Samsung Galaxy A14 5G (S146VL) Tracfone Review

 Tracfone Samsung Galaxy A14 5G Review, Specs and Features

With a 6.6" full HD screen, 64GB storage, 4 GB RAM and Android 13, the Galaxy A14 5G packs in some great features while keeping a budget friendly price many will enjoy.

Building on last year's model, the A13 5G, we get several updated and improved features including a higher resolution screen, updated Android OS, and improved front camera.

Update: Tracfone has now released the Samsung Galaxy A15 5G and you can follow the link to read our review and learn more.

To make the most of Tracfone's 5G network coverage, the Galaxy A14 also comes with 5G network capability, a feature we don't always see at this price point. The Motorola Moto G Play 2023 is another low-cost option we will compare, which notably, does not include 5G network capability.

Let's look at the pros and cons for the A14 5G

Samsung Galaxy A14 5G Quick Facts

What We Like:
-Full HD touchscreen
-Android 13 with great update policy
-NFC for payments with your phone
-5G network capable
-Very reasonable price

What We Don't Like:
-Same processor as last year's device
-No dust or water protection
-Mediocre screen brightness

There are actually two versions of A14 5G phone, with the processor the main difference. The version made for US markets, unfortunately, uses the same processor as last year, the Dimensity 700. The variant released in India uses the more powerful Exynos 1330 processor.

Despite the same processor as last year, the A14 5G does have a lot to like at first glance, with the large, full HD screen, latest Android version, and Near Field Communication (NFC) for contactless payments with your phone.

Let's get to the full list of features and specs.

Samsung Galaxy A14 5G (S146VL) Features and Specs

Below are the features followed by the technical specs

• Android 13
• One UI Core 5
• 5G (Verizon)
• Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct, hotspot
• Bluetooth 5.2
• Alarm Clock
• GPS
• NFC
• MP3 Player
• Standard 3.5mm Headphone Jack
• Hearing Aid Compatible
• Access to over 1 Million Apps on Google Play
• Voicemail, Caller ID, Call Waiting
• SMS/MMS
• USB Charging Port (USB Type-C 2.0)
• Compatible with Samsung Gear Smartwatches
• Facial recognition for unlocking
• Fingerprint sensor

Samsung Galaxy A14 5G Technical Specs
Size: 6.60 x 3.07 x 0.36 in (7.13 oz)
Camera: Triple rear camera 50+2+2MP and 13MP front camera
Screen: 6.6" full HD PLS IPS display (1080x2408 resolution)
Processor: Octa-core (2x2.2 GHz Cortex-A76 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55) MediaTek Dimensity 700 

Memory: 4 GB
Storage: 64 GB internal storage, supports up to 1TB MicroSD Card
Battery: 5,000 mAh battery (non-removable) with talk time up to 34 hrs, standby 16 days

Many consumers are very familiar with the Samsung brand, as they are a global manufacture and the largest consumer electronics maker (by revenue) in the world. They are based in South Korea and have a broad lineup of smartphones with their high end devices, like the Samsung Galaxy S23, a contender for some of the best phones in the world.

The Galaxy A14 5G does get some of the design elements of Samsung phones with a familiar layout for the charging port and buttons and it also features Samsung's One UI 5, which offers a variety of software changes. But a budget phone will have to cut some corners, and we will dive into that below.

Now let's get into the details with our review of the A14.

Tracfone Samsung Galaxy A14 5G Review

Touchscreen

A nice upgrade over last year's model and many smartphones at this price range, the A14 offers a 6.6" PLS LCD touchscreen with 1080x2408 full HD resolution. The pixel density is quite good, at 400 ppi for a more crisp viewing experience compared to lower resolution devices. 

The A14 5G has a 20:9 screen ratio, to allow for a taller screen that still fits comfortably in the hand, which is a common feature these days. Bezels on the edges of the screen are modest but noticeable, and contribute to the 80% screen to body ratio which is average. 

Along with the increased pixel density, the A14 5G also has 90hz fast refresh rate for a more responsive feel when scrolling or switching apps. The screen does drop to 60hz when idling to help improve battery life.

This full HD screen on the Galaxy A14 5G is a great feature and offers a nice experience for gaming or watching videos. There is no boost to brightness when outside, so the screen is somewhat hard to see in direct sunlight. At this price point, we can't really complain as most devices will struggle in sunlight.

Performance - Processor, Storage and RAM

A MediaTek Dimensity 700 processor, 4GB RAM and 64GB internal memory offer a good balance of performance while keeping the price low. Internal storage is augmented by a MicroSD card slot for additional external storage capabilities. 

It is a little disappointing to see the same, Dimensity 700 processor in the A14 that we saw in the previous model, the A13. This processor is a few years old and although it offers 5G network capability and an octa-core processor, it is starting to lag in comparison with more recently released processors. The A14 variant released in India offers the Exynos 1330, which would have been a nice feature. 

The memory and storage are also unchanged from last year's model. And with only 45GB storage available out of the box, it would have been nice to see that increased.

Overall, the Samsung Galaxy A14 5G offers adequate performance for most activities including light to moderate gaming and should handle daily activities like social media, web surfing and texting just fine.

For those looking to do more gaming or other resource intensive apps, consider something with a more powerful processor.

Camera

The Galaxy A14 5G offers the same setup as the previous model when it comes to the rear camera with a 50MP main, 2MP depth and 2MP macro sensor. Images are actually pretty good, with nice details and colors, but start to struggle in low light. There is a night shooting mode, which offers some improvements.

The front facing camera is a 13MP sensor, a nice upgrade, and gives good results for selfies.

Both the front and rear sensors shoot full HD video at 30fps and it is more the good enough for social media and sharing with friends.  

For better photos, check out our list of camera phone photo tips.

Battery

Again, we see the same feature in the A14 5G as the previous model, but in this case, that's a good thing because it is a 5,000 mAh battery and 15W fast charging. This large battery gives the Galaxy A14 5G plenty of battery life and it can easily last a full day, sometimes more. To recharge, users will need their own charging block, as that is not included, and the 15W charging speed is nice, but not the fastest.

Android OS

It is exciting to see Android 13 included with the Galaxy A14 5G and it offers a number of performance and security updates over the previous versions. Plus, Samsung has an excellent update policy to provide several major OS updates and plenty of security fixes going forward.

Android 13 builds on Android 12's major 'material you' update with several additional features including auto-theming icons, expanded color theming options, and some alternative lock screen options. There are also some increased privacy and security controls.

Samsung also includes One UI 5 with the A14 5G, with a number of additional features, apps and controls. The A14 gets a pared down mix of features from Samsung's flagship phones, but there are still some nice options. For those that have had Samsung phones before, the familiar controls and features will be great to have.

We are pleased to see the latest Android OS with the A14 5G because the Moto G Play 2023 was also recently released but features only Android 12.

Grab the best apps for Tracfone users in our full list.

Design

The Galaxy A14 5G follows closely to the basic exterior design of Samsung's high-end Galaxy S23 with a similar button layout and back panel look. The A14 5G uses cheaper, plastic materials on the side and back panel, but it doesn't fell too cheap. There is no dust or water protection, and we don't see any mention of Gorilla Glass protection on the front screen. 

On the side of the device is the dual fingerprint reader and power button, along with the volume rocker.

A headphone jack is included on the A14 5G, a feature not found on high-end smartphones. And there is also NFC, which allows the phone to act as a credit card and scan at checkout using various virtual wallet apps. NFC is a great feature, and one we don't see at this price point, but is becoming increasingly noticeable when it is missing.

The size of this device is on the larger end, but it still fits well in the hand for most. For those that might have small pockets, or prefer a smaller form, there are better options out there.

In general, the design is quite nice, especially for the price, and it looks like a much more expensive smartphone with the sleek lines.

Conclusion

The Samsung Galaxy A14 5G brings some of the same features from last year, but also some nice improvements and upgrades. And with a price point under $200, it is a really solid budget smartphone pick.

If you are looking for an inexpensive phone that can still handle most tasks comfortably and offers 5G, NFC and the latest Android OS, the A14 5G is a top choice.

For those who want more storage options or increased performance, there are plenty of other phones to consider, but they come with a higher price tag. Some options from Tracfone include the Google Pixel 6a, Samsung Galaxy A53 5G, and the Moto G Stylus 5G 2022.

At this price point, there are few options that beat the performance and specs on the A14 5G.

Samsung Galaxy A14 5G Vs Motorola Moto G Play 2023

The Galaxy A14 5G comes at a slightly higher price than the Moto G Play 2023, but gives a number of improvements, making it a better choice for many Tracfone users. 

The A14 5G has a more powerful processor, more RAM, internal storage, and better cameras. It also has the more recent Android 13 OS, and offers NFC. The full HD touchscreen on the Galaxy A14 5G is a major improvement, and it also has faster battery charging speed. With all these upgrades, and a price that is only a little higher, it is hard not to pick the Samsung Galaxy A14 5G over the 2023 Play.

For those looking for a basic Android smartphone, the Moto G Play 2023 can get the job done for under $100. But if you want a little more, and some additional features like 5G and NFC, consider spending a little more for the A14 5G.

Where to Buy the Samsung Galaxy A14 5G from Tracfone

Get the Samsung Galaxy A14 5G with airtime bundle from QVC - Sale price $105

Get the Samsung Galaxy A14 5G with airtime bundle from HSN - Sale price $99

Get the Samsung Galaxy A14 5G from Walmart - $119

Get the Samsung Galaxy A14 5G from Target - $119

Get the Samsung Galaxy A14 5G on the Tracfone website - $119

We will update with more buying options as they become available.

Samsung Galaxy A14 5G User Manual and Device Tutorials

Get the Samsung Galaxy A14 5G User Manual.

Learn more about using the phone with the Device Tutorials.

That concludes our review of the Galaxy A14 5G. Please leave a comment below with your thoughts or questions. 

If you are new to Tracfone, start with our Beginners Guide!

Join us over on Facebook for the latest news and posts or send us a message for more direct help questions.

If you're shopping around for other plans, take a look at the Best Alternatives to Tracfone. 

Take a look at some of our recent posts, including a Guide for Making your Airtime Last Longer and Everything you Need to Know about Data Cards.

And don't miss out on the best Tracfone Deals, Discounts and Sales!

Thanks for visiting!