Alright, let's dive deep into the Samsung Galaxy A14 5G and the Motorola Moto G85. I've spent a good amount of time with both types of devices, so I'm excited to break down what these specs mean in your hands, day-to-day.
1. Specifications Breakdown
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy A14 5G | Motorola Moto G85 | Real-World Implications |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Launch Date | 2023-01-12 | 2024-06-25 | Moto G85 is significantly newer; potentially better software and newer tech. |
| Form Factor | Standard | Standard | Both are classic smartphones. |
| Dimensions | 167.7 x 78 x 9.1 mm | 161.9 x 73.1 x 7.6 mm | The Moto G85 is noticeably thinner, narrower, and shorter, making it more pocketable and comfortable to hold, particularly for smaller hands. |
| Weight | 202g | 171g | Moto G85 feels significantly lighter, which can be a huge plus for extended use. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.6" | 6.67" | Both have similar large displays for media consumption, gaming, and browsing. The difference is negligible. |
| Resolution | 1080x2408 | 1080x2400 | Sharp displays; detail is virtually identical; both are good for visual clarity. |
| PPI | 400 | 395 | Pixel density is practically the same on both. No practical difference in screen clarity. |
| Technology | PLS LCD | P-OLED | Moto G85 has a major advantage here. OLED delivers vibrant colors, true blacks, and better viewing angles compared to the LCD panel on the A14 5G. |
| Refresh Rate | 90Hz | 120Hz | Moto G85's higher refresh rate will feel smoother, especially scrolling through social media, games or moving between apps |
| Brightness | 0 nits | 1600 nits | Moto G85 has significantly brighter screen that's easy to see in bright sunlight. Samsung A14 5G will struggle under direct sunlight. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Exynos 1330 (5 nm) | Snapdragon 6s Gen 3 (6 nm) | The Moto G85's Snapdragon chip is slightly newer and scores higher in benchmarks. Translates to slightly faster app loading and smoother multitasking for general use. |
| AnTuTu Score | 412,200 | 475,000 | The Moto G85 has a noticeable edge, indicating better performance under load for gaming or heavy tasks. |
| GPU | Mali-G68 MP2 | Adreno 619 | Different GPUs. The Adreno 619 should offer better graphical performance for games. |
| Battery Life | |||
| Capacity | 5000mAh | 5000mAh | Both have ample battery for a full day of typical use. |
| Charging | 15W Fast Charging | 30W Fast Charging | Moto G85 charges much faster, a big time saver if you're always on the go. |
| Camera | |||
| Main Camera | 50MP, f/1.8 | 50MP, f/1.79, 1/2" Sony LYT-600, 1.00µm pixels | Moto G85 has a newer sensor and slightly wider aperture that should perform better in low-light situations. Slightly better details for Moto G85 |
| Selfie Camera | 13MP, f/2.0 | 32MP, f/2.4, 0.70 µm pixels | Moto G85 offers much higher resolution selfie and wider field of view but the A14 has wider aperture for better low light performance. |
| Wide Angle Lens | None | 8MP, f/2.2 | Moto G85 adds versatility with a dedicated wide angle lens. |
| Portrait Lens | 2MP, f/2.4 | None | The A14 has a dedicated depth lens which helps improve portrait mode background blur. |
| Macro Lens | 2MP, f/2.4 | None | The A14 has a dedicated macro lens for close up shots. |
| Video Recording | 1080p@30fps, No OIS | 1080p@30/60fps, Yes OIS | Moto G85 can do 1080p at 60fps and has OIS for smoother video, while A14 doesn't have OIS. |
| Camera Score | - | DXOMARK: 88 overall (photo: 83, video: 109) | Moto G85 has a verified camera performance with a good overall score, particularly strong in video quality. |
| Features | 4K, Digital Zoom, Triple, DIS, Ultra Stable, AF, Touch AF, Geo, Panorama, HDR, Face Detect, Settings, etc | Digital Zoom, Dual, DIS, OIS, AF, Touch AF, PDAF, LAF, Continuous Shooting, Geo, Panorama, HDR, Face Detect, Settings, etc | A14 offers 4K and Ultra Stable. Moto G85 has OIS and faster autofocus (PDAF, LAF). |
| Software | |||
| OS | Android 13, upgradable to 14 | Android 14 | Moto G85 ships with the latest Android. A14 5G will be one version behind soon. |
| Connectivity | |||
| Wi-Fi | 802.11ac | WiFi 6 (802.11ax) | Moto G85 has WiFi 6, offering faster speeds, lower latency and better performance in crowded networks. |
| Bluetooth | 5.2 | 5.1 | Samsung has the slightly newer standard which has minor power efficiency improvements. |
| GPS | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, Galileo | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, QZSS, Galileo | Moto G85 includes additional QZSS which has slight accuracy improvements in specific regions. |
| SIM | Dual SIM (Nano) | Dual SIM (Nano/eSIM) | Moto G85 adds an eSIM option for switching between different carriers without needing physical SIM cards. |
| Storage | |||
| Internal Storage | 64GB/128GB | 128GB/256GB | Moto G85 offers more base storage with options of 256GB vs 128GB. |
| RAM | 4GB/6GB | 8GB/12GB | Moto G85 has significantly more RAM for smooth multitasking. |
| Expandable Storage | No | No | Neither phone offers expandable storage so consider what storage you require at purchase time. |
| Audio | |||
| Audio Quality | Dolby Atmos, Digital Plus | Dolby Atmos, Stereo Speakers, 2 Microphones | Moto G85 has stereo speakers, improved microphones and better spatial audio; Digital Plus on A14. |
| Security | |||
| Features | side-mounted fingerprint sensor | basic fingerprint sensor | Side mounted is more intuitive. Both phones have basic fingerprint sensor which is adequate. |
| Build Quality | |||
| Screen Protection | Unknown | Corning Gorilla Glass 5 | Moto G85's screen is more scratch-resistant. |
| Sensors | Fingerprint, Proximity, Accelerometer, Gyroscope | Fingerprint, Proximity, Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope | Moto G85 has additional compass sensor which is good for map navigation. |
2. Key Insights
Samsung Galaxy A14 5G:
- Strengths: The Galaxy A14 5G stands out with its very good battery life, dedicated macro and portrait cameras for additional photo versatility, a side mounted fingerprint sensor, and Dolby Digital Plus audio quality. It’s a solid, budget friendly device with a good mix of features.
- Competitive Advantages: The device offers a dedicated macro lens and depth lens that most phones at this price point don't.
- Trade-offs: The biggest compromise is the lower display quality (PLS LCD vs P-OLED). The screen's brightness will struggle under bright sunlight, and the refresh rate isn't as smooth. Performance is also a little bit behind compared to the Moto G85 and the slower 15W charging can be a bit of a drag.
Motorola Moto G85:
- Strengths: The Moto G85 has a lot going for it: superior P-OLED display, higher refresh rate, brighter screen, faster processor, better camera (especially in low light) with OIS, higher RAM, faster charging, and an eSIM option. These make for a significant upgrade for the everyday user. The display is a particularly noticeable improvement, making for a better visual experience.
- Competitive Advantages: It excels in display quality, performance, and fast charging. It has OIS for video. It has a newer OS and better connectivity with WiFi 6 and a newer GPS sensor. It has more storage and RAM.
- Trade-offs: It lacks the dedicated macro and depth lens for portraits, potentially less battery life than A14, basic fingerprint sensor.
3. User Profiles and Recommendations
Samsung Galaxy A14 5G is ideal for:
- Budget-conscious users: If you need a dependable, everyday phone without breaking the bank and want a good battery and macro/depth lens versatility.
- Users focused on Battery life: Good battery life for everyday use.
- Casual photographers who want macro and portrait modes: If you want to take close up shots and portraits with a blur.
Motorola Moto G85 is best for:
- Media enthusiasts: The OLED display, stereo speakers, and smooth refresh rate make it great for watching videos and playing games.
- Multitaskers and gamers: More RAM and a faster processor offer a smoother experience for heavy use.
- On-the-go users: The fast charging is a game-changer for people who need to keep their phone topped up quickly.
- Users who want the best screen experience: OLED and higher refresh rate offer a premium experience.
- Users who want the best connectivity: Support for WiFi 6 and additional GPS satellite systems give you better performance.
- Users who need more storage and RAM: The higher base storage of 128GB and up to 12GB of RAM will allow you to store more files and multitask smoothly.
- Users who prioritize video quality: The optical image stabilization will result in smoother videos.
4. Buying Decision Framework
Here are three questions to help you decide:
- How much do you value display quality?
- If a vibrant display with deep blacks and good brightness is a must, go for the Moto G85. If you are on a budget and don't care so much about the display, go for the A14 5G
- How often do you multitask or play demanding games?
- If your phone is for heavy use, the Moto G85's extra RAM and more powerful chipset will make a significant difference. If you are a light user go for the A14 5G.
- Do you prefer more versatile lenses, a dedicated macro and portrait lens or faster charging and better video?
- If you want macro and depth lenses, go for the A14 5G. For faster charging, video stability and a better video camera, the Moto G85 is the clear winner.
Scenario-based Recommendations:
- Scenario 1: "I need a reliable phone for daily tasks on a budget."
- Recommendation: Samsung Galaxy A14 5G – It's a solid, no-frills option that covers the basics well.
- Scenario 2: "I love watching movies and playing games on my phone and want a premium viewing experience."
- Recommendation: Motorola Moto G85 – The superior screen, stereo speakers and powerful hardware make it a great entertainment device.
- Scenario 3: "I’m a power user who needs the phone to be quick and efficient and would like to take good videos."
- Recommendation: Motorola Moto G85 – The faster processor, higher RAM, OIS and faster charging will keep up with you.
My Choice
If I had to choose, I would go with the Motorola Moto G85. The superior P-OLED display, faster charging, better performance, and better camera with OIS are just too compelling for me. As someone who values media consumption and needs a responsive device, the Moto G85 fits the bill. While it may lack the dedicated macro and depth cameras of the A14, the overall package it offers is significantly more appealing for my typical use cases.
