Samsung Galaxy A15 4G vs Galaxy A15 5G: Which is the better buy?

Samsung might be known for its flagship phones and foldables, but the company continues to offer lots of more affordable options.

Among them is the Galaxy A15 series, which offers a lot of the core Samsung features at a budget price point.

However, there are two different versions to choose from: the Galaxy A15 and Galaxy A15 5G. As the name suggests, only the latter has 5G support, but there are a few other notable differences. Here’s how to work out which is right for you.

Differences between Galaxy A15 4G and Galaxy A15 5G

At the outset, it is worth stating outright that the Galaxy A15 5G and the Galaxy A15 4G are very similar. There are differences, of which more later, while they are quite marginal.

Starting, however, with the design, they both follow the established design aesthetic of the brand, closely resembling flagship Galaxy S24 series and their more refined brother, the A25 5G, especially in material and dimensions. Both phones measure at 160.1 x 76.8 x 8.4mm (6.30 x 3.02 x 0.33 inches) and weight 200g (7.05oz).

The construction comprises a plastic chassis and back, with a glass panel on the front for the display. Notably, there is no mention of Gorilla Glass or similar toughened materials in the specifications.

The subtle indent on the right side (known as the ‘Key Island’) power and volume controls, with the former doubling as a fingerprint sensor on both phones.

The rear panel tends to attract dust easily, making it challenging to maintain its appearance without a case, which is not included in the box. Notably, both phones also lack any waterproof rating, so caution is advised while at a sink or in the rain.

Colour options include ‘Blue Black’, ‘Blue’, and ‘Yellow’ for both phones. However, the Galaxy A15 5G sports a matte finish, which the A15 4G goes for a more reflective look.

Both the Galaxy A15 5G and the A15 4G boast impressive displays, with vivid colours and ample brightness even in sunlight, reaching a maximum of 800 nits of brightness.

They both feature Full HD+ resolution for crisp visuals, complemented by a 90Hz refresh rate for smooth scrolling. However, occasional juddering may occur on image-heavy pages due to processing power limitations.

Both phones offer an 84.3% screen-to-body ratio, with minimal interruptions from bezels – just a small chin and teardrop notch.

In terms of audio, both phones deliver sound through a single bottom-edge speaker, which capable of impressive volume levels and clear spoken content. However, music may suffer from distortion at maximum volume, with a tendency to sound tinny or shrill at times.

There is a 3.5mm headphone jack on both phones, but you might prefer to connect Bluetooth earbuds.

The Samsung Galaxy A15 5G and A15 4G both offer budget-friendly performance, though each has its own set of strengths and weaknesses.

The Galaxy A15 5G uses the MediaTek Dimensity 6100+ (with built-in 5G connectivity), while the A15 4G features the MediaTek Helio G99 processor. Both processors handle daily tasks well, but they may suffer from slowdowns and lag due to their low 4GB of RAM. High-end gaming is also challenging on both phones.

In the Geekbench 5 multi-core test, the Galaxy A15 5G scored 1907 points, whereas the Galaxy A15 4G scored 1890 points. Although the difference is small, in terms of raw performance the version with 5G leads the way.

Storage-wise, both phones offer 128GB of internal storage, expandable up to 1TB via microSD slot. Connectivity options are similar, with dual Nano SIMs, Wi-Fi 5, Bluetooth 5.3, GPS, and NFC available on both models. The main difference lies in cellular connectivity, with the A15 5G providing 5G capability while the A15 4G is limited to 4G/LTE.

Overall, both phones offer smooth performance for everyday use and essential tasks, making them reliable choices for budget-conscious users.

Both the Samsung Galaxy A15 5G and the A15 4G offer decent camera performance considering their price points, with a main 50Mp wide lens being the highlight. However, neither device features optical image stabilisation, which can lead to blurry photos and videos.

Both cameras deliver satisfactory autofocus and produce pleasing shots in suitable lighting conditions, with well-balanced and naturalistic colour palettes.

The main lens tends to oversharpen images and can struggle with contrast at times, resulting in some overexposed elements. The slight shutter lag can also be frustrating when capturing moving subjects.

The additional lenses, a 5Mp ultrawide and a 2Mp macro lenses, feel more like checkboxes than valuable additions on both devices, often resulting in blurry and washed out images upon closer inspection. Users need to be cautious when using these lenses or the software-based night mode, as results can be hit or miss.

The 13Mp front cameras on both phones produce flattering selfies suitable for social media sharing, albeit with some limitations in vibrancy.

Video recording on both devices tops out at 1080p/30fps, with acceptable focusing and light balance, but with occasional dropped frames and limited low-light performance.

Overall, while both the Galaxy A15 5G and the A15 4G offer versatile camera setups, the main camera stands out as the most reliable option for everyday use, while the additional lenses do not provide consistent results.

Both the Galaxy A15 5G and the A15 4G feature a sizable 5000mAh battery, ensuring extended usage without the need to recharge.

The Galaxy A15 5G demonstrated impressive longevity, lasting just 15 hours in the PCMark battery test and easily surviving a typical day of usage. Despite potential battery drains from features like the 90Hz mode and intensive tasks, it can still extend into a second day for most users. However, it lacks a bundled charger, though it supports up to 25W charging, offering a decent 55% recharge in half an hour.

The A15 4G can sometimes stretch to two days, lasting 15 hours and 15 minutes in the PCMark test. It also supports 25W charging, though only reached 44% after half an hour. Neither phone supports wireless charging.

The Galaxy A15 5G and the A15 4G run on Samsung’s One UI 6 over Android 14, but lack features such an always-on display and DeX mode due to their non-productivity focus.

Additionaly, while they offer straightforward navigation and customization options, advanced AI features are also missing.

Both come with pre-installed Samsung and Google apps, though you have an option to remove most of them. Samsung also supports the phones with three years of Android OS updates.

Price & availability

The Samsung Galaxy A15 5G costs £199 and is purchasable in the UK from Samsung and several outlets such as Amazon, Very and Currys.

In the US, it’s priced at $199.99, available in limited colours from the Samsung, Amazon and Best Buy.

The Samsung Galaxy A15 4G is available for purchase at £169 from Samsung. It can also be purchased from retailers like Amazon, Currys, and Very.

For those in the US, the Galaxy A15 4G version is not available, so the only choice there is the 5G version of the phone.

Check out our round-up of the best budget phones to see alternatives around this price.

Verdict

Ultimately, choosing between the Samsung Galaxy A15 5G and the A15 4G boils down to individual priorities and specific budgets.

If you want 5G connectivity and slightly better performance, the A15 5G is the better option.

However, if you’re content with 4G connectivity and dependable performance at a more affordable price point, the Galaxy A15 4G remains an excellent choice.

Not if you’re in the US, though – the 5G version is the only one available there.

Specs

Samsung Galaxy A15 4G:

• Android 14, One UI 6
• 6.5-inch Full HD+ AMOLED display
• 90Hz refresh rate
• 2.2Ghz MediaTek Helio G99 processor
• 4GB RAM
• 128GB Storage (expandable up to 1TB via microSD)
• 50Mp f/1.8 main camera
• 5Mp f/2.2 Ultra-wide 
• 2Mp f/2.4 Macro
• 13Mp f/2.0 selfie camera
• Single speaker
• 3.5mm headphone jack
• Fingerprint sensor embedded in Power button
• USB-C charging port
• 5000mAh battery
• 25W fast charging supported
• 160.1 x 76.8 x 8.4mm (6.30 x 3.02 x 0.33-inch)
• 200g/7.05oz

Samsung Galaxy A15 5G:

• Android 14, One UI 6
• 6.5-inch Super AMOLED (2340×1080) 19.5:9, 90Hz
• Mediatek Dimensity 6100+ processor
• 4GB LPDDR4X RAM
• 128GB RAM UFS 2.2 internal storage
• Cameras:
• 50Mp main/wide sensor
• 2Mp macro
• 5Mp ultrawide
• 13Mp front facing
• Side-mounted fingerprint scanner
• Wi-Fi 802.11a/b/g/n/ac 2.4GHz+5GHz, VHT80
• Dual SIM (Nano-SIM, dual stand-by)
• Bluetooth 5.3
• 5,000mAh battery
• 25W wired charging
• 160.1 x 76.8 x 8.4mm
• 200g