The sub-$200 smartphone market is fiercely competitive. The Umidigi G3 and Samsung Galaxy A14 both aim to deliver essential smartphone functionality at an accessible price point, but they take drastically different approaches to achieving this. The G3 prioritizes extreme affordability, while the A14 attempts to balance cost with a more modern feature set and improved performance.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For most users, the Samsung Galaxy A14 is the superior choice. While the Umidigi G3 offers a lower entry price, the A14’s significantly more powerful Mediatek Helio G80 (or Exynos 850) chipset delivers a smoother user experience, better gaming performance, and future-proofing. The 15W charging is also a welcome upgrade.
| 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 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 17, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41 | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41 |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE | HSPA, LTE |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2023 | 2023, February 28 |
| Status | Available. Released 2023 | Available. Released 2023, March 27 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | - | Glass front, plastic back, plastic frame |
| Dimensions | 163.9 x 75.7 x 8.8 mm (6.45 x 2.98 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 |
| Weight | 192 g (6.77 oz) | 201 g (7.09 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Resolution | 720 x 1600 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~269 ppi density) | 1080 x 2408 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~400 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.52 inches, 102.6 cm2 (~82.7% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.6 inches, 104.9 cm2 (~80.2% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD | PLS LCD |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Quad-core 2.0 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 Helio A22 (12 nm) | Mediatek MT6769 Helio G80 (12 nm) - Version AExynos 850 (8 nm) - Version B |
| GPU | PowerVR GE8320 | Mali-G52 MC2 |
| OS | Android 13 | Android 13, upgradable to Android 15, One UI 7 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 64GB 4GB RAM | 64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Dual | 13 MP, f/2.2, (wide), AF
Auxiliary lens | - |
| Features | Dual-LED flash, HDR | LED flash, panorama, HDR |
| Single | - | 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 | 5 MP, f/2.2, (wide) | 13 MP, f/2.0, 26mm (wide), 1/3.1", 1.12µm |
| Video | 720p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | - | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.0, A2DP, LE | 5.1 or 5.3, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | No | Yes (market/region dependent) |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO | GPS, GALILEO, GLONASS, BDS, QZSS |
| Radio | No | Unspecified |
| USB | USB Type-C, OTG | USB Type-C 2.0 |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 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, proximity, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 10W wired | 15W wired |
| Type | 5150 mAh | Li-Po 5000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Graphite Black, Dark Green, Lavender Purple | Black, Dark Red, Silver, Green |
| Models | - | SM-A145F, SM-A145F/DSN, SM-A145M, SM-A145M/DS, SM-A145P, SM-A145R |
| Price | - | € 85.76 / $ 147.60 / £ 79.95 |
| SAR EU | - | 0.46 W/kg (head) 1.37 W/kg (body) |
Umidigi G3
- Lowest possible price point
- Simple and straightforward user experience
- Acceptable for basic communication tasks
- Very limited performance
- Slow charging speed (10W)
- Likely low-quality camera
Samsung Galaxy A14
- Significantly faster performance (Helio G80/Exynos 850)
- Faster charging (15W)
- Potentially better camera quality
- More future-proof
- Higher price than the Umidigi G3
- May still struggle with very demanding games
- Software updates may be limited
Display Comparison
Neither device boasts a standout display. Both utilize 12nm chipsets, suggesting a focus on cost reduction over display technology. Specifics like panel type (IPS vs. LCD) and resolution are missing for the Umidigi G3, but given its price point, it’s likely a lower-resolution panel. The Samsung Galaxy A14’s display details are also absent, but Samsung generally offers better color accuracy and brightness even in their budget range. The lack of high refresh rates on either device indicates a focus on power efficiency rather than visual fluidity.
Camera Comparison
Camera performance is likely to be a weak point on both devices, but the A14 has a potential edge. While specific sensor details are missing for the G3, budget phones often rely on low-resolution sensors. The A14’s camera configuration is unknown, but Samsung’s image processing algorithms are generally more refined than those found on Umidigi devices. The presence of a potentially larger main sensor on the A14 (assuming a typical Samsung configuration) would further improve image quality in good lighting conditions. The inclusion of Optical Image Stabilization (OIS) on the A14, if present, would be a significant advantage for reducing blur in low-light photos and videos.
Performance
The performance gap between these two phones is substantial. The Umidigi G3’s Mediatek Helio A22, with its quad-core Cortex-A53 CPU, is designed for basic tasks. The Samsung Galaxy A14, however, offers two distinct chipset options: the Mediatek Helio G80 and the Exynos 850. The Helio G80’s octa-core configuration (2x2.0 GHz Cortex-A75 & 6x1.8 GHz Cortex-A55) provides a significant performance uplift over the A22, particularly in multi-tasking and gaming. The Exynos 850, built on an 8nm process, further enhances efficiency and sustained performance. This architectural difference means the A14 will handle demanding apps and games with far less lag and stuttering. The A14’s CPU architecture is also more modern, leading to better overall responsiveness.
Battery Life
Both phones offer adequate battery capacity for all-day use with moderate usage. The Umidigi G3’s 10W charging is slow by modern standards, requiring a significant amount of time to fully charge the battery. The Samsung Galaxy A14’s 15W charging is a modest improvement, offering a faster top-up time. While the A14’s battery capacity is unknown, the more efficient chipset (Helio G80 or Exynos 850) will likely result in comparable or even better battery life despite potentially having a similar capacity to the G3.
Buying Guide
Buy the Umidigi G3 if you absolutely need the lowest possible price and your smartphone usage is limited to basic tasks like calls, texts, and light web browsing. You’re willing to accept noticeable performance limitations. Buy the Samsung Galaxy A14 if you prioritize a responsive user experience, enjoy occasional mobile gaming, and want a phone that will remain usable for a longer period. The A14 offers a better overall value proposition for the vast majority of users.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Does the Exynos 850 chip in the Samsung Galaxy A14 overheat during prolonged gaming sessions?
The Exynos 850 is built on an 8nm process, which offers improved thermal efficiency compared to the 12nm Helio A22 in the Umidigi G3. While it may get warm during extended gaming, it’s unlikely to overheat significantly and cause performance throttling. The A14 is better equipped to handle sustained workloads.
❓ Is the 2MP macro camera on the Samsung Galaxy A14 actually useful for taking detailed close-up photos?
Generally, 2MP macro cameras on budget phones are limited in their usefulness. The low resolution results in images lacking detail and sharpness. While it can be fun to experiment with, don’t expect professional-quality macro photography. The main sensor on the A14 will deliver far superior results in most scenarios.
❓ Can the Samsung Galaxy A14 run PUBG Mobile at 60fps?
The Samsung Galaxy A14, particularly the version with the Helio G80 or Exynos 850, should be capable of running PUBG Mobile at 60fps with medium graphics settings. However, performance may vary depending on the specific game settings and background processes. The Umidigi G3 will likely struggle to maintain a stable 30fps even at the lowest settings.
❓ How long will it take to fully charge the Umidigi G3 with the included 10W charger?
With a 10W charger, fully charging the Umidigi G3 will likely take over 3 hours, potentially even closer to 4 hours depending on the battery capacity. This is significantly slower than the Samsung Galaxy A14’s 15W charging, which will offer a faster top-up time.
