The sub-$200 5G smartphone market is fiercely competitive. The ZTE Blade A73 and Samsung Galaxy A14 5G both aim to deliver 5G connectivity at an accessible price point, but they take different approaches. The A73 focuses on a streamlined experience with a Unisoc chipset, while the A14 5G boasts a more powerful Exynos processor (in some regions) and Samsung’s established software ecosystem. This comparison will dissect their key differences to determine which phone offers the best value.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For most users, the Samsung Galaxy A14 5G is the better choice. While the ZTE Blade A73 offers a respectable package, the A14 5G’s more powerful Exynos 1330 (or Dimensity 700) chipset provides a noticeably smoother experience, justifying the slight price premium. Both phones offer similar battery life, but Samsung’s display is brighter.
| 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 | - | 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 | 2023, August 31 | 2023, January 04 |
| Status | Available. Released 2023, September | Available. Released 2023, January 12 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | - | Glass front, plastic back, plastic frame |
| Dimensions | 165 x 76.1 x 8.4 mm (6.50 x 3.00 x 0.33 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 | 190 g (6.70 oz) | 202 g (7.13 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Resolution | 720 x 1612 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~267 ppi density) | 1080 x 2408 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~400 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.6 inches, 104.6 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 (2x1.6 GHz Cortex-A75 & 6x1.6 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 | Unisoc T606 (12 nm) | Exynos 1330 (5 nm) - SM-A146BMediatek Dimensity 700 (7 nm) - SM-A146P |
| GPU | Mali-G57 MP1 | Mali-G68 MP2 - SM-A146BMali-G57 MC2 - SM-A146P |
| OS | Android 13 | Android 13, upgradable to Android 15, One UI Core 7 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) - USA onlymicroSDXC (dedicated slot) - International |
| Internal | 128GB 4GB RAM | 64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Dual | 50 MP, f/1.8, (wide), AF
Auxiliary lens | - |
| Features | LED flash | 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 |
|---|
| Single | 5 MP | 13 MP, f/2.0, 26mm (wide), 1.12µm |
| Video | 720p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | - | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.2, A2DP, LE | 5.2, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | Yes | Yes |
| Positioning | GPS | 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 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 | 22.5W wired | 15W wired |
| Type | Li-Ion 5000 mAh | Li-Po 5000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Gray, Blue, Green | Black, Light Green, Dark Red, Silver |
| Models | - | 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 100 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) |
ZTE Blade A73
- Faster 22.5W charging
- Potentially lower price point
- Simple, uncluttered Android experience
- Less powerful Unisoc T606 chipset
- Limited performance for demanding tasks
- Display brightness likely lower than A14 5G
Samsung Galaxy A14 5G
- More powerful Exynos 1330 or Dimensity 700 chipset
- Brighter display for better outdoor visibility
- Samsung’s One UI software ecosystem
- Slower 15W charging
- Potentially higher price
- Software bloatware (typical of Samsung)
Display Comparison
The Samsung Galaxy A14 5G features a display capable of reaching 519 nits of peak brightness, a significant advantage over what we’d expect from the ZTE Blade A73, which lacks published brightness data. Both displays share a 1334:1 contrast ratio, suggesting similar color reproduction quality. However, the A14 5G’s higher brightness translates to better visibility outdoors. The lack of high refresh rate support on either device is typical for this price bracket, but the A14 5G’s larger screen size (6.6 inches vs. A73’s 6.52 inches) provides a more immersive viewing experience.
Camera Comparison
Both phones offer a basic photo/video experience, but details are limited. The ZTE Blade A73’s camera specifications are not readily available, making a direct comparison difficult. The Samsung Galaxy A14 5G’s camera system is likely centered around a primary sensor, but the inclusion of a 2MP macro lens is largely inconsequential. Image quality will heavily rely on Samsung’s image processing algorithms, which generally prioritize vibrant colors and decent dynamic range. Without detailed sensor information for the A73, the A14 5G likely holds an advantage due to Samsung’s established camera software and potentially a larger main sensor.
Performance
The performance gap between these two phones is substantial. The Samsung Galaxy A14 5G utilizes either the Exynos 1330 (5nm) or the MediaTek Dimensity 700 (7nm), both significantly more advanced than the ZTE Blade A73’s Unisoc T606 (12nm). The Exynos 1330, with its Cortex-A78 cores clocked at 2.4 GHz, offers a considerable CPU performance boost over the A73’s Cortex-A75 cores at 1.6 GHz. This translates to faster app loading times, smoother multitasking, and a more responsive user interface. The A14 5G’s GPU also benefits from the more modern chipset, providing a better gaming experience. While both phones likely feature similar RAM configurations, the A14 5G’s chipset is the clear winner.
Battery Life
Both the ZTE Blade A73 and Samsung Galaxy A14 5G achieve an endurance rating of 130 hours, indicating comparable battery life. The A73 supports 22.5W wired charging, while the A14 5G is limited to 15W. This means the A73 will theoretically charge faster, potentially reaching a full charge in less time. However, the difference in charging speed may not be significant in real-world usage, especially considering both phones have similar battery capacities (unspecified for A73, but likely around 5000mAh like the A14 5G).
Buying Guide
Buy the ZTE Blade A73 if you prioritize a simple, uncluttered Android experience and are comfortable with a less powerful processor for basic tasks like calling, texting, and light social media use. Buy the Samsung Galaxy A14 5G if you value performance for multitasking, gaming, and want the benefits of Samsung’s One UI software and potentially faster 5G speeds depending on the variant.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Does the Exynos 1330 in the Galaxy A14 5G tend to overheat during prolonged gaming sessions?
The Exynos 1330 is a relatively efficient chipset. While it may get warm during extended gaming, it's unlikely to experience significant thermal throttling due to its 5nm manufacturing process. The larger chassis of the A14 5G also aids in heat dissipation compared to the more compact A73.
❓ Is the 2MP macro camera on the Samsung Galaxy A14 5G actually useful for taking detailed close-up photos?
Generally, 2MP macro cameras on budget phones offer limited utility. The low resolution results in images lacking detail and sharpness. It's best to consider it a novelty feature rather than a serious photography tool. The primary camera on the A14 5G will deliver far superior results in most scenarios.
❓ Can the ZTE Blade A73 handle graphically demanding games like PUBG Mobile at high settings?
The Unisoc T606 chipset in the ZTE Blade A73 is not designed for high-end gaming. While PUBG Mobile may be playable, you'll likely need to lower the graphics settings to medium or low to achieve a smooth frame rate. Expect occasional stuttering and lag, especially during intense firefights.
❓ Which phone is better for streaming videos and browsing the web?
The Samsung Galaxy A14 5G is better suited for streaming and browsing due to its more powerful processor and brighter display. The Exynos 1330 (or Dimensity 700) will provide a smoother, more responsive experience when loading web pages and streaming video content. The brighter screen also enhances visibility.
