When testing entry-level smartphones, I usually have low expectations because most devices fall short in key areas. However, every now and then, a phone comes along that simply outperforms all of my expectations by punching above its weight, and the Galaxy M14 5G appears to be one such device.
Samsung’s newly released Galaxy M14 is a low-cost 5G smartphone that appears to provide a full smartphone experience on a budget. In a world dominated by Redmi and Realme devices, does a low-cost Samsung phone have a chance? To learn more, read my in-depth review of the Samsung Galaxy M14 5G.
Specifications Table
Display
| Chipset | Samsung Exynos 1330 |
| No of cores | 8 (octa core) |
| RAM | 4 GB |
| RAM Type | LPDDR4X |
| Height-Width | 6.57in-3.04in |
| Weight | 206 grams |
| Colours | Berry Blue, Smoky Teal, Icy Silver |
| Resolution | 1080 x 2408 pixels |
| Display Type | AMOLED |
| Colour Reproduction | 16M Colours |
| TouchScreen | Yes, Capacitive, Multi-Touch |
| Rear camera setup | Dual |
| Rear Camera | 50MP(Primary), 2MP(Secondary), 2MP(Tertiary) |
| Front camera | 13 MP Resolution |
| Flash | LED Rear flash |
| Video Resolution | 1920×1080 @ 30 fps |
| Camera Features | Auto FlashAuto FocusFace detectionTouch to focus |
| Battery Type and capacity | Li-ion, 6000 mAh |
| Fast Charging | Yes, 25W |
| Internal memory type | 128 GB |
| Operating System | Android v13 |
| Custom UI | Samsung One UI |
| SIM Configuration | Dual SIM |
| Wi-Fi | Yes |
| Bluetooth | Bluetooth v5.2 |
| GPS | Yes with A-GPS, Glonass |
| Fingerprint sensor | Yes, Side |
| Face Unlock | Yes |
| Other Sensor | Light SensorProximity SensorAccelerometerCompassGyroscope |
Design
The Samsung Galaxy M14 is the most minimalistic-looking phone in India’s Rs 14,000 price range. Despite being a budget offering, the design language is consistent with that of the flagship S23 series, and I like the triple camera array on the back, even if only one of them is fully functional.
The Galaxy M14, like most phones in this price range, has a plastic body. Unlike brands, however, the South Korean tech company is not ashamed of this and does not try to disguise it as a glass back panel. The Galaxy M14’s glossy back panel is a smudge magnet, but it provides plenty of grip and keeps the phone from slipping. The Galaxy M14 has everything you’d expect from a mid-range phone, including a dedicated microSD card slot and a 3.5mm headphone jack and a fingerprint sensor on the side. Overall, Samsung makes no compromises on the Galaxy M14’s core smartphone experience.
Display
The phone has a large 6.6-inch FHD+ screen with a refresh rate of 90Hz. It also has Corning Gorilla Glass 5 protection, which is not common in phones at this price point. However, the dated Infinity-V notch, chunkier bezel, and subpar brightness detract from this phone’s overall score. As long as you use the Galaxy M14 indoors, the display performs admirably in most situations, including casual gaming, content consumption, and even endless social media scrolling. However, in direct sunlight, the display loses its attractiveness, and this is one area where the company has most likely cut corners in order to achieve this price point.
Camera
The triple camera module enhances the Galaxy M14’s appearance. The specs sheet, on the other hand, tells a completely different story. The phone features a 50 MP primary camera with an f/1.8 aperture, as well as two 2MP cameras. A 13 MP selfie camera with an f/2.0 aperture is located on the front. There’s nothing special about the camera performance here. This is not to say that the cameras are useless. They take good pictures in good lighting.
In natural light, the phone takes good photos. The camera captures a lot of details with vibrant colours and because of the higher resolution and wider aperture, even photos taken in low-light conditions look good. The 2MP macro camera performs mediocrely. Also, the phone takes excellent selfies with natural skin tones. Even the portrait mode works well and performs well in terms of edge detection.
The Galaxy M14 is powerful
The Exynos 1330 does not deliver outstanding performance. Regardless, it performs excellently by providing adequate performance and can withstand daily tasks like extensive social media scrolling, video streaming, and continuous music streaming. And, to my surprise, even with continuous use, the device did not overheat. Again, this is not a phone for playing BGMI at 90fps, but if you want casual gaming, the phone can easily handle it.
Software
The Galaxy M14 comes with OneUI 5.1 based on Android 13, and the company has confirmed that the phone will receive two major Android OS updates as well as four years of security updates. The software is well optimised, and the phone responds quickly in most situations. However, when compared to more costly Samsung phones, the Galaxy M14 comes with bloatware.
Connectivity
This is a 5G smartphone that can connect to both NSA and SA 5G networks. In other words, the Samsung Galaxy M14 is compatible with both Jio and Airtel’s 5G networks. Surprisingly, the Galaxy M14 delivered faster 5G speeds on the Jio network than the nearly ten times more expensive Galaxy S23 Ultra. And this says a lot about the phone’s 5G modem.
Battery Life
In terms of battery life, at this price range, the 6,000 mAh battery backup with support for 25W fast charging simply blew my mind. This is the first phone that has lasted me more than two days on a single charge. For heavy users, this phone could easily last one and a half days.
Verdict
Samsung has finally created a compelling 5G phone that isn’t too costly. This is reasonably priced and competes with its contemporaries. If you can get past the subpar display and mono speaker, the Galaxy M14 is a fantastic phone, especially for those looking for a 5G phone with long battery life.
Warranty Plan
| Warranty | 1 Year Manufacturer Warranty |
| Extended Warranty | 2 years Extended Warranty from the GoWarranty for the Samsung Galaxy M14 5G phones |
