TCL 50 SE vs Samsung Galaxy A14 5G: A Deep Dive into Budget 5G Contenders

The sub-$200 5G smartphone market is fiercely competitive. The TCL 50 SE and Samsung Galaxy A14 5G both aim to deliver connectivity and essential features at an accessible price point. However, they take different approaches to achieving this, with Samsung opting for a more efficient chipset in some variants, while TCL prioritizes faster charging. This comparison dissects their key differences to determine which phone offers the best value.

Phones Images

🏆 Quick Verdict

For the average user prioritizing sustained performance and future-proofing, the Samsung Galaxy A14 5G (specifically the Exynos 1330 variant) is the better choice. Its more modern 5nm Exynos 1330 chipset offers a noticeable performance advantage over the TCL 50 SE’s Helio G88, despite the TCL’s faster charging.

PHONES
Phone Names	TCL 50 SE	Samsung Galaxy A14 5G

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	1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 20, 26, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66	1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 17, 20, 26, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66 - International
5G bands	-	2, 5, 66, 77 Sub6/mmWave - USA
Speed	HSPA, LTE	HSPA, LTE, 5G
Technology	GSM / HSPA / LTE	GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G
	-	1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 40, 41, 78 SA/NSA/Sub6 - India

Launch
Announced	2024, February 26	2023, January 04
Status	Available. Released 2024, April 08	Available. Released 2023, January 12

Body
Build	Glass front, plastic frame, plastic back	Glass front, plastic back, plastic frame
Dimensions	168.2 x 75.5 x 8.1 mm (6.62 x 2.97 x 0.32 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	195 g (6.88 oz)	202 g (7.13 oz)

Display
Resolution	1080 x 2460 pixels (~396 ppi density)	1080 x 2408 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~400 ppi density)
Size	6.78 inches, 109.2 cm2 (~86.0% screen-to-body ratio)	6.6 inches, 104.9 cm2 (~80.2% screen-to-body ratio)
Type	IPS LCD, 90Hz, 550 nits (typ)	PLS LCD, 90Hz

Platform
CPU	Octa-core (2x2.0 GHz Cortex-A75 & 6x1.8 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 Helio G88 (12 nm)	Exynos 1330 (5 nm) - SM-A146BMediatek Dimensity 700 (7 nm) - SM-A146P
GPU	Mali-G52 MC2	Mali-G68 MP2 - SM-A146BMali-G57 MC2 - SM-A146P
OS	Android 14, planned upgrade to Android 15	Android 13, upgradable to Android 15, One UI Core 7

Memory
Card slot	microSDXC (dedicated slot)	microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) - USA onlymicroSDXC (dedicated slot) - International
Internal	128GB 4GB RAM, 256GB 6GB RAM	64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM

Main Camera
Dual	50 MP, f/1.8, (wide), 1/2.76", 0.64µm, PDAF 2 MP (macro)	-
Features	LED flash, HDR, panorama	LED flash, panorama, HDR
Single	-	13 MP, f/2.0, (wide)
Triple	-	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
Features	HDR	-
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
35mm jack	Yes	Yes
Loudspeaker	Yes, with stereo speakers	Yes

Comms
Bluetooth	5.1, A2DP, LE	5.2, A2DP, LE
NFC	Yes (market/region dependent)	Yes
Positioning	GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS	GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO
Radio	Unspecified	FM radio (Exynos 1330 chipset only), recording
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 (side-mounted), accelerometer, proximity, compass	Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, barometer (USA only)

Battery
Charging	33W wired, 50% in 30 min	15W wired
Type	5010 mAh	Li-Po 5000 mAh

Misc
Colors	Midnight Blue, Space Gray	Black, Light Green, Dark Red, Silver
Models	T611B	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 150 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 50 SE

Faster 33W charging for quick top-ups
Competitive price point
Acceptable performance for basic tasks

Less powerful Helio G88 chipset
Potentially lower thermal efficiency
Camera performance likely to be basic

Samsung Galaxy A14 5G

More powerful Exynos 1330 (in some variants) for smoother performance
Better thermal efficiency with 5nm process
Higher display brightness for outdoor visibility

Slower 15W charging
Chipset variant varies by region (Dimensity 700 is less powerful)
Camera quality dependent on software processing

Display Comparison

Both the TCL 50 SE and Samsung Galaxy A14 5G share a 1334:1 contrast ratio, suggesting similar image quality in terms of blacks and whites. However, the Galaxy A14 5G boasts a measured peak brightness of 519 nits, which will translate to better visibility outdoors under direct sunlight. While both displays are adequate for everyday use, the A14 5G’s higher brightness provides a tangible advantage for outdoor viewing. Details regarding panel technology (IPS vs. VA) and color gamut coverage are missing, but given the price point, neither is expected to excel in color accuracy.

Camera Comparison

Both phones feature a 'Photo / Video' camera setup, but specific details are lacking. Without sensor size information or aperture details, a direct comparison is difficult. The presence of a 2MP macro camera on both devices suggests limited utility, as these sensors typically produce low-quality images. The real-world image quality will likely depend more on Samsung’s image processing algorithms than raw hardware, given their history of strong camera performance in this segment. The TCL 50 SE’s camera performance is likely to be more basic, focusing on simplicity rather than advanced features.

Performance

The performance gap is the most significant differentiator. The Samsung Galaxy A14 5G comes in two chipset configurations: the Exynos 1330 (5nm) and the MediaTek Dimensity 700 (7nm). The Exynos 1330, with its Cortex-A78 cores clocked at 2.4 GHz, offers a substantial CPU performance uplift compared to the TCL 50 SE’s Helio G88 (12nm) and its Cortex-A75 cores at 2.0 GHz. The 5nm fabrication process of the Exynos 1330 also contributes to better thermal efficiency, reducing the likelihood of performance throttling during extended gaming or demanding tasks. The Dimensity 700 variant of the A14 5G still offers a performance advantage over the Helio G88, though less pronounced than the Exynos version. The TCL 50 SE will be sufficient for basic tasks, but the A14 5G provides a smoother, more responsive experience.

Battery Life

Both devices achieve an endurance rating of 130 hours, indicating similar overall battery life. However, the TCL 50 SE compensates for a potentially smaller battery capacity with its 33W wired charging, capable of reaching 50% charge in just 30 minutes. The Samsung Galaxy A14 5G is limited to 15W charging, resulting in a significantly longer full charge time. This makes the TCL 50 SE ideal for users who prioritize quick top-ups, while the A14 5G relies on its efficient chipset to maintain acceptable battery life despite the slower charging speed.

Buying Guide

Buy the TCL 50 SE if you absolutely need the fastest possible charging speeds and frequently find yourself needing to top up your battery quickly. Buy the Samsung Galaxy A14 5G if you value a more responsive user experience, better long-term performance, and a more efficient chipset that will likely handle software updates and demanding apps more gracefully.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Does the Exynos 1330 in the Galaxy A14 5G overheat during prolonged gaming sessions?

The Exynos 1330's 5nm fabrication process is designed for improved thermal efficiency. While some heat generation is inevitable during gaming, it's less likely to experience significant throttling compared to the TCL 50 SE's Helio G88, which is built on a less efficient 12nm process. However, sustained high-intensity gaming will still generate heat, and performance may be slightly reduced over extended periods.

❓ Is the 2MP macro camera on either phone worth using?

Generally, 2MP macro cameras on budget phones offer limited practical value. The low resolution results in images lacking detail and sharpness. While they can be fun to experiment with, don't expect professional-quality macro photography from either the TCL 50 SE or the Samsung Galaxy A14 5G.

❓ Which phone is better for playing PUBG Mobile?

The Samsung Galaxy A14 5G, particularly the Exynos 1330 variant, will provide a smoother PUBG Mobile experience. The more powerful CPU and GPU will allow for higher frame rates and more stable performance, even with higher graphics settings. The TCL 50 SE can run PUBG Mobile, but you may need to lower the graphics settings to maintain a playable frame rate.

❓ What chipset does the Samsung Galaxy A14 5G have in different regions?

The Samsung Galaxy A14 5G comes in two main chipset configurations. The SM-A146B model uses the Exynos 1330 (5nm), while the SM-A146P model uses the MediaTek Dimensity 700 (7nm). The Exynos 1330 offers significantly better performance. It's crucial to check the model number before purchasing to ensure you're getting the chipset you desire.