Smartphones & Tablets | July 29, 2023
| Samsung Galaxy A34 5G | Samsung Galaxy A14 5G | |
| Screen | 6.6 inches with Super AMOLED technology, Corning Gorilla Glass 5 protection, 20: 9 format, Full HD + resolution and 120 Hz refresh rate | 6.6 inches with PLS LCD technology, 20:9 format, Full HD+ resolution and 90 Hz refresh rate |
| Main Chamber | – 48-megapixel main sensor and f/1.8 focal aperture with optical image stabilization – Secondary sensor with 8-megapixel wide-angle lens and f/2.2 focal aperture – Tertiary sensor with 5-megapixel macro lens and f/2.4 focal aperture | – 50-megapixel main sensor and f/1.8 focal aperture – Secondary 2-megapixel depth sensor for Portrait Mode and f/2.4 focal aperture – Tertiary sensor with 2-megapixel macro lens and f/2.4 focal aperture |
| Camera passes selfies | 13-megapixel main sensor with f/2.2 focal aperture | 13-megapixel main sensor with f/2.0 focal aperture |
| Internal Memory | 128 and 256 GB of unknown type | 64 and 128 and 256 GB of unknown type |
| Extension | Via micro SD cards up to 1 TB | Via micro SD cards up to 1 TB |
| Processor and RAM | MediaTek Dimensity 1080 6 and 8 GB of RAM | Samsung Exynos 1330 4GB RAM |
| Battery | 5,000 mAh with 25 W fast charging (charger not included) | 5,000 mAh with 15 W fast charging (charger not included) |
| OS | Android 13 under Samsung One UI 5.1 | Android 13 under Samsung One UI 5.0 |
| Connections | 4G LTE, 5G SA and NSA, WiFi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac dual-band, Bluetooth 5.3, GPS + GLONASS, NFC and USB Type-C | 4G LTE, 5G SA and NSA, WiFi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac dual-band, Bluetooth 5.2, GPS + GLONASS, NFC and USB Type-C |
| SIM | Dual nano SIM | Dual nano SIM |
| Design | Polycarbonate finish Colors: black, white, blue and lavender Protection against water and dust IP67 | Polycarbonate finish Colors: black, white, green and lavender |
| Dimensions | 161.3 x 78.1 x 8.2 millimeters and 199 grams | 167.7 x 78.0 x 9.1 millimeters and 205 grams |
| Featured Features | Fingerprint sensor under the screen, NFC for mobile payments, 25 W fast charging, facial unlocking via software, IP67 water and dust protection, stereo sound with Dolby Atmos certification… | Side fingerprint sensor, NFC for mobile payments, 15 W fast charging, facial unlocking via software… |
| Release date | Available | Available |
| Price | from 400 euros | From 230 euro |
Samsung has been renewing its mid-range lineup over the last few months. Models like the Galaxy A14 and the A34 have been in the market for a few weeks now, offering some innovations beyond design, including changes in their specifications. Many people are curious about the differences between the Samsung Galaxy A34 5G and the A14 5G, and we will explore them and determine which one is better for 2023 and 2024.
Current prices on Amazon are approximately 190 euros for the Samsung Galaxy A14 5G and 258 euros for the Samsung Galaxy A34 5G. Please note that prices may vary over time, and the specifications could differ based on the market.
Analyzing the differences between the Samsung Galaxy A14 and A34 goes beyond merely mentioning their specifications. Understanding how these differences impact daily usage allows us to determine which model is more recommendable in the price range of 150 to 250 euros. Let’s dive into the comparisons.
Both phones share similarities in terms of visuals and dimensions. They are constructed with polycarbonate, which is plastic. The main difference between the Galaxy A34 and A14 lies in the front design, as the more affordable model has slightly less optimized bezels. Additionally, the notch shape is slightly more flattened in the A34.
These design differences result in slight variations in dimensions. The Galaxy A14 is 0.6 millimeters taller, 1.1 millimeters thicker, and approximately 6 grams heavier. These differences are partly due to the presence of a 3.5-millimeter headphone jack on the A14, which the A34 lacks. Moreover, the A14 has a side-mounted fingerprint sensor, while the A34 has an under-display sensor.
Another noteworthy difference is water and dust resistance, which the Samsung A34 offers with its IP67 protection. However, the Galaxy A14 lacks any kind of certification.
The primary reason is technology. Although both phones feature a 6.6-inch Full HD+ display, the more expensive A34 utilizes AMOLED technology, allowing it to produce much deeper blacks and offer a higher level of brightness. While Samsung hasn’t disclosed specific brightness data, it’s known that AMOLED displays offer a broader dynamic range. Additionally, this technology improves energy efficiency by turning off pixels in areas displaying black.
Another difference lies in the display’s refresh rate: 90 Hz for the Samsung A14 vs. 120 Hz for the Samsung A34. In simple terms, the A34’s display is smoother when showing content. Moreover, the panel is protected by Corning Gorilla Glass 5, providing better protection against drops and scratches.
Now let’s talk about power. On one hand, the MediaTek Dimensity 1080 powers the A14, one of the most reliable processors in the mid-range segment. On the other hand, the Samsung Exynos 1330 powers the A34, a lower-end model aimed at the budget segment. In various Antutu tests, the MediaTek Dimensity 1080 performs 28% better than the Exynos 1330, indicating that the Galaxy A34 should deliver superior performance in less demanding tasks and games.
Regarding memory technology, Samsung doesn’t provide many details, but both phones likely use UFS 2.2 storage and LPDDR4X RAM, even though the Dimensity 1080 supports LPDDR5. Fortunately, both phones support microSD card expansion of up to 1 TB. In terms of RAM options, the Samsung Galaxy A34 comes with 6GB and 8GB, while the Galaxy A14 offers 4GB. Storage options are 128GB and 256GB for the A34 and 64GB and 128GB for the A14.
In terms of connectivity, the A34 stands out with Bluetooth 5.3, while the A14 has Bluetooth 5.2. Regarding software, both phones come with Android 13 and One UI 5.0/5.1 at launch. Samsung promises to provide updates for all its devices for at least three years.
Samsung tends to prioritize other aspects in its more budget-friendly models, and the Galaxy A14 is no exception. Its camera setup is rather modest, with three cameras on the back – 50MP, 2MP, and 2MP – featuring a macro lens and a third sensor for portrait mode. It lacks optical stabilization, a wide-angle lens, and the ability to record 4K videos.
In contrast, the Samsung A34 features a 48MP primary sensor with optical stabilization, an 8MP secondary sensor with a wide-angle lens, and a 5MP macro lens. Unlike its counterpart, the A34’s main camera can record 4K video at 30 FPS. However, both phones share a 13MP front-facing camera.
Samsung maintains consistency across its models, as both the Galaxy A34 and the A14 have a 5,000 mAh battery. It remains to be seen whether having a less powerful processor will positively impact the A34’s battery life, considering its display technology.
Regarding charging, the A34 supports up to 25W of power, while the A14 is limited to 15W. Unfortunately, neither phone includes an integrated charger in the box.
After analyzing all the differences between the Samsung Galaxy A34 and Galaxy A14, it’s time to draw conclusions. The current prices on Amazon are approximately 258 euros for the Galaxy A34 and 190 euros for the Galaxy A14. The question is, which one is worth buying? Undoubtedly, the more expensive version – the Galaxy A34.
Though there are more compelling models in this price range, especially from brands like Xiaomi, Realme, or POCO, the Samsung A34 offers distinct features. These include water and dust resistance, optical stabilization for its main camera, and the promise of updates for at least three years. It’s safe to say that it is a much more recommendable option than the Galaxy A14, especially considering factors like the display and the processor’s power.
