May 16, 2023
Samsung A14 vs the competition: Battle of the budget phones
Let's look at budget phones Samsung Galaxy A14, the Moto G Stylus (2022) and OnePlus Nord N20 5G
Samsung unveiled the Galaxy A14 5G at the Consumer Electronics Show in January of this year. At under $200 (just $199), this new 5G smartphone is perfect for those looking for a budget-friendly device with impressive cameras that take really good pictures.
For the purposes of this article, we’re going to take a look at the Samsung Galaxy A14 5G, the Moto G Stylus 2022, and the OnePlus Nord N20 5G to see how they stack up. Each of them costs about the same amount (and none offer wireless charging), so let’s see how they compare side by side.
Samsung Galaxy A14 vs Moto G Stylus (2022) vs OnePlus Nord N20: Specs Comparison
About the Build of These Impressive Smartphones
The plastic build of each of the devices isn’t optimal but, given their price point, it’s not surprising. Of the three devices though, the Moto G Stylus is the better bet as its coating is water repellent. Not waterproof, but still.
In terms of size and weight, they’re pretty much all the same: the Moto G Stylus weighs 216 grams, the Samsung Galaxy A14 5G weighs 202 grams, and the Moto G Stylus comes in at 173 grams.
6+ Inch Screens
At first blush, the three devices offer comparable large screens of more than 6 inches. The OnePlus Nord N20 offers a 6.43-inch screen, the Samsung Galaxy A14 5G offers a 6.6-inch display, and the Moto G Stylus offers a 6.8-inch display screen. For an affordable phone that’s really not much difference at all. But what about the mechanics of each of the screens?
Screen Tech is the Difference Maker
The good and the bad:
Both the Moto G Stylus and Samsung Galaxy A14 5G offer an LCD display with a 90Hz refresh rate. The OnePlus Nord N20, on the other hand, offers an AMOLED screen. While that’s better screen technology than the other two, the OnePlus Nord N20 is stuck with a limited refresh rate of 60Hz.
In terms of fingerprint sensors, the OnePlus Nord N20 features an under-display optical fingerprint sensor. On the Moto G Stylus the fingerprint sensor is located on the side of the device. On the Samsung Galaxy A14 5G, the fingerprint sensor is located within the power button which, like the Moto G Stylus, is on the side of the device.
Giving the Moto G Stylus points above the other two budget-friendly devices is the fact that it features a stylus. You can use it for a wide variety of tasks including taking notes and editing photos.
Let's Look at the Camera Experience Each Offers
In terms of the camera experience each phone offers, all three have an impressive camera system with a triple-camera set up and a 2 MP depth sensor.
Samsung Galaxy A14: 50MP main camera (f/1.8)
Moto G Stylus: 50MP main camera (f/1.9)
OnePlus Nord N20: 64MP main camera (f/1.8)
Looking for an Ultra-wide Camera?
Of the three budget friendly devices, only the Moto G Stylus has an 8MP ultra-wide sensor. Both the Samsung Galaxy A 14 5G and the OnePlus Nord N2o have just a 2MP macro lens.
If selfies are a thing, the Nord N20 and Moto G Stylus feature a 16MP selfie front camera setup, while the Samsung Galaxy A 14 5G does not. It features a 13Mp front camera instead.
Performance Factors
All smartphones do not perform alike and indeed, the Samsung Galaxy A14 5G, Moto G Stylus, and OnePlus Nord N20 have their own performance differences.
Samsung has, as usual, offered one variation of the Samsung Galaxy A14 5G in the United States, and a different one in Europe. The U.S. version features Samsung’s Exynos 1330 chip, while the version released in Europe features the MediaTek Dimensity 700 chipset.
Regarding the Moto G Stylus, it’s powered by the MediaTek Helio G88, which includes two 2GHz Cortex-A75 cores and six 1.8GHz Cortex-A55 cores.
As for the OnePlus Nord N20, it's powered by the Snapdragon 695 chipset, which includes two Cortex A78 cores and six 1.7GHz Cortex-A55 cores.
It's important to keep in mind, however, that all of these smartphones are budget-friendly and may not deliver top-notch performance, particularly in the long run.
Operating System
In looking at the operating systems and wireless connectivity of the Samsung Galaxy A14 5g, the Moto G Stylus, and the OnePlus Nord 20, there are some differences worthy of noting here, mostly in the realm of the Android version on which each runs.
Samsung Galaxy A14: Android 13 (the latest version)
OnePlus Nord N20: Android 12
Moto G Stylus: Android 11
It’s also important to note that the Moto G Stylus doesn’t support 5G.
Of these three budget-friendly smartphones, the fastest charging is the OnePlus Nord N20 at 33W. This makes a lot of sense as it has the smallest battery, at 4,500mAh.
On the other hand, the Samsung Galaxy A14 and Moto G Stylus both come with a 5,000mAh battery. Here though, the Galaxy A14 5G wins with its faster charging speed of 15W (compared with the Moto G Stylus 10W charging speed) and long lasting battery life.
It’s important to note that, as expected due to their price point, none of the smartphones in this comparison offer wireless charging.
Notable Features: Motorola G Stylus 2022
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Built-in stylus: The built-in stylus makes this phone fun and, at under $200, affordable. Compared with the Galaxy S22 Ultra which starts at $1,100, the inexpensive Moto G Stylus can have you doodling and taking notes on your phone all day without going into debt!
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Extras: The Moto G Stylus offers neat features not usually found on phones these days: a microSD card slot that expands the phone’s storage, a headphone jack for those who still enjoy wired headphones, and a wall charger.
Notable Features: OnePlus Nord N20 5G
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Easily handles everyday tasks: Thanks to the power of its Snapdragon 695 chip, the OnePlus Nord N20 excels at everyday tasks.
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Biggest selling point: It’s gorgeous. The OnePlus Nord N20’s flat edges and gold touches make it look absolutely luxurious. And its AMOLED display, fingerprint sensor, and 3.5mm headphone jack just seal the deal.
The Wrap Up: Which Budget Phone is Right for You?
Samsung Galaxy A14 5G: THE TAKEAWAY
Stay ready for everything that comes your way with the Samsung Galaxy A14 5G. Confidently handle work and personal stuff while on the go and play your favorite games with a battery that gives others a run for their money with this impressive yet seriously inexpensive Android device, the Samsung Galaxy A14 5G.
Samsung makes some of the best budget phones on the market, and this device offers incredible video capturing capabilities, video recording and streaming virtually lag free.
The new Samsung Galaxy A14 5G, a budget phone powered by the Dimensity 700 chipset, has a large 6.6-inch FHD+ 90Hz display, a camera system with a triple camera setup for great photos, and a large 5,000 mAh battery with 15W charging. It also comes with two years of OS, and four years of security updates.
What users are saying about this Samsung phone
"I can watch videos, browse the web, message, call... pretty much do everything my old phone did. But the big reason I love my Samsung Galaxy A14 5G so much is its good battery life. This Samsung phone easily lasts me an entire day of use and I am literally on my phone nearly all the time. With the refresh rate set to 90hz, everything looks nice and smooth on screen." TikPandora, 5-star VZW review
"Samsung phones are my favorite and I highly recommend the Samsung Galaxy A14 5G . It is so easy to use, there is so much you can do. I use it for almost everything I do. The Samsung Galaxy A14 5G has great coverage & the service is always on point. It’s very good on streaming, I play my music 24/7 everywhere I go and I don’t have to wait for it to buffer all the time. I have all my games that I like to play. It's very good with storage. The Samsung Galaxy A14 5G charges fast and the battery lasts a long time. It takes really nice pictures and has a grand photo editor. I do all my artwork and writing on here. I couldn’t be happier." SmokeySmiles98, 5-star review on samsung.com
"The Samsung Galaxy A14 5G is an amazing phone for the price. I had this phone replace my Galaxy A13 (not 5G) and the Samsung Galaxy A14 5G is super-fast, responsive, and has a great screen. I am shocked how good this phone is for the price. I am super happy. Thank you, Samsung!!!" Alex, 5-star Trustpilot review.
Motorola Moto G Stylus 2022: THE TAKEAWAY
The Motorola Moto G Stylus 2022 is one of the ONLY smartphones on the market under $250. It comes with a built-in stylus and lets you take notes, draw, and do sketches. It also features a big 90Hz 6.8-inch display and a 5,000 mAh battery.
What users are saying about the Moto G Stylus 2022
"I've had this device for awhile now and I can honestly say the phone has great battery life, a crystal clear display, and a high quality camera. It is perfect for running my small business. I upgraded to this device from an iPhone 12 pro max and have been astonished by the high end quality of this phone and the huge price difference between the two. This device is quite an affordable luxury and hidden gem! My only con is that the phone lacks 5G service and E-Sim capabilities." myimmortalsins, 5-star Trustpilot review.
OnePlus Nord N20 5G: THE TAKEAWAY
The new OnePlus Nord N20 5G is one of the best and most affordable devices for those who want a super smartphone that doesn't cost an arm and a leg.
What users are saying about the OnePlus Nord N20 5G
"Looking for an inexpensive android, I was able to buy this phone for a couple hundred bucks and was very surprised how much I like it. It's not quite what the Pixel is, but it's a better phone than similar priced androids from other manufacturers in my opinion. The battery life is by far the best I've had on any phone." Craig R, 5-star Trustpilot review.
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To our way of thinking, the Samsung Galaxy A14 5G is a solid choice if you're searching for a budget-friendly Android smartphone. If you're looking to get the biggest bang for your buck, purchase a $55 unlimited plan from PureTalk and get the Samsung Galaxy A14 5G FREE!
Posted 2 weeks ago