Galaxy A14 5G Vs Galaxy S23+

Galaxy A14 5G
Galaxy A14 5G
Starting at

Refurbished price:£82.00

Versus £289.00 new

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Galaxy S23+
Galaxy S23+
Starting at

Refurbished price:£258.00

Versus £1,199.99 new

See options

Ratings

The Samsung Galaxy A14 5G, released in January 2023, and the Samsung Galaxy S23 Plus, launched in February 2023, represent distinct tiers within Samsung's smartphone lineup. While both offer 5G connectivity and run on the Android operating system with Samsung's One UI, they cater to different user expectations through their core specifications and feature sets. The A14 5G focuses on delivering essential smartphone capabilities, whereas the S23 Plus provides a more advanced and refined experience.

Scores

Durability

The longevity of a smartphone is influenced by its physical resilience and the duration of its software support. These two Samsung models offer differing timelines for updates and build quality.

  • Software Support: The Galaxy A14 5G is expected to receive two major Android operating system updates, bringing it up to Android 15, and four years of security updates, extending its support until 2027. In contrast, the Galaxy S23 Plus benefits from a longer commitment, with four major OS updates and five years of security updates, ensuring a more extended period of current software and security.
  • Physical Durability: The Galaxy A14 5G features a plastic construction for its back and frame, contributing to a lighter feel. It has a notable repairability score of 8 out of 10, partly due to its battery being held with an adhesive pull pouch, making replacement easier. The Galaxy S23 Plus, on the other hand, incorporates Gorilla Glass Victus 2 on both its front and back, paired with an Armor Aluminum frame, offering enhanced resistance to drops and scratches. It also boasts an IP68 rating for dust and water resistance, providing a higher level of protection against environmental elements.
  • Expected Lifespan: Users can anticipate a practical lifespan for the A14 5G that aligns with its software support, making it a suitable device for several years of general use. The S23 Plus, with its more robust build and extended software commitment, is designed for a longer functional life, potentially serving users effectively for five years or more.

Year of Release

2023

2023

Compatible with latest Update

Yes

Yes

OS

Android

Android

Foldable

No

No

Performance

The performance capabilities of these two devices vary significantly, impacting how smoothly they handle daily tasks, demanding applications, and multitasking.

  • Processing Power: The Galaxy A14 5G is equipped with a processor designed for everyday tasks such as browsing, social media, and streaming. While it handles casual games well, graphically intensive games or heavy multitasking may lead to occasional slowdowns or stutters. The Galaxy S23 Plus features a high-performance processor that delivers smooth and responsive operation across all applications. It excels at demanding tasks, including advanced gaming, video editing, and seamless multitasking, maintaining consistent performance even under heavy load.
  • Multitasking and Responsiveness: The A14 5G offers 4GB, 6GB, or 8GB of RAM, which is sufficient for basic multitasking, though keeping many apps open simultaneously might lead to some apps reloading. The S23 Plus comes with 8GB of RAM, allowing for fluid transitions between numerous open applications and maintaining their states in memory, providing a more efficient and uninterrupted user experience.
  • Battery Endurance: The Galaxy A14 5G houses a large 5000mAh battery, which generally provides excellent endurance, often lasting a full day or even two for moderate users. The Galaxy S23 Plus, with its 4700mAh battery and efficient components, also offers impressive battery life, frequently extending to two days of normal use, and supports faster wired and wireless charging.

Memory (GB)

4 GB

8 GB

Screen quality

The visual experience on these smartphones differs considerably due to their display technologies and specifications, affecting clarity, brightness, and smoothness.

  • Display Technology and Resolution: The Galaxy A14 5G features a 6.6-inch PLS LCD display with Full HD+ resolution (1080x2408 pixels). This panel provides decent sharpness and clarity for general viewing, though it does not produce the deep blacks and vibrant colors characteristic of OLED screens. The Galaxy S23 Plus boasts a 6.6-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X display with a Full HD+ resolution (2340x1080 pixels). This technology delivers superior contrast, true blacks, and vivid colors, enhancing the visual quality for all content.
  • Brightness and Refresh Rate: The A14 5G's display has a peak brightness of around 480 nits, which is adequate for indoor use but can be challenging to view under direct sunlight. It offers a 90Hz refresh rate, making scrolling and animations appear smoother than a standard 60Hz panel. The S23 Plus offers a significantly brighter display with a peak brightness of 1750 nits, ensuring excellent visibility even in bright outdoor conditions. Its adaptive refresh rate ranges from 48Hz to 120Hz, providing very fluid scrolling and responsiveness while also optimizing power consumption.
  • Viewing Experience: The A14 5G provides a functional viewing experience suitable for everyday media consumption and browsing. The S23 Plus offers a more immersive and premium viewing experience, ideal for high-definition video, gaming, and detailed content, with its vibrant colors and smooth motion.

Resolution

1080 x 2408

1080 x 2340

Screen type

PLS LCD

Dynamic AMOLED 2X

Audiovisual

The camera systems on the Galaxy A14 5G and Galaxy S23 Plus are designed for different levels of photographic capability, impacting image quality and available features.

  • Rear Camera System: The Galaxy A14 5G features a triple rear camera setup, including a 50-megapixel main sensor, a 2-megapixel macro lens, and a 2-megapixel depth sensor. It performs well in good lighting conditions, capturing clear and detailed photos. However, its performance diminishes in low-light environments, and it lacks advanced stabilization. The Galaxy S23 Plus comes with a more versatile triple camera system: a 50-megapixel main sensor with optical image stabilization (OIS), a 12-megapixel ultrawide lens, and a 10-megapixel telephoto lens with 3x optical zoom. This setup excels in various conditions, including challenging low-light scenarios, and offers greater flexibility for different types of shots.
  • Front Camera and Video: The A14 5G has a 13-megapixel front camera that captures good selfies in well-lit conditions, but like the rear camera, it struggles in low light. Video recording is limited to 1080p at 30 frames per second for both front and rear cameras. The S23 Plus features a 12-megapixel front camera that delivers high-quality selfies and supports advanced video features. Its rear cameras can record video up to 8K resolution, and the OIS helps produce stable footage.
  • Audio Quality: For audio, the A14 5G has a single speaker, and some users have reported issues with microphone quality during calls on certain apps. The S23 Plus offers a more robust audio experience with stereo speakers and generally higher microphone quality for calls and recordings.

Main camera

50 megapixels

50 megapixels

Front camera

13 megapixels

12 megapixels

Miscellaneous

Beyond core performance and display, several practical elements differentiate these two Samsung smartphones, affecting daily usability and connectivity.

  • Connectivity Standards: Both devices support 5G connectivity. The Galaxy A14 5G includes Wi-Fi 5 (802.11 a/b/g/n/ac) and Bluetooth 5.2. The Galaxy S23 Plus features more advanced connectivity with Wi-Fi 6E and Bluetooth 5.3, offering faster and more stable wireless connections, especially in congested environments.
  • Ports and Sensors: The A14 5G retains a 3.5mm headphone jack, a feature appreciated by users with wired headphones, and uses a side-mounted fingerprint sensor for security. The S23 Plus omits the headphone jack, relying on its USB-C port for audio or wireless solutions. It incorporates an in-display fingerprint sensor for biometric authentication, which is often considered a more modern and seamless integration.
  • Design and Handling: The Galaxy A14 5G measures 167.7 x 78 x 9.1mm and weighs around 202-205 grams, featuring a plastic build that provides a secure grip. The Galaxy S23 Plus is slightly more compact and lighter at 157.8 x 76.2 x 7.6mm and 196 grams, with a premium glass and aluminum construction that offers a more refined in-hand feel.

Weight

201 g

196 g

Screen size (in)

6.6

6.6

Mobile network

5G

5G

SIM card

Dual Physical SIM

Dual Physical SIM + eSIM

Carrier compatibility

Unlocked

Unlocked

Connector

USB-C + Jack 3.5mm

USB-C

User feedback for the Samsung Galaxy A14 5G frequently highlights its excellent battery life and the smooth experience provided by its 90Hz display, especially considering its positioning. Users appreciate its capability for basic daily tasks and casual gaming. Common criticisms include occasional performance stutters during heavy multitasking, diminished camera performance in low-light conditions, and some reported issues with microphone quality and touch sensitivity.

The Samsung Galaxy S23 Plus consistently receives praise for its powerful performance, often described as zipping through any task, and its impressive battery life, with many users reporting two days of usage. Its vibrant AMOLED display and capable camera system are also frequently lauded. Early concerns about standby battery drain were noted, but overall sentiment remains highly positive regarding its flagship-level experience.

Users prioritizing extended battery life, a smooth display for everyday use, and a device that handles essential functions reliably may find the Galaxy A14 5G well-suited to their needs. It is a practical choice for those who do not engage in demanding mobile gaming or extensive photography in varied lighting. Conversely, users who require top-tier performance for intensive applications, superior camera capabilities across all conditions, a premium display, and a more durable build will likely lean towards the Galaxy S23 Plus. Its advanced features and longer software support make it ideal for those seeking a comprehensive and refined smartphone experience. Both models are available as quality-assured refurbished options, providing an eco-friendly alternative for consumers.

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