The Samsung Galaxy A16 is a budget smartphone that offers a mix of good and not-so-good features. Let’s dive into the details.
### Design & Build
The design of the Galaxy A16 is not a big departure from its predecessor, but it now boasts a larger 6.7-inch screen. The matt plastic back feels sturdy and repels fingerprints better than glossy finishes. The phone comes in Light Green, Blue Black, and Light Grey colors, with the Light Green variant having a subtle shimmer under certain lights. The IP54 splash resistance is a welcome addition, although the phone is not fully waterproof. The absence of stereo speakers is a drawback in 2025, as some competitors offer dual speakers for better media consumption.
### Screen & Sound
The 6.7-inch Super AMOLED display on the Galaxy A16 delivers vibrant colors and deep blacks, with a Full HD+ resolution for crisp visuals. The 90Hz refresh rate ensures smooth scrolling, but the lack of adaptive refresh rate may impact battery life. The display reaches a peak brightness of 808 nits, making it usable outdoors even in bright sunlight. However, the phone lacks HDR support and features only a single bottom-firing speaker, resulting in audio that lacks depth and stereo separation.
### Specs & Performance
The Galaxy A16 comes with either the MediaTek Helio G99 or the Exynos 1280 chipset, depending on the region. Both chipsets offer mid-range performance but may struggle with heavy multitasking. The Exynos 1280 variant performs slightly better in CPU-heavy tasks and graphics performance. The phone comes with 4GB RAM and 128GB storage, with a 6GB RAM option available for better multitasking. However, the phone lags behind competitors in performance, especially in gaming and heavy multitasking scenarios.
### Battery Life & Charging
One of the standout features of the Galaxy A16 is its excellent battery life. The 5000mAh battery combined with energy-efficient chipsets ensures at least two days of usage on a single charge. However, the 25W wired charging may seem slow compared to competitors with faster charging capabilities. The phone lacks wireless charging and reverse wired charging, limiting its charging options.
### Cameras
The Galaxy A16 features a triple-camera setup with a 50MP main sensor, a 5MP ultrawide lens, and a 2MP macro camera. The main sensor captures sharp and vibrant images in daylight, but low-light performance is lacking. The ultrawide and macro cameras produce low-detail images with poor dynamic range. Video recording is limited to 1080p at 30fps, with no 4K recording or electronic stabilization. Overall, the camera system on the Galaxy A16 may not satisfy photography enthusiasts.
### Software & Features
Samsung promises six major Android updates for the Galaxy A16, ensuring long-term software support for the device. The phone runs on One UI 6.1, which is feature-packed but may suffer from occasional lag. The software experience lacks premium features like Always-On Display and Samsung DeX, making it feel limited compared to higher-end Samsung devices. The absence of Galaxy AI features further adds to the limitations of the software experience.
### Price & Availability
The Samsung Galaxy A16 is priced at £169/$149.99 and comes in two configurations: 4GB RAM + 128GB storage and 6GB RAM + 256GB storage. The phone is available in Blue Black, Light Green, and Light Grey colors. While the long-term software support and battery life of the Galaxy A16 are commendable, its performance, display, and camera capabilities may fall short compared to competitors in the same price range.
### Verdict
The Samsung Galaxy A16 offers good battery life and long-term software support but falls short in performance, display quality, and camera capabilities. While it may appeal to users prioritizing software updates and battery life, there are better options available in the budget smartphone market. Consider the Galaxy A16 if software support is your top priority, but explore other options for better performance and features at a similar price point.
