Samsung has officially launched the Samsung Galaxy A16 5G, offering impressive upgrades over its predecessor. Key features include a larger 6.7-inch display, six years of Android updates, and six years of security patches.
This level of software support is unprecedented for a budget device, ensuring the Galaxy A16 5G will remain relevant and up-to-date until October 2030.
Here are the rest of the specs…
Design and Build
The Galaxy A16 5G adopts a flatter design, a trend seen in most Samsung devices launched in 2024, both flagship and entry-level. It boasts an IP54 certification for water and dust resistance, a first for an entry-level Galaxy A series smartphone.
The front is dominated by a 6.7-inch display with an Infinity-U notch housing the selfie camera, while the glossy plastic back panel comes in four colors.
The back also features a vertical triple-camera setup. Samsung’s Key Island frame, located on the right side, includes the volume and power buttons.
The device is sleek at 7.9mm thick and weighs 200g. It has sacrificed the 3.5mm headphone jack to achieve a thinner profile, with full dimensions of 164.4 x 77.9 x 7.9 mm.
Display and Performance
The Samsung Galaxy A16 5G comes with a 6.7-inch Super AMOLED display, offering Full HD+ resolution and a 90Hz refresh rate.
It is powered by either the Exynos 1330 processor or the MediaTek Dimensity 6300+, depending on the region. In Kenya, it’s not yet clear which variant will be available.
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The phone comes with two memory configurations: 4GB RAM and 128GB storage for the base model, or 8GB RAM and 256GB storage.
Additionally, it supports microSD cards up to 1.5TB, making it one of the few Samsung phones that still offer such expansive storage options.
Camera Capabilities
The Galaxy A16 5G is equipped with a triple-camera setup at the back. The primary shooter is a 50MP camera, complemented by a 5MP ultrawide lens and a 2MP macro camera.
For selfies, there’s a 13MP front camera. Video capabilities include Full HD recording at 30fps and slow-motion HD videos at 120fps, ensuring decent performance for photography enthusiasts at this price point.
Connectivity and Features
As expected, the Galaxy A16 5G supports 5G connectivity, making it future-proof for faster internet speeds. Other connectivity features include Wi-Fi 802.11a/b/g/n/ac, NFC, Bluetooth 5.3, and a Type-C USB 2.0 port.
The device includes a hybrid SIM slot that can accommodate two SIM cards or one SIM and a microSD card.
Security is enhanced by a capacitive fingerprint reader embedded in the power button, along with sensors like gyro, geomagnetic, and light sensors for an overall robust experience.
Battery Life and Charging
Under the hood, the Samsung Galaxy A16 5G packs a 5000mAh battery, supporting 25W “fast” charging. This sizable battery should easily last through a full day of moderate usage, making it a reliable choice for those seeking long-lasting battery life.
Software Support
The Samsung Galaxy A16 5G runs on Android 14 with One UI 6.1 out of the box. One of the standout features is the device’s eligibility for six Android OS upgrades, along with six years of One UI and security updates.
While it doesn’t include any of Samsung’s advanced Galaxy AI features, this extensive software support places it ahead of many other budget smartphones.
Price and Availability
The Samsung Galaxy A16 5G launched in Europe with a starting price of €229 (around KES 32,390).
In Kenya, we can expect a similar price range, as the Galaxy A15 5G launched at KES 33,000 for the 6/128GB variant. Once available in Kenya, it will be interesting to see how the local pricing compares.
Stay tuned for a potential review of the Samsung Galaxy A16 5G once it officially launches in the Kenyan market.
Samsung Galaxy A16 5G Specs
