The Galaxy M series is ideal for individuals who are budget conscious and looking for a smartphone that delivers a satisfactory performance for everyday tasks such as web browsing, social media engagement, and multimedia consumption. With decent processing power, ample storage options, and smooth user interfaces, these devices can handle multitasking and provide a smooth user experience.
Talking about the Samsung Galaxy M14 offers a well-rounded experience with its decent performance, reliable camera capabilities, and long-lasting battery life, this device is perfect for budget-conscious individuals who prioritize value for their hard-earned money. here we present you the Samsung Galaxy M14 full review.
Design and Build
- Dimension: 166.8 x 77.2 x 9.4 mm
- Weight: 206 grams
- Build: Glass front, plastic back, plastic frame
Samsung has made significant improvements in the design and build quality of its mid-range smartphones in recent years. However, when it comes to budget-friendly phones like the M14 5G, they haven’t received the same level of attention. The Galaxy M14 has an average appearance and comes in a decent range of colors, but it doesn’t stand out in any particular way. In very simple language, the design is decent and minimalistic.
However, the Galaxy M14 takes a more straightforward approach in terms of design and is built entirely with plastic materials. It does have curved edges on the sides, making it comfortable to hold with one hand. But I don’t find the perfect grip with the phone. Since it has a dimension of 166.8 x 77.2 x 9.4 mm, the phone is a little thick in terms of its thickness compared to other budget series phones, especially Redmi phones. The phone weighs 206 g, which is a little bit heavier for me. So, Talking about design and building, there is no particular excitement.
The camera setup is quite impressive. The 3-camera array gives the phone a better look. Samsung seems really enjoying this camera housing as we are seeing on other devices too. The camera is not protruding at all, making the perfect balance on floors and tables. The phone will give a pretty decent impression while you carry it out in your hand due to its color and camera housing compared to other phones at this price level for under Rs. 25,000.
When it comes to ports and buttons, on the right side of the phone, you’ll find the volume rocker and power button, which also functions as a fingerprint sensor and performs effectively. Moving to the bottom of the device, there is a speaker grille, a USB Type-C port, a primary microphone, and a 3.5mm headphone jack. The left side houses the SIM tray, while the top section features a secondary microphone for noise cancellation.
Display
- 6.6 inches PLS LCD
- 1080 x 2408 pixels resolution, ~400 ppi density
- Corning Gorilla Glass 5 protection
The Galaxy M14 brings a noticeable upgrade to its display compared to its predecessor, the Galaxy M13. Rather than focusing on resolution, the improvement lies in the inclusion of a faster refresh rate, a feature now available even in budget smartphones. The device boasts a 6.6-inch LCD display with a resolution of 2408×1080 pixels. The panel impresses with a 90Hz refresh rate, although you have the option to switch back to the standard 60Hz. This higher refresh rate ensures a smoother viewing experience. The display delivers clear and detailed content, while the touch response is also highly responsive and precise.
The viewing experience on the display of the Galaxy M14 was enjoyable due to its vibrant and rich colors. The lagging in gameplay and touch response was also not observed. However, the device lacks preset options in the settings to adjust the color tones for those who prefer a more natural look. Samsung has not provided official figures for its peak brightness level, but I did not face any issues while using the device outdoors in broad daylight.
One thing that makes it old-fashioned is its thick bezels at the bottom and outdated water-drop notch. On a suggestion note, a more modern design approach would have significantly improved the overall aesthetics of the device.
Performance
- Exynos 1330 chipset
- Octa-core CPU
- Mali-G68 MP2 GPU
The Samsung Galaxy M14 runs on Samsung’s own Exynos 1330 SoC, which is built on the 5nm fabrication process. Interestingly, this chipset is shared by Samsung’s other models, such as the Galaxy A14 and M14. The device is offered in two variants: 4GB of RAM and 64GB of storage, and another with 6GB of RAM and 128GB of storage.
Another notable improvement over its predecessor, the Galaxy M13, is the inclusion of 5G capability. The Exynos 1330 chip supports 5G connectivity and can operate on up to 13 different 5G bands.
I find smooth scrolling and seamless app switching. However, there are still occasional stutters when pulling down the notification bar. Let’s hope that this issue will be addressed in future updates. Overall, the RAM management on the Galaxy M14 was quite satisfactory.
To further assess its performance, we conducted synthetic benchmark tests. In Geekbench 6, the device achieved a single-core score of 1033 and a multi-core score of 2491.
Although the Exynos 1330 experienced a slight drop in performance, reaching 77% of its maximum capacity, it still achieved an overall score of 2519 in 3DMark’s Sling Shot Extreme test.
Read More: Samsung Mobile Price In Nepal (May 2023 Update)
OS and UI
- OS: Android 13
- UI: One UI core 5.1
- Two years of significant updates and security patches.
The Galaxy M14 operates on One UI Core 5.1, a streamlined version of Samsung’s One UI specifically tailored for budget smartphones. Right out of the box, the device runs on Android 13 and guarantees two years of major updates along with four years of security patches. The software experience on the Galaxy M14 mirrors that of other Samsung phones, delivering smooth UI transitions and seamless app switching for an enjoyable user interface. The device provides ample customization options, although enabling the color palette feature may be necessary to unlock Android 13’s extensive range of wallpaper colors and more.
Regarding pre-installed applications, the phone comes with a few Samsung-centric apps. However, users have the flexibility to uninstall unnecessary apps, tailoring the device to their personal preferences and streamlining its functionality.
Camera
- 50MP wide
- 2MP depth
- 2MP macro
- 13 MP selfie
The rear of the Galaxy M14 features a triple camera system, consisting of a 50-megapixel primary camera accompanied by a pair of 2-megapixel cameras for depth and macro photography. On the front, there is a 13-megapixel selfie camera. The camera app offers a user-friendly interface with various customizable options for adjusting settings before taking a photo.
The output of the Galaxy M14’s camera reflects Samsung’s signature color science. The camera captured the beautiful scenery accurately, particularly under favorable lighting conditions. The images displayed a satisfactory level of detail and vibrant colors, showcasing a well-balanced dynamic range.
The overall image quality is generally satisfactory for sharing on social media platforms without extensive editing. When photographing people, the camera accurately reproduces skin tones that closely resemble natural colors, albeit with a subtle reddish undertone.
In portrait mode, photos exhibit an impressive level of background blur, and users have the flexibility to adjust the blur intensity before capturing the shot. While edge detection is generally reliable, low-resolution photos lack some finer details. The same limitation is observed with the macro camera’s performance as well.
The front camera’s output was fairly good, with close-to-natural skin tones and details. The portrait also works well here but sometimes tends to miss a few hair strands. Night images are average. Images need an ample amount of artificial light for a decent output.
Battery
- 6000 mAh massive battery
- 15 W wired charging
- No charger in the box
The Galaxy M14 upholds the legacy of its predecessors by offering impressive battery life. With its 6,000mAh battery, the device can easily provide two days of usage under moderate conditions. Even with heavy usage, we achieved an impressive screen on time of approximately seven hours on a full charge.
However, a confusing aspect of the Galaxy M14 is that Samsung has chosen not to include a charger in the box. This omission is disappointing, particularly considering the device’s price range. While the decision may be given to environmental concerns and reducing e-waste, it poses a moral dilemma for first-time buyers who now need to spend extra money on a separate charger.
Moreover, the device supports charging speeds of 15W wired. When compared to recent devices, the charging speeds are noticeably slower.
Other Features
Let’s talk about other features, like its loudspeaker or connectivity. The device features both speakers and a 3.5mm audio jack. However, these speakers deliver a well-balanced and loud sound at maximum volume, making them excellent for watching videos or listening to podcasts.
In terms of connectivity, the Galaxy M14 offers optional Dual SIM support with SA and NSA 5G compatibility. It also includes a GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, and BDS receiver. While it is a basic single-band unit, it provides the necessary positioning services. Additionally, the M14 features NFC functionality. For local wireless connectivity, the phone supports dual-band Wi-Fi ac and Bluetooth 5.2.
Pros and Cons
| Pros | Cons |
| Decent display quality and speakers | Thick bezel at the bottom |
| Great Battery life | No charger in the box |
| Good camera results | have alternative competitors |
| 5G connectivity |
Conclusion
While the Galaxy M14 may not be an extraordinary phone, it does manage to deliver the essentials, which is praiseworthy considering its price range. However, it is high time for Samsung to embrace a more modern design approach for its ‘M’ series devices. The presence of an outdated notch, thick bezels, and a curved plastic back give it a dated appearance, reminiscent of a relic in the world of smartphones.
Nonetheless, the display of the Galaxy M14 is noteworthy, offering a satisfactory experience for content viewing and regular usage. It also performs admirably in gaming and daily tasks. The device excels in providing exceptional battery life, but the lack of a bundled charger is not ideal for a smartphone in this price segment. On the bright side, both the primary and front cameras capture pleasing photos that are suitable for sharing on social media platforms.
For those seeking more options in the market, the Realme C55 presents an appealing choice with 8GB RAM at a significantly similar price, featuring a more modern design at the expense of raw power. Alternatively, if you’re willing to invest a bit more, the iQOO Z7 offers a well-balanced smartphone experience.
