Galaxy A16 5G

Released October 2024

A 6.7-inch 5G phone with a 90 Hz Super AMOLED display, expandable storage and six generations of Android upgrades.

Model history · 3 models, 2023–2024

2023Galaxy A14 5G Compare
2023Galaxy A15 5G Compare
2024Galaxy A16 5G

Screen: 6.7″
Display: OLED, 90 Hz
Chip: Samsung Exynos 1330
Memory: 4 GB
Storage: 128 GB
Main camera: 50 MP
Zoom: –
Battery: 5,000 mAh
Weight: 200 g

5,000 mAh+

What reviewers say

Tech Advisor and PhoneArena praise the colourful AMOLED display and long software promise but criticise frequent stutters and limited gaming performance. Both find battery life adequate yet worse than its predecessor and secondary cameras modest. Tech Advisor likes the clean design; PhoneArena finds the large bezels and plastic frame less appealing.

From techadvisor.com and phonearena.com

Specifications

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Display

Screen size: 6.7″
Resolution: 2340 × 1080
Sharpness: 385 pixels per inch
Panel: OLED
Refresh rate: 90 Hz
Display type: Super AMOLED, FHD+ and 16 million colours; full rectangle 6.7 inches or 6.5 inches accounting for rounded corners

Performance

Chip: Samsung Exynos 1330
Memory: 4 GB
Storage: 128 GB
CPU: Maker UK SM-A166B lists octa-core CPU at 2.4/2 GHz; Samsung Exynos 1330 identification confirmed by Tech Advisor's UK review configuration and PhoneArena; some other regions use MediaTek Dimensity 6300
Storage type: UK 4 GB RAM/128 GB storage with 109.3 GB available; hybrid microSD slot supports up to 1.5 TB

Cameras

Main camera: 50 MP
Ultra wide camera: 5 MP
Telephoto camera: None
Optical zoom: None
Front camera: 13 MP
Main camera: 50 MP, f/1.8 and autofocus; no OIS; rear LED flash
Ultra wide camera: 5 MP, f/2.2; additional 2 MP f/2.4 macro camera
Front camera: 13 MP, f/2.0, fixed focus; no OIS or flash
Zoom: Up to 10× digital zoom; no optical telephoto
Video recording: Maker UK specifies Full HD at 30 fps and slow motion HD at 120 fps; UHD 4K at 30 fps is listed for video playback, not native recording

Battery and charging

Battery: 5,000 mAh
Video playback (maker's claim): Up to 18 hours
Wired charging: Up to 25 W
Wireless charging: None
Battery life detail: Non-removable; 5,000 mAh typical and 4,860 mAh rated; current UK page lists energy class B and minimum 1,200 endurance cycles
Wired charging: 25 W Super Fast Charging; wall charger sold separately
Wireless charging: No wireless charging, confirmed by Tech Advisor and PhoneArena

Design

Type: Standard
Weight: 200 g
Thickness: 7.9 mm
Height × width: 164.4 × 77.9 mm
Water and dust resistance: IP54
Colours: Blue Black, Light Grey and Light Green; availability varies by region
Water resistance detail: IP54; maker test sprays 10 litres of fresh water per minute for five minutes at all angles; not for swimming or immersion, and resistance can decline with wear
Biometrics: Fingerprint reader; side-mounted power-button location confirmed by PhoneArena; Samsung Knox Vault isolates sensitive credentials
Sensors: Accelerometer, fingerprint, gyroscope, geomagnetic and light sensors; virtual proximity sensing
Speakers: Mono speaker; no stereo support

Software

Operating system: Android
Software at launch: One UI 6.1; Android 14 confirmed by Tech Advisor and PhoneArena; Smart Switch, Quick Share and SmartThings supported; no Samsung DeX
Software updates: Up to six generations of OS upgrades and six years of security maintenance; current UK specification page lists security validity until 31 October 2030
In the box: Phone and USB-C charging cable confirmed by PhoneArena; power adaptor sold separately

Connectivity

Mobile network: 5G sub-6 FDD bands n1/3/7/8/20/28 and TDD n38/40/41/77/78; LTE FDD 1/2/3/4/5/7/8/12/17/20/28/66 and TDD 38/40/41; WCDMA 1/2/4/5/8 and quad-band GSM
SIM: Dual nano-SIM; second slot shared with microSD
Wi-Fi: Wi-Fi 5, 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, 2.4/5 GHz, VHT80 and Wi-Fi Direct
Bluetooth: Bluetooth 5.3; Android Audio Streaming for Hearing Aid supported
NFC: Supported on UK SM-A166BZADEUB
USB: USB-C, USB 2.0; USB-C audio and no 3.5 mm headphone socket
Positioning: GPS, GLONASS, BeiDou, Galileo and QZSS

Storage options

Storage
128 GB

Pros and cons

Pros

Super AMOLED screen with 90 Hz refresh
microSD expansion up to 1.5 TB
Six generations of OS upgrades and six years of security maintenance

Cons

Main camera has no optical stabilisation
Mono speaker
Charger sold separately

Closest rivals

Model	Screen	Display	Chip	Memory	Storage	Main camera	Zoom	Battery	Weight	Released
OnePlusNord N30 SE 5G	6.72″	LCD	MediaTek Dimensity 6020	4 GB	128 GB	50 MP	–	5,000 mAh	193 g	2024
MotorolaMoto G (2026)	6.7″	LCD, 120 Hz	MediaTek Dimensity 6300	4 GB	128 GB	50 MP	–	5,200 mAh	202 g	Dec 2025
SamsungGalaxy A16 LTE	6.7″	OLED, 90 Hz	MediaTek Helio G99	4 GB	128 GB	50 MP	–	5,000 mAh	200 g	Nov 2024

Previous model: Galaxy A15 5G. Newer model: Galaxy A17 5G.

Sources

Photo: images.samsung.com

Galaxy A16 5G Blue Black rear cameras and front screen close-up: Samsung exact-model product gallery or launch newsroom; Galaxy A16 5G Blue Black rear cameras and front screen close-up
Galaxy A16 5G Blue Black, Light Green and Light Grey rear finish line-up: Samsung exact-model product gallery or launch newsroom; Galaxy A16 5G Blue Black, Light Green and Light Grey rear finish line-up
Galaxy A16 5G Blue Black front and rear; official SM-A166F regional press photograph: Samsung exact-model product gallery or launch newsroom; Galaxy A16 5G Blue Black front and rear; official SM-A166F regional press photograph
Galaxy A16 5G Light Green front and rear; official SM-A166F regional press photograph: Samsung exact-model product gallery or launch newsroom; Galaxy A16 5G Light Green front and rear; official SM-A166F regional press photograph

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