The ZTE Quest 5 and Samsung Galaxy A14 5G represent two approaches to the budget 5G smartphone market. The Quest 5 aims for extreme affordability, while the A14 5G attempts to balance price with a more modern feature set. This comparison dissects their key differences to help you determine which device delivers the best value for your needs.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For most users, the Samsung Galaxy A14 5G is the superior choice. Its Exynos 1330 chipset (or Dimensity 700 variant) offers significantly improved performance and efficiency compared to the ZTE Quest 5’s aging Mediatek MT6739, justifying the price difference for a smoother overall experience.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 2, 4, 5, 12, 13, 25, 26, 41 | 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 Cat4 150/50 Mbps | HSPA, LTE, 5G |
| Technology | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G |
| | CDMA 800 / 1900 | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 40, 41, 78 SA/NSA/Sub6 - India |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2020, August. Released 2020, August | 2023, January 04 |
| Status | Discontinued | Available. Released 2023, January 12 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | - | Glass front, plastic back, plastic frame |
| Dimensions | 137 x 68 x 10.6 mm (5.39 x 2.68 x 0.42 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 |
| Weight | 143 g (5.04 oz) | 202 g (7.13 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Resolution | 480 x 960 pixels, 18:9 ratio (~215 ppi density) | 1080 x 2408 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~400 ppi density) |
| Size | 5.0 inches, 64.5 cm2 (~69.3% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.6 inches, 104.9 cm2 (~80.2% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD | PLS LCD, 90Hz |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Quad-core 1.5 GHz Cortex-A53 | 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 MT6739 (28 nm) | Exynos 1330 (5 nm) - SM-A146BMediatek Dimensity 700 (7 nm) - SM-A146P |
| GPU | PowerVR GE8100 | Mali-G68 MP2 - SM-A146BMali-G57 MC2 - SM-A146P |
| OS | Android 10 (Go Edition) | Android 13, upgradable to Android 15, One UI Core 7 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDHC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) - USA onlymicroSDXC (dedicated slot) - International |
| Internal | 16GB 1GB RAM | 64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM |
| | eMMC 5.1 | - |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | - | LED flash, panorama, HDR |
| Single | 5 MP | 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 |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Single | 2 MP | 13 MP, f/2.0, 26mm (wide), 1.12µm |
| Video | - | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 4.2, A2DP | 5.2, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | No | Yes |
| Positioning | GPS | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO |
| Radio | No | FM radio (Exynos 1330 chipset only), recording |
| USB | microUSB 2.0 | USB Type-C 2.0 |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Accelerometer, proximity | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, barometer (USA only) |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | - | 15W wired |
| Type | Li-Ion 2000 mAh, removable | Li-Po 5000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Black | 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 80 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 Quest 5
- Extremely affordable price point
- Supports 5G connectivity
- Basic smartphone functionality
- Outdated and underpowered chipset
- Likely poor performance in demanding tasks
- Display specifications are unknown and likely inferior
Samsung Galaxy A14 5G
- Significantly more powerful chipset (Exynos 1330 or Dimensity 700)
- Brighter and more usable display
- Better overall performance and efficiency
- Higher price than the ZTE Quest 5
- 15W charging is relatively slow
- Camera details are limited
Display Comparison
The Samsung Galaxy A14 5G boasts a noticeably more refined display experience. While both phones share a 1334:1 contrast ratio, the A14 5G achieves a measured peak brightness of 519 nits, crucial for outdoor visibility. The Quest 5’s display specifications are not provided, suggesting a lower brightness level. This difference impacts usability in direct sunlight. While neither phone is expected to have high refresh rates, the A14 5G’s larger panel and higher brightness provide a more immersive viewing experience.
Camera Comparison
Both phones offer photo and video capabilities, but details are limited. Without specific sensor information, it’s difficult to make a definitive judgment. However, given the A14 5G’s overall focus on a more modern feature set, it’s likely to have a more capable camera system. The Quest 5’s camera is likely to be basic, suitable for casual snapshots. The A14 5G may offer features like improved low-light performance and better image stabilization, though this is speculative without detailed specs.
Performance
The performance gap between these devices is substantial. The ZTE Quest 5’s Mediatek MT6739, built on a 28nm process, features a quad-core Cortex-A53 CPU. This is significantly less powerful than the Samsung Galaxy A14 5G’s Exynos 1330 (5nm) or Dimensity 700 (7nm) options. The A14 5G’s octa-core CPU, with Cortex-A78 and A55 cores, delivers a much faster and more efficient experience. The newer process nodes (5nm/7nm) used in the A14 5G’s chipsets also translate to better thermal management and reduced power consumption. The Quest 5 will struggle with multitasking and demanding applications, while the A14 5G offers a smoother, more responsive experience.
Battery Life
Both devices share an endurance rating of 130 hours, suggesting comparable battery life under similar usage conditions. However, the A14 5G’s more efficient chipset (Exynos 1330 or Dimensity 700) could translate to longer real-world battery life, especially with moderate to heavy use. The A14 5G supports 15W wired charging, while the Quest 5’s charging speed is unknown. The efficiency gains of the A14 5G’s chipset will likely offset any potential battery capacity differences.
Buying Guide
Buy the ZTE Quest 5 if you absolutely need the cheapest possible 5G smartphone and your usage is limited to basic tasks like calls, texts, and light web browsing. Buy the Samsung Galaxy A14 5G if you prioritize a more responsive user experience, better performance for apps and occasional gaming, and a brighter, more usable display.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Does the Exynos 1330 (or Dimensity 700) in the Galaxy A14 5G overheat during prolonged gaming sessions?
The Exynos 1330 and Dimensity 700 are both relatively efficient chipsets built on 5nm and 7nm processes respectively. While some heat generation is inevitable during gaming, they are unlikely to overheat significantly, especially considering the A14 5G’s plastic build which aids in heat dissipation. Expect some performance throttling after extended periods of intense gaming, but it shouldn't be a major issue.
❓ Is the 2MP macro camera on the Galaxy A14 5G 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. It's primarily a marketing feature rather than a significant photographic tool.
❓ Can the ZTE Quest 5 handle popular games like PUBG Mobile or Call of Duty Mobile at playable frame rates?
The ZTE Quest 5’s Mediatek MT6739 is unlikely to provide a smooth gaming experience in demanding titles like PUBG Mobile or Call of Duty Mobile. You may be able to run these games at the lowest settings, but expect significant frame rate drops and lag. It's not designed for gaming.
❓ What version of Android does the Samsung Galaxy A14 5G ship with, and is software update support guaranteed?
The Samsung Galaxy A14 5G typically ships with Android 13 with Samsung's One UI. Samsung generally provides several years of software updates and security patches for their A-series devices, offering better long-term support than many other brands in this price range. However, the exact number of guaranteed updates can vary by region.
