Which is the better buy?

In the world of budget smartphones, Samsung’s Galaxy A12 and Galaxy A14 5G consistently emerge as some of the most compelling options. Of the two, the Galaxy A14 5G is the latest release, launched in January 2023. It brings several updates including 5G connectivity, newer software and a nicer display. It also has a low MSRP, though that may not matter as much since the A12 is two years old and can be found regularly discounted. Let’s review the Samsung Galaxy A14 5G vs. Galaxy A12 to see which is the better buy at its given price point.

The Samsung Galaxy A14 5G and Galaxy A12 are among Samsung’s most popular A-series smartphones. The A series of Samsung’s Galaxy series is reserved for more value mobile devices.

Of the two in this comparison, Samsung’s Galaxy A14 5G is the newer and more advanced device with 5G connectivity support and better hardware specs. The Galaxy A12, on the other hand, is an older device that goes on sale every so often.

Samsung Galaxy A14 5G vs Galaxy A12: Technical specifications

As far as cameras go, both perform extremely well, especially considering that both can be had for under $200.

Samsung Galaxy A14 5G has either JN1 sensor or SK-Hynix hi-5022. When paired with Samsung’s default camera app, you can take some high-quality images depending on how much light there is in the surrounding area. Color accuracy can be inconsistent, but low-light performance is lacking.

The Samsung Galaxy A12 offers solid value for money in terms of cameras. It has a 48MP main sensor that can take photos with wide dynamic range in good lighting conditions. As far as budget devices go, the A12 might have one of the best cameras you’ll find in an entry-level device. It doesn’t match more expensive flagships, but it gets the job done. It also has an ultra-thin sensor, unlike the A14 5G, although it doesn’t produce high-quality images.

When it comes to battery capacity and charging technologies, the A14 5G and the A12 are almost identical. Both come with non-removable 5,000mAh batteries that charge at a top speed of 15W. This is not very fast for a large battery capacity, so you have to be patient. Meanwhile, the massive battery size combined with the display technology and processor performance means you can get up to two days of light to moderate use. Neither device has wireless charging.

There are several different price points for the Galaxy A14 5G and the A12. That said, the best deal you can get is to buy the cheapest version and then add a microSD card for more storage. Both the A14 5G and the A12 have up to 1TB of expandable storage via microSD. If you want to buy a more expensive version of the base model, you’ll pay more for the extra RAM. With MediaTek processors in both, you’ll see minimal performance differences.

Since its inception, the Samsung Galaxy A-series has delivered fantastic value. For $179.99 or less, you can get a device that checks all the basic boxes for a smartphone with the A12. That said, for just $20 more, you’ll get a lot more value from the A14 5G, which we think is the better buy.

For the money, the A14 can provide a much better rounded and smoother user experience. Three things make the A14 5G a wiser purchase: a faster processor (MediaTek Dimensity 700 or Exynos 1330), a faster and more pixel-dense display (90Hz, 1080 x 2408), and newer operating system software (Android). 13). Since the device was introduced recently, it falls into the category of devices that Samsung has announced will receive at least two Android OS upgrades and four years of security patches. Given the collective hardware upgrade package and this promise, the A14 5G will simply have a longer lifespan than the A12. This durability alone is worth that small cash premium.