The sub-$200 5G smartphone market is fiercely competitive. The Xiaomi Poco M4 5G (India variant) and the Samsung Galaxy A14 5G represent compelling options, but cater to slightly different priorities. This comparison dissects their key specifications to determine which device delivers the best value for your money, focusing on real-world performance and usability.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For most users, the Samsung Galaxy A14 5G emerges as the better choice. Its brighter 519-nit display and the potentially more powerful Exynos 1330 (depending on the variant) offer a smoother experience, despite slower 15W charging. The Poco M4 5G remains a viable option for those prioritizing a lower price point.
| 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 | 1, 3, 5, 8, 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 | 2022, April 29 | 2023, January 04 |
| Status | Available. Released 2022, May 05 | Available. Released 2023, January 12 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 3), plastic frame, plastic back | Glass front, plastic back, plastic frame |
| Dimensions | 164 x 76.1 x 8.9 mm (6.46 x 3.00 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 | 200 g (7.05 oz) | 202 g (7.13 oz) |
| | Splash resistant | - |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass 3 | - |
| Resolution | 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~401 ppi density) | 1080 x 2408 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~400 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.58 inches, 104.0 cm2 (~83.3% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.6 inches, 104.9 cm2 (~80.2% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD, 90Hz | 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, MIUI 13 | 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 6GB RAM | 64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM |
| | UFS 2.2 | - |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Dual | 50 MP, f/1.8, (wide), 0.7µm, PDAF
Auxiliary lens | - |
| Features | LED flash, HDR, panorama | LED flash, panorama, HDR |
| Single | 8 MP, f/2.4, (wide), 1.0µm | 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/2.4, (wide), 1.0µm | 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 |
| Infrared port | Yes | - |
| NFC | Yes (market/region dependent) | Yes |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, BDS | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO |
| Radio | FM radio | FM radio (Exynos 1330 chipset only), recording |
| USB | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG | 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, gyro, compass | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, barometer (USA only) |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 18W wired | 15W wired |
| Type | Li-Po 5000 mAh | Li-Po 5000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Gray, Silver, Blue | Black, Light Green, Dark Red, Silver |
| Models | MZB0BRZIN, 22041219PI | 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 190 EUR | $ 77.63 / C$ 151.00 / £ 97.00 / € 159.79 / ₹ 14,990 |
| SAR | 0.85 W/kg (head) 0.85 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 |
-28.8 LUFS (Average)
|
-26.8 LUFS (Good)
|
| Performance | - |
AnTuTu: 307886 (v9)
GeekBench: 1727 (v5.1)
GFXBench: 12fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) |
Xiaomi Poco M4 5G (India)
- Faster 18W charging
- Potentially lower price
- Proven Dimensity 700 chipset
- Dimmer display (410 nits)
- Less efficient 7nm chipset
- Potentially lower peak performance
Samsung Galaxy A14 5G
- Brighter display (519 nits)
- Potentially more powerful Exynos 1330 (5nm)
- Longer endurance rating (130h)
- Slower 15W charging
- Potentially higher price
- Chipset variant dependency (Dimensity 700 exists)
Display Comparison
The Samsung Galaxy A14 5G boasts a significantly brighter display, reaching 519 nits compared to the Poco M4 5G’s 410 nits. This translates to better outdoor visibility. While both displays have a 1334:1 contrast ratio (nominal for the Samsung, measured for the Poco), the higher brightness of the A14 5G provides a more vivid image. Both phones lack high refresh rate panels, which is typical for this price segment, but the A14’s superior brightness is a clear advantage for everyday use.
Camera Comparison
Both phones feature a 'Photo / Video' camera setup, but detailed sensor information is lacking. Given the price point, expecting flagship-level camera performance is unrealistic. The focus should be on the primary sensor, and any differences in image processing algorithms. Without specific sensor details, it’s difficult to declare a clear winner, but Samsung’s image processing generally leans towards more saturated colors, while Xiaomi often aims for a more natural look. The inclusion of 2MP macro cameras on both devices is largely a marketing tactic, offering limited practical benefit.
Performance
The chipset is where things get interesting. The Galaxy A14 5G comes in two variants: one with the Exynos 1330 (5nm) and another with the Dimensity 700 (7nm). The Exynos 1330, built on a smaller 5nm process, *should* offer better power efficiency and potentially higher sustained performance compared to the Dimensity 700. The Exynos CPU features Cortex-A78 cores clocked at 2.4 GHz, a step up from the Poco’s Cortex-A76 cores at 2.2 GHz. However, the Dimensity 700 is a proven performer, and the difference in real-world usage may not be drastic, especially for casual users. Both phones feature similar RAM configurations, but the A14’s potential for a more efficient chipset gives it an edge.
Battery Life
The Samsung Galaxy A14 5G has an endurance rating of 130 hours, suggesting solid battery life. However, it charges at a slower 15W compared to the Poco M4 5G’s 18W. This means the Poco will likely reach 100% charge faster, despite potentially having a smaller battery capacity (not specified in the data). The A14’s endurance rating suggests efficient power management, potentially offsetting the slower charging speed with longer overall usage time. The 5nm Exynos chip (where present) could contribute to this efficiency.
Buying Guide
Buy the Xiaomi Poco M4 5G (India) if you need a highly affordable 5G phone and are willing to compromise on display brightness and potentially performance. Buy the Samsung Galaxy A14 5G if you prefer a brighter, more vibrant display and potentially faster processing, even if it means accepting slower charging speeds and a slightly higher price.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Does the Exynos 1330 in the Galaxy A14 5G overheat during prolonged gaming sessions?
While the Exynos 1330 is a capable chip, its thermal performance will depend on Samsung’s cooling solution. Given the phone’s plastic build, sustained gaming may lead to some throttling, but it’s unlikely to cause severe overheating. The 5nm process should help mitigate heat generation compared to older chipsets.
❓ Is the 2MP macro camera on either phone worth using?
Generally, 2MP macro cameras on budget phones offer limited image quality. They often lack detail and sharpness. While they can be fun to experiment with, don’t expect professional-looking macro shots. The primary camera will deliver far superior results in most scenarios.
❓ Which phone is better for playing PUBG Mobile?
The Samsung Galaxy A14 5G, *if* it has the Exynos 1330, will likely provide a smoother PUBG Mobile experience due to its more powerful CPU and potentially better thermal management. However, both phones will require reduced graphics settings for optimal performance. The Poco M4 5G will still be playable, but may exhibit more frame drops.
❓ What version of Android do these phones ship with, and what is the update policy?
The Poco M4 5G likely ships with a recent version of MIUI based on Android 12 or 13. Samsung's Galaxy A14 5G ships with Android 13 and One UI. Samsung generally offers better software update support than Xiaomi, promising several years of security patches and potentially one or two major Android version upgrades.
