Samsung Galaxy A16 4G Review, Price & Specifications

Samsung Galaxy A16, released in November 2024, is a solid addition to the A-series lineup, offering a blend of power, performance, and style for those seeking an affordable yet capable smartphone. This review will delve into the design, display, performance, camera quality, battery life, and overall features of the Galaxy A16 to help you decide if it’s the right choice for you.

Design and Build Quality

The Samsung Galaxy A16 sports a sleek design with dimensions of 164.4 x 77.9 x 7.9 mm and a weight of 200g, which places it comfortably in the medium to large phone category. While the front of the device is made of glass, the back and frame are plastic. This makes the phone lightweight yet sturdy enough for daily use.

The phone also has an IP54 rating, making it dust and splash-resistant, though it’s not fully waterproof, so it can withstand minor splashes but should not be submerged in water. This is a solid feature for users who want a phone that can handle some exposure to the elements.

The SIM setup supports a single SIM or hybrid dual SIM (Nano-SIM), which allows for dual stand-by functionality. This makes it suitable for those who need two numbers or want to use a microSD card alongside their SIM card, as the microSD slot uses the shared SIM slot.

Display

The Samsung Galaxy A16 comes equipped with a 6.7-inch Super AMOLED display, boasting a 90Hz refresh rate for smooth scrolling and enhanced responsiveness. The resolution of 1080 x 2340 pixels delivers sharp visuals with a pixel density of approximately 385 ppi.

Whether you’re streaming videos, browsing the web, or playing games, the Super AMOLED technology provides vibrant colors, deep blacks, and excellent contrast. The display is bright enough, reaching a maximum brightness of 808 nits, making it highly readable even under direct sunlight. Its 19.5:9 aspect ratio ensures that the phone feels immersive when watching media or playing games.

Performance

Under the hood, the Galaxy A16 is powered by the MediaTek Helio G99 chipset, a 6nm processor that balances power efficiency and performance. With an Octa-core CPU (2×2.2 GHz Cortex-A76 & 6×2.0 GHz Cortex-A55) and the Mali-G57 MC2 GPU, this phone can handle day-to-day tasks with ease, including social media, web browsing, and video streaming.

The Galaxy A16 comes in two variants:

• 128GB internal storage with 4GB RAM
• 256GB internal storage with 6GB RAM

This provides plenty of storage for apps, photos, and videos, and the 6GB RAM variant ensures smooth multitasking. It also supports microSDXC expansion, so you can add more storage if needed.

For performance enthusiasts, the AnTuTu score of 387,422 (v10), GeekBench score of 1920 (v6), and 3DMark score of 345 (Wild Life Extreme) suggest that the Galaxy A16 performs solidly in gaming and heavy multitasking, though it may not be able to compete with high-end flagships in demanding games.

Camera

The camera setup on the Galaxy A16 is quite versatile, with a triple-camera array on the back and a 13 MP front camera for selfies. Here’s a breakdown of the camera system:

• Main Camera:
  • 50 MP (wide), f/1.8, Autofocus: This is the primary camera, capable of capturing high-resolution photos with good detail and color accuracy in most lighting conditions.
  • 5 MP (ultrawide), f/2.2: Perfect for capturing wide-angle shots, whether you’re taking group photos or scenic landscapes.
  • 2 MP (macro), f/2.4: Ideal for close-up shots, though the quality may not be as sharp as the primary camera.
• Selfie Camera:
  • 13 MP, f/2.0: The front camera is perfect for sharp selfies, video calls, and group photos, with good detail and skin tone reproduction.

The video recording on both cameras supports 1080p at 30fps, offering decent video quality for casual vlogs and social media content.

Battery Life

The Samsung Galaxy A16 is equipped with a 5000 mAh battery, which provides all-day usage with moderate to heavy use. This large battery ensures you can stream, browse, and use apps without worrying about running out of power during the day.

It also supports 25W wired charging, so you can recharge the phone fairly quickly when needed. While it’s not the fastest charging on the market, it is competitive within the mid-range smartphone segment.

Software and Features

The Galaxy A16 runs on Android 14, enhanced by One UI 6.1. Samsung’s One UI brings an intuitive and user-friendly interface with features such as a customizable home screen, multitasking options, and a range of privacy settings.

With up to 6 major Android updates, you can expect long-term software support, ensuring your phone remains secure and functional for years to come.

Other features of the Galaxy A16 include:

• Fingerprint sensor (side-mounted) for quick and secure unlocking.
• NFC (market-dependent) for easy contactless payments.
• FM Radio (market-dependent) for entertainment on the go.

Connectivity

The Samsung Galaxy A16 supports a full range of modern connectivity options:

• Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac with dual-band support for faster and more reliable internet connections.
• Bluetooth 5.3 for connecting wireless devices.
• USB Type-C 2.0 for faster data transfer and charging.
• GPS, GALILEO, GLONASS, BDS, QZSS for accurate location tracking.
• eSIM for flexible network connectivity, allowing you to switch carriers without needing to physically change SIM cards.

Price and Availability

The Samsung Galaxy A16 is priced at approximately $182.97 (around £169.00), making it an affordable option in the mid-range segment. Given its solid build quality, performance, and camera setup, it offers excellent value for money.

Pros and Cons

Pros:

• Large 6.7-inch Super AMOLED display with a 90Hz refresh rate.
• 5000 mAh battery for long-lasting power.
• 50 MP triple-camera setup for versatile photography.
• IP54 rating for dust and splash resistance.
• Android 14 with One UI 6.1 for a smooth user experience and long-term software updates.

Cons:

• The plastic build may not feel as premium as metal or glass alternatives.
• No 3.5mm headphone jack may be a downside for some users.
• No wireless charging.
• The macro camera could use improvement in terms of detail and sharpness.

Conclusion

The Samsung Galaxy A16 is a fantastic choice for anyone looking for a reliable, affordable mid-range phone that delivers good performance, camera quality, and battery life. Its large AMOLED display, solid performance, and versatile camera setup make it a great option for users who want a budget-friendly phone without compromising on essential features.

For Android users looking for an all-rounder device, the Samsung Galaxy A16 provides great value for the price, offering a robust feature set that competes well in its segment.

Full Specifications