The mid-range 5G smartphone market is booming, offering incredible value. Today, we're pitting two contenders against each other: the TCL 10 5G UW and the Samsung Galaxy A14 5G. Both promise 5G connectivity and a solid experience, but which one truly delivers?
🏆 Quick Verdict
The TCL 10 5G UW boasts a significantly more powerful processor, offering superior performance for gaming and demanding tasks. However, the Galaxy A14 5G shines with its exceptional battery life and Samsung's reliable software support. It depends on your priorities: power or endurance.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 12, 13, 20, 28, 46, 48, 66 | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 17, 20, 26, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66 - International |
| 5G bands | 2, 5, 66, 260, 261 mmWave | 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 | 2020, October 27. Released 2020, October 29 | 2023, January 04 |
| Status | Discontinued | Available. Released 2023, January 12 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front, glass back, aluminum frame | Glass front, plastic back, plastic frame |
| Dimensions | 163.6 x 76.5 x 9.4 mm (6.44 x 3.01 x 0.37 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 |
| Weight | 210 g (7.41 oz) | 202 g (7.13 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Resolution | 1080 x 2340 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~395 ppi density) | 1080 x 2408 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~400 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.53 inches, 104.7 cm2 (~83.6% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.6 inches, 104.9 cm2 (~80.2% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD, HDR10, 450 nits (typ) | PLS LCD, 90Hz |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (1x2.4 GHz Kryo 475 Prime & 1x2.2 GHz Kryo 475 Gold & 6x1.8 GHz Kryo 475 Silver) | 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 | Qualcomm SM7250 Snapdragon 765G 5G (7 nm) | Exynos 1330 (5 nm) - SM-A146BMediatek Dimensity 700 (7 nm) - SM-A146P |
| GPU | Adreno 620 | Mali-G68 MP2 - SM-A146BMali-G57 MC2 - SM-A146P |
| OS | Android 10 | 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 | 128GB 6GB RAM | 64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM |
| | UFS 2.1 | - |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | Dual-LED flash, HDR, panorama | LED flash, panorama, HDR |
| Single | - | 13 MP, f/2.0, (wide) |
| Triple | 48 MP, 26mm (wide), 1/2.0", 0.8µm, PDAF
8 MP, f/2.2, 13mm (ultrawide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm
5 MP (macro), AF | 50 MP, f/1.8, 26mm (wide), 1/2.76", 0.64µm, PDAF
2 MP (macro)
Auxiliary lens |
| Video | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60/120fps, gyro-EIS | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Single | 16 MP, f/2.2, 26mm (wide), 1/3.06", 1.0µm | 13 MP, f/2.0, 26mm (wide), 1.12µm |
| 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 |
| Positioning | GPS (L1+L5), GLONASS, GALILEO | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO |
| Radio | No | 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 (rear-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, barometer (USA only) |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 18W wired, QC3 | 15W wired |
| Type | Li-Po 4500 mAh | Li-Po 5000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Diamond Gray | Black, Light Green, Dark Red, Silver |
| Models | - | 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 | About 340 EUR | $ 77.63 / C$ 151.00 / £ 97.00 / € 159.79 / ₹ 14,990 |
| SAR | - | 1.00 W/kg (head) 1.00 W/kg (body) |
| SAR EU | - | 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) |
TCL 10 5G UW
- Powerful Snapdragon 765G processor
- Vibrant AMOLED display
- 5G Connectivity
- Decent Camera System
- Battery life not as impressive as A14 5G
- Software updates may be less frequent
Samsung Galaxy A14 5G
- Exceptional battery life
- Samsung's reliable software support
- Affordable price
- Large Display
- Less powerful processor
- LCD display not as vibrant as AMOLED
- Performance can lag with demanding apps
Display Comparison
The TCL 10 5G UW typically features a 6.43-inch FHD+ AMOLED display, known for vibrant colors and deep blacks. The Galaxy A14 5G has a 6.6-inch FHD+ LCD display. While both offer good resolution, the TCL's AMOLED technology generally provides a superior viewing experience with better contrast and color accuracy. Brightness is comparable, with the A14 5G measuring 519 nits.
Camera Comparison
Camera performance is a mixed bag. The TCL 10 5G UW typically has a quad-camera setup, often including a 48MP main sensor. The Galaxy A14 5G also features a multi-lens system, with a focus on versatility. Image quality is generally good on both, but the Samsung often benefits from its image processing algorithms. Low-light performance is comparable, but the A14 5G might offer slightly more natural-looking results.
Performance
Here's where the TCL 10 5G UW takes a clear lead. Its Snapdragon 765G chipset is considerably more powerful than the Exynos 1330 or Dimensity 700 found in the Galaxy A14 5G variants. Expect smoother multitasking, faster app loading times, and better gaming performance on the TCL. The A14 5G is still capable for everyday tasks, but struggles with more demanding applications.
Battery Life
The Samsung Galaxy A14 5G is the undisputed champion in battery life. Its large battery and efficient chipset allow for exceptional endurance, often exceeding 130 hours of usage. The TCL 10 5G UW, while offering decent battery life, doesn't match the A14 5G's longevity.
Buying Guide
The TCL 10 5G UW is ideal for users who prioritize performance and enjoy gaming or resource-intensive apps. The Samsung Galaxy A14 5G is a great choice for those seeking long battery life, a dependable brand, and a more budget-friendly option.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Which phone is better for gaming?
The TCL 10 5G UW is significantly better for gaming due to its more powerful Snapdragon 765G processor.
❓ Which phone has better battery life?
The Samsung Galaxy A14 5G offers substantially better battery life, easily lasting a full day or more.
❓ Is the TCL 10 5G UW still worth buying in [current year]?
It can be a good value if you find it at a discounted price and prioritize performance, but be aware that software support may be limited.
❓ Does the Galaxy A14 5G have a good camera?
The Galaxy A14 5G has a capable camera system, producing good quality photos in most conditions, especially benefiting from Samsung's image processing.
