Samsung Galaxy A14 price in Nigeria

Within the bustling smartphone market of Nigeria, the Samsung Galaxy A14 has made its mark with enticing pricing options. The base version, boasting 4GB of RAM and 64GB of storage, is available for just 139,520 NGN at Jumia, while the 4GB+128GB variant is priced at 158,000 NGN also on Jumia. 

This article dives into a comprehensive review of the Samsung Galaxy A14, examining its features and performance, while also comparing it with its competitors in the Nigerian market. Let's explore what this budget-friendly device has to offer and how it stacks up against the competition.

The Samsung Galaxy A14, announced in February 2023 and released later that month, presents itself as a budget-friendly option in the smartphone market. Let's delve into a comprehensive review of its key features and performance.

Design and Build

The Galaxy A14 showcases a practical design with dimensions of 167.7 x 78 x 9.1 mm, a weight of 201g and a construction featuring a glass front, plastic back, and plastic frame.

While not the most premium build, it offers durability suitable for everyday use. The phone's design leans toward simplicity but feels comfortable to hold.

The Samsung Galaxy A14 does not come with an official water resistance rating (IP rating). This means it is not designed or certified to be water-resistant or waterproof. 

It's advisable to avoid exposing the device to water or liquids to prevent damage. If water damage occurs, it may not be covered under warranty, so it's essential to handle the device with care and keep it away from water and moisture.

Display

The device boasts a 6.6-inch PLS LCD display with a commendable resolution of 1080 x 2408 pixels and a waterdrop notch that maximizes screen real estate, contributing to an impressive 80.2% screen-to-body ratio. 

The addition of a 90Hz refresh rate enhances the fluidity of interactions, and the scratch-resistant 2.5D curved glass screen adds a touch of durability with this display configuration providing a satisfactory viewing experience, especially for its price point.

Memory and storage options

The Samsung Galaxy A14 is available in multiple memory and storage configurations to accommodate a range of user preferences. It offers 4GB RAM and 64GB of internal storage for the base configuration, which is suitable for standard usage and app storage as well as smooth multitasking.

Doubling the storage capacity is the 128GB variant ideal for users who require more space for apps, media, and documents. It comes with 4GB and 6GB RAM for multitasking.

Performance

Samsung offers two variants of the Galaxy A14 with different chipsets and CPU configurations. Version A features the MediaTek MT6769 Helio G80 chipset with an octa-core CPU, while Version B opts for the Exynos 850 chipset, also with an octa-core CPU configuration. 

These processors are capable of handling typical daily tasks and casual gaming. However, for resource-intensive applications or gaming at higher settings, users may experience some limitations in performance.

Camera

The camera setup on the Galaxy A14 includes a 50MP wide lens, a 5MP ultrawide lens, and a 2MP macro lens. While this triple-camera configuration is impressive on paper, real-world performance is more modest. 

In well-lit conditions, the phone can capture decent photos with good detail. However, in low-light situations, image quality suffers. 

The 13MP front camera is suitable for selfies and video calls but doesn't excel in challenging lighting conditions.

Battery

With a substantial 5000mAh non-removable Li-Po battery, the Galaxy A14 provides impressive battery life. 

Users can expect a full day of usage on a single charge, making it a reliable choice for those who need long-lasting battery performance. 

The included 15W wired charging is relatively slow compared to some competitors but is adequate for this device's power needs.

Connectivity and Features

The Galaxy A14 supports dual SIM cards and offers standard connectivity options such as Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Bluetooth 5.1, GPS (including GALILEO, GLONASS, BDS, and QZSS), and USB Type-C 2.0. 

The inclusion of NFC is a notable feature, providing users with convenient payment and data transfer capabilities. However, it's important to note the absence of FM radio.

Value for Money

The CVMS score of 1.15 indicates that the Samsung Galaxy A14 falls short in terms of value for money when compared to market standards.

While it presents some appealing features, including a large and vibrant display, its limitations in performance and camera quality may deter users seeking a more balanced smartphone experience. 

Those prioritizing budget-friendly options should explore other devices within this price range with higher CVMS scores.

Offering a good display, the Samsung Galaxy A14 is a budget smartphone with decent features but limited performance, especially for demanding tasks. 

The camera setup is satisfactory in well-lit conditions but struggles in low light, with the standout feature being its long-lasting battery.

While it provides some value, its CVMS score of 1.15 suggests it falls short of market standards for value for money. If you prioritize budget-friendly options, it's worth considering, but be aware of its limitations. 

Exploring other budget phones with higher CVMS scores might offer better overall value.

Samsung Galaxy A14 vs. rivals

Choosing the right device can be a challenging task, especially when presented with a myriad of options in the mid-range price segment. To aid in your decision-making process, we delve into a comprehensive comparison between the Samsung Galaxy A14 and three formidable contenders: the Xiaomi Redmi Note 12, Tecno Spark 10 Pro, and Infinix Hot 30. 

These smartphones not only share a similar price bracket but also offer unique features and specifications that cater to a wide range of user preferences.

From design and build quality to display technology, performance, camera capabilities, and overall value for money, this comparison aims to shed light on the strengths and weaknesses of each device, helping you make an informed choice that aligns with your specific needs and priorities.

Design and build

The design and build of these smartphones exhibit distinct characteristics. The Samsung Galaxy A14 opts for a practical but unremarkable approach with its plastic back and frame. While it doesn't exude premium quality, it does offer durability for everyday use. 

In contrast, the Xiaomi Redmi Note 12 immediately stands out with its Gorilla Glass 3 on the front, not only providing sturdiness but also an elegant aesthetic.

Both the Tecno Spark 10 Pro and Infinix Hot 30 adopt a similar design strategy, featuring glass backs that enhance their visual appeal.

Display

Differences in display technology and quality become apparent. The Galaxy A14 boasts a 6.6-inch PLS LCD with a 90Hz refresh rate, providing a decent visual experience. 

However, the Redmi Note 12 elevates the competition with its superior 6.67-inch AMOLED display boasting a 120Hz refresh rate which translates to vibrant colors and smoother visuals.

The Tecno Spark 10 Pro and Infinix Hot 30 feature 6.8-inch IPS LCD screens with 90 Hz refresh rates, striking a balance between screen size and fluidity.

Performance

The performance arena highlights variations in processing power with the Galaxy A14 relying on MediaTek and Exynos chipsets which offer moderate performance suitable for standard tasks but struggle with more demanding applications. 

On the other hand, the Redmi Note 12 takes the lead with its Snapdragon 685 chipset, ensuring better overall performance, especially for intensive tasks. 

Tecno Spark 10 Pro and Infinix Hot 30 equip MediaTek Helio G88 processors, which deliver competitive performance within this price range.

Memory and storage

Memory and storage configurations provide flexibility for users. Galaxy A14 offers a range of options, including 64GB + 4GB, 128GB + 4GB, and 128GB + 6GB, accommodating various user needs while the Redmi Note 12 presents choices of 64GB/128GB storage paired with 4GB/6GB/8GB RAM, offering versatility for multitasking and storage. 

Tecno Spark 10 Pro impresses with 128GB storage and options of 4GB/8GB RAM or 256GB storage with 8GB RAM, ensuring ample space and memory, while the Infinix Hot 30 offers a combination of 128GB storage and 8GB RAM, striking a balance between storage and performance.

Camera

Camera setups exhibit differences in capabilities with the Galaxy A14 featuring a triple-camera setup with a 50MP main lens, delivering respectable performance in well-lit conditions but struggling in low light. 

The Redmi Note 12 matches the 50MP main camera but adds an 8MP ultrawide lens for enhanced versatility while the Tecno Spark 10 Pro also excels in the photography department with its 50MP primary camera and additional depth sensors, appealing to photography enthusiasts. 

The Infinix Hot 30 impresses with a 50MP main camera and an 8MP selfie camera, accompanied by dual-LED flash, significantly improving low-light photography.

Battery

The Galaxy A14 comes equipped with a 5000mAh battery and 15W charging, ensuring decent endurance but slower top-ups. The Redmi Note 12 offers a similar 5000mAh battery but boasts faster 33W charging, delivering quicker replenishment. 

Tecno Spark 10 Pro and Infinix Hot 30 both feature 5000mAh batteries, with 33W and 18W charging, respectively, providing dependable battery life and satisfactory charging speeds.

Connectivity and Features

Connectivity features follow the standard conventions, with variations in NFC availability and fingerprint sensor placement. The Galaxy A14 offers NFC, a side-mounted fingerprint sensor, and USB Type-C, while the Redmi Note 12 enhances connectivity with NFC, a side-mounted fingerprint sensor, and USB Type-C. 

The Tecno Spark 10 Pro lacks NFC but includes a side-mounted fingerprint sensor and USB Type-C, while the Infinix Hot 30 impresses with NFC, a side-mounted fingerprint sensor, and USB Type-C, ensuring versatile connectivity options.

Value for Money (CVMS)

The Galaxy A14 receives a CVMS score of 1.15, indicating lower value for money compared to market standards, while the Infinix Hot 30 secures a higher CVMS score of 1.69, offering superior value for the features it provides. 

The Tecno Spark 10 Pro attains a CVMS score of 1.55, which is also well below par but showcases competitive value, particularly for its camera capabilities. 

The Redmi Note 12 leads the pack with a CVMS score of 1.8, delivering solid value for its price, notably in terms of processing speed and camera performance.

Verdict

In summary, when considering the Samsung Galaxy A14 alongside its competitors, it's evident that the Redmi Note 12 shines as a standout contender in this price range. With its premium AMOLED display, potent Snapdragon chipset, and competitive value for money, it sets a high standard for mid-range smartphones.

However, it's worth noting that the Redmi 12C, priced at half the cost of the Samsung A14, not only competes favourably but often surpasses it in various aspects, especially with a CVMS score that's almost three times higher, underlining its exceptional value proposition. 

This makes the Redmi 12C an especially compelling choice for budget-conscious consumers seeking a smartphone that delivers exceptional performance, features, and overall value without straining their finances.

In this comparison, the Samsung Galaxy A14, while offering a budget-friendly option, faces stiff competition from its rivals in terms of overall value and performance. 

Therefore, the decision among these smartphones should closely align with your specific preferences and budget constraints. 

Whether you prioritise display quality, performance, camera capabilities, or overall value, carefully weighing these factors will guide you toward the optimal choice to meet your unique needs. 

Final verdict: Galaxy A14 - Samsung disappoints

The Samsung Galaxy A14 offers an affordable mid-range smartphone option for users in Nigeria. With competitive pricing, a decent 90Hz display, versatile memory and storage configurations, and a triple-camera setup, it caters to a range of user needs. However, it does have its limitations, including average performance and a plastic build.

Ultimately, the Samsung Galaxy A14's value for money is somewhat lower compared to some competitors in its price range, as indicated by its CVMS score.

As a result, potential buyers should consider their priorities, such as display quality, camera capabilities, and overall performance, when evaluating whether this smartphone aligns with their preferences.

As of the latest information, the Samsung Galaxy A14 is priced at 121,750 NGN for the base 4GB+64GB version and 127,545 NGN for the 4GB+128GB variant, available at Jumia. Keep in mind that prices may vary over time and depending on the retailer, so it's advisable to check current pricing and availability before making a purchase decision.