The budget smartphone market is fiercely competitive, and the TCL 40R and Samsung Galaxy A14 5G are two strong contenders. Both offer compelling features at an affordable price, but which one reigns supreme? This comprehensive comparison will delve into every aspect, from display quality to battery life, to help you make the right choice.
🏆 Quick Verdict
The Samsung Galaxy A14 5G edges out the TCL 40R thanks to its slightly more powerful chipset (Exynos 1330), brighter display, and generally more polished Samsung experience. However, the TCL 40R offers a competitive package, especially if you prioritize value and a clean Android experience.
| 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 | LTE | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 17, 20, 26, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66 - International |
| 5G bands | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41, 78 SA/NSA - T771K, T771K1 | 2, 5, 66, 77 Sub6/mmWave - USA |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE, 5G | HSPA, LTE, 5G |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G | GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G |
| | 7, 28, 66, 71, 78 SA/NSA - T771A | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 40, 41, 78 SA/NSA/Sub6 - India |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2022, October 26 | 2023, January 04 |
| Status | Available. Released 2022, October 21 | Available. Released 2023, January 12 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front, plastic frame, plastic back | Glass front, plastic back, plastic frame |
| Dimensions | 164.5 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 | 192 g (6.77 oz) | 202 g (7.13 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 (~84.4% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.6 inches, 104.9 cm2 (~80.2% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD, 90Hz, 400 nits (typ) | PLS LCD, 90Hz |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (2x2.2 GHz Cortex-A76 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55) | 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 | Mediatek Dimensity 700 (7 nm) | Exynos 1330 (5 nm) - SM-A146BMediatek Dimensity 700 (7 nm) - SM-A146P |
| GPU | Mali-G57 MC2 | Mali-G68 MP2 - SM-A146BMali-G57 MC2 - SM-A146P |
| OS | Android 12, TCL UI 4.0 | 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 | 64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM | 64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM |
| | eMMC 5.1 | - |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash, HDR, panorama | LED flash, panorama, HDR |
| Single | 8 MP, f/2.0, (wide), 1/4", 1.12µm | 13 MP, f/2.0, (wide) |
| Triple | 50 MP, f/1.8, (wide), 1/2.76", 0.64µm, PDAF
2 MP (macro)
Auxiliary lens | 50 MP, f/1.8, 26mm (wide), 1/2.76", 0.64µm, PDAF
2 MP (macro)
Auxiliary lens |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Single | 8 MP, f/2.0, (wide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm | 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 |
| | 24-bit/192kHz audio | - |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.1, A2DP, LE | 5.2, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | Yes | Yes |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO |
| Radio | FM radio | FM radio (Exynos 1330 chipset only), recording |
| USB | USB Type-C 2.0 | USB Type-C 2.0 |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, barometer (USA only) |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 15W wired | 15W wired |
| Type | Li-Po 5000 mAh | Li-Po 5000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Stardust Purple, Starlight Black | Black, Light Green, Dark Red, Silver |
| Models | T771K, T771K1, T771H, T771A | 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 240 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 40R
- Clean Android experience
- Good value for money
- Decent display for media consumption
- Reliable performance for everyday tasks
- Slower processor compared to A14 5G
- Lower peak brightness
- Slower charging speed
- Plastic build quality
Samsung Galaxy A14 5G
- Slightly faster processor (Exynos 1330)
- Brighter display
- Better camera performance
- Samsung ecosystem and support
- 5G connectivity
- Samsung's One UI can be bloated
- 15W charging is slow
- Plastic build quality
- Price slightly higher than TCL 40R
Display Comparison
The Samsung Galaxy A14 5G boasts a measured peak brightness of 519 nits, offering better visibility in sunlight compared to the TCL 40R. Both have a nominal contrast ratio of 1334:1, suggesting good black levels. While both displays are likely LCD panels, the A14 5G's brightness advantage gives it a slight edge.
Camera Comparison
Camera performance is often subjective. Both phones feature capable camera systems for their price range, but the Samsung Galaxy A14 5G typically offers better image processing and more consistent results, especially in challenging lighting conditions. Expect improved dynamic range and color accuracy on the A14 5G.
Performance
The Samsung Galaxy A14 5G, particularly the SM-A146B variant with the Exynos 1330, generally outperforms the TCL 40R's Dimensity 700. The Exynos 1330's Cortex-A78 cores provide a noticeable boost in responsiveness and multitasking capabilities. The SM-A146P variant with the Dimensity 700 is more comparable, but still likely trails the Exynos.
Battery Life
Both phones offer a large battery and a respectable endurance rating. The Galaxy A14 5G's 130h endurance rating suggests slightly better battery optimization, though real-world usage will vary. Both support 15W wired charging, which is relatively slow by modern standards.
Buying Guide
Who should buy the TCL 40R? Users seeking a clean Android experience, a decent display for media consumption, and a reliable budget phone without breaking the bank. Who should buy the Samsung Galaxy A14 5G? Those prioritizing a slightly faster processor, a brighter screen for outdoor use, and the familiarity and support of the Samsung ecosystem.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Which phone has better 5G connectivity?
The Samsung Galaxy A14 5G is specifically designed for 5G networks, offering broader compatibility and potentially faster speeds. The TCL 40R may support 5G depending on the region, but it's not a primary focus.
❓ Is the Samsung Galaxy A14 5G worth the extra cost?
If you prioritize performance, a brighter display, and a better camera, the Galaxy A14 5G is likely worth the slight price premium. However, if you're on a tight budget and value a clean Android experience, the TCL 40R remains a compelling option.
