Samsung continues to push the boundaries of affordability with its Galaxy A series, and the Samsung Galaxy A16 5G is no exception. Combining premium features like 5G connectivity, a stunning Super AMOLED display, and a robust camera setup, this mid-range smartphone is crafted for users seeking value without compromising on performance. Below, we dive deep into the phone’s design, hardware, software, and overall usability to determine if it stands out in the competitive mid-range market.
Key Specifications at a Glance
- Launch Date: Announced on October 7, 2024; released on October 25, 2024.
- Network: GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G.
- Display: 6.7-inch Super AMOLED, 90Hz refresh rate.
- Chipset: Exynos 1330 (5nm) or MediaTek Dimensity 6300 (6nm).
- Camera: 50 MP (wide) + 5 MP (ultrawide) + 2 MP (macro).
- Battery: 5000mAh with 25W fast charging.
- Price: $225 / €205.59 / £165 / ₹18,999.
Design and Build
Samsung keeps things sleek yet functional with the Galaxy A16 5G. At 164.4 x 77.9 x 7.9 mm and weighing 200g, the phone strikes a balance between being substantial yet easy to handle. The combination of a glass front with a plastic back and frame makes it durable without feeling overly premium.
The IP54 rating for dust and splash resistance adds an extra layer of reliability, a rare feature in this price bracket. Available in Blue Black, Light Gray, Gold, and Light Green, the phone offers a palette that should appeal to all tastes. The side-mounted fingerprint sensor integrates seamlessly into the design, ensuring quick and secure access.
Display
The 6.7-inch Super AMOLED panel is a standout feature, offering 1080 x 2340 resolution with a sharp 385 PPI density. With a 90Hz refresh rate and a peak brightness of 800 nits (HBM), the Galaxy A16 5G delivers vibrant colors, smooth scrolling, and excellent readability in sunlight.
Compared to rivals in this segment, the Galaxy A16’s display is hard to beat. Whether streaming videos, browsing, or gaming, the screen offers an immersive experience, a step above what most mid-range phones deliver.
Performance
The phone is powered by either the Exynos 1330 (5nm) or MediaTek Dimensity 6300 (6nm) chipsets, depending on the region. Both configurations come with an octa-core CPU featuring high-performance cores for demanding tasks and energy-efficient cores for everyday usage. The Mali-G68 MP2 or Mali-G57 MC2 GPUs ensure smooth graphics rendering for casual gaming and multimedia tasks.
In benchmark tests:
- AnTuTu: 368,854 (v9), 435,895 (v10)
- Geekbench: 2,090 (v5), 2,042 (v6)
- 3DMark (Wild Life Extreme): 360
These scores indicate solid mid-range performance, suitable for multitasking, gaming, and media consumption. Coupled with 4GB, 6GB, or 8GB of RAM and storage options of 128GB or 256GB, the phone offers flexibility to cater to different needs. microSDXC support, albeit through a shared SIM slot, provides additional storage expansion.
Software
The Galaxy A16 5G runs on Android 14 with One UI 6.1, promising up to six major Android upgrades. This is a massive advantage over competitors, ensuring that the device stays relevant for years. Samsung’s One UI is known for its user-friendly interface, customizable widgets, and enhanced privacy features, making it a delight to use.
Camera System
The triple-camera setup on the Galaxy A16 5G punches above its weight:
- 50 MP primary sensor: Captures sharp and vibrant images with excellent detail.
- 5 MP ultrawide lens: Adds versatility, especially for landscape shots.
- 2 MP macro lens: Ideal for close-up photography, although it’s more of a novelty.
Features like LED flash, panorama, and HDR further enhance photography. Video capabilities max out at 1080p@30fps, with gyro-EIS ensuring steady footage.
The 13 MP front-facing camera delivers crisp selfies with natural tones, making it suitable for social media enthusiasts.
Battery Life and Charging
Equipped with a 5000mAh battery, the Galaxy A16 5G offers impressive longevity:
- Active usage time: 12 hours 8 minutes.
- Charging speed: The 25W wired charging quickly replenishes the battery, minimizing downtime.
This battery life comfortably handles a full day of heavy usage, including gaming, streaming, and multitasking.
Connectivity
The phone supports the latest connectivity standards:
- 5G ensures blazing-fast internet speeds.
- Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac and Bluetooth 5.3 provide stable and fast wireless connections.
- NFC availability depends on the region, but the inclusion of USB-C 2.0 is a standard expectation.
Audio and Multimedia
While the phone lacks a 3.5mm headphone jack, the loudspeaker performance is very good at -25.7 LUFS. Audio quality is rich, and the speakers are loud enough for casual use, whether watching movies or listening to music.
Price and Availability
The Samsung Galaxy A16 5G is priced at $225, making it a compelling option in the budget-to-mid-range segment. Its availability across key markets like the US, Europe, India, and others ensures it reaches a broad audience.
Pros and Cons
Pros
- Stunning Super AMOLED display with 90Hz refresh rate.
- Reliable 5000mAh battery with fast charging.
- Up to 6 major Android updates ensure longevity.
- Versatile 50MP triple-camera setup.
- Competitive pricing.
Cons
- Lacks a 3.5mm headphone jack.
- The macro lens could be more practical.
- Limited regional availability of NFC.
Samsung Galaxy A16 5G: Full Specifications
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Network | Technology: GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G |
| Launch | Announced: 2024, October 07 Status: Available. Released 2024, October 25 |
| Body | Dimensions: 164.4 x 77.9 x 7.9 mm (6.47 x 3.07 x 0.31 in) Weight: 200 g (7.05 oz) Build: Glass front, plastic back, plastic frame |
| SIM: Single SIM (Nano-SIM) or Hybrid Dual SIM (Nano-SIM, dual stand-by) IP54: Dust and splash resistant | |
| Display | Type: Super AMOLED, 90Hz, 800 nits (HBM) Size: 6.7 inches, 110.2 cm² (~86.0% screen-to-body ratio) Resolution: 1080 x 2340 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~385 ppi density) |
| Platform | OS: Android 14, One UI 6.1 (up to 6 major Android upgrades) Chipset: Exynos 1330 (5 nm) or MediaTek Dimensity 6300 (6 nm) |
| CPU: Octa-core (2×2.4 GHz Cortex-A78 & 6×2.0 GHz Cortex-A55) or (2×2.4 GHz Cortex-A76 & 6×2.0 GHz Cortex-A55) GPU: Mali-G68 MP2 or Mali-G57 MC2 | |
| Memory | Card Slot: microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) Internal: 128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM |
| Main Camera | Triple: • 50 MP, f/1.8 (wide), 1/2.76″, 0.64µm, AF • 5 MP, f/2.2 (ultrawide), 1/5.0″, 1.12µm • 2 MP, f/2.4 (macro) |
| Features: LED flash, panorama, HDR Video: 1080p@30fps, gyro-EIS | |
| Selfie Camera | Single: 13 MP, f/2.0 (wide), 1/3.1″, 1.12µm Video: 1080p@30fps |
| Sound | Loudspeaker: Yes 3.5mm Jack: No |
| Communications | WLAN: Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct Bluetooth: 5.3, A2DP, LE |
| Positioning: GPS, GALILEO, GLONASS, BDS, QZSS NFC: Yes (market/region dependent) Radio: No | |
| USB: USB Type-C 2.0 | |
| Sensors | Fingerprint: Side-mounted Accelerometer, gyro, compass, virtual proximity sensing |
| Battery | Type: Li-Po 5000 mAh, non-removable Charging: 25W wired |
| Miscellaneous | Colors: Blue Black, Light Gray, Gold, Light Green Models: SM-A166B, SM-A166B/DS, SM-A166P, SM-A166P/DS, SM-A166E, SM-A166E/DS |
| SAR EU | Head: 0.38 W/kg Body: 0.94 W/kg |
| Performance | Benchmarks: AnTuTu: 368,854 (v9), 435,895 (v10) GeekBench: 2,090 (v5), 2,042 (v6) 3DMark: 360 (Wild Life Extreme) |
| Display Tests | Brightness: 824 nits (measured) |
| Audio Tests | Loudspeaker: -25.7 LUFS (Very good) |
| Battery Tests | Active Use Score: 12:08h |
| Price | Global: $225 / €205.59 / £165 / ₹18,999 |
Verdict
The Samsung Galaxy A16 5G offers exceptional value for its price, blending a premium display, solid performance, and a versatile camera system into a sleek, durable design. Its commitment to software updates makes it a future-proof choice for budget-conscious consumers. Whether you’re a student, professional, or tech enthusiast, this phone ticks most boxes.
If you’re in the market for a reliable 5G smartphone under $250, the Galaxy A16 5G should be at the top of your list.
