The budget smartphone market is fiercely competitive, and the TCL 408 and Samsung Galaxy A14 are two contenders vying for your attention. Both offer compelling features at affordable prices, but which one truly comes out on top? Let's dive into a detailed comparison to help you make the right choice.
🏆 Quick Verdict
The Samsung Galaxy A14 is the clear winner. Its superior chipset, better camera capabilities, and faster charging make it a more well-rounded device despite a potentially slightly higher price. The TCL 408 is a decent option for those on an extremely tight budget.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 - T507A, T507U, T507U1, T507U2, T507J | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 13, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41 - T507U, T507U1, T507U2 | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41 |
| Speed | HSPA 42.2/11.5 Mbps, LTE Cat4 150/75 Mbps | HSPA, LTE |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28 - T507D1 | - |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2023, January 05 | 2023, February 28 |
| Status | Available. Released 2023, March 31 | Available. Released 2023, March 27 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | - | Glass front, plastic back, plastic frame |
| Dimensions | 164.7 x 75.4 x 9 mm (6.48 x 2.97 x 0.35 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 | 190 g (6.70 oz) | 201 g (7.09 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Resolution | 720 x 1612 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~267 ppi density) | 1080 x 2408 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~400 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.6 inches, 104.6 cm2 (~84.3% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.6 inches, 104.9 cm2 (~80.2% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD, 400 nits (typ) | PLS LCD |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (4x2.0 GHz Cortex-A53 & 4x1.5 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 MT6762G Helio G25 (12 nm) | Mediatek MT6769 Helio G80 (12 nm) - Version AExynos 850 (8 nm) - Version B |
| GPU | PowerVR GE8320 | Mali-G52 MC2 |
| OS | Android 12 | Android 13, upgradable to Android 15, One UI 7 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 64GB 4GB RAM, 64GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM | 64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM |
| | eMMC 5.1 | - |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Dual | 50 MP, f/1.8, 26mm (wide), 1/2.55", 0.7µm, PDAF
Auxiliary lens | - |
| Features | LED flash | LED flash, panorama, HDR |
| Single | 8 MP, f/2.0, 27mm (wide), 1/4", 1.12µm | 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 | 8 MP, f/2.0, 27mm (wide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm | 13 MP, f/2.0, 26mm (wide), 1/3.1", 1.12µm |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes, with stereo speakers | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.1, A2DP, LE | 5.1 or 5.3, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | Yes (T507U only) | Yes (market/region dependent) |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS | GPS, GALILEO, GLONASS, BDS, QZSS |
| Radio | FM radio | Unspecified |
| 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 (side-mounted), accelerometer | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, proximity, compass |
| | Virtual proximity sensing | - |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 10W wired | 15W wired |
| Type | Li-Po 5000 mAh | Li-Po 5000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Gravity Grey, Midnight Blue | Black, Dark Red, Silver, Green |
| Models | T507D1, T507A, T507U, T507U1, T507U2, T507J | SM-A145F, SM-A145F/DSN, SM-A145M, SM-A145M/DS, SM-A145P, SM-A145R |
| Price | About 130 EUR | € 85.76 / $ 147.60 / £ 79.95 |
| SAR EU | - | 0.46 W/kg (head) 1.37 W/kg (body) |
TCL 408
- Very affordable
- Decent battery life
- Sufficient for basic tasks
- Weak performance
- Low-resolution display
- Slow charging
- Basic camera
Samsung Galaxy A14
- Better performance
- Improved camera quality
- Larger, sharper display
- Faster charging
- Samsung's software support
- Potentially slightly more expensive
- LCD display (not OLED)
- Design may be considered basic
Display Comparison
The Samsung Galaxy A14 typically features a larger display (around 6.6 inches) with a higher resolution (FHD+) compared to the TCL 408 (likely around 6.5 inches and HD+). This translates to a sharper and more immersive viewing experience on the A14. Both likely use LCD panels, so don't expect OLED quality, but the A14's larger size and resolution give it an edge.
Camera Comparison
The Samsung Galaxy A14 generally boasts a more versatile and higher-resolution camera system. While specific megapixel counts vary by region, the A14 typically includes a main sensor with OIS and potentially ultrawide and macro lenses. The TCL 408's camera is likely adequate for casual snapshots, but won't match the A14's image quality or features.
Performance
This is where the A14 shines. The Helio G80 (or Exynos 850) chipset in the A14 is significantly more powerful than the Helio G25 in the TCL 408. Expect smoother multitasking, faster app loading times, and better gaming performance on the A14. The TCL 408 will handle basic tasks adequately, but will struggle with more demanding applications.
Battery Life
Both phones likely offer large batteries (around 5000mAh), providing all-day battery life. However, the A14's more efficient chipset and faster charging (15W vs 10W) give it a slight advantage in overall battery performance and convenience.
Buying Guide
Who should buy the TCL 408? Users prioritizing the absolute lowest price and basic functionality. Who should buy the Samsung Galaxy A14? Anyone seeking a smoother experience, better camera quality, and longer battery life without breaking the bank.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Is the TCL 408 good for gaming?
The TCL 408's Helio G25 chipset is not ideal for gaming. It can handle very basic games, but you'll likely experience lag and low frame rates in more demanding titles.
❓ Which phone has better software support?
Samsung generally provides longer software update support than TCL. You can expect more Android updates and security patches on the Galaxy A14.
