Samsung Galaxy A16 5G Review: A Budget Phone with Big Promises and Minor Setbacks

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Samsung Galaxy A16 5G showcasing its 6.7-inch AMOLED display with slim bezels, flat plastic back, and teardrop notch design, emphasizing its stylish budget-friendly build and vibrant screen.

The Samsung Galaxy A16 5G is here, a fresh addition to Samsung’s mid-range lineup. While designed with budget-conscious users in mind, it raises a compelling question: does this phone offer enough to stand out in the crowded market of affordable smartphones? Join us as we dive into the details in this comprehensive Galaxy A16 5G review.

Design and Build Quality

The Samsung Galaxy A16 5G carries a design that feels more premium than its budget-friendly price tag suggests. While it’s not the first A-series phone to make an appearance this year, it comes close to resembling its higher-end siblings in the lineup.

At the heart of its design is a flat plastic back with a glossy finish that gives the phone a clean and modern look. The flat plastic frame is robust yet lightweight, making it comfortable to hold for extended periods. Samsung’s signature A-series contouring around the buttons adds a touch of refinement and familiarity to the overall build.

One of the most notable improvements over its predecessor is the addition of IP54 splash-proofing. This provides an added layer of protection against minor water exposure, a feature that was absent in the previous model. While it’s not fully waterproof, this enhancement makes the Galaxy A16 5G a more durable choice for everyday use.

The design prioritizes simplicity and function without sacrificing style, making it a standout option in the mid-range segment. Whether you’re a fan of glossy finishes or appreciate the practicality of splash resistance, the Galaxy A16 5G strikes a solid balance between aesthetics and durability.

Display Specs and Features

The Samsung Galaxy A16 5G makes a notable upgrade in its display department, sporting a 6.7-inch AMOLED screen with a 1080p resolution and a 90 Hz refresh rate. This larger display is a standout feature for a phone in this price range, offering vibrant colors, deep contrast, and sharp visuals. Importantly, the display does not exhibit any color shifts when viewed from different angles, maintaining its clarity and consistency.

While it lacks support for HDR video playback—a common omission for budget devices—it still delivers a pleasant viewing experience. Another positive change is that Samsung has slimmed down the bezels compared to previous models like the Galaxy A15 and A25, giving the screen a more modern, edge-to-edge look.

Brightness Performance: When it comes to brightness, the Galaxy A16 5G holds its own for a budget phone. Using the manual slider, the screen achieves a maximum of around 400 nits, which is decent for indoor use. However, in auto-brightness mode, the display can boost up to over 800 nits, making it easily viewable under direct sunlight or bright outdoor conditions.

Smooth Scrolling Experience: One of the highlights of the display is the 90 Hz refresh rate, which is impressive to see on a budget device. This feature ensures smoother scrolling and swiping, enhancing the overall user experience. That said, the refresh rate is not adaptive, meaning it won’t dynamically adjust based on content to save battery.


Audio Quality and Speaker Setu: The audio setup on the Galaxy A16 5G takes a step back in some areas. Samsung has removed the headphone jack this generation, which may disappoint users who rely on wired headphones. Additionally, there is no stereo speaker setup; the phone features just a single bottom-firing speaker.

Originals, audiobooks and podcasts—all in one place.

 

The speaker delivers very good loudness, making it suitable for calls and casual media consumption. However, the audio quality leans heavily on the highs, with decent vocal clarity but a lack of bass, which limits its performance for music and movies.


Biometric Security and Storage Options: For security, the Galaxy A16 5G includes a side-mounted fingerprint scanner integrated into the power button. This scanner is both fast and reliable, offering a seamless way to unlock your phone or authenticate apps.

In terms of storage, the device is available in 128 GB and 256 GB configurations. Additionally, it supports microSD card expansion, allowing users to increase their storage for photos, videos, and apps without compromise.


The Galaxy A16 5G’s display and features strike a solid balance between affordability and functionality, delivering a smooth and vibrant screen experience alongside practical biometrics and storage options. While the audio setup might not please audiophiles, the phone compensates with excellent brightness and a capable AMOLED panel.

Performance & Chipset

The Galaxy A16 5G’s performance story is a mixed bag, heavily influenced by the chipset, which varies depending on the market. Samsung offers two options for this device: the Exynos 1330 or the MediaTek Dimensity 6300. The unit reviewed here is powered by the Exynos 1330.

CPU and Graphics Performance: In terms of CPU performance, the Galaxy A16 5G holds its own against other budget devices, delivering smooth operation for basic tasks like browsing, streaming, and social media use. However, the story shifts when it comes to graphics performance. In GPU benchmarks, this phone lags behind Samsung’s mid-range models, such as the Galaxy A25. Heavy games or graphically intense applications show noticeable limitations, making this phone better suited for casual gaming rather than demanding titles.

RAM Variants and Multitasking: The Galaxy A16 5G comes in two RAM configurations: 4GB or 8GB. The model tested had the lower 4GB of RAM, which likely contributed to occasional stutters in the user interface. While day-to-day performance is decent, multitasking and app switching may feel sluggish at times, especially with more demanding apps. Opting for the 8GB variant could mitigate some of these issues, providing a smoother experience overall.

General Usability: For basic users, the performance is adequate. Tasks like texting, video calls, and light web browsing are handled well. However, power users may find the limitations of the chipset and lower RAM configuration restrictive.

Software & Updates

The Galaxy A16 5G runs on Samsung’s One UI 6.1, layered on top of Android 14. This is the same user interface found on Samsung’s flagship models, ensuring a consistent and familiar experience across the lineup. While some high-end features like Samsung DeX are absent, the A16 5G still provides a robust and user-friendly interface.

One UI 6.1 brings a plethora of customization options and handy features, such as enhanced multitasking, a customizable always-on display, and a revamped quick settings panel. The software feels modern and polished, even on this budget device.

Long-Term Software Support: Samsung has made a significant commitment to software support for the Galaxy A16 5G, promising six major Android updates. This extended support is a standout feature in the budget segment and ensures the phone remains up-to-date for years to come. With regular updates, users can expect improved security, bug fixes, and new features as Android evolves.

Performance Concerns: While the extended software support is impressive, the question remains whether the budget hardware of the Galaxy A16 5G will hold up over time. Straight out of the box, the device isn’t the snappiest, and minor lags are noticeable during heavy multitasking or when navigating through demanding apps.

As One UI continues to add features with future updates, the phone’s hardware may struggle to keep pace, potentially affecting its long-term usability. However, for basic tasks like social media browsing, video streaming, and light gaming, the Galaxy A16 5G performs adequately.

 

Battery Life & Charging Speed

The Galaxy A16 5G is equipped with a 5,000 mAh battery, similar to its predecessor, but this year’s model doesn’t quite match the stellar battery life of the previous generation. In our battery tests, it achieved an active use score of 12 hours and 8 minutes. While this result is still solid for a device in this price range, it is a noticeable step down from the impressive performance of its predecessor.

Battery Performance: For day-to-day usage, the Galaxy A16 5G should comfortably last a full day with moderate use, such as texting, streaming, or casual browsing. However, users with more demanding habits, like extended gaming or video streaming, may find themselves needing to recharge before the day ends.

Charging Speed: The phone supports up to 25W wired charging, which is a standard speed for mid-range devices. However, Samsung does not include a charger in the box, which has become a common trend among manufacturers. Using a compatible adapter, the A16 5G managed to charge from 0 to 47% in 30 minutes, and a full charge took approximately 1 hour and 21 minutes. While not as speedy as some competitors in this segment, the charging time is reasonable for a budget-friendly device.

Comparison to Previous Model: Compared to its predecessor, the Galaxy A16 5G falls slightly short in both battery endurance and charging speed. The differences may not be significant enough to affect casual users, but those upgrading from the previous model may notice the slight downgrade in longevity.

Cameras Performance & Specs

The Galaxy A16 5G retains the same camera setup as its predecessor, offering a 50MP main camera, a 5MP ultrawide, and a 2MP macro camera. Here’s a closer look at their performance:

The main camera captures 12.5MP photos by default through pixel binning. For its class, image quality is solid, delivering good detail with a noticeable level of sharpening. Colors are pleasant and natural, but the dynamic range leaves room for improvement, as skies can get clipped in challenging lighting conditions.

When shooting portraits, the main camera performs well in bright conditions, capturing acceptable skin tones. However, in indoor settings, skin tones can appear less natural.

In low light, the main camera captures decent images with good detail, natural colors, and minimal noise. However, light sources can occasionally appear overexposed. Enabling Night Mode significantly improves the results, producing sharper images with enhanced dynamic range and better light control.

The 5MP ultrawide camera is underwhelming in terms of performance. Daylight photos lack detail, with overall softness and even poorer sharpness around the corners. The dynamic range and contrast are below average, though the colors match the main camera’s tones reasonably well.

In low light, the ultrawide camera struggles significantly, delivering soft and muddy images with blown-out highlights from light sources.

The 2MP macro camera is a neat addition but doesn’t deliver impressive results. The fixed focus makes it challenging to achieve sharp shots, and overall image quality is unremarkable.

The 13MP front-facing camera produces decent selfies. Details are solid, and skin tones look natural. However, as expected in this price range, it lacks advanced features like autofocus, which would improve flexibility.

Video Quality

The Galaxy A16 5G can record videos at a maximum resolution of 1080p with any of its cameras. Videos from the main camera are a highlight, delivering very good quality for this resolution. In low light, the main camera impressed with its great dynamic range and color accuracy. Stabilization is also well-implemented, ensuring smooth footage during movement.

In contrast, the ultrawide camera’s video performance is subpar. Videos appear soft and noisy, even during the day, making it less suitable for recording

In short, The Galaxy A16 5G’s camera system offers decent performance for a budget-friendly device, particularly from the main camera. Features like Night Mode and good video stabilization elevate its usability. However, the ultrawide and macro cameras leave much to be desired, and there’s limited improvement over the previous model. Still, for casual photographers and social media enthusiasts, the A16’s main camera and selfie shooter should suffice.

Conclusion

The Galaxy A16 5G is a decent budget offering from Samsung, carrying forward some of the strengths of its predecessor while introducing a few improvements. The 90Hz AMOLED display, Samsung’s One UI software, and solid main camera make it a reasonable choice for casual users. Selfie quality is respectable, and the addition of IP-rated splash protection along with six years of software support adds to its appeal.

However, the phone also has its downsides. Performance feels sluggish, even out of the box, which may limit its longevity despite the extended software updates. Additionally, the removal of the headphone jack, average battery life, and the retention of the teardrop notch and thick chin detract from its overall value.

While the A16 5G has some standout features, it’s worth considering other options in Samsung’s lineup or from competitors, especially at its price point. If found at a discount, it might be a good pick, but better-performing alternatives exist in the same budget category.

Pros

  • High Refresh Rate AMOLED Display: The 90Hz AMOLED panel offers smooth scrolling and vibrant visuals, uncommon in this price range.
  • IP54 Splash Protection: Improved durability with splash resistance adds value compared to its predecessor.
  • Solid Main Camera Performance: The 50MP main camera captures detailed photos and videos, even in low light.
  • Six Years of Software Support: Extended updates ensure the phone stays relevant longer.
  • Decent Selfie Camera: The 13MP front-facing camera delivers good detail and natural skin tones.
  • Expandable Storage: Offers the convenience of microSD card support for additional storage.

Cons

  • Sluggish Performance: Limited by the chipset, especially in the base 4GB RAM variant, leading to occasional stutters.
  • No Headphone Jack: The removal of the headphone jack might disappoint users who rely on wired audio.
  • Reduced Battery Life: Battery performance is slightly worse than the previous model despite the same 5,000mAh capacity.
  • Outdated Design Elements: The teardrop notch and thick chin make the phone feel dated compared to modern designs.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q1: Does the Galaxy A16 5G have a good display for its price?
A1: Yes, it features a 6.7-inch AMOLED display with a 90Hz refresh rate, providing smooth visuals and good color accuracy, which is impressive for a budget phone.

Q2: Is the Galaxy A16 5G water-resistant?
A2: It has an IP54 rating, meaning it’s protected against dust and splashes but not full immersion in water.

Q3: How is the camera performance on the Galaxy A16 5G?
A3: The 50MP main camera performs well, delivering detailed photos with good color reproduction and dynamic range in daylight and low light. However, the ultrawide and macro cameras are less impressive.

Q4: Does the Galaxy A16 5G have a headphone jack?
A4: No, Samsung has removed the headphone jack in this model, so you’ll need to rely on wireless audio or a USB-C adapter.

Q5: How long does the battery last on the Galaxy A16 5G?
A5: It provides 12 hours and 8 minutes of active use in tests, which is decent but slightly lower than the previous model.

Q6: Is the Galaxy A16 5G worth buying?
A6: It’s worth considering if you’re looking for a budget phone with a vibrant display, decent camera, and long software support. However, if performance and battery life are your priorities, better options exist at this price range.

Joan Martínez
I'm a Tech. passionate. I do follow all the brand's new products... discussing them, and analyzing them, Sometimes, I thank, and sometimes I criticize some feature or all the feature. I'm here to give a fully unbiased review, not to sell something to anyone, or for anyone.

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