The sub-$200 5G smartphone market is fiercely competitive. The Xiaomi Poco C75 5G and Samsung Galaxy A14 5G represent compelling options, but cater to slightly different priorities. The Poco C75 leverages a newer, more efficient chipset, while the A14 5G boasts Samsung’s established software and a slightly brighter display. This comparison dissects the key differences to determine which device delivers the best value.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For most users, the Xiaomi Poco C75 5G emerges as the stronger choice. Its Snapdragon 4s Gen 2 (4nm) chipset offers a noticeable performance advantage and superior power efficiency compared to the Galaxy A14 5G’s Exynos 1330 or Dimensity 700 variants, making it better suited for sustained tasks and gaming. While the A14 5G has a marginally brighter display, the Poco’s overall package is more compelling.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 3, 5, 8, 28, 40, 41 | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 17, 20, 26, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66 - International |
| 5G bands | 1, 3, 5, 8, 28, 40, 78 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 | 2024, December 17 | 2023, January 04 |
| Status | Available. Released 2024, December 20 | Available. Released 2023, January 12 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front, plastic frame | Glass front, plastic back, plastic frame |
| Dimensions | 171.9 x 77.8 x 8.2 mm (6.77 x 3.06 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 |
| Weight | 212.4 g (7.51 oz) | 202 g (7.13 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Resolution | 720 x 1640 pixels (~260 ppi density) | 1080 x 2408 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~400 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.88 inches, 112.4 cm2 (~84.0% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.6 inches, 104.9 cm2 (~80.2% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD, 120Hz, 450 nits (typ), 600 nits (HBM) | PLS LCD, 90Hz |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (2x2.0 GHz Cortex-A78 & 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 | Qualcomm SM4635 Snapdragon 4s Gen 2 (4 nm) | Exynos 1330 (5 nm) - SM-A146BMediatek Dimensity 700 (7 nm) - SM-A146P |
| GPU | Adreno 611 | Mali-G68 MP2 - SM-A146BMali-G57 MC2 - SM-A146P |
| OS | Android 14, up to 2 major Android upgrades, HyperOS | 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 | 64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM | 64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash, HDR | LED flash, panorama, HDR |
| Single | 50 MP, f/1.8, (wide)
Auxiliary lens | 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 |
|---|
| Single | 5 MP, f/2.2, (wide) | 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 | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.3, A2DP, LE | 5.2, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | No | Yes |
| Positioning | GPS, GALILEO, GLONASS, BDS | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO |
| Radio | FM radio, recording | FM radio (Exynos 1330 chipset only), recording |
| USB | USB Type-C | USB Type-C 2.0 |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, compass | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, barometer (USA only) |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 18W wired | 15W wired |
| Type | Li-Po 5160 mAh | Li-Po 5000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Aqua Bliss, Enchanted Green, Silver Stardust | Black, Light Green, Dark Red, Silver |
| Models | MZB0IDJIN | 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 | ₹ 7,499 | $ 77.63 / C$ 151.00 / £ 97.00 / € 159.79 / ₹ 14,990 |
| SAR | 0.85 W/kg (head) 0.86 W/kg (body) | 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) |
Xiaomi Poco C75 5G
- More efficient Snapdragon 4s Gen 2 chipset
- Faster 18W charging
- Potentially better sustained performance
- Display brightness slightly lower than A14 5G
- Xiaomi’s MIUI software can be polarizing
Samsung Galaxy A14 5G
- Brighter display for outdoor visibility
- Samsung’s One UI software experience
- Established brand reputation and support
- Less powerful chipset (Exynos 1330 or Dimensity 700)
- Slower 15W charging
Display Comparison
Both the Poco C75 5G and Galaxy A14 5G share a 1334:1 contrast ratio, suggesting similar image quality in terms of dynamic range. However, the Galaxy A14 5G edges out the Poco with a measured peak brightness of 519 nits, potentially offering better visibility in direct sunlight. While both displays are adequate for their price point, neither boasts high refresh rates or advanced panel technologies like LTPO, focusing instead on affordability. Bezels are comparable, and color accuracy is likely similar given the shared contrast ratio.
Camera Comparison
Both phones offer basic photo and video capabilities, but details are limited. Without specific sensor size or aperture information, it’s difficult to make a definitive judgment. The presence of a 2MP macro camera on both devices suggests limited utility, as these sensors typically lack the resolution and quality for detailed macro photography. Image processing will likely differ, with Samsung’s software leaning towards more saturated colors and the Poco potentially offering a more natural look. The A14 5G may have a slight edge in video recording due to Samsung’s established video algorithms, but this is speculative without further data.
Performance
The performance gap is the most significant differentiator. The Poco C75 5G’s Qualcomm Snapdragon 4s Gen 2 (4nm) is built on a more advanced process node than either of the Galaxy A14 5G’s chipsets – the Exynos 1330 (5nm) or the Dimensity 700 (7nm). The Snapdragon 4s Gen 2 features a Cortex-A78 prime core clocked at 2.0 GHz, paired with six A55 efficiency cores, while the A14 5G’s Exynos 1330 has slightly faster A78 cores at 2.4 GHz, but the 5nm process doesn’t fully compensate for the architectural advantage. The Dimensity 700 variant of the A14 5G is further behind in performance. This translates to smoother multitasking and better sustained performance on the Poco, especially in graphically demanding applications. The Poco’s chipset also benefits from improved thermal efficiency, reducing the likelihood of throttling during extended use.
Battery Life
Both the Poco C75 5G and Galaxy A14 5G achieve an endurance rating of 130 hours, indicating comparable battery life under similar usage conditions. However, the Poco C75 5G’s more efficient Snapdragon 4s Gen 2 chipset should translate to longer real-world usage, especially with moderate to heavy use. The A14 5G supports 15W wired charging, while the Poco C75 5G supports 18W wired charging. While the difference isn’t massive, the Poco’s faster charging will shave off some time when topping up the battery.
Buying Guide
Buy the Xiaomi Poco C75 5G if you prioritize performance and efficiency for everyday tasks and light gaming, and value a more modern chipset. Buy the Samsung Galaxy A14 5G if you prefer Samsung’s One UI software experience, a slightly brighter display for outdoor visibility, and a brand with a well-established support network. Consider the A14 5G if you find a significantly discounted unit.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Does the Exynos 1330 in the Galaxy A14 5G overheat during prolonged gaming sessions?
The Exynos 1330 is known to throttle under sustained load, meaning performance will decrease over time during gaming. While it won't necessarily 'overheat' to the point of being unusable, you'll likely experience frame drops and stuttering in demanding titles after 20-30 minutes of gameplay. The Poco C75 5G’s Snapdragon 4s Gen 2, with its 4nm process, is better equipped to handle thermal management.
❓ Is the 2MP macro camera on either phone worth using?
Generally, no. 2MP macro cameras on budget phones typically lack the detail and clarity needed for truly impressive macro photography. They often produce blurry or noisy images. You're better off using the main camera and cropping in, or simply accepting that macro photography isn't a strong suit of either device.
❓ Can the Poco C75 5G handle games like PUBG Mobile at 60fps?
The Poco C75 5G should be capable of running PUBG Mobile at 60fps on medium settings. However, achieving consistently smooth performance will depend on the specific device configuration and background processes. The Snapdragon 4s Gen 2 is a capable chipset for this level of gaming, but don't expect to max out the graphics settings.
❓ Which phone will receive more software updates and security patches?
Samsung generally provides longer software support for its devices than Xiaomi. The Galaxy A14 5G is likely to receive more Android version updates and security patches over its lifespan, making it a more secure and future-proof option in the long run.
