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Samsung Galaxy A14 5G vs Galaxy A12: Which is the better buy?

Let's measure the gap between the A12 and A14 5G.
By
March 17, 2023
Samsung Galaxy A14 5G
MSRP: $199.99
Check price
Positives
Faster MediaTek Dimensity 700 chip nAndroid 13nSub6 5G connectivitynHigher resolution 90Hz displaynImproved 13MP selfie camera
Negatives
Charges at a 15W maximum (wired only)nMacro and depth cameras aren't very useful
The Bottom Line.
The Samsung Galaxy A14 5G brings several marked improvements over the A12, starting with a slightly larger screen with a higher refresh rate. Pair that with a quicker processor and Samsung's latest commitment to at least two years of Android updates, and the A14 becomes a very compelling upgrade within the budget sector.Read full review...
Samsung Galaxy A12
Check price
Positives
Matte finish with a unique texture
One UI 3.1 as good as ever
Solid 48MP main camera
Negatives
Weak macro and ultra-wide cameras
Helio P35 can lag
Too many overlapping bloatware apps
The Bottom Line.
Samsung gave its budget-friendly range a solid boost with the Galaxy A12, adding a larger display, better camera, and a comfortable textured finish. It had to cut some corners in the power department, but this is one of the better sub-$200 phones on the market.Read full review...

In the universe of budget smartphones, Samsung’s Galaxy A12 and Galaxy A14 5G consistently crop up as some of the most compelling options. Of the two, the Galaxy A14 5G is the newest release, having launched in January 2023. It brings several upgrades, including 5G connectivity, more recent software, and a nicer display. It also has a low MSRP — though that may not matter as much because the Galaxy 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.

Samsung Galaxy A14 5G vs Galaxy A12: At a glance

Samsung Galaxy A14 5G Front with Greenery Background

Samsung Galaxy A14 5G and Galaxy A12 are two of the most popular A-series smartphones from Samsung. The A-series in Samsung’s Galaxy lineup is reserved for more value-oriented 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 specifications. The Galaxy A12, on the other hand, is an older device that frequently goes on sale.

Samsung Galaxy A14 5G vs Galaxy A12: At a glance

  • The Samsung Galaxy A14 5G has a faster (90Hz) and more pixel-dense (1080 x 2408) display than the Galaxy A12 (720 x 1600).
  • The Samsung Galaxy A14 5G features a more powerful processor in the MediaTek Dimensity 700. It isn't a flagship-quality SoC, but performs significantly better than the MediaTek Helio P35 found in the Galaxy A12.
  • The Samsung Galaxy A14 5G features a 50MP main camera. The main camera on the Galaxy A12 is 48MP.
  • The A12 shipped with Android 10 and is upgradable to Android 11. On the flip side, the Galaxy A14 5G ships with Android 13 and will get support up to Android 15. It will also receive at least four years of security support.
  • Neither phone has fast charging; both charge at a maximum rate of 15W. Paired with 5,000mAh batteries, some patience will be required.

Samsung Galaxy A14 5G vs Galaxy A12: Specs

Samsung Galaxy A14 5GSamsung Galaxy A12
Display
Samsung Galaxy A14 5G
6.6-inch FHD+ (1080 x 2408), 90Hz refresh rate
Samsung Galaxy A12
6.5-inch 720p (720 x 1600), 60Hz refresh rate
Processor
Samsung Galaxy A14 5G
MediaTek Dimensity 700 (or Exynos 1330)
Samsung Galaxy A12
MediaTek Helio P35
Storage
Samsung Galaxy A14 5G
64 or 128GB internal, up to 1TB microSD, RAM available in 4, 6, or 8GB
Samsung Galaxy A12
32, 64, or 128GB internal, up to 1TB microSD, RAM available in 2, 3, 4, or 6GB
Battery and power
Samsung Galaxy A14 5G
5,000mAh, 15W wired charging
Samsung Galaxy A12
5,000mAh, 15W wired charging
Cameras
Samsung Galaxy A14 5G
Rear: 50MP f/1.8 main, 2MP f/2.4 macro, 2MP f/2.4 depth
Front: 13MP f/2.0
Samsung Galaxy A12
Rear: 48MP f/2.0 main, 5MP f/2.2 ultrawide, 2MP f/2.4 macro, 2MP f/2.4 depth
Front: 8MP f/2.2
Security
Samsung Galaxy A14 5G
Power button fingerprint sensor
Samsung Galaxy A12
Power button fingerprint sensor
Water resistance
Samsung Galaxy A14 5G
None
Samsung Galaxy A12
None
Software
Samsung Galaxy A14 5G
Android 13, One UI 5
Samsung Galaxy A12
Android 10, One UI (Upgradable to Android 11)
Connectivity
Samsung Galaxy A14 5G
USB-C, Wi-Fi 5, Bluetooth 5.2, 3.5mm audio
Samsung Galaxy A12
USB-C, Wi-Fi 5, Bluetooth 5.0, 3.5mm audio

Samsung Galaxy A14 5G vs Galaxy A12: Camera

a12 shot
Curtis Joe / Android Authority

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

The Samsung Galaxy A14 5G has either the JN1 sensor or the SK-Hynix hi-5022. When paired with the default Samsung 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, though, and low-light performance is lacking.

The Samsung Galaxy A12 offers solid value for the money in terms of cameras. It has a 48MP main sensor, which can capture photos with a wide dynamic range in good lighting conditions. As far as budget devices go, the A12 might have one of the best cameras you can find on an entry-level device. It doesn’t go head-to-head with more expensive flagships, but it gets the job done. It also features an ultrawide sensor, unlike the A14 5G — though it doesn’t provide as high-quality images.

Samsung Galaxy A14 5G vs Galaxy A12: Battery and charging

Samsung Galaxy A14 5G Ports
C. Scott Brown / Android Authority
Galaxy A14 5G ports

Regarding battery capacity and charging technologies, the A14 5G and A12 are virtually identical. Both come with non-removable 5,000mAh batteries, which charge at a maximum rate of 15W. This isn’t very fast for that large battery capacity, so you will need to be patient. At the same time, the massive battery size paired with the efficiency of the display technology and processor means you can get up to two days’ worth of light to moderate use. Neither device has wireless charging, either.

Samsung Galaxy A14 5G vs Galaxy A12: Pricing

Samsung Galaxy A14 5G: Starts at $199.99

Samsung Galaxy A12: Starts at $179.99 (regularly discounted)

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

Samsung Galaxy A14 5G vs Galaxy A12: Which is the better buy?

Samsung Galaxy A14 5G in Black
C. Scott Brown / Android Authority
Galaxy A14 5G in-hand

Since its inception, the Samsung Galaxy A-series has represented fantastic value. For $179.99 or less, you can get a device that checks all of the baseline boxes for a smartphone with the A12. That said, for just $20 more, you get much more value from the A14 5G: the device we deem to be the better buy.

For the money, the A14 can provide a much more well-rounded and smooth user experience. Three things make the A14 5G stand out as the wiser purchase: a speedier processor (MediaTek Dimensity 700 or Exynos 1330), a faster and more pixel-dense display (90Hz, 1080 x 2408), and the more recent operating system software (Android 13). As the device was introduced 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. Considering the collective package of hardware upgrades and this promise, the A14 5G will simply have a longer life than the A12. This longevity, in itself, is worth that small monetary premium.

See price at Amazon
Samsung Galaxy A12
Samsung Galaxy A12
Matte finish with a unique texture
One UI 3.1 as good as ever
Solid 48MP main camera
See price at Samsung
Samsung Galaxy A14 5G
Samsung Galaxy A14 5G
Sharper display
Good battery life
Very affordable

FAQs

Samsung’s Galaxy A14 5G and Galaxy A12 do have SD card slots. In fact, both can have their storage expanded up to 1TB via microSD.

No. Samsung did not include wireless charging as a feature on the Galaxy A14 5G or Galaxy A12.

Both the Samsung Galaxy A14 5G and A12 support Nano-SIM.