Here we have Samsung’s latest affordable mid-range offering, the Galaxy A16 4G. While it may not seem drastically different from its predecessor, the A15 4G, there are a couple of key updates to take note of. You might also be wondering how it stacks up against the Galaxy A16 5G model.
Is the 4G version the better option for your needs, or are the upgrades too minimal to justify a purchase? In this review, we’ll take a closer look at its design, display, performance, battery life, and more to help you decide if this is the right phone for you. Let’s dive into the details!
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Design and Build Quality
The Galaxy A16 4G is Samsung’s latest addition to its budget-friendly A-series lineup, designed as an alternative to the 5G model for those who don’t require 5G connectivity. While both models share a similar design language, the A16 4G brings subtle refinements and maintains a focus on practicality at an even more affordable price point.
The design retains the signature Galaxy A-series aesthetics with a flat plastic back featuring a matte and metallic finish. This texture not only provides a modern look but also helps resist fingerprints and smudges better than a glossy surface. The plastic flat frame complements the back panel and includes a contoured design around the buttons, which has become a staple in Samsung’s A-series phones.
One notable improvement over previous iterations is the inclusion of IP54 splash-proofing on both the 4G and 5G versions of the A16. This provides basic protection against water splashes and dust, a feature absent in older models like the Galaxy A15. For a budget-friendly phone, having this level of ingress protection is a welcome addition.
The phone’s ergonomics are well-thought-out, with buttons and controls positioned conveniently. The side-mounted fingerprint reader, integrated into the power button, is both fast and reliable. It’s a practical and user-friendly biometric solution that complements the phone’s overall design.
Despite its plastic build, the A16 4G doesn’t feel cheap. It strikes a balance between affordability and durability, with a solid construction that should hold up well under daily use. The matte finish, combined with the flat edges, also ensures a secure grip, reducing the chances of accidental slips.
Display Specs and Features
One of the standout changes in the Galaxy A16 4G is its larger display. It features a 6.7-inch OLED panel with a 1080p resolution, offering sharp visuals and vibrant colors. Thanks to the OLED technology, the screen delivers deep contrasts and punchy hues, which elevate the overall viewing experience compared to budget LCD panels.
The bezels surrounding the display have been slimmed down compared to last year’s model, giving the device a more modern and immersive look. However, the phone retains its U-shaped notch for the front-facing camera, which feels slightly outdated compared to the punch-hole designs found on many competitors.
When it comes to brightness, the Galaxy A16 4G performs decently for its price. With the manual slider, the screen can reach a maximum brightness of about 400 nits. In bright environments or direct sunlight, the phone can automatically boost the brightness to over 800 nits, making it easier to use outdoors.
The 90 Hz refresh rate adds a layer of smoothness to swiping, scrolling, and general navigation. While this isn’t an adaptive refresh rate, meaning it won’t scale down to save battery when not needed, it’s still a welcome feature for a budget device. The faster refresh rate enhances the user experience significantly compared to standard 60 Hz displays.
One limitation of the screen is the lack of HDR video support, which may disappoint those who enjoy streaming HDR content. Despite this, the display remains more than adequate for watching videos, browsing, and general usage, especially given its budget-friendly positioning.
Performance, Chipset & Storage Options
The Galaxy A16 4G is powered by the MediaTek Helio G99 chipset, distinguishing it from the 5G version, which uses the Exynos 1330. This chipset is familiar, as it was also featured in last year’s Galaxy A15 4G. While it lacks a 5G modem, it caters to those who don’t need 5G connectivity and prefer a more affordable option.
In terms of benchmarks, the performance of the Helio G99 is comparable to its predecessor. It sits near the lower end of the performance spectrum, but for a budget device, it holds up reasonably well. Don’t expect stellar gaming performance, though; demanding titles may struggle to run smoothly, and graphical settings will need to be kept low.
For day-to-day tasks, the Galaxy A16 4G performs adequately. The interface runs smoothly for the most part, with only occasional lags or hiccups. Interestingly, the 4G model feels slightly snappier in routine use than its 5G sibling, despite the Exynos 1330 being theoretically more powerful. This smoother experience might be attributed to better optimization for the Helio G99.
The phone is available in two storage options: 128 GB and 256 GB, both of which can be expanded further using a microSD card. This flexibility is great for users who need more space for apps, photos, and media files.
On the software side, the Galaxy A16 4G runs Samsung’s One UI 6.1, based on Android 14. This interface is streamlined and user-friendly, offering most of the features available on Samsung’s flagship devices, except for premium functionalities like Galaxy AI and Samsung DeX.
One major highlight is Samsung’s promise of six major OS updates for the A16 4G. This means the phone will stay updated with the latest Android features and security patches for years to come—a rarity for a budget device. While it’s impressive, questions remain about how well the hardware will handle these updates over time.
- See also:
- Realme 14 Pro+ Review: A Game-Changer for Photography Enthusiasts on a Budget
- OnePlus 13 Review: Design, Performance, Cameras, and More
Battery Life & Charging Speed
The Galaxy A16 4G features a robust 5,000 mAh battery, which delivers excellent longevity. During our tests, it achieved an active use score of 14 hours and 43 minutes, which is quite close to the performance of its predecessor, the Galaxy A15 4G. These scores are impressive, especially when compared to the Galaxy A16 5G, which fell short in battery performance.
The efficient hardware and lack of a power-hungry 5G modem contribute to the A16 4G’s great battery life, making it an excellent choice for users who prioritize long-lasting usage over cutting-edge connectivity. Whether you’re streaming, browsing, or gaming moderately, this phone can easily get through a full day of use and then some.
When it comes to charging, the A16 4G supports up to 25W wired charging. However, it doesn’t come with a charging adapter in the box, so you’ll need to purchase one separately if you don’t already have a compatible charger.
Using a proper 25W adapter, the phone was able to charge from 0 to 53% in just 30 minutes, which is quite convenient for users who are always on the go. A full charge took around 1 hour and 19 minutes, which is a decent time frame for a budget-friendly device.
Overall, the Galaxy A16 4G strikes a great balance between battery life and charging speed, making it a reliable companion for daily use. While the absence of a bundled charger is a minor inconvenience, the excellent battery performance more than makes up for it.
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Camera Performance & Specs
The Galaxy A16 4G features a triple camera setup similar to the 5G model and its predecessor, including a 50 MP main camera, a 5 MP ultrawide, and a 2 MP macro shooter. While this setup is standard for budget-friendly devices, its performance is a mixed bag.
Main Camera: The 50 MP main camera captures decent photos for the price, with natural colors and good detail. However, its dynamic range is somewhat limited, resulting in shadows and highlights that aren’t well balanced in challenging lighting situations.
Portraits are one of the weaker areas for this camera. Facial features often look smooth and unnatural, akin to wax figures, which may disappoint users who prioritize realistic selfies and portraits.
In low-light conditions, the main camera produces acceptable results. While detail is decent, the photos tend to suffer from reduced contrast, limited dynamic range, and noticeable noise. Enabling night mode helps mitigate these issues by improving sharpness and dynamic range, though it must be activated manually.
Ultrawide Camera: The 5 MP ultrawide camera offers a wider field of view, but the quality leaves much to be desired. Photos are generally soft, lacking detail and sharpness. While the colors are fairly pleasant, the contrast and dynamic range are poor, and low-light performance is disappointing. Bright highlights and light sources are often clipped, and there’s no night mode available to assist in improving the results.
Macro Camera: The 2 MP macro camera is a neat addition for close-up photography, but its limitations are evident. With its low resolution and fixed focus, capturing sharp and detailed shots is challenging, and the results are unlikely to impress.
Selfie Camera: The front-facing camera on the Galaxy A16 4G is another area where this phone falls short. Despite the 13 MP resolution, selfies often lack detail and realistic skin textures. Interestingly, the selfie camera on the 5G model performs better in this regard, which is a bit of a letdown for the 4G variant.
Video Recording: The Galaxy A16 4G can shoot videos at up to 1080p resolution with its main and ultrawide cameras. The video quality from the main camera is serviceable, offering decent sharpness and color reproduction. However, the ultrawide camera’s video quality is noticeably worse, with softer details and poor dynamic range.
A significant downside of the A16 4G is the lack of electronic video stabilization (EIS), which is present in the 5G model. Without EIS, videos can appear quite shaky, especially when shot handheld, making a tripod a necessary accessory for capturing steady footage.
For users seeking a budget-friendly device, the cameras may suffice for occasional snapshots. However, if photography is a priority, there are better options available in this price range.
Pros
- Vibrant AMOLED Display: Offers sharp visuals, natural colors, and a smooth 90Hz refresh rate.
- Impressive Battery Life: A 5,000mAh battery ensures excellent longevity for everyday use.
- IP54 Splash Resistance: Durable enough for light exposure to water and dust.
- Reliable Software Support: Promises six years of OS updates for long-term usability.
- Affordable Price: Great value with decent cameras and features at a budget-friendly price.
Cons
- No Video Stabilization: Lacks electronic stabilization, leading to shaky video footage.
- Outdated Notch Design: U-shaped notch feels dated compared to competitors.
- Basic Ultrawide and Macro Cameras: Lower performance in detail and dynamic range.
Conclusion
The Galaxy A16 4G is a solid budget offering from Samsung, sharing many traits with its 5G sibling while delivering a few distinct advantages. It retains the vibrant 90Hz AMOLED display, Samsung’s user-friendly software, and a capable main camera for its price point. With IP54 splash resistance and long-term software support, this device is built to last in more ways than one.
Thanks to its MediaTek Helio G99 chipset, the A16 4G offers better battery life than the 5G model and smoother day-to-day performance. However, it sacrifices features like video stabilization, which could be a dealbreaker for those who prioritize video recording.
If 5G connectivity isn’t a priority, the Galaxy A16 4G is arguably the better value, striking a good balance between performance and affordability. That said, for just a bit more money, you could consider upgrading to a higher-tier Samsung device, which might offer a more well-rounded experience.
Ultimately, the A16 4G is an excellent choice for budget-conscious users who want a dependable smartphone without breaking the bank.
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