Samsung Galaxy A16 5G review: A future-proof budget 5G phone with long-term software support

• 164 x 77.9 x 7.9mm | 192 grams
• IP54 rating
• Colors: Blue Black, Gold, and Light Green

The Galaxy A16 5G comes in a minimalist white box, lacking any accessories other than a USB Type-C cable and a SIM ejector tool. It’s notable for being free from plastic packaging, a nice eco-conscious touch. In terms of design, it’s a typical Samsung phone. The back features a glossy plastic finish. The phone has a flat frame, rounded corners, and a simple, ergonomic feel that’s easy to hold. The back houses a vertical triple-camera setup, a signature Samsung design element.

There’s a bulge on the right edge that features the volume rocker and a power key. The top edge of the phone has a secondary microphone, while its bottom edge features the main microphone, a USB-C port, and a speaker grille. The SIM slot is placed on the left spine of the device. It is worth noting that the display glass isn’t specified. When it comes to durability, the phone promises IP54-rated dust and water resistance.

• 6.7-inch AMOLED FHD+ (2340 x 1080p) screen
• 90Hz refresh rate
• 800nits peak brightness

One of the highlights of the Galaxy A16 5G is its 6.7-inch Super AMOLED display that supports an FHD+ resolution. It’s bright enough for outdoor use, although it doesn’t get as dazzling as some higher-end phones. The 90Hz refresh rate makes scrolling and animations feel smooth. There’s a selfie camera notch on the screen, which may not be desirable on a sub-Rs 20,000 phone.

One thing to note is that there’s no HDR support, so you won’t get the best experience when streaming HDR content. However, the Widevine L1 certification ensures you can enjoy Full HD streams from platforms like Netflix. The audio output from the single bottom-firing speaker is satisfactory for casual media consumption but lacks depth in music playback due to the absence of stereo speakers.

• Dimensity 6300
• LPDDR4x RAM | up to 8GB virtual RAM
• Variants: 8GB+128GB | 8GB+256GB
• Android 14 | One UI 6.1.1
• 5,000mAh battery | 25W charging

While other markets are treated to the Exynos 1330-powered Galaxy A16 5G, the Indian variant ships with the Dimensity 6300. This chip powers smartphones priced between Rs 10,000 and Rs 20,000 from various brands in India, and the Galaxy A16 5G with the Dimensity 6300 promises reliable performance.

Day-to-day tasks like browsing, social media, and light gaming are handled without much trouble. However, I did notice some stuttering and lag when pushing the phone harder with demanding games. Thankfully, the device ships with 8 GB of RAM and up to 256 GB of storage in India. There’s a hybrid SIM slot for adding a microSD card on to the device. The above image shows how the A16 performed on benchmarking platforms.

The 5,000mAh battery comfortably lasts a full day with moderate use. The 25W fast charging is reasonably quick, taking a little over an hour to fully charge the phone. Speaking of software, the Galaxy A16 5G runs Android 14 with One UI 6.1, the latest version of Samsung’s custom Android skin, packed with features. However, the phone lacks some flagship features like Galaxy AI, which is currently only available on Samsung’s flagship offerings.

The major highlight of the A16 5G is its confirmed six years of Android OS upgrades and six years of security updates. This level of software support is almost unheard of in this price segment. It gives me confidence that the A16 5G will stay up-to-date for years to come.

• Front: 13MP GalaxyCore GC13A0
• Rear: 50MP Samsung S5KJN1 + 5MP SmartSens SC501 + 2MP macro

The camera system on the A16 5G is basic but gets the job done. The 50-megapixel main camera captures decent photos in daylight with good detail and natural colours. However, the dynamic range is limited, and the processing can be a bit aggressive.

The Portrait mode offers a slider to adjust the level of background blur. However, there is no 2x zoom option available in portrait mode. The main camera performs surprisingly well in low-light conditions, capturing good shots as long as there is sufficient light. As far as video recording is concerned, it is capped at 1080p. Interestingly, the phone supports up to 4K recording using the Open Camera app.

The 5-megapixel ultrawide camera samples lack detail and suffer from noticeable distortion at the edges. The 2-megapixel macro camera is more of a novelty than a useful tool. The 13-megapixel selfie camera takes acceptable photos, but don’t expect anything extraordinary.

The Galaxy A16 5G offers good haptics and there is a vibrator intensity option, which allows you to adjust the intensity level. It also comes with support for NFC, which is a nice addition. For security, the device is equipped with a side-facing fingerprint sensor, which functions perfectly.

The Samsung Galaxy A16 5G is a decent choice for budget-minded consumers looking for a 5G device with impressive longevity. Its extended software support ensures years of updates, and the capable processor handles everyday tasks with ease. While the camera system and display may not be best-in-class, they are certainly adequate for the price point. The A16 5G’s strengths lie in its long-term usability and reliable performance, making it a practical option for those seeking a dependable mid-range 5G phone.

Samsung Galaxy A16 5G price in India

The Galaxy A16 5G has arrived in India in the following options:

• 8GB+128GB: Rs 18,999 (~$225)
• 8GB+256GB: Rs 21,999 ($260)

In the overcrowded price segment between Rs 17,000 and Rs 23,000, the Galaxy A16 5G faces a lot of competition from the likes of the Motorola Edge 50 Fusion, Moto G85, Realme 13 Pro 5G, Realme 13+ 5G, Realme P2 Pro 5G, iQOO Z9s 5G, Infinix Note 40 Pro+ 5G, HMD Crest Max, and Lava Agni 3 5G, to name a few.