Samsung’s Galaxy A-series is understood for providing budget-friendly telephones that retain a contact of premium design and dependable efficiency. The Galaxy A16 5G and its predecessor, the Galaxy A15 5G, aren’t any exceptions.
Each fashions are priced equally round £200/$200 and goal customers searching for good worth with out breaking the financial institution. Nonetheless, refined variations between the 2 would possibly affect your resolution.
Right here, we’ll discover key variations intimately, highlighting key variations within the specs and our expertise with them that can assist you determine which one to purchase.
Design & Show
The Galaxy A16 5G encompasses a barely bigger 6.7-inch Tremendous AMOLED show in comparison with the A15 5G’s 6.5-inch display screen.
Whereas each provide the identical 90Hz refresh price and vibrant AMOLED colors and distinction, the rise in display screen measurement offers the A16 5G a extra expansive viewing expertise, making it a better option for media consumption.
Nonetheless, it’s price noting that the A16 5G nonetheless sports activities comparatively chunky bezels and a teardrop notch, which really feel dated in comparison with extra trendy options.
By way of construct, the A16 5G retains Samsung’s flat-edged plastic design however is marginally thinner at 7.9mm in comparison with the A15 5G’s 8.4mm thickness.
Each telephones additionally lack an IP score, so neither is constructed to resist water or mud publicity.
Whereas the A15 5G’s vibrant ‘Character Yellow’ color possibility provides a playful contact, the A16 5G affords extra subdued hues like Mild Inexperienced, Blue Black, and Mild Gray for a sleeker look.
Battery Life & Charging
Battery life is a vital issue for funds cellphone customers, and that is the place the Galaxy A15 5G surprisingly outshines its successor (no less than that’s what our exams present.)
Each fashions home a 5000mAh battery and assist 25W charging, however the A15 5G delivers longer runtime.
Benchmark exams throughout our take a look at durations present the A15 5G lasting over 15 hours, whereas the A16 5G lags with a rating of simply 10 hours and 24 minutes.
Whereas mild customers would possibly nonetheless handle two days of use on the A16 5G, energy customers would possibly discover the decreased effectivity.
Jon Mundy / Foundry
Charging instances stay comparable, with each fashions reaching round 50% in half-hour utilizing a appropriate charger.
Nonetheless, neither cellphone features a charger within the field, which might inconvenience first-time smartphone patrons.
Software program Updates
The Galaxy A16 5G comes with a standout promise of six years of software program updates, extending assist to October 2030. In distinction, the A15 5G affords solely three years of core Android updates.
For customers planning to maintain their cellphone for a number of years, the A16 5G supplies a compelling motive to decide on it over its predecessor.
Simon Chandler / Foundry
Each fashions run on Android 14 with Samsung’s One UI, and each lack superior Galaxy AI options discovered on the perfect Samsung Galaxy telephones.
Whereas the software program expertise is essentially related, the prolonged updates on the A16 5G guarantee a for much longer lifespan by way of safety and app compatibility.
Different Variations
The Galaxy A16 5G marginally improves in thinness and show measurement as talked about however exhibits restricted progress in efficiency.
Nonetheless, efficiency stays a weak level for each telephones as is usually the case for telephones this low cost.
The A16 5G’s Exynos 1330 chipset supplies solely a modest improve over the A15 5G’s MediaTek Dimensity 6100+, leading to related ranges of stuttering throughout intensive duties.
The 4GB RAM in each fashions feels restrictive, significantly for multitasking or gaming.
Jon Mundy / Foundry
Each fashions even have related digicam setups: a 50Mp primary lens, 5Mp ultrawide, and 2Mp macro, with a 13Mp selfie digicam.
Nonetheless, neither affords important developments in photograph high quality, significantly in low-light eventualities.
Value & Availability
The Galaxy A16 5G is priced at £199 within the UK, and is on the market from Samsung and main retailers like Amazon.
Within the US, you should purchase it from Samsung for $199.99.
The A15 5G will not be out there from Samsung however it’s best to nonetheless be capable of discover it at retail companions for round £150. The A15 5G can also be out there within the US for $169.99 (down from its typical value of $199).
Each gadgets embrace 128GB of storage with microSDXC assist, and better RAM/storage configurations are restricted to pick out areas.
Verdict
The Galaxy A16 5G refines the formulation set by the A15 5G, providing a bigger display screen, sleeker design, and industry-leading software program replace assist.
Nonetheless, its decreased battery life and modest efficiency features make it really feel much less of an improve than anticipated.
Nonetheless, for many customers, the additional £50/$50 leading to six years of software program assist is a giant issue. Except you really want to economize or want the higher battery lifetime of the A16, we’d suggest investing within the newest mannequin for its longevity.