The Samsung Galaxy A16 5G is the South Korean firm’s newest addition to its Galaxy A sequence of smartphones, and it’s a midrange handset that runs on Android 14, and the corporate has promised as much as six main Android OS upgrades. Its direct rivals in the identical value section (underneath Rs. 20,000) are the Poco X6, Realme Narzo 70 Professional, Infinix Word 40 Professional 5G, Moto G85, OnePlus Nord CE Lite, in addition to Samsung’s personal Galaxy M35 5G mannequin.
Pricing for the Galaxy A16 5G is ready at Rs. 18,999 (8GB+128GB) and Rs. 20,999 (8GB+256GB), however how does it fare in opposition to comparable smartphones in a really aggressive value section? After spending a while with the handset because it was launched in India, listed here are my ideas.
Samsung Galaxy A16 5G: S-Tier Design
- Dimensions – 164.Four x 77.9 x 7.9 mm
- Weight – 192g
- Colors – Blue Black, Gold (On this assessment), Gentle Inexperienced
Lately, Samsung’s midrange and premium midrange smartphones have began to resemble its flagship fashions. We noticed this with the Samsung Galaxy A55 and Galaxy A35 (Assessment), and now the Galaxy A16 is the newest cellphone from the corporate to bear a resemblance to the Galaxy S24. There are some notable variations, although — the Galaxy A16 5G has a polycarbonate again with plastic edges.
Samsung Galaxy A16 5G is supplied with a triple rear digital camera setup
Samsung has geared up the Galaxy A16 5G with the Key Island on the precise fringe of the cellphone, which homes the amount rocker and energy buttons. The SIM tray and reminiscence card tray are positioned on the left edge, whereas the underside edge features a USB Kind-C port and a speaker grille.
This handset ships with out an included cowl, and that is the way it was used at some stage in the assessment. Whereas it is easy to grip with out utilizing a case, the plastic edges have a tendency to choose up scratches after some time, so you will undoubtedly need to purchase a third-party cowl for the Galaxy A16 5G. You may additionally have to buy a charger, because the cellphone solely ships with a USB Kind-C cable and a SIM ejector instrument.
Samsung Galaxy A16 5G Software program: Helpful Options, Pointless Bloatware
- Software program – One UI 6.1
- Model – Android 14
- Newest safety patch – September 1, 2024
The Samsung Galaxy A16 5G ships with One UI 6.1, based mostly on Android 14. It’s the identical software program that runs on the costlier Galaxy A35 and Galaxy A55 fashions. This implies you get assist for Samsung’s SmartThings, Pockets, TV and different purposes. Sadly, it does not supply assist for Good Lock, which permits a good better degree of customisation and management over Samsung telephones.
The Samsung Galaxy A16 5G runs on One UI 6.1, which relies on Android 14 (Faucet to develop)
Like different smartphones out there on this value section, the Samsung Galaxy A16 will obtain third-party purposes after organising the cellphone when the default setup choices are chosen, so it is crucial to concentrate while you’re organising the cellphone for the primary time. The cellphone downloaded apps and video games like Paytm, CallApp, Water Kind, Adobe Photoshop Categorical, Snapchat, and a handful of different apps that may also be uninstalled.
By way of software program assist, the Galaxy A16 5G far exceeds expectations from any handset on this value class. Samsung says it should present as much as six years of OS upgrades for the smartphone, which implies it ought to be updated till at the very least 2030. It is truly spectacular that Samsung has dedicated to updating the Galaxy A16 5G with six main Android OS updates, whereas its costliest A-series mannequin out there at present — the Samsung Galaxy A55 — will get 4 upgrades.
Samsung Galaxy A16 5G Efficiency: May very well be Higher
- Processor – Mediatek Dimensity 6300
- Reminiscence – 8GB LPDDR4X
- Storage – 256GB UFS (Unspecified model)
The Samsung Galaxy A16 5G has a 6nm MediaTek Dimensity 6300 SoC, the successor to the Dimensity 6100+ launched in 2023. This chipset has two Cortex-A76 efficiency cores (2.4GHz) which might be barely sooner than those on final yr’s processor (2.2GHz), together with six Cortex-A55 effectivity cores (2GHz). It additionally has the identical Arm Mali-G57 MC2 GPU as MediaTek’s older chip.
The Cortex-A76 cores on the Dimensity 6300 look like exhibiting their age, as I seen some lagging and stuttering in day-to-day use. Regardless of these visible stutters, the smartphone is usable when operating apps like Chrome, WhatsApp, Google Maps, Instagram, and X (previously Twitter).
Samsung Galaxy A16 5G benchmark take a look at outcomes (Faucet to develop)
You will not be capable of use the Galaxy A16 5G to play resource-intensive video games similar to Name of Obligation: Cellular or Free Hearth Max — these titles don’t really feel as clean as different video games in the identical value section. However, it might run Asphalt Legends: Unite on the bottom graphics settings or informal video games like Offended Birds Pop! and Bubble Witch Three with none points.
On artificial benchmark checks, the Samsung Galaxy A16 5G delivered decrease scores than different equally priced smartphones like Moto G85 and the Infinix Word 40 5G. These outcomes should not shocking because the competitors is supplied with extra succesful processors, such because the Snapdragon 6s Gen Three and the MediaTek Dimensity 7020.
The truth is, Samsung’s personal Exynos 1380 SoC, which powers the handset (in addition to the Galaxy M35 5G) in different markets, has extra highly effective Cortex A78 efficiency cores. It could have been a significantly better match for the smartphone — contemplating it has a six-year lengthy software program assist window.
This is a useful desk to indicate you ways the Samsung Galaxy A16 5G fares in opposition to different smartphones in widespread benchmark checks.
| Benchmark | Samsung Galaxy A16 5G | Moto G85 | Infinix Word 40 5G | OnePlus Nord CE Four Lite |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Geekbench 6 Single Core | 736 | 935 | 909 | 904 |
| Geekbench 6 Multi Core | 1938 | 2102 | 2025 | 2015 |
| AnTuTu v10 | 411,056 | 450,865 | 488,954 | 448,127 |
| PCMark Work 3.0 | 9,382 | 11,757 | 13,309 | 9,850 |
| 3DMark Wild Life | 1351 | 1569 | Did not run | 1508 |
| 3DMark Wild Life Limitless | 1335 | 1578 | Did not run | 1507 |
| 3DMark Sling Shot | 3603 | 4406 | Did not run | 4226 |
| 3DMark Sling Shot Excessive | 2629 | 3259 | Did not run | 3121 |
| GFXBench Automotive Chase | 56 | 19 | 16 | 17 |
| GFXBench Manhattan 3.1 | 24 | 33 | 29 | 30 |
| GFXBench T-Rex | 14 | 89 | 66 | 60 |
Whereas it will get much less brilliant throughout the day in winter, the 6.7-inch Full-HD+ (1,080×2,340 pixels) Tremendous AMOLED show on the Samsung Galaxy A16 5G was brilliant sufficient after I took the cellphone open air, besides when it was in direct daylight. The ambient mild detection took a few seconds to reply after I took the cellphone out of my pocket, but it surely cranked up the brightness to the utmost degree, and I might learn the contents of my display screen with none points.
The show on the Galaxy A16 5G is brilliant sufficient so long as lengthy as you keep away from direct daylight
I did not discover any touchscreen associated points whereas utilizing the Galaxy A16 5G. The refresh fee switches between 60Hz or 90Hz, however there is no choice to mechanically change between the 2. The upper refresh fee is unquestionably the one to go for, and it barely has a noticeable affect on battery life.
Samsung Galaxy A16 5G Cameras: First rate Daytime Pictures
- Primary digital camera – 50-megapixel (f/1.8), AF, as much as 1080p/ 30fps video
- Ultrawide digital camera – 5-megapixel (f/2.2)
- Macro digital camera – 2-megapixel (f/2.4)
- Selfie digital camera – 13-megapixel
The first digital camera on the Samsung Galaxy A16 5G captures respectable photos throughout the day, particularly when capturing topics with ample pure mild, however some fast-moving topics would possibly seem blurry. Some colors seem a little bit extra vibrant than ordinary, however they appear nice when shared on social media. 
Samsung Galaxy A16 5G Digicam Samples. Prime to backside – Main, Ultrawide, Main (Faucet photos to develop)
Sadly, the 5-megapixel ultrawide digital camera does not produce pictures which might be remotely nearly as good as the first digital camera. Photos lack element, and so they can seem overexposed in brilliant situations. Even when there’s sufficient mild, zooming in on the picture reveals a number of smoothening.
Samsung has additionally geared up the handset with a 2-megapixel macro digital camera, which works reliably throughout the day, however colors can seem a little bit washed out in comparison with the first digital camera. I needed to faucet on some topics within the viewfinder to ensure they have been in focus.
As soon as once more, the 50-megapixel digital camera on the Galaxy A16 5G is probably the most dependable when clicking photos in low-light situations. The digital camera app has a built-in evening mode, however you will have to allow it manually. The mode does not work on the ultrawide digital camera, which delivers noisy and blurry pictures at evening.
Samsung Galaxy A16 5G Digicam Samples. Prime to backside – Low Gentle, Macro (Faucet photos to develop)
On the entrance, there is a 13-megapixel selfie digital camera that may be very dependable for selfies and video calls. It really works properly throughout the day, capturing clear pictures and hues which might be reproduced precisely. At evening, the digital camera nonetheless takes respectable photos if there’s sufficient mild. In very low mild situations, the selfie digital camera nonetheless captures a substantial quantity of element, with a little bit of softening.
The first digital camera on the Galaxy A16 lacks optical picture stabilisation (OIS), which is obvious whereas capturing movies. You possibly can seize movies in as much as 1080p decision at 30fps, and clips captured throughout the day are usable when you aren’t transferring round too shortly. The video high quality drops sharply in low-light situations.
Samsung Galaxy A16 5G Battery: Lasts Lengthy, Expenses Slowly
- Battery Capability – 5,000mAh
- Wired Charging: 25W (USB Kind-C)
The Samsung Galaxy A16 5G is supplied with a 5,000mAh battery that gives about two days of backup with conservative use. On days after I used the handset for longer intervals (about 6 hours of display screen on time), the cellphone delivered a couple of day and a half of battery life. That is on par with the course for smartphones on this value section.
Samsung Galaxy A16 5G gives over 24 hours of battery backup on a single cost
Like the corporate’s different smartphones, the Galaxy A16 5G does not ship with a charger within the field. Utilizing a third-party 18W charger, the cellphone took almost two hours to cost — the battery degree was at 35 p.c after 30 minutes and 66 p.c after an hour.
In our HD video battery loop take a look at, the Samsung Galaxy A16 5G lasted for 19 hours and 45 minutes, which is barely decrease than the OnePlus Nord CE Four Lite (22 hours and 17 minutes) however greater than the Infinix Word 40 (17 hours and 56 minutes). It is essential to keep in mind that it is a artificial take a look at for offline video playback, and the cellphone provides dependable battery backup for day-to-day use.
Samsung Galaxy A16 5G Assessment: Verdict
The Samsung Galaxy A16 5G resembles one of many firm’s costliest smartphones, and it subjectively appears extra “premium” than the competitors. It’s straightforward to carry, and it has a brilliant show. The handset additionally has a big battery, which delivers ample battery backup at a single cost.
Samsung Galaxy A16 5G faces a number of competitors from different telephones underneath the Rs. 20,000 mark
You additionally get six years of software program updates — that is good, however provided that the smartphone stays snappy sufficient for as a few years. The presence of the Dimensity 6300 chipset and the lacklustre ultrawide digital camera are two elements holding this smartphone again.
There are a handful of different smartphones underneath the Rs. 20,000 mark that supply arguably higher efficiency than the Galaxy A16 5G, together with the OnePlus Nord CE Four Lite (Assessment), the Infinix Word 40 5G (Assessment), and the Moto G85 (Assessment).
Different equally priced handsets you can think about embody the Poco X6 and the Realme Narzo 70 Professional. One other handset that you need to think about over the Galaxy A16 5G is the Galaxy M35 5G (Assessment), which is supplied with higher specs (together with an Exynos 1380 chipset) and is on the market in the identical value section.
