Instructions for use samsung galaxy a5. Review of Samsung Galaxy A5 (2017): average with water protection and cool selfies
Mobile phones are an integral part of IT technology. Samsung deservedly occupies a leading position in the world of sales of electronic devices. They can rightfully be called the best manufacturers of these goods. The most famous smartphones are the Galaxy family, developed on the Android platform. The most popular Galaxy models are the J, A and S series devices. The Galaxy family is represented in all price segments (budget, mid-range and fashion). The letter designations of the series correspond to each price range.
The J-series are budget models, made from inexpensive materials and equipped with a simple body, but at the same time have good hardware. A-series models are in the middle category of price and quality. And S-series gadgets belong to the fashion version.
In January 2017, Samsung introduced the third generation of Galaxy A-series smartphones to the general consumer. Among the new products in this line, the Samsung Galaxy A5 stands out. The average price for Samsung Galaxy A5 in Russia is approximately 27,900 rubles.
The functionality of the Samsung A5 (2017) was generally good, but it seems that it was deliberately limited so that it would not be compared with the flagship S-series devices.
Samsung Galaxy A5 (2017)
The A5 is in many ways similar to other devices in the Galaxy family: it also has rounded corners, a square camera eye and an oval fingerprint scanner on the home key. On either side of it there are still illuminated “task” and “back” keys. But instead of plastic, the body is now made of glass and metal. The 2017 model weighs a little more than last year's (157 g), but thanks to its rounded shape, it is comfortable to hold in your hands. Not only the front panel, but also the back panel is made of 2.5D glass. Above the display there is a panel where the speaker is located in the center, and a light sensor eye and a camera are installed on either side of it.
From the back, the A7 looks similar to the Galaxy S7, the advanced model from 2016, with the camera and flash rounded to the edges. On the right side there is a speaker grille, which was previously located on the bottom end, and below it is the power key. On the left is a tray for one SIM card, which can be removed with a pin. Above there are volume buttons. At the bottom there is a 3.5 mm headphone jack, a microphone hole and a USB Type C port. In addition, the A5 is equipped with plastic strips to separate the antennas. At the top there is a slot for a SIM card and a flash drive, as well as a hole for a second microphone.
A5 (2017) is available in four colors - black (black sky), blue (blue fog), gold
(golden sand) and peach.
Specifications
Operating system - Samsung A5 runs on Android OS v6.0.1 Marshmallow with the manufacturer’s proprietary interface. The curtain is designed better and combines color with standard applications. In the previous version of Android, it is dark gray, and messages, dialer, contacts and settings are made in white.
Single sim (nano sim) or dual sim (nano sim, dual stand by) are used as SIM cards.
The RAM memory capacity is 3 GB (and it is equipped with LPDDR3 chips). At the beginning of work, 1.5 GB are already occupied, and while using the smartphone, about 1 GB remains free, but there is nothing to worry about. Android works based on the Linux kernel. According to the policy of this OS, the RAM memory should not be empty, and if there is nothing there, then it must be loaded with secondary programs. But if the owner decides to play some heavy game, the system will immediately allocate the necessary space for it. The transition between different tasks is smooth, invisible to the user.
The capacity of the built-in memory is 32 GB, of which 23.5 GB is allocated to the user section. There is also a separate MicroSD slot for cards, their capacity can be up to 256 GB. USB OTG function is also supported.
A5 (2017) has the following dimensions: 71.4 mm * 146.1 mm * 7.9 mm (width-height-thickness).
Equipped with an eight-core processor with a frequency of 1900 MHz.
NFC and MST technologies support the Samsung Pay function, which allows the owner to pay for purchases with a smartphone in all shopping centers and generally make any payments. All transactions made are protected by a fingerprint, so payments are absolutely secure.
The A5 (2017) has two separate SIM card slots. They support all European networks from 2nd to 4th generation. Wi-Fi networks are supported by a wireless module. To determine the location, the navigator uses GLONASS and GPS satellites. Stereo sound transmission and energy-saving mode are provided by Bluetooth version 4.2. The USB Type C port charges and connects various accessories.
Touch finger scanner
Built into the main hardware button. Was created to unlock your smartphone, make Samsung Pay payments and use a secure folder.
To set up the scanner, you must first set a password or pattern to unlock your phone.
Connection
The smartphone supports three navigation systems: American JPS, Russian GLONASS and Chinese BeiDou. Navigation works great both outdoors and indoors.
Design
A5 (2017) has a thoughtful ergonomic design that facilitates human interaction with this smartphone and reduces the likelihood of damage. It is made to fit the hand, and therefore all its elements on the body can be controlled without problems. And if it’s still difficult to operate with one hand, then you can turn on a special mode in which the menu will decrease in size. The scanner is located on the front panel and works quickly. The camera does not protrude from the body, which reduces the likelihood of damage. In addition, the phone can be placed on any surface without fear of dropping it; it will lie flat.
But the main advantage of the case is its dust and water resistance. The smartphone has maximum protection against dust and moisture according to the IP68 standard. The last property is generally unique for such devices: A5 (2017) will withstand immersion in water to a depth of 1.5 m and for up to half an hour, and nothing will happen to it! True, this only applies to fresh water.
After the smartphone has been in water, the following text appears on the screen: “Checking the port. Moisture detected. To charge the device, the charging/USB port must be dry” (see photo).
There is nothing wrong with this message. In order to continue using the smartphone, the user simply needs to dry this port.
Sound
Water resistance is great, but it does make the sound a little muffled, especially in the bass. The sound will be sufficient for a call, and you can use speakers and headphones to listen to music and movies. The saturation of the sound will depend on the quality of the headphones. For finer sound tuning there is an equalizer with preset settings. The kit includes quite decent earplugs. Of course, there is an FM radio.
Screen
The screen diagonal is 5.2 inches. The display is made using Super AMOLED technology and has a resolution of 1920 * 1080 pixels (FullHD). There is touch control, the type of touch screen is multi-touch, i.e. it supports several touches at the same time (this device has 5 of them).
A5 (2017) is also equipped with a light sensor. The number of colors the device has is 16 million, with bright and rich shades chosen. True, they look like this if you look at the screen directly, and from the side the picture will “float” a little, but it’s unlikely that anyone will look at it that way.
The device has an Always On Display function, i.e. the screen is always on. When the phone is locked, the time and recent notifications are displayed.
In addition, this mode also displays two buttons for calls and photos. Thanks to Super AMOLED technology, this function consumes very little energy.
In addition to the color variety, the A5 (2017) screen has another important advantage - it saves battery power. This is achieved due to the fact that in AMOLED matrices, not the entire panel is illuminated at the same time, but each pixel independently. The battery is consumed in a gentle mode, since the black pixels do not light up. In this case, the correct transmission of black occurs. Therefore, compared to other smartphones with a similar battery, the A5 (2017) will last much longer. So in economy mode, this phone (as well as other Samsung models) is simply beyond praise.
Brightness is controlled by PWM (pulse width modulation), its flickering can be noticeable at reduced brightness, and at full brightness the human eye does not see it (but this does not mean that it does not notice it). Thanks to the adaptive brightness on the AMOLED display, information in the sun is perceived and read much better than on an IPS display (another smartphone display technology).
The sensor is covered with especially durable glass with an oleophobic coating that protects against stains and dirt.
Cameras
Samsung A5 (2017) is equipped with two cameras, rear and front, both 16 megapixels. Since the lens does not protrude from the body, it is necessary to use ISOCELL modules with small pixels (1 micron). There is autofocus, the focal length of the camera is 27 mm. There is an LED flash.
The main camera takes very decent photos during the day, although in slightly colder shades (the white balance is not quite adjusted). At night, unfortunately, the pictures don't come out as good as during the day. However, this applies to all middle-income earners. So far, only flagship Samsung S-series take excellent night photos.
The A5 (2017) has digital stabilization, but no optical stabilization. This means that the photos will be beautiful only if you shoot motionless, but when shooting on the move, the picture is slightly blurred.
Thanks to the wide selection of filters available, any Galaxy A5 (2017) user will feel like a professional photographer.
There is a smart button, which makes it easier to take selfies. You just need to select the position of the shutter button on the screen.
Here is an example of a photo taken during the day:
And here's how he takes pictures at night:
Photo taken at night
The A5 (2017), like other smartphones, has standard applications.
In addition to the usual ones, it has the following applications installed:
- Office suite Word, Excel, OneNote, PowerPoint, voice recorder that converts voice to text.
- HTML5 (but not Java, which is what almost all mobile applications are built on).
- Payment systems Samsung Pay and uBank.
- Search engines Google and Yandex.
- Not only the Google Play Store, but also the Samsung store itself.
- Samsung club applications - gifts from Samsung, Samsung Members, essentials, notes.
Autonomy
The A5 (2017) socket charges 100% in about an hour and forty minutes. It will take 7-9 hours to charge from a computer. The battery has a capacity of 3000 mAh. When browsing websites on the Internet and surfing social media. networks it will work for a day and a half. The charge will last less than a day for gaming.
In emergency mode, the phone will be able to work for a maximum time; if necessary, you can send a message or your coordinates.
You can play almost all games on the A5 (2017), all new games work great. Just don’t forget that playing games will run out of charge much faster than reading some information on the Internet. By the way, the A5 (2017) has no problems with the Internet, navigation is fast, and sites do not freeze.
What's new in 2018?
As already mentioned, the A5 (2017) smartphone runs on Android OS 6.0.1. In August last year, it was updated to Android 7.0, and in April 2018, smartphones in this line were launched based on Android 8.0.0.
Advantages and disadvantages of the A5 smartphone (2017)
Advantages:
- High Internet speed;
- According to reviews from various users, the processor and display are simply cool;
- Large memory capacity (built-in memory 32 GB + microSD with a maximum capacity of 256 GB);
- Two cameras that allow you to take high-quality photographs;
- Waterproof (in fresh water);
- With Samsung Pay, you can make various payments directly from your smartphone.
Flaws:
They are known to often be a continuation of advantages, and this is once again confirmed by the features of A5 (2017).
- Due to the protective membranes that provide water resistance, the sound comes out muffled, and the bass suffers more;
- Of course, thanks to the bright color palette, the quality of AMOLED displays is unrivaled, but many consumers complain that their eyes get tired quickly;
- As the same users write in their reviews, they were sometimes let down by the fingerprint sensor.
In general, to summarize, we can say that the Galaxy A5 (2017) is the best choice in terms of price and quality.
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In the class of smartphones up to 30,000 rubles, there is a real battle between different manufacturers. Everyone strives to offer the most functional device at a low price. Samsung, for example, relied on using the appearance of its flagship Galaxy S7 and its basic capabilities. The developer has slightly simplified the hardware, installed a more modest camera, and slightly less memory. The result is the Galaxy A5 2017 smartphone, which looks like a flagship but costs like an advanced mid-ranger.
Samsung Galaxy A5 2017 (model index SM-A520F) belongs to the middle class of devices. At the same time, the finishing uses the same materials as the flagship Galaxy S7/S7 edge: aircraft-grade aluminum and glass. In terms of hardware, the new product has a good margin of speed and performance. The smartphone received a proprietary chip with an eight-core Exynos 7880 processor, Mali-T830 graphics, and 3 GB of RAM. Built-in memory is 32 GB, it can be supplemented with memory cards.
They didn’t skimp on the screen; a SuperAMOLED display with a diagonal of 5.2 inches is used here. The smartphone includes support for all modern communications in the form of LTE Cat.7, dual-band Wi-Fi, NFC, Samsung Pay. The cameras (front and main) received a 16 megapixel sensor. You can use the built-in fingerprint scanner to unlock your smartphone. Currently, the device comes with a pre-installed Android 6.0.1 Marshmallow operating system with Clean UI shell.
Technical parameters of Samsung Galaxy A5 (2017) SM-A520F
id="sub0">| Characteristic | Description |
| Case materials: | Aluminum (6000 series), Corning Gorilla Glass 4 |
| Housing protection: | rated IP68 from water up to 30 minutes at a depth of up to 1.5 meters |
| Screen: | SuperAMOLED, 5.2-inch diagonal, resolution 1080x1920 pixels (424 ppi), automatic brightness adjustment, light sensor, color profiles, AlwaysOn Display function |
| CPU: | Exynos 7880 (Cortex A53 8 cores 1.9 GHz) 14 nm |
| GPU: | Mali-T830MP3 |
| RAM: | 3 GB |
| Flash memory: | 32 GB (23.7 GB available to the user) + microSD memory card slot (up to 256 GB) |
| Mobile connection: | 2G (850, 900, 1800, 1900 MHz), 3G (850/900/1900/2100 MHz), 4G (including LTE 800, 1800, 2600) |
| SIM card type: | Two nanoSIM cards |
| Communications and ports: | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac (2.4 and 5 GHz), NFC, USB Type C, Bluetooth 4.2, 3.5 mm headset, ANT+, Samsung Pay |
| Navigation: | GPS, AGPS, GLONASS, BEIDOU |
| Sensors: | Light sensor, proximity sensor, accelerometer/gyroscope, barometer, digital compass, fingerprint scanner, vibration sensor |
| Main camera: | 16 MP, f/1.9, autofocus, LED flash, FullHD video recording 30 frames per second |
| Front-camera: | 16 megapixels, without autofocus, f/1.9 |
| Battery: | non-removable, 3000 mAh, fast charging |
| Dimensions, weight: | 146.1x71.4x7.9 mm, 159 grams |
| Case colors: | black (Black Sky), gold (Gold Sand), blue (Blue Mist), pink (Peach Cloud) |
| Operating system: | Android 6.0.1 Marshmallow with Clean UI, upgradeable to Android 7 |
Samsung Galaxy A7 (2018) prices
id="sub1">Delivery package and first impressions
id="sub2">Samsung Galaxy A5 (SM-A520F) 2017 model series comes in a box made of thick white cardboard. The model name is printed on the front, and the main technical parameters are on the back. There is no image of the gadget.
In the box you can see the device itself, as well as:
Charger adapter with USB connector
Cable for synchronizing with a computer USB - USB Type C
microUSB to USB Type C adapter
Stereo headset with miniJack 3.5 mm
SIM card tray clip
Instructions, warranty card
It is noteworthy that Samsung decided to include an adapter from USB Type C to microUSB in the kit. This fact significantly makes life easier for potential owners of the new Galaxy A5 2017. There are twice as many options for recharging the device: the newfangled USB Type C or standard microUSB.
On sale you can find four body colors: black, gold, pink and blue. All colors are perceived well, different options look great. It is worth noting that in the sun or light the body begins to shimmer. The color becomes uneven. Looks impressive.
The 2017 Galaxy A5 is convenient in terms of size and ergonomics. Despite the gloss of the case, the device does not tend to slip out of your hands. Although, if you use gloves, you should be careful. A smartphone can easily be dropped. The dimensions of the device are 146.1x71.4x7.9 mm, weight 159 grams.
You cannot reach the edges of the display with one hand. But the problem can be solved. There is a special mode in the settings that reduces the image by 30%, allowing you to reach the corners of the display with your thumb. A useful feature, I recommend activating it.
You can carry the device in the pockets of tight clothes without any problems. There will definitely be no inconveniences.
Design and appearance
id="sub3">The appearance of the Galaxy A5 (2017) largely copies the flagship Galaxy S7 model. There is also a metal case in which not only the screen, but also the back panel is covered with glass. The glass has a slight rounding at the edges, the so-called 2.5D effect. Corning Gorilla Glass 4 is used here. The manufacturer claims that it is not afraid of cuts and proximity to metal keys and various fittings. However, there is no protection against falls. Just in case, I would recommend that device owners worry about protection in advance and buy a case, bumper or protective cover. It won't be redundant.
The glossy surfaces of the Galaxy A5 have an oleophobic coating that does its job perfectly. For example, fingerprints, dust and dirt are barely visible on the black case. Can be removed quickly and easily. On models in blue, pink and gold, prints are generally difficult to see.
For strength, the frame running along the entire contour of the device is made of metal. The metal had a positive effect on the overall perception of the device. The body is monolithic, looks durable and reliable. The assembly is high quality. The smartphone looks good and is much more expensive than its price.
On the front there is a 5.2-inch screen. Above it there is a speaker, light sensors, a front 16 megapixel camera, as well as the manufacturer’s logo. Below the display there is a mechanical key with a built-in fingerprint scanner. Biometric identification when unlocking or paying with Samsung Pay is fast and accurate. I did not find any problems with the operation of the button. On the sides of the central key there are two touch buttons. One is responsible for returning to one level, and the other for launching the manager of programs running in the background.
On the right side of the Galaxy A5 2017 there is a power and screen lock button. In addition, here you can see speaker slots for playing external sounds. This layout stands out from existing phone models. The speaker itself is average in volume, but the sound in it is quite pleasant and spacious. During testing, an interesting pattern emerged. If you put your smartphone with the speaker down in a handbag, the ringtone will not be heard (although it all depends on the contents of the bag! =)). There are no problems with winter clothes.
The volume keys are located on the left side. On the bottom edge there is a 3.5 mm jack for a headset and headphones, as well as a USB Type C port for a charger and connection to a computer. The phone can use two SIM cards at once. At the top end there is a tray for one of the SIM cards and memory cards. The second one settled down. The slots are equivalent and work with both voice communications and 4G.
There is a microphone on the bottom and top ends, there is a noise reduction system, it does its job perfectly. The interlocutor can clearly hear your voice in any conditions, even in noisy transport or during strong winds outside.
On the back side you can see a 16 megapixel camera lens with autofocus and LED flash. The lens does not protrude relative to the plane of the smartphone itself.
The battery is located inside the case. It is not removable.
During the test, I was not able to detect any external defects or poor quality assembly. The impressions are extremely positive. The device looks like a real flagship. The panels play interestingly in the light. The smartphone is assembled at the Samsung plant in Vietnam.
Screen. Graphics capabilities
id="sub4">The Galaxy A5 2017 uses a very high-quality 5.2-inch SuperAMOLED screen. Resolution 1080x1920 pixels (424 ppi). This is one of the best screens in its class. It is bright, contrasty, images and fonts are very smooth, without roughness, the black color is very deep. The viewing angles are maximum; colors do not change when tilted.
The display is covered with Corning Gorilla Glass 4 with a 2.5D effect and oleophobic coating. Medium width side frames.
Thanks to the “Adaptive” option, the user can significantly reduce the strain on their eyes. The device analyzes the level of lighting around and, depending on the conditions, sets the contrast and brightness, plus adjusts the colors on the screen. In addition, it is possible to use the color settings “Movie AMOLED”, “Photo AMOLED”, “main”.
The screen looks great in the sun. I did not notice any problems with reading the information. There is no glare or discoloration of the picture.
The sensitivity of the display is 10 points out of 10. All clicks are processed correctly and clearly. Samsung Galaxy A5 2017 supports glove operation.
A nice bonus is the AlwaysOn Display option, which allows you to display individual application icons, date, time or pictures on a locked and inactive screen. You can adjust the time the display is on, and the appearance of notification icons on the screen compensates for the lack of a traditional indicator of missed events. The display is black and white, the operation of this function does not drain the battery much: per day of use the consumption is 4%. Previously, this function worked exclusively in flagship devices; since 2017, it has come to the mid-price segment.
Hardware platform: processor, memory, performance
id="sub5">The smartphone is powered by an Exynos 7880 chip system, which includes 8 Cortex-A53 cores operating at up to 1.9 GHz and Mali-830 MP3 graphics. The platform is made using a 14 nm process technology, which has a positive effect on power consumption and the absence of heating under load.
RAM 3 GB. The device has 32 GB of internal memory (23.7 GB available to the user), supports microSD removable media up to 256 GB.
The performance of the smartphone is high. The interface is smooth, the browser runs smoothly even when opening heavy pages. All this is confirmed by synthetic tests. The model is up to standard, and the safety margin is enough for at least a couple of years. The processor does not heat up when loaded with productive games.
The advantages include the low power consumption of the Samsung chip. The smartphone lasts longer than its competitors.
To summarize, I can say that the characteristics fully correspond to the positioning. Samsung Galaxy A5 (2017) is a mid-ranger with great multimedia capabilities. Social networks, videos, music, games - all this works without flaws or limitations. For young people who love beautiful gadgets, but are not ready to pay a lot, the device will appeal to their taste. Another category of people who will appreciate this device are rationalists.
Communication capabilities
id="sub6">The smartphone supports all modern communication networks: 2G/3G and LTE cat. 7 on Russian frequencies, reliably receives the signal and does not lose it for no apparent reason. The quality of signal reception is not satisfactory, the device confidently maintains communication indoors and does not lose the signal in areas of poor reception (tested on MegaFon and MTS networks). Talking on the phone is comfortable. The speaker has a good volume reserve, and the interlocutors did not complain about poor audibility during testing.
Wi-Fi networks 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac (2.4 + 5 GHz), Bluetooth 4.2, and FM radio are supported. The presence of NFC and MST allows you to use your smartphone for contactless Samsung Pay payments. Connection to a computer is carried out according to the USB 2.0 standard via a symmetrical Type-C connector.
Among the additional communication tools, it is worth noting GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS (standard Google Maps cartography is built into the smartphone). The navigation error radius during testing was about 3 meters, which is very little. The gadget copes well with the role of a navigator.
Battery. Duration of work
id="sub7">Samsung Galaxy A5 (2017) has a lithium-ion battery with a capacity of 3000 mAh. Under testing conditions, with a number of calls of 35-40 minutes per day, browsing the Internet for about 2 hours via 4G, listening to an mp3 player through a headset for about 2 hours a day, the device worked for two days. When watching videos, the smartphone worked for 19 hours, in navigator mode - about 6 hours.
If we take average data with a mixed mode of use, we get two days of battery life. Those who use only calls can easily count on 5 days of work. In terms of autonomy, the device differs for the better from the vast majority of Android smartphones. For me personally, battery life is of great importance, the Galaxy A5 SM-A520F was a pleasant surprise.
In addition, there is a power saving mode, when the screen backlight and processor frequency are limited. In this scenario, the operating time will increase by at least 20%. There is an extreme (maximum) energy saving mode. In this case, the screen displays only white and gray colors, all applications except telephone communications, SMS, calendar and alarm clocks are disabled.
The phone has a fast charging feature. The battery is fully charged in 1 hour 20 minutes. But there is no built-in wireless charging here.
User Interface and Operating System
id="sub8">Currently, Samsung Galaxy A5 (2017) comes with Android 6.0.1 firmware with Clean UI. The same shell is used in the Galaxy S7 and S7 edge. The software can be updated over the air. From March 2017, the model will receive an update to Android 7.
Smartphone owners have access to all Samsung branded programs, including S Health for monitoring physical activity and health, S Voice voice assistant, gesture support, KNOX - for separating data into personal and work, etc. The missing programs can be downloaded from the Samsung App Store and Google Play. The model supports the Samsung Pay service.
Unlike the Galaxy S models, there is a built-in FM radio, which is a plus. An uninstallable Office and Skype package is also pre-installed, but Kaspersky can be removed before it begins to eat up already limited system resources and drain the battery.
Camera. Photo and video capabilities
id="sub9">Galaxy A5 2017 has a 16 megapixel camera with f/1.9, autofocus and LED flash. The equivalent focal length of the lens is 27 mm. The camera takes very decent quality pictures in daylight outdoors and indoors; in the dark it is not so good, but this is a problem with all mid-level cameras. In the settings you can find additional shooting modes, including PRO.
The camera interface is made in the traditional Samsung style. You can launch it by double-clicking the central button below the screen. There are many settings and preset modes, including self-portrait, panorama, night, continuous shooting, HDR and GIF creation. Video capabilities are limited to shooting in 1080p 30 frames per second. Compared to the Galaxy A5 (2016), the camera has lost optical stabilization, and the device is also formally inferior to some competitors due to the lack of the ability to shoot 4K video. But who really needs to shoot in 4K quality? No one. For this reason, the function was removed. FullHD is enough.
In manual mode, ISO settings are available at 50, 100, 200, 400, 800. The following shooting modes are available: single shot, smile detection, continuous, panorama, vintage, portrait, landscape, night mode, sports, indoor, beach/snow, sunset, dawn, autumn colors, fireworks, text, twilight, against the light.
The front camera has a resolution of 16 megapixels. It is quite photosensitive (f/1.9), but does not have autofocus. When taking a selfie, you can adjust your skin tone, face shape, and eye size. There is also a panoramic selfie function, although the optics are already wide-angle - you can capture a small company without special modes.
Results
id="sub10">Even if the Samsung Galaxy A5 (2017) is not a perfect mid-range smartphone, it is close to it. At its core, this is the flagship Galaxy S7, but 15,000 rubles cheaper. The undoubted advantages include a fast interface, a full range of necessary functions, an excellent screen and a long battery life. You can easily count on 2 days of work in mixed mode.
I'm glad that the Galaxy A5 2017 received IP68 protection against dust and water. This allows the smartphone to be at a depth of up to 1.5 meters for up to 30 minutes. This, of course, does not mean that the phone can be washed under water, much less tested for water resistance in a washing machine. But if you drop it in water, nothing will happen to it.
In terms of technology, it is worth noting LTE, dual-band Wi-Fi up to 100 Mbit/s, support for two SIM cards, NFC, Samsung Pay. By default, users have access to the S Health application to monitor their physical activity, and KNOXX to create a protected data area. The main camera was also at a good level. It shoots well for its class.
Among the disadvantages is the susceptibility of the case to falls on stones, concrete or asphalt. Here it is worth recommending protection in the form of covers, bumpers and stickers.
Advantages
High-quality assembly and stylish appearance
Good screen
Support LTE cat. 7
Water and dust protection
Dual SIM support
Long battery life
Flaws
High risk of glass parts breaking if dropped
Samsung, having first released the Galaxy A5 in 2014, continued to improve the model, adding one updated A5 per year to its “arsenal”. At the time of writing this review, the official price of the Samsung Galaxy A5 (2017) SM-A520F/DS in Russia is $484, and in Ukraine, according to the mobcompany.info portal, it is $408.
The updated model has inherited some features previously found only in flagships. Compared to the previous version, the device has a new processor, protection from dust and water, increased memory capacity and a USB Type-C port. But in some ways the smartphone is still inferior to its predecessor.
1. Characteristics of Samsung Galaxy A5 (2017)
The device has some good hardware, but if you compare it with its competitors, the cost of the A5 SM-A520F will seem overpriced.
1.1. Design, case materials, dimensions and weight
The smartphone comes in black, gold, blue and pink body colors.
Most often, domestic buyers will find options in black and gold colors. The side edges are made of metal, the screen is protected by tempered glass with rounded edges, and the back wall is also made of glass. The curved back panel and relatively small dimensions contribute to a good grip. However, due to the glass and soapy shape, the device constantly strives to slip out of your hands.
It seems the manufacturer went a little overboard with the rounded corners. And also, for some reason the frames at the top and bottom of the screen are larger than in the A5 2016. Subjectively, the previous version looks more “cultured”. But there are also improvements. For example, the rear camera lens is now flush with the panel.
The body is well assembled. Moreover, it is protected from dust and water according to the IP68 standard. It can lie for 30 minutes at a depth of one and a half meters, without damaging the insides of the device.
At the bottom of the screen there is a mechanical Home key with a built-in fingerprint scanner. On either side of it are touch buttons for going back and displaying a list of running applications.
It is noteworthy that the device received separate slots for installing cards. The first SIM tray is located on the left side, next to the volume buttons. And on the top edge there is an additional hole into which a combined slot for another SIM and memory card is placed.
The right side houses the power button and the main speaker grille.
On the bottom there is a symmetrical USB Type-C connector, a microphone hole and a 3.5 mm headphone jack.
All this is placed in a case with dimensions of 146.1x71.4x7.9 mm and a weight of 159 grams.
1.2. CPU
The manufacturer installed a fresh 64-bit Samsung Exynos 7880 chipset in the smartphone, with an integrated Mali-830 MP2 graphics chip. The SoC includes 8 Cortex-A53 cores, the maximum frequency of which reaches 1.9 GHz. The processor is made using a modern 14-nm process technology, with all that it implies. For example, energy efficiency is improved and there is no significant heating. As a result, performance levels do not drop under intense loads.
The Antutu test gives an average result by today's standards of 60 thousand points. There are no complaints about the performance of the device in everyday use. The device has enough power for almost any task. The exception is the most resource-intensive 3D games. For example, at maximum graphic settings, everyone’s favorite “tanks” turn into a slideshow. But, with basic graphics settings, you can count on a smooth game with 50-60 fps.
1.3. Memory
Samsung A5 2017 is equipped with 3 GB of RAM. This is normal for a device of this class. Except that, together with the OS and running services, the Samsung shell eats up one and a half gigabytes. The manufacturer has recently been trying in every possible way to optimize the shell, but pure Android will work faster in any case.
The volume of the built-in storage is 32 GB, approximately 23 GB is available to the user. According to conservative estimates, this is enough to install an impressive list of applications, a couple of “heavy” games, and to store captured photos and videos. A memory expansion slot is always available for installing a MicroSD card with a maximum capacity of 256 GB.
1.4. Autonomy
The built-in 3000 mAh non-removable battery and a power-free chip with a 14-nm process technology give good results. In normal, mixed mode of use, the device operates for up to two days on a single charge. With intensive use, the battery lasts for a day. Fans of watching TV series on their smartphone are in luck: FullHD video plays for 17 hours. In HD resolution via MX Player – up to 19 hours, and at full brightness!
The energy saving mode will help extend the operating time by limiting performance and other tricks. Fast charging is supported, the device is charged from 0 to 100% in just 1 hour.
1.5. Camera
Samsung A5 SM-A520F is equipped with a 16-megapixel main camera sensor, with an equivalent focal length of 27 mm, and an aperture of f/1.9. The flash is quite bright, although it consists of a single LED. The shooting application interface is laconic and easy to learn. There is a meager PRO mode. It is a separate section, into which the basic settings have simply been moved: ISO, white balance and exposure.
During the day, the camera shoots well, at the level of good average cameras from China. The color rendition of the images is good, close to natural, and the level of detail is quite high. White balance is determined correctly, the dynamic range is wide. In the evening and at night things are not so fun. In automatic mode, the appearance of noise, loss of detail and overexposure of bright objects are guaranteed. In addition, the device focuses slowly, often resulting in a blurry picture.
The lack of optical stabilization affects it. This is a significant downgrade compared to the 2016 version. But it is not all that bad. If you place your smartphone on a tripod and manually adjust the sensitivity and exposure, you can achieve an acceptable result. The maximum resolution of recorded videos is FullHD (30 fps). The quality of the result obtained is not bad. But other manufacturers offer at least the ability to shoot at 60 fps, or 2k and 4k resolution.
The front camera has wide-angle optics and can shoot with a resolution of 16 MP. The photos look good, but don't expect anything special. In terms of image quality, the front camera is significantly inferior to the main one. But there are proprietary features that smooth the skin, enlarge the eyes and allow you to correct the shape of the face. The focus is fixed, set for close-up shooting. Because of this, distant objects appear blurry. At dusk, instead of a flash, the face is illuminated by the bright backlight of the screen filled with a white background.
1.7. Display
The device is equipped with a 5.2-inch display with a solid FullHD (1920×1080) resolution. Excellent image clarity is achieved due to high pixel density (424 ppi). A SuperAMOLED matrix is used, with its characteristic rich color reproduction and deep black color. The “bright-eyed” gamma can be adjusted in the settings; if desired, you can activate calmer tones. Viewing angles are good, with colors only subject to distortion at extreme angles. The maximum brightness reserve is high.
There is a blue filter for those who are concerned about their eyes. One of the main advantages of this smartphone is the Always On Display function. This is a feature that has migrated from flagship models to the mid-range segment. Thanks to it, the current time and date, charge level and missed notifications are displayed on the locked screen. The screen is covered with 2.5D glass, with a good oleophobic coating. The touchscreen recognizes 5 simultaneous touches.
1.8. Connection
The Samsung A5 2017 can simultaneously install 2 NanoSIM cards. The range of supported mobile networks includes 2G, 3G and 4G (LTE-A Cat6), with all common frequencies. The smartphone is equipped with a Bluetooth v4.2 module and dual-band (2.4 and 5 GHz) Wi-Fi a/b/g/n/ac. Thanks to the presence of NFC and MST, the device can be used for contactless payments. Support for the Samsung Pay payment service has been implemented. However, it is temporarily unavailable to owners of the “A” series.
For navigation and geopositioning you can use GPS + A-GPS, Glonass and Beidou. The smartphone copes with the role of a navigator flawlessly: it finds satellites within 10 seconds and accurately determines the location.
1.9. Sound
The external speaker has a non-standard location - on the upper part of the right rib.
Accordingly, it will not overlap, regardless of the position in which the smartphone is lying on the table or in the hands. This is undoubtedly a plus, but the sound seems muffled. This is due to the fact that the speaker is protected from dust and moisture getting inside using a special membrane. If we make allowances for this, the sound can be considered quite good.
It is quite clean, moderately loud, and almost all musical instruments can be heard. Except you can't hear the bass. When using headphones - no surprises, you can enjoy quite normal sound. There is a built-in software equalizer from Samsung. FM radio is also supported. The device has two microphones: one for conversational purposes, the second for noise reduction.
1.10. operating system
Out of the box, the SG A5 2017 comes with Android 6 OS. An update to Android 7 is promised to be released soon. Traditionally for Samsung smartphones, the manufacturer’s proprietary shell is installed on top of the system. Only instead of TouchWiz, as in Note 7, Grace UI is used. The relatively new shell inherited from TouchWiz not only its gluttony for resources. But it’s also pleasing to the eye, bright and customizable interface, with a built-in theme manager.
There are also proprietary software features, also inherited from the flagships of past years. For example, splitting the screen into 2 parts for two applications, one-handed control, quick launch of the camera by double pressing the “Home” button, etc.
1.11. Peculiarities
For the scanner to work, you need to place your finger at the correct angle, and only when the screen is on. That is, to unlock the device, you first need to press the Home button and then scan the fingerprint. Fortunately, to do this, you don’t need to press the button again and swipe across the scanner - just put your finger on it.
2. Pros and cons of Samsung Galaxy A5 (2017)
Advantages:
- design (for amateurs)
- Dust and moisture protection of the case according to IP68 standard
- You can use two SIMs and a memory card at the same time
- good display, Always On Screen feature, blue light filtering capability
- normal autonomy
Flaws:
- no optical stabilization
- there is no possibility of shooting at 60 frames per second and in 4k resolution
- fingerprint scanner features
3. Alternatives
OnePlus 3 and OnePlus 3T offer better performance. The Honor 8 is also more powerful and has a better camera. Xiaomi Mi 5s offers a more practical metal body and a convenient fingerprint sensor. Meizu Pro 6 is a music flagship with 4 GB of RAM. And finally, the Galaxy S6 is in the same price category, but its camera is much cooler.
4. Our opinion about the Samsung Galaxy A5 (2017)
Overall, the Samsung Galaxy A5 (2017) is a good smartphone that inherits the flagship features from its “big brothers.” As you can see from the review, it does not stand out with the best performance and camera among its competitors. But it pleases with its autonomy, water protection and the Always On Display function.
I would like to praise the manufacturer for such small steps of a large company towards the user. We are talking about separate slots for 2 SIM and a memory drive, as well as a camera module that does not stick out from the case.
Smartphone Samsung Galaxy A5 (2017)
Smartphone Samsung Galaxy A5 (2017)
Last year's Samsung Galaxy A series of smartphones was very successful in terms of design. They looked beautiful, although they were inferior in characteristics to numerous Chinese analogues. Yes, Chinese phones are becoming more and more popular, but Samsung is no slouch either. Excellent materials, high-quality cameras, functional shell, and the brand also means a lot. I know people who believe in Samsung and they only have phones of this brand. I think you will have such acquaintances too.
Those who surf the Internet are aware of the eternal torment of choice: what to buy, the creation of a famous brand or an almost top Chinese, up-and-coming brand? Judging by the successful sales of various Galaxy A last year, fans of this series were not deterred by the price; there were many willing ones. And people still go to stores, try out devices, twirl them in their hands to get an impression of their purchases; not all “Chinese” products can be checked out in person.
Slippery but doesn't get wet
The design surprised me; Samsung abandoned the angular shapes and again returned to the soapy features. Remember the old flagship Samsung Galaxy S3? The new A5 is very similar in shape, and the back panel looks very modest, I would add a picture or pattern to it for variety, it would look better, but it looks like a budget phone.
Here is a photo of A5 and S7 edge, compare the sizes and evaluate the difference in appearance.
The case is very slippery, you can walk with the phone without a case, but you need to use it carefully, otherwise you will drop it.
Glass front and back, the shiny surface is combined with a durable aluminum side. There is no fault with the assembly, nor with the ergonomics, all the buttons are in their places.
If you can’t handle the phone with one hand, then turn on the special mode, then the menu will shrink in size. The camera can be launched by double-clicking the button under the screen, very convenient.
But IP68 water protection, like the top-end Galaxy S7, is good and practical. The phone is not afraid of swimming in fresh water, withstanding being at a depth of up to 1.5 meters for 30 minutes.
Screen with a twist
The phone, as usual for Samsung, has a bright Super AMOLED, now the Always On Display feature works, when additional data is visible on the screen in standby mode, and the backlight does not work at this time. To some extent, it compensates for the lack of a light indicator, although nothing simpler and more efficient than a flashing diode has yet been invented.
Diagonal 5.2 inches, resolution 1080x1920 - the picture is bright, everything is clearly visible on the street, no traces are left on the display, excellent oleophobic coating. It’s strange that on a phone that costs almost 30 thousand rubles, multi-touch detects only 5 simultaneous touches.
Samsung Pay is not working yet
The phone helps me pay for purchases via Samsung Pay, but I couldn’t link a card to it; during testing, the service didn’t work and I advised me to wait a little longer. Well, OK. I note that the phone has an NFC chip, but it does not work with the Troika card. I tried several applications, but the smartphone does not show travel data through the applications.
The camera is very good during the day
The camera on the back of the case does not protrude at all, it is flush with the surface. Convenient: when you put the phone on the table, it lies and does not wobble.
The resolution of the main and front cameras is the same, both are 16 megapixels. The Galaxy A5 (2017) takes excellent photos in automatic mode, in the settings you can launch manual mode or additional scene profiles. Here are a few examples, and you can evaluate the rest in Google Drive. I didn’t find the specifications of the model on the Samsung website, but as I understood from the description in other sources, there is no optical camera stabilization; last year’s Galaxy A5 had it.
Take a look at how HDR works (on the left - with it, on the right - the effect is turned off).
The quality of video recording is limited to Full HD; the phone records videos well, but strobes a lot. Here's an example of shooting at a skating rink.
Not the most powerful, but works quickly
If you look at the performance, this is a typical mid-range product. 61 thousand points in AnTuTu, Exynos 7880 processor, 3/32 GB of memory and a slot for a microSD card. The new 14nm processor features lower power consumption
Samsung's operating system is still gluttonous and consumes large amounts of RAM; out of 3 gigs, 1.3 GB remains for work, and when you also use applications, there are about 500 MB free. You can live, but they don’t want to hear about process optimization at Samsung.
If you play WoT: Blitz at maximum graphics settings, the phone produces 30-35 fps, which is enough performance reserve for modern games. The phone does not overheat and does not turn into a heating pad, which is good.
The phone has 2 SIM cards, and there is a separate compartment for the memory card; you don’t have to sacrifice the second SIM if you put a microSD here, it’s very practical.
Samsung pleased us with the sound quality in the headphones; it plays clearly, although the volume reserve is not very large. The sound through the speaker is clear, but not loud. In the old-fashioned way, you can listen to FM radio if you connect headphones, although now more and more people listen to Google Music or similar services.
Works one day like everyone else
The Galaxy A5 has a 3000 mAh battery, fast charging, the phone works for a day or a day and a half under my load with the Internet and other activities. In the menu you can find functions to optimize system operation; the device itself determines which applications prevent it from sleeping peacefully and disrupt the operating mode. USB-C is used for charging, it’s good that Samsung has finally begun to transfer its equipment to a new port. True, finding a cable at the nearest stall is still a problem; USB-C is still not held in high esteem among us, but in vain.
What is the price?
Samsung Galaxy A5 (2017) sells for 27,990 rubles. Considering that by adding 3 thousand rubles, you can buy last year’s flagship Galaxy S6, you’ll wonder if you should take an older, but more sophisticated phone? Yes, it will not have water protection and a slot for a memory card, but it has a better camera and more interesting appearance. Do you want to save money, but buy Samsung? Then look at the Galaxy A5 (2016), it is still relevant, the hardware is simpler, but it costs around 20 thousand.
Of the options from other brands, I can recommend Honor 8 (), it costs the same as A5, it’s more a matter of personal attitude to the brands, they are similar in characteristics, but Honor has a nicer design, for my taste. Another competitor is the glass-metal ASUS Zenfone 3 () in a similar style.
Opinion
Samsung Galaxy A5 (2017) pleased us with a rare feature; there are few phones on sale with water protection. What else can surprise you? In my opinion, the appearance has become worse than that of the old generation; last year's Galaxy A3/A5/A7 line looked more interesting. Although in terms of materials and assembly everything is still decent, and the filling has become even more powerful. I think that when prices drop in a few months, the phone will “go to the people.”
To summarize, I will say that I liked the new Samsung Galaxy A5 (2017) in terms of characteristics, but not in design. Judging by past experience, Samsung is capable of more. Otherwise, the model turned out to be good, and if you look at analogs from Huawei or ASUS, you will see comparable price tags, I can’t say that the overpayment for the brand will be too high, Samsung has an adequate pricing policy.
Did not like
- Slippery body
- Soap design
- No indicator light
- Limited NFC capabilities
- Old Android 6.0
Liked
- Good camera
- Autonomy
- Water protection
- Functional shell
- Bright screen
I would like to thank the friendliest gadget store for providing me with a smartphone for testing. Biggeek. By promotional code Wylsacom There is a special discount for buyers.
Samsung Galaxy A5 (2017) is trying its best to be like the flagship Galaxy S7 edge, and it succeeds. A thick metal frame surrounds the perimeter of the smartphone, and the back side is covered with glass curved on the sides.
It's comfortable to hold and operate the phone with one hand, but the materials are slippery. You need to be especially careful if you need to take a gadget out of your pocket in the cold, and you are wearing knitted gloves. Glass is a fragile thing, even a small fall can lead to the appearance of a web of cracks both on the screen and on the back panel.
Galaxy A5 (2016)
Galaxy A5 (2017)
Move the slider to compare the appearance of the Galaxy A5 (2016) and A5 (2017).A5 (2016) was square, A5 (2017), on the contrary, became very rounded. Judging by the first reviews on the Internet, not everyone likes it. Some even tease with the word “remnant”. In my opinion, nothing terrible, although the back panel looks a little empty. The main thing is that the build quality is still fine. By the way, the camera lens no longer sticks out.
The speaker has moved to the upper part of the right side of the smartphone. Convenient solution. Now it cannot be closed by hand either in horizontal or vertical orientation. The sound from it is a little muffled, but overall everything is within the bounds of decency.
Galaxy A5 (2017) is protected according to the IP68 standard. The case is dust-proof, the smartphone can be kept for half an hour under water at a depth of up to 1.5 meters.
The main feature of the entire Samsung A-series of 2017 is protection according to the IP68 standard. Those. The devices are dustproof and can be submerged under water to a depth of 1.5 meters and kept there for 30 minutes.
The fingerprint scanner built into the mechanical Home button miraculously works much more accurately than in the A3 (2017). Well, the reading speed is equally good in both models. You don’t need to press a key to unlock, which is great – it’s more convenient.
One of the best Full HD screens
A cool display is one of the key advantages of the Samsung Galaxy A5 (2017). The Super AMOLED matrix used here has many strengths: high brightness, deep blacks, very wide viewing angles. Plus, the most important thing is reduced energy consumption.
Many people like saturated (the Koreans have not gone overboard with this for a long time) AMOLED colors. If this is not your case, then in the settings you can choose a more discreet profile or adjust the color balance manually.
The Galaxy A5 (2017) has a stunning AMOLED screen with Full HD resolution.
Unlike A3 (2017), on the A5 (2017) screen the picture does not fall apart into individual pixels. The point is the resolution - for AMOLED panels you need at least Full HD, and here it is 1920x1080. Density: 424 dpi. It’s comfortable to read texts, look at pictures, correspond in instant messengers and by mail.
The LED indicating incoming messages on the front panel has disappeared. Instead, there is now an Always On function. When the smartphone is locked, the black screen displays the clock, calendar, information about the remaining charge and notifications about SMS, calls and other events. Convenient, but not economical. In an hour, when Always On is turned on, it consumes from 1.5 to 3% of the battery charge, per day we lose an average of a quarter of the capacity.
Not all games run at maximum, but that's not a problem
Samsung Galaxy A5 (2017) is not a cheap toy, and the hardware is mediocre. Although maybe it’s just the budget and powerful Chinese smartphones that have spoiled us. All games run, but not every one can be played at high graphics settings. For example, in World of Tanks Blitz, in the hottest moments of battles, even at medium settings, the frame rate drops below a comfortable 30 fps - the image twitches.
Average performance is also confirmed by numbers from synthetic tests. However, 60,000 points in AnTuTu (A5 (2017) scores exactly that much) is exactly the threshold from which smartphones begin to cope with the vast majority of tasks without delays and glitches.
Performance of the A5 (2017) in comparison with competitors and the Samsung flagship. The more points the better.
Well, you will drive “tanks” without beautifully swaying grass and shoot zombies without special effects from explosions, and so what? Another question is that many competitors offer much more for the same money. But more on that later.
The A5 (2017) is powered by an eight-core Samsung Exynos 7880 chipset with a frequency of 1.9 GHz. RAM 3 gigabytes. The beautiful but greedy Grace UX shell installed on top of Android 6.0 usually leaves no more than half of them. However, it is enough for normal multitasking.
In the A5 (2016), the Koreans offered users only a measly 16 GB of internal memory, but the “five” from 2017 is already equipped with 32 GB, and you can live with that.
Now there's one more cherry on top. The gods heard the prayers of users, gave the developers a strong kick, and they finally made a separate slot for microSD with a capacity of up to 256 GB. So A5 (2017) and A7 (2017) are full-fledged dual-SIM smartphones with memory expansion. Hurray, comrades!
The A5 (2017) has three full-fledged card compartments: two for nanoSIM and one for microSD with a capacity of up to 256 GB inclusive.
The front camera was a success, but the main module was deprived of stabilization
The main disappointment from the A5 (2017) camera is that the optical stabilization that was in the A5 (2016) is no longer there. And this greatly spoils the positive impressions of the new 16-megapixel main module.
During the day, the automation perfectly copes with determining sensitivity, white balance and accurately sets the exposure the first time. The detail is high. However, you will only feel this if you hold the smartphone firmly and confidently in your hands. This is the only way to compensate for the lack of stabilization.
If you take pictures on the A5 (2017) carelessly, it’s easy to get blurry even in good lighting. Another nuance follows from this: photographing moving objects (children and cats, for example) is very difficult.
HDR mode is the strong point of all Samsung A-series smartphones in 2017. It works very neatly without burning out the colors. See for yourself:
No HDR
With HDR
At dusk and in normal artificial light, shooting is still more or less comfortable, but just in case, it’s worth doing several takes - at least half will almost certainly be blurred.
It's hardest at night. Here the automation begins to malfunction, increasing sensitivity (noise) and exposure (overexposure), although autofocus and white balance are still fine. There is only one way to partially compensate for the shortcomings: by setting the required ISO and EV values in manual mode yourself. The matter is quite simple, because in this mode you only allow three parameters to be changed, but it can be intimidating for beginners at first.
The selfie camera has the same resolution as the main one – 16 megapixels. And she's beautiful. In daylight, you get very sharp self-portraits with excellent detail, and in the dark a soft virtual “flash” comes to the rescue. The screen turns bright white and gently illuminates the user's face.
photos
photos
photos
The maximum video resolution is Full HD at 30 frames per second. The frequency obviously could have been made higher, but there’s no need to be sad about the lack of 4K - a weak processor would still have difficulty running such a function. During the day, the quality is quite decent, provided that you move the camera smoothly and do not shoot while moving. There is a “hyperlapse” mode: we put the camera on the window, it takes one frame every few seconds, and then combines it into an accelerated video.
Fast charging and slightly above average battery life
Galaxy A5 (2017) has a battery with a capacity of 3000 mAh. On average, the gadget works for a full day, although it may run out earlier if you are into mobile games. If the main use cases are mail, the Internet, instant messengers, reading books and a little video, like mine, then in the evening there is from 10 to 25% charge left.
Operating time of A5 (2017) in cyclic monotests in comparison with competitors and standards. Specified in minutes.
In mono tests the performance is quite outstanding. Watching Full HD video at maximum brightness will drain the battery in 17 hours. Fans of TV series and long flights should take note. The simple arcade game Subway Surfers (also at maximum brightness) discharged the A5 6 hours and 15 minutes after start.
A USB Type-C port instead of the outdated microUSB is correct and progressive, I fully approve. Fast charging supported. There was no native adapter, but from someone else’s with an output voltage of 5 Volts / 3 Amps, the gadget was charged in just 1 hour and 20 minutes.
Meizu Pro 6
The old flagship has fallen greatly in price Moto X Force with unbreakable screen. One of the mobile operators sells it even cheaper than the A5 (2017) - for 27,000 rubles.
Well, if an official guarantee for you is not an argument in favor of overpayment, then for 29-30 thousand rubles gray suppliers offer Samsung Galaxy S7, which is better than A5 (2017) in the vast majority of key parameters.
This is an item for those who choose a smartphone not by price and characteristics, but by brand. It is logical that with this approach, Samsung has only one competitor - Apple. With a budget of 30,000, the iPhone 7 will not be enough even if purchased from unofficial sources. And here iPhone 6S with 16 GB of memory you can get it from gray suppliers for 32,000 rubles.
But is it worth it? In my opinion, no. Apple's flagship from last year is more powerful, but it has a worse screen, absolutely no selfie camera, a slot for only one SIM and no memory expansion options. With the built-in 16 GB you will suffer so much - it’s very little.
There is also a 4-inch iPhone SE for the official 33,000 rubles, but it is appropriate to compare it with the A3 (2017) rather than with the A5 (2017).
Opinion site
Samsung Galaxy A5 (2017) is a very controversial gadget. On the one hand, 28,000 rubles is expensive. On the other hand, the smartphone has advantages that its competitors cannot yet match: a cool screen, water protection, support for Samsung Pay, and an excellent selfie camera.
In my personal opinion, the last three points are good things, but of secondary importance, and the IPS displays of competitors are inferior more in terms of autonomy than in picture quality. I would focus on OnePlus 3 or Honor 8. However, there are many buyers who are looking for exactly the same “chips” as in the A5 (2017), are closely “sitting” on Samsung Pay, or choose the Korean company solely because of the brand.
Replacing the A5 (2016) with the A5 (2017) is also a controversial issue, because optical stabilization was removed from the smartphone, although a bunch of other goodies were added. If you often take photographs, then you should think carefully. If not, then you can safely go to the store for a new model.
Pros:
- Dust and water protection (IP68)
- Convenient housing
- High build quality
- AMOLED screen with Full HD
- Great selfie camera
- USB Type-C and fast charging
- Separate slots for two SIM and microSD
- There will be an update to Android 7.0
- Samsung Pay support
- Commendable battery life
Minuses:
- Very high price
- Average hardware
- Slippery body
- No optical stabilization
- No notification light
