Which is the best buy?

In the world of budget smartphones, from Samsung Galaxy A12 And the Galaxy A14 5G consistently emerges as two of the most compelling options. Of the two, the Galaxy A14 5G is the newer version, which was launched in January 2023. It brings several upgrades, including 5G connectivity, newer software, and a better display. It also has a low MSRP – although that may not matter since the A12 is two years old and can be found discounted on a regular basis. Let’s review the Samsung Galaxy A14 5G vs. the Galaxy A12 to see which is a better buy at its given price point.

Samsung Galaxy A14 5G and Galaxy A12 are among the most popular A-class smartphones from Samsung. The A series in Samsung’s Galaxy lineup is reserved for the most valuable mobile devices.

Of the two in this comparison, Samsung’s Galaxy A14 5G is the newer and more advanced device with support for 5G connectivity and better hardware specifications. On the other hand, the Galaxy A12 is an older device that goes on sale frequently.

Comparison of Samsung Galaxy A14 5G vs Galaxy A12: specifications

When it comes to cameras, both perform very well — especially considering they can be had for under $200.

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

Samsung Galaxy A12 offers solid value for money in terms of cameras. It has a 48MP main sensor, which can take pictures with a wide dynamic range in good lighting conditions. In terms of budget devices, the A12 might have one of the best cameras you can find on an entry-level device. It doesn’t compete with more expensive flagship software, but it gets the job done. It also features an ultra-wide sensor, unlike the A14 5G — though it doesn’t deliver the highest quality photos.

In terms of battery capacity and charging technologies, the A14 5G and A12 are nearly identical. Both are equipped with non-removable 5,000mAh batteries, which charge at a maximum rate of 15W. It’s not very fast for this large battery capacity, so you’ll need to be patient. At the same time, the massive battery size paired with the efficiency of the display and processor technology means you can get up to two days of light to moderate use. Neither device has wireless charging either.

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

Since its inception, the Samsung Galaxy A series has offered great value. For $179.99 or less, you can get a device that checks all the essential boxes for a smartphone with the A12. However, for just $20, you’re getting far more value than the A14 5G: the device we consider the best buy.

For the money, the A14 can provide a more refined and smooth user experience. Three things make the A14 5G stand out as the wiser buy: a faster processor (MediaTek Dimensity 700 or Exynos 1330), faster and pixel-dense display (90Hz, 1080 x 2408), and newer OS software (Android 13). Since the device was introduced so recently, it falls into the category of devices that Samsung has stated will get at least two Android OS upgrades and four years of security patches. Given the mass package of hardware upgrades and that promise, the A14 5G will simply have a longer lifespan than the A12. That continuity, in and of itself, is worth that small cash premium.