Samsung continues to offer solid options in the budget phone segment with its Galaxy A series.
The Galaxy A16 5G and the Galaxy A25 5G both target price-conscious consumers, but they cater to slightly different needs.
While the A16 5G is a budget-friendly option, the A25 5G offers a bit more power and polish at a higher price point.
So, which one is the better buy? Here are the key differences to help you decide which model to choose.
Screen
One of the most significant differences between the Galaxy A16 5G and the Galaxy A25 5G is their displays.
The A16 5G features a 6.7-inch Super AMOLED screen with a 90Hz refresh rate, which provides a smooth visual experience but falls short of the industry-standard 120Hz.
Galaxy A16 5G
Jon Mundy / Foundry
The A25 5G, on the other hand, boasts a slightly smaller 6.5-inch AMOLED display but with a 120Hz refresh rate, making it a better fit for your hand, while scrolling and animations feel significantly more fluid as well.
It also has a peak brightness of 1000 nits compared to the A16 5G’s 800 nits, making it more readable outdoors.
Galaxy A25 5G
Dominik Tomaszewski / Foundry
While the A16 5G’s display is still quite good for a budget phone , the A25 5G offers a much better experience, particularly for those who frequently browse, game, or watch videos.
If display quality is a priority, the A25 5G is the clear winner.
Performance
Another major difference between the two phones is performance, although it’s a tricky one.
The A16 5G is powered by the newer Exynos 1330 chipset, paired with 4GB of RAM and 128GB of storage. In contrast, the A25 5G uses the older Exynos 1280 chipset with 6GB of RAM and the same 128GB of storage.
While it may be reasonable to think that a newer processor will be better, this isn’t necessarily the case here.
Galaxy A16 5G
Jon Mundy / Foundry
The A16 5G’s performance is good for basic tasks but struggles with multitasking and demanding applications. Stuttering and micro-pauses can be noticeable, especially when switching between apps, due to the low amount of RAM.
The A25 5G, while still not a performance powerhouse, benefits from a smoother experience due to additional RAM. Additionally, while the Exynos 1280 is relatively old, this is still an octa-core processor built on a 5nm process.
Galaxy A25 5G
Dominik Tomaszewski / Foundry
The synthetic performance test results of the two chipsets are quite similar. In our Geekbench 6 multi-core test, the A16 5G scored 2029 points, slightly ahead of the A25 5G, which stayed at 2074 points. However, this is such a small difference that the results could just as well be swapped.
What distinguishes the phones most here is the amount of RAM, where the A25 5G is the clear winner. If you plan to use your phone for anything beyond basic browsing and social media, the A25 5G will provide a better experience.
Software Updates
One of Samsung’s biggest advantages in the budget phone segment is its commitment to long-term software updates.
The Galaxy A16 5G benefits from an impressive six-year OS update promise, ensuring it receives security patches and major Android upgrades through 2030.
Galaxy A16 5G
Jon Mundy / Foundry
The older Galaxy A25 5G (5 is one generation below 6 in this comparison), while still offering strong support, falls slightly behind with a four-year OS update commitment.
This still outperforms many competitors in the budget market, but if longevity and future-proofing are priorities, the A16 5G has a slight edge.
Galaxy A25 5G
Dominik Tomaszewski / Foundry
Having extended software support means your phone will remain secure and compatible with newer apps for longer, making the A16 5G the better choice for those planning to hold onto their device for several years.
Additionally, while both models run on Android 14 with Samsung’s One UI, both also lack advanced Galaxy AI features found on the best Samsung Galaxy phones .
Other Differences
The A16 5G and A25 5G share the same 5000mAh battery capacity with support for 25W wired charging but don’t include a charger in the box.
Using a 65W Samsung charger, the Galaxy A16 5G went from empty to 51% in 30 minutes. On the other hand, the Galaxy A25 5G reached only 32% in 30 minutes, but with a different and likely slower charger.
However, the A25 5G has a slightly more refined design, with a plastic-and-glass build compared to the all-plastic construction of the A16 5G.
It also benefits from stereo speakers, which provide a better audio experience than the A16 5G’s single bottom-firing speaker.
Price & Availability
The Galaxy A16 5G is available for £199/$199 and comes with 4GB RAM and 128GB storage as standard. While some markets offer a higher-tier model with 6GB RAM, the one available in the UK and US is the 4GB-only model.
The phone is available in the Blue Black finish only in the US.
Samsung Galaxy A16 5G
The Galaxy A25 5G costs £249/$299 which gets you 6GB of RAM and 128GB of storage.
Samsung Galaxy A25 5G
Both models support expandable storage via a microSD card, though Samsung does not bundle one with the phones.
Additionally, neither device includes a charger in the box, so you may need to purchase a 25W charger separately if you don’t already own one.
If buying outright, you may also want to compare the best SIM-only deals , as neither phone is currently available on contract in all markets.
Verdict
If you’re looking for the absolute cheapest Samsung phone that still delivers a decent experience, the Galaxy A16 5G is a reasonable option. However, if you can stretch your budget, the Galaxy A25 5G is a much better buy.
It offers a superior 120Hz display, better performance, and improved audio experience with stereo speakers which make a noticeable difference in everyday use.
If you want a more enjoyable and reliable experience without breaking the bank, the A25 5G is worth the extra investment if you’re ok with two years shorter software support.
Author: Artur Tomala, Mobile Writer, Tech Advisor
Artur is a Mobile Writer at Tech Advisor, where he covers a range of smartphone, tablet and smartwatch-related topics. He has been working in the tech industry since 2021, including time spent leading a team focused on mobile news, reviews and product rankings. As an ambassador for the productivity app Notion, he runs training workshops and creates advanced templates to help people stay organised and productive.
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