The Samsung Galaxy A16 5G has quietly made its debut, with no official launch event or press release to announce its arrival.
Prior models like the Galaxy A15 5G and A15 (4G) have set a high standard, so expectations are high for the Galaxy A16 5G, currently only available in 5G.
Here’s what we know about its release date, pricing, and the features that could make it stand out in the entry-level smartphone market.
When will the Samsung Galaxy A16 be released?
The Samsung Galaxy A16 5G has been spotted on Samsung’s French and Dutch websites, hinting at an imminent global release.
Although an exact launch date is yet to be confirmed, reports suggest that shipments will commence by the end of October 2024. The gradual rollout may see the phone reaching markets like India and Thailand soon after its European debut.
However, there’s no information on when the A16 5G will hit the UK and US markets, despite previous models being available there.
In addition to the 5G variant, Samsung has also introduced the Galaxy A16 (4G LTE) in France, although it’s not currently available for purchase.
How much will the Samsung Galaxy A16 cost?
The Samsung Galaxy A16 5G is priced at €229 in the Netherlands and €249 in France, slightly higher than the Galaxy A15 5G’s launch price of around €190-200.
A leaked report suggests that the Galaxy A16 4G will cost €209.90, with both models offering 128GB of storage. The 128GB variant is expected to come with 4GB of RAM, while the 256GB version will feature 8GB.
Pricing details for other regions are yet to be announced, but they are likely to align with European prices after adjusting for local factors.
What specs and features will the Samsung Galaxy A16 have?
The Samsung Galaxy A16 5G introduces several upgrades in design, performance, and software support.
Design
The Galaxy A16 5G sports a slim profile, measuring just 7.9mm thick. However, it sacrifices the 3.5mm headphone jack for this sleek design.
Available in colors like Midnight Blue, Turquoise, and Gray, the phone boasts a contemporary look. It also has an IP54 rating for protection against dust and water splashes, though it’s not fully waterproof.
The ‘Key Island’ on the right side houses the power and volume buttons, which are raised for easy tactile feedback. The power button also doubles as a fingerprint scanner, while the back features a triple-camera setup and an LED flash.
Display
The phone features a larger 6.7-inch Super AMOLED display, an upgrade from the Galaxy A15 5G’s 6.5-inch screen. With Full HD+ resolution and a 90Hz refresh rate, the Galaxy A16 5G promises vibrant visuals and smooth scrolling.
The front camera sits in a small waterdrop notch, maintaining a minimal bezel design.
Performance
The Galaxy A16 5G is powered by the Exynos 1330 chipset in Europe, while markets like India and Thailand are expected to receive the Dimensity 6300 variant. Both versions come with 4GB of RAM and 128GB of storage, expandable up to 1.5TB via Micro-SD card.
Early benchmarks suggest that the Galaxy A16 5G delivers improved performance over its predecessor, capable of handling daily tasks and moderate gaming.
Cameras
The Galaxy A16 5G features a versatile camera setup for a budget phone, including a 50MP main camera, a 5MP ultrawide lens, and a 2MP macro lens on the rear. The front houses a 13MP selfie camera, identical to the Galaxy A15 5G.
While incremental improvements in image processing are expected, the actual performance remains to be seen.
Battery & Charging
The phone packs a 5,000 mAh battery with 25W fast charging support. Both 4G and 5G models are likely to come with a 25W charger included, but wireless charging is not supported.
Software
Running Android 14 and One UI 6.1 out of the box, the Galaxy A16 5G ensures the latest features and security updates. While it may not include Galaxy AI features, the phone stands out for its extended software support, promising six years of Android updates and security patches until at least 2030.
With its upgraded design, enhanced performance, and long-term software commitment, the Samsung Galaxy A16 5G aims to make a mark in the budget smartphone segment.
