For a long time in the segment of devices for conditional, $ 400 ruled a ball Chinese flagship, Nexus and OnePlus. Gradually, the situation has changed, and today for the purse enough secured a buyer who does not want to spend money on the flagship of the fight just about anything. We look forward to announcements of similar devices, because in this segment of the company to create truly balanced solutions that can offer good design, features, camera, and more – working time, significantly more than the champions. Today we look at one of the most interesting of these smartphones – Samsung Galaxy A5 2017.
SAMSUNG GALAXY A5 2017: REVIEW AND TEST
DESIGN AND USABILITY: SAMSUNG GALAXY A5 2017
The first Galaxy A5 presented in 2014. Then the main body material, at least in the Samsung devices, was plastic (including the flagship Galaxy S5) and the angular metal machine looked very fresh. The updated line of the 2016 year was even better, because it did look like a 5 Note and Galaxy S6, and the design of Samsung flagships by this time changed for the better. Samsung Galaxy A5 2017 made similar to the Galaxy S7, in turn, although some features combined with it’s affordable the J5 of Prime.
The general idea remains the same – the front and rear panel of the smartphone are made of glass with rounded edges, and the frame is made of metal.
At the start of sales of the smartphone is available in black, gold, blue and pink colors. Compared with the previous model significantly changed the shape of the housing. Now the rounded corners on the frame there is no chamfer, “rest” is curved like a Galaxy S7. The camera lens looks small and not sticks, and all members of the body surface and the same color.
Design Perception – a very subjective thing, but the device may seem too calm and neutral, in something even boring. On the other hand, it is harmonious and you can say that will suit literally everyone, regardless of gender and age. Buyers just have to choose the right color.
Case comfortable, Samsung Galaxy A5 2017 perfectly fits in your hand, a smartphone can be operated with one hand without any problems. Probably, the only remark to the design – connector USB Type-C, is not located in the center of the bottom edge.
The key layout is traditional for Samsung devices. Mini-jack was left on the bottom – it is convenient, but the SIM tray has increased markedly. The main is to the left and is intended to set the main SIM Nano format. The second is located on the upper side, it is possible to install a second Nano-SIM and MicroSD memory card. Slots equivalent, so there is nothing stopping to set the second basic “sim card” and the card, and the first to use the card to travel.
As before, in the mechanical key under the screen is entered fingerprint scanner, on either side of it are two touch-sensitive backlit buttons. The scanner has a small area, so it works a little bit worse than, for example, on the iPhone, at least in our test – had to get used to putting the finger at the correct angle.
PROTECTION AGAINST DUST AND MOISTURE: SAMSUNG GALAXY A5 2017
One of the major innovations in the series of Galaxy A – is the emergence of protection against dust and moisture according to IP68 standards. The smartphone can be up to 30 minutes is in fresh water to a depth of 1.5 meters. To the moisture got into the connector housing are made watertight, the receivers SIM have rubber seals, and the speakers are covered with special membranes. This feature makes the line closer to the leader and sets it apart from the competition, which can not yet boast a protected execution.
SCREEN: SAMSUNG GALAXY A5 2017
The Samsung Galaxy A5 2017 is set to 5.2 inches Super AMOLED display with Full HD resolution. It covers safety glass with 2,5D-effect and oleophobic coating. Side frames of medium width.
The minimum brightness is 2 cd / m² and makes it comfortable to read in the dark, the maximum by pouring white – of the order of 400 cd / m². In life, the maximum illumination level is much higher, because the brightness is changed dynamically depending on the displayed image and ambient light. Therefore, the screen is well visible even outdoors on a sunny day.
There are several modes of color reproduction. “Basic” offers nearly perfect calibration to approximate IPS matrices.
“Adaptive” mode offers richer colors and adapts the image according to the displayed image. For him, there was a separate adjustment of the color components that allow more fine-tune all by itself, change the white balance in any direction. There is an option to reduce the amount of blue to eyes less tired in the process of reading.
Given the flexibility of the display settings to no complaints. He has excellent viewing angles, brightness lacking in any environment, work well automatic backlight adjustment. Under the acutest angles in the image appears purplish-greenish tint, but it is characteristic of all Super AMOLED and quietly in actual use.
It’s nice that Samsung added for the A-series mode is permanently incorporated screen. It allows you to display in the standby clock, calendar or pictures. You can adjust the time included the display and appearance of the icons on the screen notifications for the lack of a traditional indicator of missed events.
SAMSUNG GALAXY A5 2017: SPECIFICATIONS AND FEATURES
HARDWARE PLATFORM: SAMSUNG GALAXY A5 2017
The smartphone Samsung Galaxy A5 2017 is based on the SoC Exynos 7880, which includes 8 core Cortex-A53, clocked at up to 1.9 GHz and graphics Mali-830 MP2. The platform is made on the process technology of 14 nm, which had a positive impact on energy consumption and no heating load.
RAM – 3 GB of built-in – 32 GB (23.5 GB available), you can simultaneously install two NanoSIM and memory card of up to 256 GB. Supported Networks Wi-Fi 802.11 a / b / g / n / ac (2,4 + 5GHz), Bluetooth 4.2, has FM-radio. Availability of NFC and MST allows you to use your smartphone for contactless payments (currently only supported Privat24 can later be launched Samsung Pay). Connection to a PC is done via USB 2.0 standard through a balanced connector Type-C.
The device shows the average results in the benchmarks, at the level of smartphones Snapdragon 625. In the life of Samsung Galaxy A5, 2017 is fast, comfortable to use. The Large margin of safety in terms of graphics performance there, but all the games available at the time, will work with normal graphics settings and comfortable FPS.
SOFTWARE PLATFORM: SAMSUNG GALAXY A5 2017
Out of the box, the smartphone is running Android 6.0.1 and Grace UX proprietary interface, which replaces the Touch Wiz and was announced simultaneously with the Galaxy Note 7. In the near future, the manufacturer has to update the smartphone to Android 7.0, although it would be desirable to directly supply unit with the current version of the OS.
The new version of the interface has changed shutter switches with notifications settings menu. Re-design of embedded applications. There are multi-mode, support for themes. You can find in the app store theme, similar to the stock Android 6.0. Overall, the interface is cleaner and easier to look.
MULTIMEDIA: SAMSUNG GALAXY A5 2017
Music playback quality headphones common and comparable competitors. The sound is clear and detailed enough.
As J5 Prime, the only multimedia speaker is on the right, above the power key. With vertical hold, it can accidentally cover up a finger, but in other situations, such an arrangement is convenient because the speaker is not obstructed during the games or watching a video, as well as slightly less muffled in his pockets. Volume is sufficient for games and video. Normal Quality. Sometimes there is a sound slightly muffled because for moisture protection is necessary to use a special membrane.
WORKING HOURS: SAMSUNG GALAXY A5 2017
The smartphone Samsung Galaxy A5 2017 is powered by a built-in battery capacity of 3000 mAh. Compared with last year’s Galaxy A5 capacity increased by only 100 mAh, but the modern process technology to achieve more significant improvements.
When activated Always on display (AON), most users will be able to count on two days with an average load. AON disabling the result could be a little better. If you use the device “in full”, the charge will last exactly one day of work. There is support for fast charging – the process takes about an hour.
CAMS: SAMSUNG GALAXY A5 2017
Samsung Galaxy A5 2017 received updated camera. Both modules have a resolution of 16 megapixels and f / 1.9 aperture, although it is, of course, different modules. The main camera has a rapid and accurate autofocus, equipped with a flash of a warm diode that brightness does not concede to competitors, equipped with two diodes. Focal lens – 27 mm. The possibilities are limited shooting video in 1080p resolution 30 f / s. Compared to the Galaxy A5 (2016) lost camera optical image stabilization, the device also formally loses some competitors due to lack of ability to shoot 4K video.
However, some are no particular problems with the recording quality. In good conditions, nothing to complain about. The module provides good detail and has a wide dynamic range. In the evening and at night you can make a good shot, but the pictures show signs of aggressive post-processing, which is characteristic for most Samsung smartphones.
Conveniently, the camera can be started by double-clicking the Home key mechanical. The application has a simple interface. Swipe can switch between the color filters and the selection menu capture mode and to the front chamber. There is a “Pro” mode, but it only allows you to set the white balance, ISO, exposure compensation and metering method. Opportunities to control exposure and focus there. With macro shooting will be no problems, but I would like to see a full manual mode.
The front camera is good. As basic, it can be used not only under ideal conditions. When taking selfie have the opportunity to correct skin tone, facial contours, and eye size. There is also a function of the group (panoramic) Self, though, and so wide-optics – capture a small company gets no special treatment.
PROS of Samsung Galaxy A5 2017: body materials; Ease of use; screen; function Always on Display; protection IP68; speed; modern platform; good camera; operating time and fast charging; NFC and MST; updated interface
CONS of Samsung Galaxy A5 2017: a fingerprint scanner needed to adapt himself; Android 6.0.1 «out of the box”; No optical stabilization (compared with A5 (2016)); WATERPROOF membrane slightly worsened sound speaker
CONCLUSION AND PRICE: SAMSUNG GALAXY A5 2017
After the successful Galaxy A5 (2016), we expected that the new unit would be at least as good and our expectations were met. Samsung Galaxy A5 2017 differs from its predecessor, but most of the changes can be called evolutionary. Systematically built up characteristics make the device protected from moisture, were given the opportunity to simultaneously use two SIM and memory card. Design has become more versatile, though it may not please everyone. Development of the A-series reminiscent of how the company is changing its flagships, cheaper phones get a lot of unique features of the line Galaxy S. It’s nice that the price has not changed much, Samsung Galaxy A5 2017 good value for money and remains one of the best devices in the classroom. But for the year competitors have made a significant step forward and closed the gap. Therefore, the question may arise – why choose cost Samsung? Given the comparable price and features, in addition to performance, design and brand, it’s time to start paying attention to unique features. For Samsung
Galaxy A5 2017 they will be protection IP68, an interesting color palette, a separate microSD card slot, the function Always on display, potentially better integration with payment services and greater choice of branded covers, accessories.
