Introduction
The new Galaxy A16 5G is not the cheapest Galaxy on offer, but it comes close. This means it’s based on budget-quality hardware, and inevitably some compromises had to be made. So our job is to spot potential flaws or deal breakers and see if the phone is worth buying.
Before we get into the review itself, we should point out that we are reviewing the 5G model, and our findings from the review may not apply to the regular Galaxy A16 4G model, especially since it has a different chipset used.
Samsung Galaxy A16 5G • Samsung Galaxy A16
Speaking of chipsets, the Galaxy A16 5G itself is in a strange situation, being available with a Samsung Exynos 1330 or a Mediatek Dimensity 6300, depending on the market. We have already seen the Exynos 1330 in the closet Galaxy A14 5Gbut no device with the Dimensity 6300 passed through the office. This is quite a shame, as we cannot compare the two chips, even roughly.
Our Galaxy A16 5G review unit runs on an Exynos 1330 chip. We got the base 128GB model, but luckily it has expandable storage. However, the 4GB of RAM is a lot more worrying in terms of future-proofing.
Specifications of the Samsung Galaxy A16 5G at a glance:
- Body: 164.4×77.9×7.9mm, 200g; Glass front, plastic back, plastic frame; IP54, dust and splash proof.
- Display: 6.70″ Super AMOLED, 90 Hz, 800 nits (HBM), 1080x2340px resolution, aspect ratio 19.5:9, 385ppi.
- Chip set: Exynos 1330 (5 nm) or Mediatek Dimensity 6300 (6 nm): Octa-core (2×2.4 GHz Cortex-A78 & 6×2.0 GHz Cortex-A55) or Octa-core (2×2.4 GHz Cortex-A76 & 6×2. 0GHz). 0GHz Cortex-A55); Mali-G68 MP2 or Mali-G57 MC2.
- Memory: 128GB 4GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM; microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot).
- Operating system/software: Android 14, up to 6 major Android upgrades, One UI 6.1.
- Reversing camera: Broad (head): 50MP, f/1.8, AF; Ultra wide angle: 5MP, f/2.2; Macro: 2MP, f/2.4.
- Front camera: 13 MP, f/2.0, (wide).
- Video recording: Rear camera: 1080p at 30 fps, gyro EIS; Front camera: 1080p at 30 fps.
- Battery: 5000mAh; 25W wired.
- Connectivity: 5G; Hybrid dual SIM card; WiFi 5; BT 5.3; NFC.
- Miscellaneous: Fingerprint reader (side mounted); Virtual proximity detection.
Unpack
The Galaxy A16 5G comes in a fairly inconspicuous two-piece, mostly white cardboard box. To be honest, it is a bit thin, but it protected the prone position well enough during transport. There is a total absence of plastic, which is nice to see from an ecological point of view. In addition, all printing is done with soy ink.
As is the current trend, you don’t get to do much with accessories. The Galaxy A16 5G only comes with a simple, passive, 3A white USB Type-C to Type-C cable and a SIM eject tool. There is no charger in the box and no case.