Samsung Galaxy A16 5G
Table of Contents
Samsung has a long-standing reputation for offering a wide range of smartphones, from flagship devices to budget-friendly options. The Samsung Galaxy A16 5G is the latest addition to its mid-range lineup, aimed at delivering value for money. But does it live up to expectations? Let’s dive into a comprehensive review of the Galaxy A16 5G to find out.
Design and Build Quality
The Samsung Galaxy A16 5G boasts a design that closely resembles its more expensive siblings in the A-series. It features a flat plastic back with a glossy finish that, while prone to fingerprints, gives the device a premium look. The flat plastic frame includes the signature contoured edges around the buttons, a design hallmark of Samsung’s A-series. While the build material remains modest, Samsung has added an essential feature this time—IP54-rated splash resistance—making it more durable against accidental splashes and light rain.
Display
The Samsung Galaxy A16 5G comes with a larger 6.7-inch AMOLED display, a significant upgrade from its predecessor. With a Full HD+ resolution (1080p) and a 90Hz refresh rate, the screen offers sharp visuals, decent color reproduction, and smooth scrolling. However, the display lacks HDR support, which might disappoint those looking for enhanced contrast and vivid colors in streaming apps.
In terms of brightness, the panel manages up to 400 nits in manual mode and peaks at over 800 nits in auto-brightness mode, making it sufficiently bright for outdoor use. Although the bezels have been slimmed down slightly compared to the Samsung Galaxy A15, the noticeable chin and teardrop notch for the selfie camera remind you that this is a budget device.
Audio
Samsung has removed the headphone jack on the Samsung Galaxy A16 5G, a move that may not sit well with users who prefer wired headphones. The phone also sticks to a single speaker setup, which offers loud output but lacks depth and bass. While the sound quality is serviceable for casual use, it’s not ideal for audiophiles or immersive media consumption.
Performance
The Samsung Galaxy A16 5G is available with two chipset options depending on the market: Samsung’s Exynos 1330 or MediaTek’s Dimensity 6300. Our review unit features the Exynos 1330. In terms of performance, the phone holds its ground in CPU benchmarks, making it suitable for day-to-day tasks such as browsing, social media, and light gaming. However, its GPU performance lags behind, particularly when compared to mid-tier models like the Samsung Galaxy A25.
The model we tested came with 4GB of RAM, which occasionally resulted in UI stutters. A version with 8GB of RAM is also available and might offer a smoother experience. While Samsung’s promise of six major Android updates is commendable, the phone’s hardware raises concerns about its ability to keep up with future software demands.
Battery Life and Charging
The Samsung Galaxy A16 5G is equipped with a 5,000mAh battery, the same capacity as its predecessor. However, its battery life falls short, achieving 12 hours and 8 minutes of active use in tests. This is a step down compared to the Galaxy A15, which had better endurance.
Charging speeds are adequate for the segment, with support for up to 25W wired charging. Using a compatible adapter, the phone charges from 0 to 47% in 30 minutes and reaches a full charge in just over an hour. However, Samsung does not include a charger in the box, which adds an extra expense for buyers.
Software
The Samsung Galaxy A16 5G runs on Samsung’s One UI 6.1, built on Android 14. This interface is consistent across Samsung’s lineup and offers a feature-rich experience with user-friendly customization options. Features like split-screen multitasking, Edge Panels, and the ability to run Samsung’s flagship apps make the software a highlight. However, certain features like DeX mode remain exclusive to higher-end models.
Samsung’s commitment to six years of software updates ensures long-term support, but whether the device’s hardware can handle future updates smoothly is another question altogether.
Cameras
The Samsung Galaxy A16 5G’s camera setup remains unchanged from its predecessor. It includes:
- 50MP Main Camera: The primary shooter captures detailed 12.5MP photos by default. Colors appear natural, and the images are sharp. However, dynamic range struggles in challenging lighting conditions, often resulting in clipped highlights.
- 5MP Ultra-Wide Camera: Daylight shots from the ultra-wide camera lack detail and appear soft, especially around the edges. Dynamic range and contrast are also subpar.
- 2MP Macro Camera: While it’s fun to use, the fixed focus makes it difficult to achieve sharp results consistently. Image quality is average at best.
- 13MP Selfie Camera: Selfies are decent, with good detail and natural-looking skin tones in proper lighting conditions.
Low-light performance is a mixed bag. The main camera delivers decent photos with good detail and minimal noise, though dynamic range can be an issue. Enabling the night mode significantly improves image sharpness and dynamic range. Videos max out at 1080p resolution and deliver solid quality from the main camera, with good stabilization and dynamic range. However, ultra-wide videos remain soft and noisy, even in daylight.
Comparison: Samsung Galaxy A16 5G vs. Samsung Galaxy A15 5G
For those considering an upgrade from the Samsung Galaxy A15 5G to the Samsung Galaxy A16 5G, here’s a quick comparison:
- Design and Build: The A16 5G introduces IP54-rated splash resistance, a feature absent in the A15 5G. Both phones feature a similar plastic design, but the A16’s slightly slimmer bezels add a touch of refinement.
- Display: Both devices sport AMOLED panels with 90Hz refresh rates. However, the A16 5G offers a larger 6.7-inch display compared to the 6.6-inch screen on the A15 5G. Brightness levels are comparable, but neither supports HDR.
- Performance: Depending on the region, the A16 5G’s chipset options (Exynos 1330 or Dimensity 6300) provide incremental improvements over the A15’s MediaTek Dimensity 6100+. GPU performance remains modest, with both phones struggling in intensive gaming scenarios.
- Battery Life: The A15 5G outshines the A16 in battery longevity, with better endurance in real-world usage despite having the same 5,000mAh battery capacity.
- Audio: While the A15 retains the headphone jack, the A16 sacrifices it, aligning with a more modern design trend. Both phones feature a single speaker setup with similar sound quality.
- Cameras: Camera hardware is nearly identical, with no significant differences in output. However, software optimizations on the A16 provide slightly better low-light performance.
- Price: The A15 5G is more affordable and offers better value for those on a tight budget. The A16 5G, while pricier, adds features like splash resistance and extended software support.
Key Features and Missing Elements
- Biometrics: The side-mounted fingerprint scanner is reliable and quick.
- Storage: The phone comes in 128GB and 256GB variants, with expandable storage via microSD.
- Connectivity: The Galaxy A16 5G supports modern connectivity standards, including 5G.
- Missing Features: The lack of stereo speakers, a headphone jack, and premium display features like HDR may deter some buyers.
Verdict
The Samsung Galaxy A16 5G offers a mixed bag of features. Its AMOLED display, IP54 splash resistance, and extensive software support are commendable highlights. The camera performance, especially from the main shooter, is solid for the price, and the inclusion of 5G ensures future-proof connectivity. However, the phone’s performance and battery life leave much to be desired, especially considering its competition.
If you’re looking for a budget Samsung phone, you might also want to consider the Galaxy A15 5G, which is more affordable, or the Galaxy A25 5G, which offers better performance for a similar price. Ultimately, the Samsung Galaxy A16 5G is a decent choice if you can find it at a discount, but it’s not the most compelling option in its segment.
