I am fairly blessed working at PhoneArena as a result of I get to check all of the flagships, a few of that are costly. I take a look at foldables, Porsche Design editions, ultra-high-end digicam telephones—you identify it.
The nice
It seems to be good
Is that this the Galaxy S24 Plus? No, nevertheless it certain seems to be very related | Picture by PhoneArena
Proper off the bat, the Galaxy A16 impressed me with its design. Sure, the cellphone is fabricated from plastic, however you possibly can’t inform; the body seems to be like aluminum, and the one means I might inform it is plastic is that it feels fairly heat to the contact (steel frames are inclined to conduct warmth higher, and at 65°F ambient, they really feel chilly to the contact).
The side-mounted fingerprint reader is nice
The body seems to be like aluminum, although it is plastic, and the fingerprint scanner is fairly good | Picture by PhoneArena
I’ve all the time been a fan of capacitive side-mounted fingerprint readers. There’s one thing reassuring about touching an actual bodily button as an alternative of taking a look at a sure spot in your display screen.
The fingerprint scanner on the Galaxy A16 is fairly good. It isn’t the quickest on the market, nevertheless it’s constant and dependable (no phantom readings, recognition errors, and so on.).
It is positioned at a really comfy spot beneath the amount rocker and on a barely protruding part of the body.
The display screen is superb for the worth
A 6.7-inch Tremendous AMOLED with a 90Hz refresh price for $199? Shut up and take my cash! | Picture by PhoneArena
I ought to’ve began with the worth of the Galaxy A16, however higher late than by no means. This cellphone could be bought unlocked for round $199. And for that form of cash, you get a 6.7-inch Tremendous AMOLED show with a 90Hz refresh price.
The primary digicam is enough
You’ll be able to snap some respectable pictures with the principle digicam | Picture by PhoneArena
To be trustworthy, I do not snap many ultra-wide pictures, and the identical goes for closeups. In 90% of circumstances, my private digicam utilization includes the principle digicam. The 50MP primary digicam contained in the Galaxy A16 is enough and will get the job completed.
It will probably’t compete with the sensors, lenses, and algorithms that massive boys just like the Galaxy S collection or the iPhones have, however at $199, you are not shopping for a digicam cellphone; that is fairly clear.
Six years of software program help
Now, that is truly superb with a caveat, in fact. One way or the other, I am unable to see myself utilizing a $199 cellphone for six years. Moreover, I do not consider the cellphone will be capable to run the most recent Android model launched close to the tip of its help cycle.
That stated, the sheer dedication to 6 years of help on a finances cellphone is admirable. Good job, Samsung!
Galaxy S24 wired charging speeds and an even bigger battery
Funnily sufficient, the 25W charging velocity is on par with the S25 | Picture by PhoneArena
The value, clearly!
With inflation raging on and financial headwinds blowing sturdy, a visit to the grocery retailer can simply set you again a few Benjamins. Flagship telephones now value round $1,000 (granted, there are cheaper fashions, however even the common, vanilla variations begin at $800), so to have the ability to get a $199 cellphone with an enormous AMOLED display screen at 90Hz, respectable seems to be, a hefty battery, and one that would probably final for six years is fairly darn spectacular.
The unhealthy
It’s not quick
The silicon inside this factor can provide you complications, particularly in case you hearth up a heavy recreation or attempt to swap between apps quick. It’s not usually, however occasional stutter is usually a factor with this cellphone.
In the event you’re used to issues occurring quick and easily, this cellphone might get in your nerves. Nevertheless, for extra informal on a regular basis use, it is greater than enough.
No wi-fi charging
One other massive minus is the dearth of wi-fi charging. Really, on the primary day of my time with the A16, I fully forgot about it and positioned it on the wi-fi charging mat after I went to sleep, solely to get up to 16% battery.
The ugly
The chin is there, no means round it
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I stated the cellphone seems to be good earlier, and I stand by these phrases. You may legitimately mistake the cellphone for the S24 Plus from a distance, and with the display screen off. Nevertheless, energy on the show and that Galaxy S24 Plus phantasm vanishes in skinny air.
There is no means round it: the Galaxy A16 has an enormous chin beneath its display screen (I used to be about to make a Jay Leno joke, however thought higher of it). It isn’t that unhealthy in comparison with finances telephones from the previous two to 3 years, nevertheless it seems to be huge in 2024.
The bezel across the different a part of the display screen shouldn’t be as vast, and the teardrop entrance digicam cutout is a bit 2020s, however yeah, if that form of factor bothers you, possibly it is best to look elsewhere.
What have I discovered?
what I’ve written to this point, the professionals outweigh the cons by an enormous margin. I do know that for some individuals, having the quickest cellphone and the very best digicam is paramount. However realistically talking, you are able to do with the A16 and never really feel like you might want to go to Mercy Mall for garments and meals.
All jokes apart, flagships have gotten loopy costly today, however finances telephones just like the Galaxy A16 are darn good for the cash. Truthfully, my expertise with the Galaxy A16 made me wish to reside extra humbly and “effectively,” if you’ll.
Would you employ such a finances cellphone in your day by day driver?
