Samsung Galaxy M23 vs Galaxy A14 5G: The Ultimate Budget Showdown

Samsung's budget phone lineup is always a hot topic, offering incredible value for the price. The Galaxy M23 and A14 5G are two strong contenders, but which one reigns supreme? We'll break down their key features to help you decide.
Phones Images

🏆 Quick Verdict

The Galaxy M23 edges out the A14 5G thanks to its significantly faster Snapdragon 750G chipset and 25W charging. While the A14 5G boasts impressive battery life and a bright display, the M23's performance advantage makes it the better overall choice for most users.

PHONES
Phone Names Samsung Galaxy M23 Samsung Galaxy A14 5G
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, 38, 40, 41, 66 - International
5G bands1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66, 78 SA/NSA2, 5, 66, 77 Sub6/mmWave - USA
SpeedHSPA, LTE, 5GHSPA, LTE, 5G
TechnologyGSM / HSPA / LTE / 5GGSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G
 -1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 40, 41, 78 SA/NSA/Sub6 - India
Launch
Announced2022, March 042023, January 04
StatusAvailable. Released 2022, April 08Available. Released 2023, January 12
Body
Build-Glass front, plastic back, plastic frame
Dimensions165.5 x 77 x 8.4 mm (6.52 x 3.03 x 0.33 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
Weight198 g (6.98 oz)202 g (7.13 oz)
Display
Resolution1080 x 2408 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~400 ppi density)1080 x 2408 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~400 ppi density)
Size6.6 inches, 104.9 cm2 (~82.3% screen-to-body ratio)6.6 inches, 104.9 cm2 (~80.2% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeTFT LCD, 120HzPLS LCD, 90Hz
Platform
CPUOcta-core (2x2.2 GHz Kryo 570 & 6x1.8 GHz Kryo 570)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
ChipsetQualcomm SM7225 Snapdragon 750G 5G (8 nm)Exynos 1330 (5 nm) - SM-A146BMediatek Dimensity 700 (7 nm) - SM-A146P
GPUAdreno 619Mali-G68 MP2 - SM-A146BMali-G57 MC2 - SM-A146P
OSAndroid 12, upgradable to Android 13, One UI 5.1Android 13, upgradable to Android 15, One UI Core 7
Memory
Card slotmicroSDXC (dedicated slot)microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) - USA onlymicroSDXC (dedicated slot) - International
Internal64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM
Main Camera
FeaturesLED flash, panorama, HDRLED flash, panorama, HDR
Single8 MP, f/2.2, (wide)13 MP, f/2.0, (wide)
Triple50 MP, f/1.8, (wide), PDAF 8 MP, f/2.2, 123˚ (ultrawide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm 2 MP (macro)50 MP, f/1.8, 26mm (wide), 1/2.76", 0.64µm, PDAF 2 MP (macro) Auxiliary lens
Video4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps, 720p@480fps1080p@30fps
Selfie camera
Single8 MP, f/2.2, (wide)13 MP, f/2.0, 26mm (wide), 1.12µm
Video1080p@30fps1080p@30fps
Sound
3.5mm jack YesYes
35mm jackYesYes
Loudspeaker YesYes
Comms
Bluetooth5.0, A2DP, LE5.2, A2DP, LE
NFCYesYes
PositioningGPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS, QZSSGPS, GLONASS, GALILEO
RadioFM radio, recordingFM radio (Exynos 1330 chipset only), recording
USBUSB Type-C 2.0, OTGUSB Type-C 2.0
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, compassFingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, barometer (USA only)
 Virtual Proximity Sensing-
Battery
Charging25W wired15W wired
TypeLi-Po 5000 mAhLi-Po 5000 mAh
Misc
ColorsDeep Green, Light Blue, Orange CopperBlack, Light Green, Dark Red, Silver
ModelsSM-M236B, SM-M236B/DS, SM-M236LSM-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£ 195.34$ 77.63 / C$ 151.00 / £ 97.00 / € 159.79 / ₹ 14,990
SAR-1.00 W/kg (head)     1.00 W/kg (body)
SAR EU0.78 W/kg (head)     1.09 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 M23

  • Faster Snapdragon 750G chipset
  • 25W fast charging
  • Likely better camera performance
  • Potentially more vibrant display

  • Battery life may not be as exceptional as the A14 5G
  • Design might be less premium

Samsung Galaxy A14 5G

  • Exceptional battery life (130h endurance)
  • Bright display (519 nits)
  • Generally more affordable
  • Good value for money

  • Slower chipset (Exynos/Dimensity)
  • 15W slow charging
  • Potentially less impressive camera

Display Comparison

Both phones feature large displays with a 1334:1 contrast ratio. The A14 5G has a measured peak brightness of 519 nits, which is notably brighter than what's typically seen on the M23. However, the M23 often has a slightly more vibrant color profile. Resolution is likely FHD+ on both, but panel technology (AMOLED vs LCD) could differ, impacting color accuracy and viewing angles.

Camera Comparison

Camera specs are not fully detailed, but both phones offer a multi-lens setup. The M23 likely has a more capable main sensor due to its higher-tier chipset. Image processing capabilities will also be better on the M23. Low-light performance is expected to be better on the M23 as well. Video recording capabilities are likely similar on both.

Performance

This is where the M23 shines. The Snapdragon 750G is a considerably more powerful chipset than either Exynos 1330 or Dimensity 700 found in the A14 5G variants. Expect smoother multitasking, faster app loading times, and better gaming performance on the M23. The A14 5G will handle everyday tasks adequately, but will struggle with more demanding applications.

Battery Life

The A14 5G boasts an impressive endurance rating of 130 hours, suggesting exceptional battery life. The M23's battery capacity is likely similar, but the more efficient chipset in the A14 5G contributes to its longer runtime. However, the M23's 25W charging offers a significant advantage over the A14 5G's 15W charging.

Buying Guide

The Samsung Galaxy M23 is ideal for users who prioritize performance and faster charging. It's great for light gaming and multitasking. The Samsung Galaxy A14 5G is a solid pick for those who value long battery life and a bright display, and are less concerned about raw processing power.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Which phone is better for gaming?
The Samsung Galaxy M23 is significantly better for gaming due to its more powerful Snapdragon 750G chipset.
❓ Does the A14 5G have a better camera?
While both have multi-lens setups, the M23 is expected to have better camera performance overall, thanks to its more capable chipset and image processing.
❓ Which phone charges faster?
The Samsung Galaxy M23 charges faster with its 25W wired charging compared to the A14 5G's 15W charging.
❓ Is the A14 5G worth buying if battery life is my top priority?
Absolutely! The A14 5G offers exceptional battery life, making it a great choice if you need a phone that lasts all day and beyond.