The budget 5G smartphone market is heating up, and two contenders vying for your attention are the Tecno Pova 5G and the Samsung Galaxy A14 5G. Both offer 5G connectivity at an affordable price, but which one delivers the best overall experience? Let's dive into a comprehensive comparison.
🏆 Quick Verdict
The Samsung Galaxy A14 5G edges out the Tecno Pova 5G thanks to its superior display, more refined software experience, and generally better camera performance. While the Pova 5G offers slightly faster processing, the A14 5G provides a more well-rounded package for most users.
| 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 | SA/NSA | 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 | 2021, December 27 | 2023, January 04 |
| Status | Available. Released 2021, December 27 | Available. Released 2023, January 12 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | - | Glass front, plastic back, plastic frame |
| Dimensions | 172.8 x 78.2 x 9.1 mm (6.80 x 3.08 x 0.36 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 |
| Weight | - | 202 g (7.13 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Resolution | 1080 x 2460 pixels (~389 ppi density) | 1080 x 2408 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~400 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.9 inches, 113.1 cm2 (~83.7% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.6 inches, 104.9 cm2 (~80.2% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD, 120Hz | PLS LCD, 90Hz |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (2x2.4 GHz Cortex-A78 & 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 900 (6 nm) | Exynos 1330 (5 nm) - SM-A146BMediatek Dimensity 700 (7 nm) - SM-A146P |
| GPU | Mali-G68 MC4 | Mali-G68 MP2 - SM-A146BMali-G57 MC2 - SM-A146P |
| OS | Android 11, HIOS 8.0 | Android 13, upgradable to Android 15, One UI Core 7 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | Unspecified | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) - USA onlymicroSDXC (dedicated slot) - International |
| Internal | 128GB 8GB RAM | 64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM |
| | UFS 3.1 | - |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | Quad-LED flash, panorama, HDR | LED flash, panorama, HDR |
| Single | 16 MP, (wide) | 13 MP, f/2.0, (wide) |
| Triple | 50 MP, (wide), PDAF
2 MP
Auxiliary lens | 50 MP, f/1.8, 26mm (wide), 1/2.76", 0.64µm, PDAF
2 MP (macro)
Auxiliary lens |
| Video | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | Dual-LED flash | - |
| Single | 16 MP, (wide) | 13 MP, f/2.0, 26mm (wide), 1.12µm |
| Video | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | Yes | 5.2, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | Yes | Yes |
| Positioning | GPS | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO |
| Radio | FM radio | FM radio (Exynos 1330 chipset only), recording |
| USB | Yes | USB Type-C 2.0 |
| WLAN | Yes | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer proximity | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, barometer (USA only) |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 18W wired | 15W wired |
| Type | 6000 mAh | Li-Po 5000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Aether Black | Black, Light Green, Dark Red, Silver |
| Models | LE8 | 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 270 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) |
Tecno Pova 5G
- Faster Processor (Dimensity 900)
- Aggressive Gaming Performance
- Competitive Price
- Less Refined Software
- Lower Display Brightness
- Slower Charging (18W)
Samsung Galaxy A14 5G
- Brighter and More Accurate Display
- Better Camera Performance
- Longer Software Support
- Faster Charging (15W)
- Slightly Slower Processor
- Less Aggressive Gaming Performance
- Can be slightly more expensive
Display Comparison
The Samsung Galaxy A14 5G boasts a brighter display (519 nits vs. estimated 480 nits for the Pova 5G) and generally better color accuracy. While both have a high contrast ratio, Samsung's display is noticeably more vibrant and easier to view in direct sunlight. The A14 5G also often features a slightly larger screen size, enhancing the viewing experience.
Camera Comparison
The Samsung Galaxy A14 5G generally delivers better camera performance, particularly in terms of image processing and low-light photography. While both phones offer decent cameras for the price, the A14 5G's images tend to be more detailed and have better dynamic range. The A14 5G also benefits from Samsung's established camera software.
Performance
The Tecno Pova 5G's Dimensity 900 chipset offers a slight edge in raw processing power compared to the A14 5G's Exynos 1330 (or Dimensity 700 variant). This translates to slightly faster app loading times and smoother performance in demanding games. However, Samsung's optimized software often makes the A14 5G feel just as responsive in everyday use.
Battery Life
Both phones offer excellent battery life, with the Galaxy A14 5G claiming an impressive endurance rating of 130 hours. The Tecno Pova 5G also provides all-day battery life, but the A14 5G's optimization and larger battery capacity give it a slight advantage.
Buying Guide
The Tecno Pova 5G is a good choice for gamers and users prioritizing raw processing power on a tight budget. The Samsung Galaxy A14 5G is ideal for those seeking a reliable, well-supported device with a good display and camera, and a longer software support lifecycle.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Which phone is better for gaming?
The Tecno Pova 5G has a slight edge in raw processing power, making it potentially better for demanding games, but the A14 5G is still capable.
❓ How long will Samsung support the Galaxy A14 5G with software updates?
Samsung typically provides longer software support for its devices, including several years of security updates for the Galaxy A14 5G.
❓ Is the Tecno Pova 5G worth considering if I'm on a very tight budget?
Yes, the Pova 5G offers excellent value for money if you prioritize processing power and are willing to compromise on other aspects like display quality and camera performance.
