The Samsung Galaxy M series is known for offering great value for money. Two popular contenders are the M21 2021 and the newer M14. But which one reigns supreme? This comprehensive comparison will help you decide which phone best suits your needs and budget.
🏆 Quick Verdict
The Samsung Galaxy M14 is the clear winner. Its significantly more powerful Exynos 1330 chipset, improved efficiency, and often faster charging (in India) provide a noticeable upgrade over the M21 2021, despite both offering similar display and camera capabilities.
| 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, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 38, 40, 41 | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 17, 20, 26, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66 |
| 5G bands | - | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66, 77, 78 SA/NSA |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE | HSPA, LTE, 5G |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2021, July 21 | 2023, March 08 |
| Status | Available. Released 2021, July 26 | Available. Released 2023, March 08 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front, plastic back, plastic frame | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 5), plastic back, plastic frame |
| Dimensions | 159 x 75.1 x 9 mm (6.26 x 2.96 x 0.35 in) | 166.8 x 77.2 x 9.4 mm (6.57 x 3.04 x 0.37 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | · Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 192 g (6.77 oz) | 206 g (7.27 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | - | Corning Gorilla Glass 5 |
| Resolution | 1080 x 2340 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~403 ppi density) | 1080 x 2408 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~400 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.4 inches, 100.5 cm2 (~84.2% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.6 inches, 104.9 cm2 (~81.5% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | Super AMOLED, 420 nits (peak) | PLS LCD, 90Hz |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (4x2.3 GHz Cortex-A73 & 4x1.7 GHz Cortex-A53) | Octa-core (2x2.4 GHz Cortex-A78 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55) |
| Chipset | Exynos 9611 (10 nm) | Exynos 1330 (5 nm) |
| GPU | Mali-G72 MP3 | Mali-G68 MP2 |
| OS | Android 11, One UI 3.1 Core | Android 13, One UI core 5.1 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDHC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB 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/2.0, 26mm (wide), 1/2.0", 0.8µm, PDAF
8 MP, f/2.2, 123˚ (ultrawide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm
Auxiliary lens | 50 MP, f/1.8, (wide), PDAF
2 MP (macro)
Auxiliary lens |
| Video | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps, 720p@240fps, gyro-EIS | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | HDR | - |
| Single | 20 MP, f/2.2, 26mm (wide) | 13 MP, f/2.0, (wide) |
| 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, BDS, QZSS, NavIC |
| Radio | FM radio, RDS, recording | Unspecified |
| 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 (rear-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 15W wired | 15W wired - international
25W wired - India |
| Type | Li-Po 6000 mAh | Li-Po 6000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Charcoal Black, Arctic Blue | Navy Blue, Light Blue, Silver |
| Models | SM-M215G, SM-M215G/DS | SM-M146B, SM-M146B/DS, SM-M146B/DSN |
| Price | About 130 EUR | ₹ 10,990 |
| SAR | 0.47 W/kg (head) | - |
| SAR EU | - | 0.48 W/kg (head) 1.53 W/kg (body) |
Samsung Galaxy M21 2021
- Large Super AMOLED display
- Long battery life
- Affordable price
- Decent camera
- Older chipset
- Slower performance
- 15W charging (slow)
- Less future-proof
Samsung Galaxy M14
- Powerful Exynos 1330 chipset
- Excellent battery life
- Improved camera performance
- Faster charging (India variant)
- More future-proof
- Design may be less premium
- 15W charging (international variant)
Display Comparison
Both phones feature large Super AMOLED displays, offering vibrant colors and deep blacks. The M14 typically has a slightly larger display (6.6 inches vs 6.4 inches) and a higher resolution (1080 x 2408 vs 1080 x 2340), resulting in a marginally sharper image. However, the difference is subtle and unlikely to be a deciding factor for most users.
Camera Comparison
Both phones feature a triple-camera setup, typically including a main sensor, ultrawide lens, and depth sensor. While the megapixel counts might be similar, the M14's newer image processing capabilities and improved sensor technology generally result in better image quality, especially in low-light conditions. The M14 also often has a higher resolution front-facing camera.
Performance
This is where the M14 truly shines. The Exynos 1330 (5nm) is a substantial upgrade over the Exynos 9611 (10nm) in the M21 2021. Expect significantly faster app loading times, smoother multitasking, and better gaming performance on the M14. The newer CPU architecture and manufacturing process contribute to improved efficiency as well.
Battery Life
Both phones boast large 6000mAh batteries, promising excellent battery life. However, the M14's more efficient chipset allows it to stretch that battery even further. While both have 15W charging internationally, the Indian variant of the M14 gets a faster 25W charger, significantly reducing charging times.
Buying Guide
The Samsung Galaxy M21 2021 is a good option for budget-conscious users who prioritize a large display and decent battery life and don't need top-tier performance. The Samsung Galaxy M14 is ideal for those seeking a smoother, faster experience, better future-proofing, and improved efficiency, especially if you can get the 25W charging variant.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Is the Samsung Galaxy M14 worth the upgrade from the M21 2021?
Yes, the M14 offers a significant performance boost and improved camera capabilities, making it a worthwhile upgrade, especially if you value speed and efficiency.
❓ What is the charging speed of the Samsung Galaxy M14?
The international version of the M14 charges at 15W, while the Indian variant supports 25W fast charging.
