Is The Samsung Galaxy A14 5G Waterproof?
The Samsung Galaxy A14 5G, the company's latest addition to the A series, is a very attractive budget phone for 2023. It's a $200 Android 13 smartphone with a wide screen, 5G support, a new design and a very powerful set of cameras. Price
While that's enough to make the Galaxy A14 a contender for those looking for a modern, easy-to-use smartphone, at this price point it's impossible to go without compromises. Some of that is to be expected: the panel is a 720p LCD and is limited to 64GB of storage. However, the low price can also raise an important question: is the Samsung Galaxy A14 5G waterproof?
The Samsung Galaxy A14 5G is not waterproof
© Digital Trends Andrew Martonik / Courtesy of Digital TrendsUnfortunately, this is one area where Samsung has cut a big corner. Short answer: No, the Galaxy A14 5G is not waterproof. But the reality is a bit more complicated.
Like the Galaxy A13 before it, the Galaxy A14 5G doesn't have an IP rating, meaning it's not waterproof or even waterproof certified. This is in stark contrast to the company's flagship S-series phones, almost all of which are IP68-rated, allowing them to withstand prolonged water immersion while remaining fully dustproof. Even the Galaxy A53 5G has an IP67 rating almost as good, while Samsung's foldable devices - the Galaxy Z Fold 4 and Galaxy Z Flip 4 - are very water resistant but not dust tested.
The lack of an IP rating doesn't mean the Galaxy A14 5G can't offer low water resistance; This just indicates that Samsung has not tested or certified them. Ingress Protection (IP) testing costs money, so it's an easy way to save a few bucks on the cost of building a budget smartphone. A little rain wouldn't hurt, but don't expect it to survive a dive. You get wet at your own risk, though - there's no guarantee it'll hold up to water or even dust, and it probably doesn't help that the onboard 3.5mm headphone jack provides another avenue for water ingress. Within.
Is the Galaxy A14 5G reliable?
Water resistance isn't the only area where the Samsung Galaxy A14 5G is light. The phone is made entirely of plastic, and there's no indication that it's particularly durable like the Gorilla Glass 5 on Samsung's slightly more expensive Galaxy A23 5G.
Instead, the screen has a protective film and an oleophobic coating that protects against light scratches and fingerprints. For everything else, you'll need to bring your own screen protector. Plan to add a case as well, as there's no sign of the Galaxy A14 5G offering any level of drop resistance, and if you're worried about taking your smartphone into the wild, you can always opt for a water-resistant one decide good.
