Samsung Galaxy M14 vs Galaxy A34: The Ultimate Comparison

Choosing a new mid-range smartphone can be tough, especially with Samsung's extensive lineup. The Galaxy M14 and A34 are both strong contenders, offering compelling features at accessible prices. But which one deserves your hard-earned cash? Let's dive into a detailed comparison.
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🏆 Quick Verdict

The Galaxy A34 edges out the M14 thanks to its brighter display, more refined design, and slightly better overall performance. However, the M14 offers a larger battery and potentially better value depending on pricing in your region. It's a close call!

PHONES
Phone Names Samsung Galaxy M14 Samsung Galaxy A34
Network
2G bandsGSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
3G bandsHSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100
4G bands1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 17, 20, 26, 28, 38, 40, 41, 661, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 17, 20, 26, 28, 32, 38, 40, 41, 66
5G bands1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66, 77, 78 SA/NSA1, 3, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41, 77, 78 SA/NSA/Sub6
SpeedHSPA, LTE, 5GHSPA, LTE, 5G
TechnologyGSM / HSPA / LTE / 5GGSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G
Launch
Announced2023, March 082023, March 14
StatusAvailable. Released 2023, March 08Available. Released 2023, March 24
Body
BuildGlass front (Gorilla Glass 5), plastic back, plastic frameGlass front (Gorilla Glass 5), plastic frame, plastic back
Dimensions166.8 x 77.2 x 9.4 mm (6.57 x 3.04 x 0.37 in)161.3 x 78.1 x 8.2 mm (6.35 x 3.07 x 0.32 in)
SIM· Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM
Weight206 g (7.27 oz)199 g (7.02 oz)
 -IP67 dust/water resistant (up to 1m for 30 min)
Display
ProtectionCorning Gorilla Glass 5Corning Gorilla Glass 5
Resolution1080 x 2408 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~400 ppi density)1080 x 2340 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~390 ppi density)
Size6.6 inches, 104.9 cm2 (~81.5% screen-to-body ratio)6.6 inches, 106.9 cm2 (~84.9% screen-to-body ratio)
TypePLS LCD, 90HzSuper AMOLED, 120Hz, 1000 nits (HBM)
Platform
CPUOcta-core (2x2.4 GHz Cortex-A78 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55)Octa-core (2x2.6 GHz Cortex-A78 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55)
ChipsetExynos 1330 (5 nm)Mediatek Dimensity 1080 (6 nm)
GPUMali-G68 MP2Mali-G68 MC4
OSAndroid 13, One UI core 5.1Android 13, up to 4 major Android upgrades, One UI 6.1
Memory
Card slotmicroSDHC (dedicated slot)microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot)
Internal64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 6GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM
Main Camera
FeaturesLED flash, panorama, HDRLED flash, panorama, HDR
Single13 MP, f/2.0, (wide)-
Triple50 MP, f/1.8, (wide), PDAF 2 MP (macro) Auxiliary lens48 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)
Video1080p@30fps4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60fps, 720p@480fps
Selfie camera
Single13 MP, f/2.0, (wide)13 MP, f/2.2, 26mm (wide), 1/3.1", 1.12µm
Video1080p@30fps4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps
Sound
3.5mm jack YesNo
35mm jackYesNo
Loudspeaker YesYes, with stereo speakers
Comms
Bluetooth5.2, A2DP, LE5.3, A2DP, LE
NFCYesYes (market/region dependent)
PositioningGPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS, QZSS, NavICGPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS
RadioUnspecifiedNo
USBUSB Type-C 2.0USB Type-C 2.0, OTG
WLANWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi DirectWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct
Features
SensorsFingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compassFingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, compass
 -Virtual proximity sensing
Battery
Charging15W wired - international 25W wired - India25W wired
TypeLi-Po 6000 mAhLi-Ion 5000 mAh
Misc
ColorsNavy Blue, Light Blue, SilverLime, Graphite, Violet, Silver
ModelsSM-M146B, SM-M146B/DS, SM-M146B/DSNSM-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
Price₹ 10,990€ 169.99 / $ 175.00 / £ 164.99 / ₹ 23,999
SAR EU0.48 W/kg (head)     1.53 W/kg (body)0.55 W/kg (head)     1.49 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 M14

  • Larger Battery
  • Potentially better value
  • Large Display
  • Good for media consumption

  • Less bright display
  • Slightly less powerful processor
  • Less premium design

Samsung Galaxy A34

  • Brighter Display
  • Slightly better performance
  • More premium design
  • Refined image processing

  • Smaller battery than M14
  • Potentially higher price

Display Comparison

The Galaxy A34 boasts a significant advantage with its 1009 nits peak brightness, making it much easier to see in direct sunlight. While both have Super AMOLED displays offering vibrant colors and deep blacks, the A34's brightness is a noticeable upgrade. The 'Infinite' contrast ratio mentioned is nominal and doesn't provide concrete data, but the A34's display is generally considered superior.

Camera Comparison

Both phones offer capable camera systems, but the A34 is expected to have a more refined image processing pipeline. While specific camera specs are not fully detailed, reviews generally favor the A34 for its image quality, particularly in challenging lighting conditions. Both likely offer similar video recording capabilities.

Performance

Both phones feature octa-core processors, but the Galaxy A34's MediaTek Dimensity 1080 generally offers slightly better performance than the Exynos 1330. While both handle everyday tasks with ease, the A34 shows a slight edge in gaming and demanding applications. The 6nm process of the Dimensity 1080 also contributes to slightly better power efficiency.

Battery Life

The Galaxy M14 has a larger battery capacity, potentially translating to longer screen-on time. However, the A34's more efficient chipset and display optimization could offset this difference. Both phones offer excellent battery life, with the A34 achieving an endurance rating of 133h, indicating impressive longevity.

Buying Guide

The Samsung Galaxy M14 is ideal for users prioritizing battery life and a larger screen on a budget. The Galaxy A34 is a better choice for those who value a premium design, a brighter display for outdoor visibility, and a slightly more polished overall experience.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Which phone has better gaming performance?
The Samsung Galaxy A34 generally offers slightly better gaming performance due to its more powerful Dimensity 1080 chipset.
❓ Is the Galaxy M14's battery life significantly better?
While the M14 has a larger battery, the A34's efficiency means the difference in real-world battery life might not be as substantial as you'd expect.
❓ Which phone is more durable?
The Galaxy A34 is likely more durable, often featuring Gorilla Glass protection and a more robust build quality.