1", 1.12µm |
| Video | Yes | 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 | No | Yes (market/region dependent) |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS | GPS, GALILEO, GLONASS, BDS, QZSS |
| Radio | Unspecified | Unspecified |
| USB | USB Type-C 2.0 | USB Type-C 2.0 |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, Wi-Fi Direct | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Accelerometer, proximity | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, proximity, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 15W wired | 15W wired |
| Type | Li-Po 5000 mAh | Li-Po 5000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Sea Glass Green, Shadow Blue | Black, Dark Red, Silver, Green |
| Models | SM-M045F, SM-M045F/DS | SM-A145F, SM-A145F/DSN, SM-A145M, SM-A145M/DS, SM-A145P, SM-A145R |
| Price | About 100 EUR | € 85.76 / $ 147.60 / £ 79.95 |
| SAR | 0.38 W/kg (head) | - |
| SAR EU | 0.29 W/kg (head) 1.11 W/kg (body) | 0.46 W/kg (head) 1.37 W/kg (body) |
Samsung Galaxy M04
- Very affordable
- Compact size
- Decent battery life
- Weak performance
- Basic camera
- Outdated chipset
- Lower screen quality
Samsung Galaxy A14
- Better performance
- Improved camera
- More modern design
- Larger storage options
- Potentially 90Hz display
- Slightly more expensive
- Can still feel budget-oriented
Display Comparison
Both phones feature large displays, typically around 6.5 inches, with HD+ resolution. The A14 often has slightly better color accuracy and brightness due to a potentially more advanced panel, though both are adequate for everyday use. The A14 may also have a slightly higher refresh rate (90Hz vs M04's likely 60Hz), leading to smoother scrolling.
Camera Comparison
The A14 generally has a more versatile and higher-resolution camera system. While both offer a main sensor, the A14 often includes additional lenses like ultrawide and macro, providing more creative options. Image quality, especially in low light, is typically superior on the A14.
Performance
The A14's chipset (Helio G80 or Exynos 850) provides a substantial performance advantage over the M04's Helio P35. Expect noticeably faster app loading times, smoother multitasking, and better gaming performance on the A14. The A14's CPU architecture is also more modern and efficient.
Battery Life
Both phones typically feature a 5000mAh battery, offering all-day battery life for moderate users. However, the A14's more efficient chipset may result in slightly better battery endurance overall.
Buying Guide
The Galaxy M04 is a good option for users on a very tight budget who prioritize basic functionality and a smaller form factor. The Galaxy A14 is ideal for those seeking better performance, a more capable camera, and a more future-proof device, even if it means spending a little more.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Is the Galaxy M04 good for gaming?
The Galaxy M04's chipset is not ideal for demanding games. You'll likely experience lag and low frame rates. The A14 is a much better choice for gaming.
❓ Which phone has more storage?
The Galaxy A14 typically offers more storage options, often including 128GB or 256GB variants, while the M04 is usually limited to 64GB.
❓ Does the A14 support 5G?
Some variants of the Galaxy A14 support 5G connectivity, while the M04 is typically limited to 4G LTE.
