The Samsung Galaxy A16 5G is a budget-friendly 5G smartphone that aims to deliver essential features at an affordable price. Positioned in Samsung’s A-series lineup, it offers a large display, decent performance, and a long-lasting battery. This review covers its design, display, performance, camera quality, software, battery life, and overall user experience after one week and one month of usage.
Key Specifications
Display
- 6.5-inch HD+ (720 x 1600) PLS LCD
- 90Hz refresh rate
- Waterdrop notch (Infinity-V display)
- Brightness: ~500 nits (typical)
Processor & Performance
- MediaTek Dimensity 6100+ (6nm chipset)
- Octa-core (2x Cortex-A76 @ 2.2GHz + 6x Cortex-A55 @ 2.0GHz)
- Mali-G57 MC2 GPU
- RAM: 4GB / 6GB (LPDDR4X)
- Storage: 64GB / 128GB (expandable via microSD up to 1TB)
Camera System
- Rear Cameras:
- 50MP f/1.8 (main, PDAF)
- 5MP f/2.2 (ultra-wide, 115° FoV)
- 2MP f/2.4 (macro)
- 2MP f/2.4 (depth sensor)
- Front Camera: 13MP f/2.0 (selfie camera)
- Video Recording: 1080p@30fps (no 4K)
Battery & Charging
- 5,000mAh battery
- 15W wired charging (no fast charger included in box)
- No wireless charging
Design & Build
- Plastic back and frame
- Glass front (no Gorilla Glass)
- Thickness: 8.4mm, Weight: 191g
- Colors: Black, Blue, Yellow
- Side-mounted fingerprint sensor
Software & Features
- Android 14 with One UI 6
- 2 years of OS updates, 4 years of security patches
- Samsung Knox security
- 5G, Bluetooth 5.2, Wi-Fi 5, NFC (region-dependent)
Design & Build Quality
After 1 Week
The Galaxy A16 5G has a budget-friendly plastic build, which feels sturdy but lacks premium appeal. The side-mounted fingerprint sensor is fast and reliable, while the 3.5mm headphone jack is a welcome inclusion. The phone is slightly bulky due to the 5,000mAh battery but remains comfortable to hold.
After 1 Month
The plastic body shows minor scratches but remains durable. The lack of Gorilla Glass means the screen is prone to scratches without a protector. The waterdrop notch feels outdated compared to punch-hole designs, but it doesn’t hinder usability.
Display Quality
After 1 Week
The 6.5-inch HD+ LCD panel is decent for media consumption but lacks sharpness compared to Full HD+ rivals. The 90Hz refresh rate makes scrolling smoother, but colors appear slightly washed out at lower brightness.
After 1 Month
The display remains adequate for YouTube and social media, but text clarity is not as sharp as on AMOLED or Full HD+ screens. Outdoor visibility is just passable in direct sunlight.
Performance & Software
After 1 Week
The Dimensity 6100+ handles light tasks (social media, browsing, YouTube) smoothly, but struggles with heavy gaming. Multitasking is manageable with 6GB RAM, but apps reload frequently with the 4GB variant.
After 1 Month
Performance remains consistent for daily use, but gaming (Genshin Impact, COD Mobile) requires low settings. One UI 6 is clean and feature-rich, but bloatware (pre-installed apps) is noticeable.
Camera Performance
After 1 Week
- Daylight Photos: The 50MP main camera captures decent shots with good detail, but dynamic range is limited.
- Ultra-Wide: The 5MP sensor is usable but lacks detail and sharpness.
- Macro & Depth Sensors: Mostly gimmicky with poor quality.
- Low-Light Photos: Noise is high, and Night Mode helps only slightly.
- Selfies: The 13MP front camera is average, with soft details in low light.
After 1 Month
The camera remains inconsistent, with washed-out colors in HDR scenes. Video recording is limited to 1080p@30fps, and stabilization is mediocre.
Battery Life & Charging
After 1 Week
The 5,000mAh battery easily lasts 1.5 days with moderate use. The 15W charging is slow (0-100% in ~2 hours).
After 1 Month
Battery endurance remains strong, but heavy users may need a daily charge. The lack of a fast charger in the box is disappointing.
5G & Connectivity
- 5G support is future-proof, but real-world speeds depend on network coverage.
- No Wi-Fi 6 (only Wi-Fi 5) and Bluetooth 5.2 (not 5.3).
- NFC is available in select markets for contactless payments.
Long-Term Verdict (After 1 Month)
Pros
✔ Strong battery life (5,000mAh)
✔ 90Hz display for smoother scrolling
✔ Decent 50MP main camera in daylight
✔ 3.5mm headphone jack & microSD slot
✔ One UI 6 with long-term updates
Cons
HD+ display is not sharp enough
Plastic build feels cheap
Slow 15W charging (no fast charger included)
Weak ultra-wide & macro cameras
Mediocre gaming performance
Final Recommendation
The Samsung Galaxy A16 5G is a budget 5G phone best suited for:
- Casual users who prioritize battery life & software updates.
- First-time smartphone buyers looking for a reliable Samsung device.
- Secondary phone users needing 5G at a low cost.
Who Should Avoid It?
- Gamers (weak GPU, no high refresh rate gaming).
- Photography enthusiasts (subpar low-light & ultra-wide performance).
- Those wanting premium build quality (plastic body, no Gorilla Glass).
Alternatives to Consider
- Redmi Note 13 5G (better AMOLED display, faster charging).
- Moto G54 5G (cleaner software, better performance).
- Samsung Galaxy A25 5G (Super AMOLED, better chipset).
Conclusion
The Galaxy A16 5G is a basic 5G phone with good battery life and software support, but its display, charging speed, and camera performance are underwhelming. If you can stretch your budget slightly, alternatives like the Galaxy A25 5G or Redmi Note 13 5G offer better value.
Rating: 6.5/10 (Decent for the price, but compromises are noticeable).