Smartphone "Samsung A5": reviews and specifications. Samsung Galaxy A5

Samsung Galaxy A5 is a simplified copy of the flagship S7. The model was created specifically for those users who do not want to purchase an expensive new product. The device is equipped with many useful functions, an excellent display and at the same time can give odds to many competitors from the mid-price category.

Model
Dimensions, weight	146.1 * 71.4 * 7.9 mm, 159 grams
Screen	5.2" capacitive touch screen Super AMOLED with a resolution of 1920x1080 pixels
OS	Android version 6.0.1
Chipset	Exynos 7880, 1.9 GHz, eight cores
GPU	Mali 830MP3
RAM/ROM	3/32GB + there is support for microSD memory cards up to 256 GB (a dedicated card slot)
Interfaces	Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 4.1, GPS, LTE, NFC
Cameras	Main: 16 MP, f/1.9, front: 16 MP, f/1.9
battery	Lithium-ion, 3000 mAh

Design and management

A distinctive feature of the Samsung Galaxy A5 2017 is the voluminous glass surface and solid metal frame. Thanks to these innovations, the smartphone began to look much sleeker than the previous revisions of 2015 and 2016. There are small curves on the surface of the back cover, so the device lies very comfortably in the hand. The device should be especially praised for that the camera module no longer protrudes from the housing. You can safely place your phone on a table without fear of scratching the optics.

The color scheme is standard: black, blue, gold and pink. Each of the designated colors has its own unique shade. The case can hardly be called thin, but it does not look or feel bulky; rather, it is very elegant, comfortable and well thought out. The weight of the device is also not surprising, considering protection from water and dirt.

Samsung Galaxy A5

Important! The smartphone has IP68 level protection. This means that, despite the interesting design, the device can survive a fall into a puddle or onto asphalt. The function is very rare in smartphones of this class, but in demand.

The layout of the Samsung Galaxy A5 control buttons is slightly different than last year's models. For example, the speaker moved to the right side. Whether it is convenient or not, everyone will decide for themselves. User reviews claim that this is just a matter of habit.

The design of the device remains true to classical ideas. This is a typical candy bar, made with taste and care. You want to pick up the phone, and its shape is pleasing to the eye.

Screen Features

The Samsung Galaxy A5 2017 smartphone is equipped with SuperAMOLED display. Last year's revision of the model also had a similar screen. The screen size is 5.2 inches, which seems quite small these days.

As for the screen characteristics, there can be no complaints here. Brightness can be adjusted either automatically or manually. Automatic settings capable of " machine learning”, adapting to the user’s habits. The screen can be changed according to your taste and discretion: colors, layout of the main controls, customization of themes and much more. Another positive feature of the Samsung Galaxy A5 phone is excellent screen readability. The display does not fade in the sun even under direct rays.

The smartphone has on board popular AoD option. Thanks to this “trick,” the device always leaves the screen on, spending virtually no energy on powering it. This happens due to switching to display mode, similar in principle to a monochrome reader. Accidental press does not activate the screen, to do this you will need to type the appropriate command or enter a pattern. Basic information displayed: clock, date, messages from some instant messengers, etc.

Important! The surface of the screen is covered with durable tempered glass, resistant to scratches. If you carry the device in your pocket with keys and coins, the screen will remain intact thanks to effective protection.

The screen is one of the strengths of the model. Intelligent brightness adjustment for the user, excellent color rendition, good readability and AoD make the device one of the most attractive in its category.

Memory and performance

The characteristics of the Samsung Galaxy A5 2017 inspire optimism. The device is built on the company's own processor, Exinos 7880, and the popular Mali T830 video adapter. However, the technical process used to manufacture the central chip responsible for performance is outdated (14 nm). The maximum frequency of eight cores is 1.9 GHz. Many new games will launch and you can play them safely. Of course, it’s better to forget about maximum settings, but you can count on stable FPS without drops in most team battles.

There is no such thing as too much RAM – this opinion is shared by both users and manufacturers. This is probably why the engineers equipped the device with 3 GB of RAM. The phone has 32 GB of internal memory. For those who like to store all their photos on their device, this may not seem enough. Especially for such users there is possibility of memory expansion up to 256 GB inclusive thanks to the card.

The graphical shell is optimized and does not consume many resources, so the available parameters are quite sufficient for comfortable work. The owner will not have to see the browser pages freezing and the desktop scrolling frame-by-frame. The slow menu and other flaws in the graphical shell clearly bypassed the model in question.

In benchmarks, the device gains just over 60 thousand points. This is a standard indicator for a mid-level smartphone. The phone's hardware capabilities are enough to solve all basic user tasks.

operating system

The Samsung Galaxy A5 review continues with the software theme: operating system, on which he works. Initially it was Android 6 version with a slightly modified interface. The developers have worked hard and made some changes to familiar things. However, those who are accustomed to using the flagship Samsung line will probably not feel any difference: they have a completely identical shell installed.

The amount of pre-installed software is small, there are no advertising products, most non-system applications can be removed. In addition to Google Play, there is Samsung's own application store. The performance of the system is respectable: the smartphone quickly boots up from scratch, quickly picks up the network and registers with it.

Important! Thanks to a well-thought-out curtain, access to main applications has become faster. It only takes a couple of clicks to get to the hidden panel icons.

Call and sound quality

Samsung Galaxy A5 2017 phone supports two SIM cards in nano-SIM format. Both SIM cards will be able to function in fourth generation networks. The speed of Internet traffic transmission depends entirely on the operator’s bandwidth cellular communications. Wi-Fi works great, the speed is fast and stable, and the phone can easily download and play high-definition video streaming.

Bluetooth version 4.2 allows you to exchange data much faster. As for navigation, everything is not so simple here. Satellites are caught quickly, but communication with them is not always stable. Fans of contactless payments will be delighted the presence of NFC and the option “ Samsung Pay».

The conversational microphone and speaker do their job perfectly. The phone's speaker, although not the loudest, is of very high quality. In addition, the user is unlikely to miss a call if the speaker volume is set to maximum. The equalizer settings in the built-in player are enough to enjoy acceptable sound. It won't reach the level of a dedicated DAC and a quality headset for the price of an average smartphone, but overall it's very good.

Battery and autonomy

Installed on the Samsung Galaxy A5 2017 smartphone battery size 3000 mAh. This, according to the developer, can be enough for 16 hours of continuous conversation in 3G networks. Of course real figure will be slightly lower than this figure. On average, about 10-12 hours.

Important! A nice innovation is that the phone has fast charging. Thanks to this function, the gadget can be recharged in 1 hour 20 minutes, which guarantees uninterrupted operation.

In general, the autonomy of the device shows fairly average performance. With moderate Internet/calls/games/messenger load, the phone lasts for one working day. But even despite the small margin of autonomy, the user does not live “from socket to socket.” The gadget almost always survives until the evening, when it can be charged.

Camera specifications

The Galaxy A5 smartphone has in its arsenal as many two 16 megapixel cameras. The quality of the images is slightly different, but this is due more to the technical features and the location of the modules themselves.

The main camera takes slightly clearer pictures thanks to the optical stabilizer. A wide range of settings allows you to customize your photography session to suit your needs.

Front camera does not have a flash. In addition, the focus still remains fixed, which is not very convenient when taking a self-portrait. However, thanks to a system of filters and other effects, you can take a very nice selfie to please yourself and your friends.

Conclusion

The gadget turned out to be very interesting. It stands out significantly in its class thanks to the unique functions it inherited from the flagship. Interesting and attractive design, successful ergonomics, protection from dust and moisture - the device manages to combine several advantages. The price at the time of sales ranged from 25,990 to 27,990 rubles. It is quite obvious that in 2018, due to the popularity of Samsung, they will release a new revision of this model.

• waterproof;
• beautiful body;
• strong glass protecting the screen;
• there is NFC;
• high-quality assembly;
• high performance;
• fast charging.

• small battery capacity;
• front camera without flash;
• high price at the start of sales.

Samsung Galaxy A5

A mid-segment smartphone with excellent characteristics and design from the Korean manufacturer Samsung – Samsung Galaxy A5. The device was released in 2015 and has been updated twice since then. Thus, now you can find two versions of the A5 model on sale - 2016 and 2017.

A5 2016 (black, white, gold) – 8500 rub.
A5 2017 (black, gold) – 9500 rub.

Samsung Galaxy A5 2016 (A510)

The 2016 Samsung Galaxy A 510 is no longer made of metal, like its predecessor, but of glass. The screen diagonal has increased slightly and is 5.2 inches, and the resolution is 1920 x 1080, 424 ppi. The weight of the device increased to 155g, and the size was 145 x 71 x 7.3 mm. The device's built-in memory is 16GB with a slot for a memory card and remains unchanged. RAM is also 2GB.

The device is equipped with an eight-core processor of its own production, Exynos 7580. The speed on it is much better than on last year’s model.

The main camera has not changed - 13 MP, the front one - 5 MP.

The battery capacity has increased to 2900 mAh. However, this is also enough for the device to operate for a day without recharging. However, the 2016 model has a fast charging function.

A fingerprint scanner also appeared.

Samsung Galaxy A5 2017 (A520)

The 2017 Samsung Galaxy A 520 has become much more solid and stylish in terms of design. The body material is still glass and metal, but now the smartphone has become smoother and more rounded. A new blue color appeared, which replaced white.

The built-in memory on the new device is 32GB, and it is now possible to use a memory card up to 256GB.

The chipset is more powerful and modern – Exynos 7880. And the volume RAM increased to 3GB.

The main and front cameras have increased to 16 megapixels, which allows you to take selfies of excellent quality. The battery capacity has increased to 3000 mAh.

The new model is dust and waterproof.

You can buy Samsung Galaxy A 5 in our online store by placing an order through the website shopping cart or by calling us at. Delivery in Moscow is possible on the day of order. The cost of delivery within the Moscow Ring Road is 400 rubles. Delivery to the Moscow region is calculated individually. Pickup from a retail store two minutes from Savelovskaya metro station.

At the moment, a phone from Samsung, which is called the Galaxy A7, is considered one of best smartphones on the market for similar equipment. However, due to the high cost, which generally corresponds to the quality of the device, the device is not very popular among buyers. It is because of this that the company decided to transfer a large number of functions and design components to another phone in the same line. Let's talk about it in this article. Its name is “Samsung Galaxy A5”. It was released in 2017, but has already sold out in quite large quantities among consumers. Perhaps the fact is that the gadget has taken a place in the middle price category. In order to compile a complete description of the device, we will rely on customer reviews.

General inspection

In such a short period of time, the Samsung A5 phone was able to establish itself as a fairly powerful device for its price category. The operating system used is Android 6.0, in other words, Marshmallow. Moreover, the interface and menu of the phone look quite interesting and fresh. This is due to the fact that the manufacturer installed its own shell. The gadget works as quickly as possible due to the presence of 3 GB of RAM and an 8-core processor.

The screen has a diameter of 5 inches, resolution - 1080x1920 pixels. Consumers are completely satisfied with these characteristics. What else can the display boast? It does not fade in direct sunlight. Outdoor visibility is excellent in all weather conditions.

The Samsung Galaxy A5 smartphone has a wireless Internet module that operates at frequencies of 2.4 and 5 GHz. The manufacturer has built in a fingerprint scanner, which works perfectly.

Even with such excellent characteristics, some nuances still caused a negative reaction among consumers. In Russia, the average cost of a device is 28 thousand rubles. This is much more expensive than all of its competitors. But of course, the latter are significantly inferior in quality.

The Samsung A5 phone has received distinctive characteristics. What are we talking about? About the presence of glass that covers the case, as well as the use of protective technology. The latter makes the smartphone resistant to dust and water. The device also received a unique design, which quite claims to be premium. The manufacturer also took care of fast charging. The 3 thousand mAh battery charges in only about 1 hour.

Pros and cons, according to consumers

Consumers immediately after purchase began to search for disadvantages and advantages. Let's first look at the positive characteristics of the phone.

• The screen is large and fits perfectly with the size of the case.
• There is a separate port for a memory card.
• The housing is protected from water and dust.
• The design is incredibly good.
• Charging is as fast as possible.

What disadvantages did the owners find? It’s worth noting right away that they don’t do much damage to the reputation of the Samsung A5 phone. A more detailed review is presented below, for now let’s briefly look at the shortcomings.

• Due to the dollar to ruble ratio, the cost is a little high. Although it is ideal for the American buyer.
• Some consumers note the disadvantages of using the Marshmallow operating system.
• Due to the presence of glass on the case, the device seems quite fragile, but no one has yet dared to test its strength.

Specifications

The phone went on sale in mid-January 2017. Around the same time, a case for the Samsung A5 also began to be sold. The average cost of a gadget, which has already been mentioned above, is 28 thousand rubles. Available body colors: blue, gold and black. The form factor is already clear: a smartphone. Dimensions of the gadget: length - 14.6 cm, width - 7.1 cm, thickness - 0.7 cm. Total weight of the phone - 160 g. The available touch functions include the following: barometer, accelerometer, fingerprint scanner, compass, light, proximity, and hall sensors. There are also regular mechanical buttons: power keys and volume keys. You can protect your device using a PIN code, password, graphic key or fingerprint.

These are the characteristics of the Samsung A5 phone. All that's missing is more detailed description each of the elements.

• CPU. The Exynos 7880 chipset was used. The processor received 8 cores for operation. Clock frequency falls slightly short of 2 GHz, limited to 1.9 GHz. Perhaps this is what “conquered” consumers with the Samsung A5 phone.
• Memory. Internal memory was 32 GB, and the RAM was 3 GB. The phone works with microSD. Its maximum volume can reach 256 GB.
• Display. Supports multi-touch. Diagonal - 5.2 inches. Color rendition is standard - 16.7 million. The Samsung A5 smartphone is not particularly distinguished by these characteristics.
• Camera. The main and front ones received a resolution of 16 megapixels. There is a flash that makes shooting in dark places easier. Where possible, geotagging is allowed. There is a video recording function. Using the wireless module, you can connect to TVs. Panorama shooting function available.
• Battery. Capacity - 3 thousand mAh. It is possible to quickly charge the phone, but the process is not wireless. In standby mode it can last up to 320 hours. When talking - no more than 12 hours. With continuous music playback - up to 30 hours, and video - up to 8 hours.

Separately, it is worth considering the equipment. The phone is sold with a special coupon from the service, user instructions, headphones, charger and battery.

Feedback on display and design

Most consumers call the thickness of the Samsung A5 device, the characteristics of which already make one think about buying it, normal. By today's standards, it cannot be declared too small, but it is optimal. I was also pleased with the weight of the device. Moreover, due to the use of protective technology, it was quite expected that the dimensions would become somewhat large. Consumers called the presence of a speakerphone on the right side a good move. An additional improvement is that the camera does not protrude from the body. Consumers liked it quite a lot. After all, when the device is lying on the table, it does not swing.

Buyers noted good screen. It is possible to display any applications on the active display in order to have access to them quick access. Many reviews have focused on how amazing the screen-to-body ratio is. The phone is easy to hold and operate.

Reviews about the processor and memory

When it comes to the processor and memory, gaming enthusiasts immediately perk up. It must be said that the phone works great with fairly intensive programs, even when it comes to 3D graphics. So gamers should pay attention to the Samsung A5.

Reviews about RAM are also good. Users note that due to the built-in shell, which consumes few resources, the phone does not slow down and works as quickly as possible. Some were upset that out of all 32 GB, only 23 GB is available to the user. But the memory can be easily increased using external media.

Reviews about the camera

We continue our review of the Samsung A5. Reviews about the camera are only good. Consumers note some difference between the pictures of the front matrix and the main one. The first one lacks autofocus and flash, but the photos are still high-quality. Everyone admits that this option is considered almost the best.

I was also pleased with the ability to shoot video at 30 frames per second. The material is obtained in Full HD quality, which cannot but deserve praise.

Feedback about communication

Some Samsung A5 owners (reviews are 95% positive) were skeptical that the manufacturer made two ports for nano SIM cards. Two radio modules work at once, so both numbers are always active. The phone supports interaction with 4G networks, and the transfer speed also impressed many. The device has a built-in Bluetooth module that works flawlessly.

What impressed buyers the most? The phone has a built-in special port that allows you to connect a charger, synchronize with a computer, and also work with a mouse and keyboard.

A fingerprint sensor is included in the Home button. Buyers were divided in opinion: some liked this decision, others did not. It works using touch technology, so there is no need to “wake up” the phone again.

Functional, reliable, relatively fast - this is how you can characterize the Samsung A5 2015, which showed not only stable operation, but also ease of use. The device, first of all, is suitable for those people who do not want to chase new gadgets, but prefer to enjoy all the advantages modern technologies. Regarding hardware, the smartphone has a quad-core 1200 MHz processor of its own production, and, together with 2 GB of RAM, this configuration is enough for most not the most demanding applications and games. Also, we have good battery capacity, and the cameras take good pictures. Regarding the screen, everything is fine here too - high-quality color reproduction, as well as decent viewing angles. In general, we can recommend the Samsung A5 2015 for a more detailed and intimate acquaintance.

Samsung Galaxy A5 SM-A500F: specifications and price

Samsung Galaxy A5 SM-A500F: reviews

— Excellent matrix with decent viewing angles;

— Good design;

— Relatively good cameras;

— High-quality communication;

— The presence of a bright flash;

— A large number of branded chips from the manufacturer;

— Even by modern standards, not the weakest iron;

— Availability of fast charging;

— A large number of positive reviews;

— Does not collect fingerprints;

— Presence of a metal case;

— Suitable for most non-demanding games and applications;

— High impact resistance;

— Slim body;

— The smartphone is pleasant to hold in your hands;

— Operating system update;

— Own shell;

— Light weight;

— Among the minuses, it is worth highlighting the small amount of built-in memory;

— Built-in energy saving function;

— Excellent work with Wi-Fi networks;

— If desired, the device can be used as a navigator;

— Ideal screen size;

— Availability of fast charging;

— Autonomy as a plus;

— Pleasant sound in headphones;

— High-quality assembly;

- Looks more expensive than it actually costs;

— Impact-resistant case, which is typical, even if scratches appear they are invisible;

— The matrix is ​​made using SUPER AMOLED technology;

— The cameras take relatively good pictures in different lighting conditions;

— Support for two SIM cards;

— Inconvenient speaker location;

Conclusion

It's safe to say that the Samsung A5 2015 is a very good smartphone that has pretty good functionality, decent cameras, positive reviews, and also good hardware. Separately, it is worth mentioning the shell, which is convenient to use. In general, we can recommend a smartphone for a more detailed and intimate acquaintance.

Pros:

• High-quality assembly;
• Matrix with excellent color rendering;
• Appearance;
• Not bad cameras;

Photos in the interior

Specifications

• Android 6.0.1 with Clean UI, upgrade to Android 7
• Screen 5.2 inches, SuperAMOLED, FullHD, 424 ppi, automatic brightness adjustment, automatic brightness adjustment to suit your habits, color profiles, Corning Gorilla Glass 4, AlwaysOn Display
• Chipset Exynos 7880, 8 cores up to 1.9 GHz (Cortex A53), GPU Mali-T830MP3
• 3 GB of RAM, 32 GB of internal memory (about 23 GB of memory is available to the user out of the box)
• Battery Li-Ion 3000 mAh, fast charging, operating time in mixed mode – 2 days (test result), in 3G/4G data transfer mode – 13/16 hours, video playback – up to 19 hours, talk time – up to 16 hours
• Installing two nanoSIM cards, as well as a microSD memory card (up to 256 GB)
• Front camera 16 megapixels, f/1.9, facial enhancements (eyes, skin color, face tone)
• Main camera 16 megapixels, f/1.9, LED flash, autofocus
• Two microphones, noise reduction system
• IP68 water protection, up to 30 minutes at a depth of 1.5 meters
• FM radio
• Fingerprint sensor located on the front panel
• USB Type C 1.0
• 4G FDD LTE - B1(2100), B2(1900), B3(1800), B4(AWS), B5(850), B7(2600), B8(900), B17(700), B20(800), B28 (700); 4G FDD TDD - B38(2600), B40(2300), B41(2500)
• GPS, GLONASS, Beidou
• ANT+, 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac 2.4+5 GHz, NFC, USB 2.0, Bluetooth 4.2
• Sensors – accelerometer, barometer, fingerprint scanner, gyroscope, geomagnetic sensor, Hall sensor, proximity sensor, light sensor
• Samsung Pay
• Color options: black (Black Sky), gold (Gold Sand), blue (Blue Mist), pink (Peach Cloud)
• SAR value – 0.52 W/kg (head), 1.39 W/kg (body)
• Dimensions – 146.1x71.4x7.9 mm, weight – 159 grams

Scope of delivery

• Smartphone
• Charger with USB Type C cable
• Instructions
• Wired stereo headset
• "Paper clip" for removing the SIM tray

Positioning

Samsung decided that the A-series should offer models in the mid-price segment, and the model range is built based on the size of the phones: smaller screen - smaller index. From this logic it is clear that A3 is the smallest device, and A7 is the largest, while A5 is exactly in the middle. From sales of the A-series in 2016, it is known that the A5 and the 5-inch smartphone form factor became the most popular; this device sold significantly better than others.

A-series models have become iconic for the market and their price segments; during the transition from the first to the second generation, their sales in Russia increased noticeably.

But the most important thing is that these devices can be perceived as somewhat simplified versions of the company’s flagships in terms of filling, but not at all simplified in terms of materials. Not all buyers need the features of flagships; they are willing to spend 2-3 times less money, but get a decent, reliable device.

Considering that Samsung directly competes with Apple in the market, to some extent the A-series is a response to the old iPhone models that are still on the market. So, the 2017 A5 is a clear competitor to the iPhone 6/6s, which also costs less. Comparing with the famous Chinese, we will get competitors from their line with similar positioning, for example, this could be Huawei Nova.

The 2017 A5 model was created for those who want to buy a smartphone from a major manufacturer (read, brand), and at the same time get a good set of characteristics, decent performance and quality materials. To some extent, the 2017 A5 can be considered a universal smartphone that can safely claim to be a business model. It is balanced in its capabilities, is not the most expensive, and, accordingly, it is not a flagship. This is a very smart choice for those who are used to counting money and buying a smartphone for a long time. In my opinion, the 2017 A5 will become a bestseller in its price segment, as it offers a number of unique finds that other companies do not have. However, let's talk about this in detail.

Design, dimensions, control elements

In the A-series, the design is to some extent inherited from older models, the same body materials, no noticeable simplifications or savings. The A5 model looks expensive and stylish, regardless of what color you choose. There are four color options in total; there are no pink phones in Russia yet.

I have a black A5, it is classic and looks good. The mirror surface reflects the surrounding world, plays in the light, the device looks very interesting, and hand marks are practically invisible. I’ll add here that the screen with a splash screen can always work (AlwaysOn Display function), which none of the competitors have. In the end, we get an unusual device that has no analogues on the market; it can be distinguished from any other at first glance.

If we talk about which color is the best, then I like blue, it is a delicate shade, very unusual, perfect for girls, however, look for yourself.

Please note that the front and back panels in one color, as well as the side metal edging (6000 series aluminum). The device also looks good in pink, but it is definitely only for girls.

The gold phone is somewhat rustic, but everyone has their own tastes.

The fact that the device has a glass back and front does not hinder it at all, since Corning Gorilla Glass 4 is quite reliable and protected from accidental falls, although depending on your luck. This device is completely identical in mechanical protection to the Galaxy S6 EDGE, the quality is at the same level. I once recorded a video about how this phone survives collisions with sharp objects or asphalt, you can watch this video.

The innovation of the A-series in 2017 was water protection, which was taken from the S7/S7 EDGE, the implementation is exactly the same. The SIM card tray is protected by rubber gaskets, the microphones and speakers are protected by membranes, the protection level is IP68, which allows the phone to be kept at a depth of 1.5 meters for up to half an hour. This does not mean that the phone needs to be washed under water, much less with soap or something similar. But if you drop it in water, nothing will happen to it. There are practically no models with water protection in this price segment.

Now about the control elements. Under the screen there is a mechanical key, a fingerprint sensor is included in it, it is simplified compared to the S7/S7 EDGE, it works a little slower, but there are no problems because of this. Good decision, which just works. On either side of it are two touch keys.

On the left side there are two volume keys, on the right side there is an on/off button. There is a microphone at the bottom and top ends, there is a noise reduction system, it does its job perfectly: you can be heard well in any conditions, even when the wind blows strongly in your face.

At the bottom end there is also a 3.5 mm jack for a headset or headphones and a USB Type C connector for charger. On the upper end and left side you can see trays, in the upper one a nanoSIM card and a memory card are installed, in the lower one there is a second nanoSIM card. In the A3, for example, installing two SIM cards and a memory card is impossible; it has a combined slot.

The speaker is located on the right side surface, due to this it can overlap in the pocket, and it will not be heard very well. The speaker itself is average in volume, but very pleasant.

The phone dimensions are 146.1x71.4x7.9 mm, weight is 159 grams. Compact, fits perfectly in the hand due to the small roundness of the body at the back. Not slippery, although from the photographs many people think that it should slip out of their hands, but this does not happen. This size is one of the most popular on the market and is liked by most buyers.

Compared to Samsung Galaxy A3 2017

Display

The presence of a SuperAMOLED screen has always been an advantage of the A-series, technical specifications This display is as follows: 5.2 inches, SuperAMOLED, FullHD, 424 ppi, automatic brightness adjustment, automatic brightness adjustment to suit your habits, color profiles, Corning Gorilla Glass 4, AlwaysOn Display.

For my taste, the screen quality is excellent for its class, it has a large brightness reserve automatic mode, the display is easily readable in the sun, just like the previous year’s model (in the S7 EDGE the screen has greater brightness, and as a result, it is even better in the sun).

The screen has the AlwaysOn Display option, that is, you can see application icons, clocks or pictures all the time, the screen operation does not drain the battery much, in 12 hours it’s a couple of percent. Until now, this function has not been widely available in the mid-price segment, which noticeably makes the 2017 A5 stand out and puts it on par with Samsung flagships.

In terms of all its characteristics, the screen in the 2017 A5 outperforms its competitors; there is nothing better in this segment. As a result, this is one of the strengths of the model. I also like the fact that they brought here automatic brightness adjustment to suit your preferences; in the first two weeks the phone “gets used to” you and is adjusted to your taste.

Battery

The built-in Li-Ion battery has a capacity of 3000 mAh, supports fast charging (1 hour 20 minutes). Built-in wireless charging, which is flagship models, not here.

In mixed mode, the device lives quietly for two days with 3-5 hours of screen operation, data transmission in LTE and two hours of calls.

Play unconverted video in HD quality in MX Player at maximum brightness - up to 19 hours! This is an excellent indicator considering the size of the battery; many Chinese show comparable results on a 5000 mAh battery.

The operating time of the 2017 A5 becomes its strong point; even with a heavy load, it will not be possible to discharge it faster than in a day; on average, this is two days. Those who use only calls can easily count on 5-6 days of work; of course, it all depends on the operator and the number of these calls. But in general, we can state the fact that operating time is the strong point of this model.

Traditionally, there is a power saving mode, when the screen backlight and processor frequency are limited. In this mode, many will not experience problems with the operation of the device, but the operating time will increase by at least 20 percent. In maximum energy saving mode, everything on the screen turns gray, and the device can provide hours of operation even with a small charge.

Communication capabilities

GPS/GLONASS works perfectly, a cold start takes about ten seconds, navigation works perfectly, there are no problems. By the way, this distinguishes A-brands from many Chinese companies, where the implementation of antennas is such that you can expect anything from typical functions.

Another strong point is the support of almost all necessary LTE frequencies, here the device also shows its strengths (analogs in this price segment cannot boast of this; as a rule, they save on antennas).

Finally, the device has NFC and ANT+ support, which will appeal to those who use sports sensors. Bluetooth version 4.2.

If we talk about Wi-Fi, then it uses 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac 2.4+5 GHz, there is a repeater mode (distributing a Wi-Fi signal to other devices as an access point).

USB version 2.0, but the USB Type C (1.0) connector is used, so fans of modern connectors will be happy; for the rest, it’s time to come to terms with the transition to the new standard.

Memory, RAM, performance

Samsung uses its own chipsets in A-series models, which can be considered a plus; they are improving year by year. For example, in 2016, chipsets in the A-series were made at 28 nm, now it is 14 nm, which gives an increase in performance and operating time. The chipset in the A5 2017 is Exynos 7880, 8 cores up to 1.9 GHz (Cortex A53), Mali-T830MP3 graphics processor.

In synthetic tests, this processor performed well. In real life, everything also works perfectly, you will not feel any shortcomings in performance, the model is at the same level, and the safety margin will last for at least a couple of years.

The device has 32 GB of internal memory (23.1 GB available), memory cards can be up to 256 GB. 3 GB of RAM, which is enough for most consumers. And given the screen resolution, everything becomes very good, this solution is balanced, and there are no noticeable compromises.

Camera

The front camera is 16 megapixels (f/1.9), as usual, there is no autofocus, so it’s worth finding the distance from which the pictures are best taken, this is about half a meter, that is, an outstretched arm. Quality front camera good, but don’t expect anything special from it; after all, the main camera is better. There is a traditional improvement in skin color and tone, you can enlarge your eyes, and at the same time make your face thinner. Girls will definitely like these “improvements”.

The main camera is 16-megapixel (f/1.9), of course, there is autofocus, as well as additional shooting modes, including PRO, but it differs from the flagships, since the camera is simpler. This camera is on par with the best Chinese manufacturers or a little better, that is, it gives good, rich pictures during the day and indoors; in the dark it is not so good, but this is generally typical for this segment. There is no 4K mode when recording video, but it is unlikely that consumers of this device need it so much, since recording regular FullHD video will completely satisfy them.

Look at the examples of pictures and videos, I think they will tell you everything about the quality of the camera.

Software

The model was originally released on Android 6.0.1, but many interface elements are similar to what we see in Android 7 and Clean UI on S7/S7 EDGE. I advise you to read about what appeared in Android 7, since this model will soon receive this version of the OS.

I won’t describe the standard Android functions; you can read about them in a detailed review.

Unlike top models, there is a built-in FM radio, which looks like a nice bonus.

When using KNOX, you can install any program in two copies, for example, install two WhatsApp messenger and use them for each SIM card (two numbers, two messengers). You can even correspond with yourself. Exactly the same trick can be done with any software; not a single phone allows you to simultaneously work with two instant messengers on the same device with different numbers. Today, many Chinese manufacturers offer something similar in their smartphones, but the implementation is different everywhere.

Of course, this model supports the Samsung Pay service.

I will not dwell on standard software from Samsung, for example, S Health, you can find relevant articles on our website.

Impressions

The vibration alert is average, the ringer volume is also average - perhaps I would like there to be more headroom, but the phone is still audible, and you can feel it in your pockets when it vibrates. Rather, there is no reserve in volume, but how will anyone perceive this moment? The device cannot be called quiet.

I liked the 2017 A5, as well as this whole series, and previous models. The strengths remain exactly the same - excellent materials and design of the case, bright and eye-catching design, which is complemented by AlwaysON Display; competitors have nothing like that. When choosing between models in this series, I would like to draw your attention to the fact that the 2017 A3 is aimed at those who make more calls, spend less time online, and watch movies. An excellent compact phone with a long battery life, I’ll talk about it in a separate review.

You can choose the 2017 A7 for its screen size, 5.7 inches versus 5.2 in the A5. However, in other respects these devices are almost similar, everything is the same. In the table you can see how all A-series devices differ.

The price of the 2017 A5 in Russia is 27,990 rubles; for comparison, the previous year’s model costs 21,990 rubles. In my opinion, the advantage of the 2017 device is obvious: IP68 protection, AlwaysOn Display, updated Android and new operating modes, increased battery life, better performance. In a word, it’s worth finding the money and buying an updated model; it will definitely last longer.

Oddly enough, in the Samsung lineup there is another competitor for this device, this is the Galaxy S6, a flagship from two years ago, which today sells for 30,000 rubles. It doesn't have memory cards or water protection, but it does support Gear VR, which the 2017 A5 doesn't have. Usually, previous flagships act as stronger models than the current middle class, but when comparing these devices, everything is not so clear; I would still recommend the A5 2017.

In the Apple line there is an old iPhone 6, its 16 GB version costs 28,990 rubles (refurbished device) or more than 35,000 rubles. In my opinion, it does not have any advantages, it loses in terms of screen, memory, and service life; there is no protection from water even close. In a word, here you are only buying a brand name and quite old hardware with the worst prospects for updates in the short term. If you want an iPhone, look at the new models, but be prepared to pay more.

A good alternative is the Huawei Nova; this 5-inch model also has 3 GB of RAM, a fingerprint sensor, a similar battery, and comparable cameras. But the IPS screen is something to keep in mind, there is also no water resistance, and of course there is no Samsung Pay. The price of this device is 23,000 rubles, which is noticeably cheaper and quite justified, taking into account other characteristics. But the performance of the device is not bad and it looks good.

If you look at models with water protection, then nothing but Sony Xperia X Performance doesn't come to mind. But the price of this device in federal networks is 40 thousand rubles; it belongs to a completely different class of devices, as evidenced by the use of Snapdragon 820. At the same time, other characteristics are very similar to the A5 2017, so they can be compared. It is more profitable to purchase the A5, since Sony does not have any special advantages at a higher price. The model is already a year old, now it will be replaced by an updated version, it will be shown in the coming days. But the price will not be lower, and as a result, it will not be able to become a competitor.

With your permission, I will not take into consideration a huge bunch of Chinese models, after all, their positioning is completely different, these are C-brands with all the ensuing consequences. Samsung has come up with a very interesting, high-quality model that will become a bestseller in the mid-price segment. This device looks good, lasts a long time and offers a set of features that will satisfy anyone who is not ready to buy flagship products. The phone has its own face, moreover, it is easy to remember. You should definitely take a closer look at this device if you are looking for a 5-inch Android smartphone.