Even last year, smartphone manufacturers were delivering plenty of devices in the budget category but the focus has shifted drastically to the more profitable mid and high segments. The few phones that are still being introduced, come with some compromises. So, it’s remarkable to see Samsung introducing Galaxy M14 5G, which has enough features trickling down from mid-segment.
For less than Rs 15,000 here is a smartphone that can handle most day-to-day tasks without slowing down and it comes with a decent camera system, besides a more-than-acceptable software update cycle. It has all the features to go toe-to-toe with the category champion, Redmi, which has lately slipped a bit with its pricing.
Good upgrade cycle
For me, the biggest feature of the phone is the software upgrade that’s being offered. You will get two generations of OS upgrades and four years of security upgrades. What you get out of the box is One UI Core 5.1 with Android 13. Usually, one would be lucky to get a generation of upgrade. A longer upgrade cycle means you can hold on to the phone longer, which, in turn, adds to sustainability efforts.
Enough processing power
The second feature that delivers a punch is the processor Exynos 1330, which is a 5nm power-efficient offering. It saves energy and ensures your phone works for around two days. The processor makes a big jump from last year’s M13. I managed to juggle through all my apps without tearing my hair out. It’s even possible to play some of the popular games at medium to high graphic settings, even though it’s not a device meant for gaming.
The screen gets bright enough to be used under sunny conditions
The main camera takes sharp pictures
The digital zoom on the camera retains enough clarity. This was taken at 3x
Display is on point
Don’t expect a premium display here. The phone comes with a 6.6-inch FHD+ PLS LCD display vis-a-vis IPS LCD. The brightness is higher than on most budget phones, plus there is Gorilla Glass 5 protection, which, once again, is not often found in budget phones. The phone has already taken a tumble (or two) and has come away without dents or scratches. To sweeten the scrolling experience, there is 90Hz refresh rate.
Capturing moments
Here’s the deal. The main camera shines. It’s a 50MP snapper which does a fair job under full sunshine and at night, it takes decent shots… as much as possible on a budget phone. Some colours can pop but I am happy with the output. What I am not happy about is that the company has left out — the ultrawide lens, a move that’s becoming common in this segment. As for the 2MP depth and macro sensors, these are there on every other phone. Working in favour of Samsung is the 13MP front-facing camera, which is sharp enough for video calling as well as some degree of vlogging. Video is restricted to 1080p@30fps.
Design and battery life
Even though the phone is on the larger side, Samsung has come up with a design that ensures the phone is easy to hold. The back panel curves to the side and also acts as a fram. It’s good to see the charging cable offering USB-C to USB-C, which the recent OnePlus Nord CE 3 Lite 5G didn’t have.The phone supports 25W charging, which is fair enough because the 6000mAh battery will easily last you a couple of days. Another brownie point for Samsung is the number of 5G bands that are on offer — 13.
Should you buy it?
The only gripe I have with the phone when it comes to day-to-day usage, is the mono speaker. It’s loud but it’s not stereo. But Samsung has retained the 3.5mm headphone jack. There is hardly any budget phone that combines an excellent upgrade cycle, battery life and a power-efficient chip like the Galaxy M14 5G. This is what technology should be about — offering maximum support for most users at a down-to-earth price
At a glance
Device: Samsung Galaxy M14 5G
Price: Upwards of Rs 14,990 (discounts and offers can bring down the price)
HIGH NOTES
- Power-efficient processor
- Excellent battery life
- Promising update cycle
- Main camera shines
MUFFLED NOTES
- Mono speaker
- Ultra-wide camera is missing