Samsung Galaxy A (2017) – choosing the right size. Samsung smartphones of the S, A, J series - what are the differences? Ecosystem from Samsung – payment service Samsung Pay and S Health
Samsung Galaxy A (2017) – choosing the right size
One of the most common questions I get asked in my work is which phone to choose. The selection criteria differ from person to person, some want a large phone with a good camera, some want a compact model with a long battery life, others focus on the little things that concern a small number of people. Smartphone manufacturers face approximately the same questions when they design their devices; they need to anticipate the desires of customers and implement them in their devices.
Two years ago, Samsung created the Galaxy A series; these are smartphones in the middle and high price segment, characterized by a good price/quality ratio, case materials similar to flagships and different display diagonals - as a result, their size is also different. The series turned out to be so successful that by the third generation in 2017, it began to be perceived on the market as one of the key ones; many are considering the A-series as a potential purchase. Why did this happen? The answer should be sought in precisely hitting the target audience - Samsung offered customers not just individual models, but a kind of ideology that helps them choose the right smartphone and then not regret their decision. Typically, manufacturers create their smartphones backwards, looking at what components they have, how they can be combined and what the output will be. In the A-series, Samsung takes a slightly different approach; it is based on the need and demand for functions, making them, plus or minus, the same in the Galaxy A3/A5/A7 (2017). For example, it doesn’t matter what size the battery is in your smartphone; they all provide at least two days of operation in mixed mode, when you do not deny yourself anything. If you play games, then it will be one day of work. Don't use your screen much, just make calls? You can easily charge your smartphone once every 4-5 days, or even less often. The manufacturer has tried to ensure that the operating time on each device is comparable, regardless of its size, screen diagonal and battery capacity. Here the user and his scenarios for using the smartphone are at the forefront, and not anything else. Let's take a look at the 2017 A-series together and try to explain which smartphone is suitable for whom and why such a choice would be the right one.
Choosing the right smartphone Galaxy A (2017)
If we look at the three A-series smartphones of 2017, we will see that there is a lot in common between them - Corning Gorilla Glass 4 is used equally on the front and back surfaces, the same colors, IP68 water and dust protection, the same type is supported The same LTE category, SuperAMOLED screens with AlwaysOn Display technology are used everywhere. Of course, the sizes of all models differ, A3 is the smallest, A7 is the largest. But, looking at the plate, you will also see that the Galaxy A3 (2017) is simplified compared to its older brothers.
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The Galaxy A3 (2017) has an eight-core processor with a maximum clock speed of 1.6 GHz, 2 GB of RAM and 16 GB of internal memory (in older models 3 GB and 32 GB, respectively), there is no fast charging for the battery, and the screen resolution is HD. There is an explanation for this, and it is very simple - the idea of a smartphone is implemented in a compact, small device, which is used more for calls, social networks and instant messengers than for some complex work and “heavy” applications. This does not mean at all that you cannot play tanks or run some kind of arcade game on a smartphone, everything will work fine, but the screen size is less comfortable than on older devices, and people who choose a compact size use their smartphones a little differently. For buyers of the Galaxy A3 (2017), the size of the smartphone comes to the fore - it easily fits in a child's or adult's hand, and is suitable for any person who is not accustomed to large models. There are not many modern compact smartphones on the market; manufacturers have abandoned this segment and are producing almost nothing. The Galaxy A3 (2017) offers long battery life, a compact design, and all the modern features you could need.
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For example, this smartphone is not afraid of water, it has IP68 protection, which allows you to drop it into water, and it will calmly survive it. Exactly the same protection in all 2017 A-Series models. It would not be amiss to say that this means quiet operation of smartphones in all conditions of high humidity, be it some exotic country or just a summer downpour, when it pours like buckets. Such protection gives additional confidence that nothing will happen to your smartphone.
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The case materials are taken from Samsung flagships, they have been well known for several years and have proven their strength - these are 6000 series aluminum and Corning Gorilla Glass 4. Usually people drop their phones from waist height, the A-series will survive most of these drops without damage, it is designed with an emphasis for increased strength. You can watch the video in which we break down the Galaxy S6 EDGE, it was the flagship two years ago, and today body technologies and materials have come to the mid-price segment, and they are the ones used in the 2017 A-series.
It is impossible to find fault with the case materials and the execution of the A-series; this is the best that exists on the modern smartphone market. Now I would like to draw your attention to another unique feature: an always-on screen. You can set a screensaver with a clock or a picture, which will be displayed on the screen all the time; you will not need to turn on the phone. This feature is called AlwaysOn Display, and it is possible due to the fact that SuperAMOLED screens consume a small amount of energy.
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Notice how lifeless the phone seems without AlwaysOn Display enabled. Most of those who have tried this opportunity can no longer refuse it; you get used to good things instantly.
Of course, a modern smartphone cannot exist without a fingerprint sensor; in the A-series it was placed on a key on the front surface. The sensor works fine, there are no errors. If we touch on the topic of security, smartphones have the KNOX system; it allows you to protect any data, be it a program or files, with additional encryption. It is almost impossible to hack a KNOX partition, so you can be sure that your data will not fall into the wrong hands, even if your phone is suddenly stolen.
Having listed only part of the capabilities of the A-series smartphones in 2017, I want to return to the most compact representative of the series - the A3. This model is perfect for young people, both girls and boys, as well as those adults who primarily make calls, send and receive messages in instant messengers, and use the network. In fact, these are people who perform operations that are familiar to everyone, but do not spend hours on the Internet. Very often, A3 models are bought as a second phone for making calls, buyers of these models from previous years spoke about this. The 2017 A3 is ideal as a second phone - it lasts a long time on a single charge, has an excellent screen, water protection and other features. But as a main phone, the A3 (2017) is excellent; it’s worth choosing for anyone who doesn’t want a large screen diagonal.
It remains to be said that the model, like other devices in the series, is presented on store shelves in three colors – black, blue and gold. This is what these colors look like in the picture, and below I will give photographs of the devices in real life.
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But the most popular size on the market and in the A-series of 2017, of course, is a 5-inch smartphone; to be precise, the Galaxy A5 (2017) has a 5.2-inch screen diagonal. This is an absolute bestseller, since the main focus is on such smartphones; buyers consider them the most convenient in size, but at the same time quite compact. To please young people, the A5 and A7 2017 added a 16-megapixel front camera, in which you can take your own selfies, correct skin color, and thanks to a wide selection of filters, the possibilities for experimentation are enormous. But they didn’t forget the main camera, it was also made 16-megapixel with autofocus, and it allows you to take good pictures, however, take a look for yourself.
The Galaxy A5 and A7 (2017) have the ability to simultaneously use two SIM cards, as well as install a memory card, so these phones are suitable for anyone who wants to use the services of two telecom operators at the same time and not have restrictions on the amount of memory, which is always at your disposal hand.
![](https://i1.wp.com/mobile-review.com/review/image/samsung/galaxy-a5-2017/pic/7.jpg)
In my opinion, the 2017 A5 is an excellent primary smartphone and worth considering for anyone who doesn't want to overpay for flagship technology (for example, doesn't need built-in wireless charging or a higher screen resolution). A very pleasant model in every sense that evokes positive emotions. Of course, it has everything that we discussed in relation to the Galaxy A3 (2017). The main difference is fast battery charging, higher screen resolution and a 5.2-inch diagonal.
![](https://i0.wp.com/mobile-review.com/review/image/samsung/a-2017/pic/foto00005.jpg)
The older model of the Galaxy A7 (2017) line is very similar to the A5 in everything, except that the screen diagonal is 5.7 inches, and in order to maintain the same operating time, a 3600 mAh battery was installed in the device. If the 2017 A5 is a universal solution, then the A7 can be safely recommended to anyone who is used to watching video on the screen of their phone (each model plays video for 19 hours at maximum brightness!) or to play. The phablet is also suitable for those who want to greatly scale texts so as not to wear glasses, but here you need to understand that you will pay for this with the size of the case, you should think about how much this will suit you.
![](https://i2.wp.com/mobile-review.com/review/image/samsung/a-2017/pic/foto00028.jpg)
Each of the listed 2017 A-series smartphones performs well in the sun, with maximum screen readability, even in very bright sun. And the number of settings for displays is such that you can easily customize them to suit you and your preferences.
![](https://i1.wp.com/mobile-review.com/review/image/samsung/galaxy-a5-2017/display/2.jpg)
When choosing the 2017 A-Series, you get the same high quality in each of the models, and the choice must be made based on what you do on your smartphone. To watch videos, it is better to choose older models, if you play often, then A7, if you call and write more, then A3. In this line of smartphones, everyone can find their ideal companion.
Ecosystem from Samsung – payment service Samsung Pay and S Health
Samsung has long stopped creating just smartphones; as you can see, this is an integrated approach, when one series presents models for different people and use cases. But the company is also building an ecosystem that includes additional services, for example, it could be Samsung Pay, that is, a payment service from your smartphone. All 2017 A-series models support Samsung Pay, and you can pay for purchases at any terminal that accepts regular cards, since both NFC technology and MST (magnetic stripe emulation of a bank card) are supported. The company constantly offers discounts on purchases from certain partners, which makes Samsung Pay not just another way to pay for purchases, but provides real savings, you just have to keep an eye on the offers.
![](https://i0.wp.com/mobile-review.com/articles/2017/image/adv-samsung-galaxy-a-series/2.jpg)
For example, as part of a promotion running from March 1 to April 30, users of the Samsung Pay service receive the right to free travel on the MCC on weekends when paying with a Mastercard card.
![](https://i0.wp.com/mobile-review.com/articles/2017/image/adv-samsung-galaxy-a-series/pay.jpg)
Another example is the huge number of different accessories for both home and sports that can be connected to Galaxy smartphones. If you are into fitness or sports, then you can choose a sports watch or a training bracelet; it will track your heart rate, calories burned and other parameters. Naturally, both Gear fit 2 and Gear S3 are compatible with smartphones.
![](https://i2.wp.com/mobile-review.com/articles/2016/image/samsung/gear-fit-2/pic/04.jpg)
But if you are not yet ready to buy a separate accessory, then you can simply use the S Health service on your phone, it will start counting your steps, activity and will allow you to compete with your friends and acquaintances, no matter what phone they have.
This is what is called an ecosystem, when by purchasing a Galaxy smartphone, you get access to the latest services and accessories, many of which have no direct analogues from any manufacturer. It’s not a fact that you will need these services on the first day, but I can say for sure that it is better to have these features in your smartphone than to regret not having them. Samsung's ecosystem today is one of the most developed on the market; you can find services, applications, and accessories for every taste, but that's a story for another story.
Summing up the story about choosing the A-series in 2017, I would like to draw your attention to the fact that these are devices that, in all aspects, were created in the image and likeness of flagships; they are reliable, pleasant in the hand and very functional. Each of the 2017 A-series devices lasts a long time on a single charge, which can be considered a big plus. They have unique features that competitors do not have - Samsung Pay, full IP68 water protection, and an always-on AlwaysOn Display screen. You can choose a bright or calm body color. Which Galaxy A (2017) would you choose?
Galaxy is a line of smartphones from Samsung, which includes a wide selection of devices with different screen diagonals, memory capacity and functionality. They are distinguished by high quality and performance.
The models run on the Android operating system and support the installation of modern applications from the official Google Play store. You need to choose a suitable smartphone from the series taking into account the following parameters:
- screen diagonal. Compact 4-inch ones are suitable for working with standard programs, and large 6-inch ones are suitable for watching videos;
- built-in memory capacity - from 8 to 64 gigabytes;
- camera resolution. The maximum - 20 megapixels - will allow you to take high-quality pictures;
- battery capacity, which determines how long the smartphone will work without recharging;
- the presence of additional functions, for example, a fingerprint scanner.
Samsung Galaxy in Eldorado
The Eldorado catalog presents the full range of the Samsung Galaxy line. Placing an order will take no more than a few minutes, and store consultants will answer all your questions. Buy flagship Samsung smartphones in installments without overpayment and get back part of the purchase price with bonuses! All items come with a manufacturer's warranty and will be replaced or refunded if damaged.
Samsung is, without a doubt, the world's largest Android manufacturer, so if you're thinking of buying a new smartphone, logic dictates that you go for a device made by the Korean giant. But which phone should you choose for your individual needs? We have compiled a rating of the 10 best Samsung models in our opinion to make your choice easier. Please note that the review will include not only 2018 models, but also previous years.
10 Samsung Galaxy J1 (2016) - budget Super AMOLED
This phone is one of the most budget-friendly in the Galaxy J smartphone line. Despite this, it has some advantages that distinguish it from other budget phones. I would like to immediately note the bright screen with wide viewing angles, compact size (fits comfortably in the hand), support for LTE technology and the presence of a fairly powerful battery.
When it comes to performance, the Samsung Galaxy J1 definitely cannot be called a gaming device. The heart of the smartphone is a 4-core Exynos 3475 with a frequency of up to 1.3 GHz, and a Mali-T720 graphics processor. The amount of RAM is only 1 GB, and the built-in memory is 8 GB. These characteristics will be enough to perform standard phone tasks and to play games at low graphics settings.
Photo and video shooting is carried out using the main 5 MP camera. The pictures come out pretty good considering the cost of the device. The battery installed here is not to say that it is powerful, only 2050 mAh, but it holds a charge for a very long time, especially when watching videos (tests showed 14 hours of continuous operation).
- Standard nice design from Samsung, fits comfortably in the hand.
- Optimal combination of price/quality.
- The battery holds a charge for a very long time, especially when watching videos.
- Korean build quality, nothing creaks or plays.
- Photos and videos are at an acceptable level.
- The sound from the headphones and speakers is quite quiet.
- Not enough RAM.
9 Samsung Galaxy J7 - middle class charm
The 2016 Galaxy J series was frankly budget-friendly. In 2017, the company apparently wanted to rehabilitate itself and released decent options, among which was the Samsung Galaxy J7.
Truly excellent build quality should please every owner of this device. Thanks to the combination of glass and metal, you get the feeling that you are holding a premium device in your hands. Inexperienced users even sometimes confuse J7 with S7 or A5.
The new Super Amoled display with Full HD resolution is a real pride for the owner of this device. Unlike all other J series models, it has an Always ON display feature, and this is a big step forward towards premium devices.
- High autonomy, with active use the battery lasts more than a day.
- The most friendly interface, everything is simple and intuitive.
- Very good sound during calls.
- Excellent performance for the money.
- Nice design, fits very well in the hand.
- The camera doesn't take very good pictures.
- The internal memory of the device is not enough.
- According to user reviews, the Always On Display function works with a little light.
8 Samsung Galaxy J2 - good budget model
Despite the fact that this is an ultra-budget model (price less than 8,000 rubles), Samsung did not spare metal for the Galaxy J2 case. The frame in this model is made entirely of aluminum, which makes it somewhat expensive.
But they didn’t decide to lure customers into stores with the aluminum body alone. In addition, the budget smartphone is equipped with a powerful removable 2600 mAh battery, which is a very good indicator for a device with such hardware. By the way, the autonomy of the J series is the highest among the entire Samsung lineup. Another plus worth noting is the presence of 2 micro-SIM and a microSD memory card; each card has its own slot.
The device runs on a 4-core Qualcomm Snapdragon 425 processor with a clock frequency of 1.4 GHz, 1.5 GB of RAM, and 16 GB of internal memory.
- Good battery life, after a full day of intensive use it only drains by half.
- Supports 2 SIM cards and a memory card simultaneously.
- In good lighting, you get pretty good photos.
- Well built, reliable case.
- The display resolution is only 960x540 pixels.
- There is no light sensor.
- The price could have been lower.
7 Samsung Galaxy A5 - one of the best in its class
After the successful predecessor Galaxy A5 (2016), buyers expected even greater success from the new product. And although the changes were not anything revolutionary, the A5 (2017) has become significantly better than its previous version.
Features of the Galaxy A5 include IP68 water protection, a separate memory card slot, an Always ON display, an improved color palette and a huge selection of accessories. And these are only the most noticeable changes; in general, all characteristics of the new model were systematically improved.
The performance of the smartphone is driven by the Exynos 7880 processor, which consists of 8 Cortex-A53 (64bit) cores operating at a frequency of up to 1.9 GHz. They are paired with ARM Mali-T830 MP2 graphics. RAM 3 GB. The built-in memory is 32 GB, and it is expandable. Performance is not the smartphone's strong point, but among its competitors it is no worse or better.
- A very good screen, rich colors, Super AMOLED matrix lives up to its name.
- Excellent quality of the case, nothing plays or cracks.
- The sound during a call is very clear and loud.
- The smartphone is well protected from moisture and dust.
- Good battery life, when used in normal mode, it lasts for 1.5 days without any problems.
- The camera is not impressive; good photos are taken only in good lighting.
- The phone is quite heavy.
6 Samsung Galaxy A7 - not afraid of water and saving
Samsung Galaxy A7 (2017) is a good mid-class smartphone that will please its owner with all the necessary functions. In terms of design, this phone can hardly be considered one of the favorites of our time, but it has a Super AMOLED display with a diagonal of 5.7 inches. The picture quality is impressive, everything is clear and beautiful, in Samsung style. And this despite the fact that the resolution is only Full HD.
The heart of the smartphone is an 8-core Exynos 7880, frequency - 1.9 GHz, 3 GB of RAM. The A9 is actually a pretty fast device. Among the features, we can note the presence of new NFC technology (wireless high-frequency communication with a radius of up to 10 cm) and Always ON display. Users will also be pleased with the presence of a fingerprint scanner. And what’s most unusual is that the Samsung Galaxy A7 has IP68 water protection.
As for autonomy, there is a 3600 mAh battery installed, that is, the device holds a charge for a very long time. For example, after 30 minutes of playing World of Tanks, the phone was discharged by only 9%. This is a very good result.
- High autonomy, with normal use it lasts for more than a day without any problems.
- Good screen quality, no glare in the sun.
- The fingerprint scanner works 10/10.
- There is a built-in payment service Samsung Pay.
- Very good connection quality.
- Bad camera, no optical stabilization, videos are of rather poor quality.
- The body is slippery and can be easily let go.
- The installed water protection slightly worsened the sound of the speaker.
5 Samsung Galaxy A8 (2018) - like S8, only cheaper
Samsung Galaxy A8 (2018) is a well-equipped mid-range smartphone that has everything you need for convenient use. Very good
The large and elongated Super AMOLED display is visually impressive. It is very well tuned, bright and has a high resolution (2220x1080 pixels). The A8 can install 2 SIM cards and a microSD memory card at the same time, without choosing between them. It will be useful for selfie lovers to know that the device is equipped with a dual front camera with good optics.
The heart of the smartphone is the 8-core Exynos 7885 (2 cores at 2.2 GHz, 6 cores at 1.6 GHz). Mali-G71 graphics processor, 4 GB RAM. Built-in memory can be 32 GB or 64 GB. The tests do not show the most impressive results, but for most modern games this will be enough.
- Premium design, the device looks very beautiful.
- Supports simultaneous operation of 2 SIM cards and microSD.
- Well protected from moisture and dust.
- Large and bright Super AMOLED screen.
- Dual front camera.
- For this price you can find smartphones with better characteristics.
4 Samsung Galaxy A3 - best price/functionality ratio
Despite the fact that the Samsung Galaxy A3 belongs to the middle price segment, its appearance is not much different from the manufacturer’s modern flagships. The ribs here are made of aluminum, and the back and front sides are glass plates.
Among the features of the device, we can highlight the protection of the case from dust and moisture ingress according to the IP68 standard. With A3 you can not be afraid to walk in the rain, or use it in a carpentry workshop. There is also a fingerprint scanner, which “lives” in the Home button.
As for the screen, the A3 is equipped with a 4.7-inch matrix made using Super AMOLED technology. The heart of the smartphone is an 8-core Exynos 7870 processor with a clock frequency of up to 1.6 GHz. GPU - Mali T830. RAM - 2 GB, ROM - 16 GB. Judging by the tests, we can immediately say that the A3 is not the best gaming device on the market. The device solves system and everyday tasks without problems, but most demanding games run with reduced graphics.
After the problems with the Note7, the company had no other options but to create an almost perfect smartphone. And they succeeded! Samsung Galaxy Note8 is a top-end flagship that contains the latest Samsung developments.
As expected, the hardware in the Note8 was used from the S8, except that the clock frequency was slightly increased (processor - Exynos 8895, 8 cores - 4x2.35 GHz/4x1.9 GHz, graphics processor - Mali-G71). This didn't have a big impact on performance, with only a slight change in benchmark scores. A nice bonus was the increase in RAM to 6 GB.
The fingerprint and iris scanner work 10/10 here. The only drawback of the fingerprint sensor is its not very convenient location (on the back side, near the camera), although here they tried to move it away from the camera, separating it with a flash unit.
Another feature of the device is the presence of an S Pen stylus. The improved pen works very accurately, it can be used to create live messages, GIF animations, take screenshots and much more. The most important feature can be called two 12-megapixel cameras with optical stabilization. Today, the quality of pictures of the Samsung Galaxy Note8 is one of the best.
- Excellent screen quality, especially when set to maximum brightness.
- The front and main cameras are some of the best at the moment, both have optical stabilization.
- The case is reliably protected from dust and moisture (IP68 standard).
- Scanners: fingerprints and iris.
- Multifunctional S Pen.
- Very high cost.
- The battery capacity is small, but the charge holds for about a day.
- The location of the fingerprint scanner is not the most convenient.
The editors of the site have a feeling that smartphone manufacturers are completely confused in the naming of their devices. In other words, they have forgotten how to name models so that it is immediately clear what class the smartphone belongs to, when it was released and what it can do. And for this reason, it can be very difficult to figure out what is in front of you - a budget device or a middle-class device, a current model or something from the past.
Therefore, we decided to launch a series of materials in which we will tell you which models from which manufacturers are included in which series, and what it all means. Let's start with one of the market leaders - Samsung. Things aren't as bad for her as for some others, but still there are some oddities.
Samsung Galaxy Note series smartphones
With the Galaxy Note series, everything is as simple as possible: at one time it includes only one current device, complete with a stylus (hence, in fact, Note - this word is translated from English as “note”). Now this is . If you want, you can find the Galaxy Note 5, and collectors should hunt for it (probably named in honor of fans who have not given up on Samsung after the whole fire story). This, if anyone doesn’t remember, is a refurbished Galaxy Note 7 with new firmware and a safe battery. Galaxy Note FE is sold only in Asia.
Samsung Galaxy Note 8
Samsung Galaxy S series smartphones
And here everything is not so complicated: there is, there is, which is a little larger and a little more serious in terms of photo capabilities. Models , and (Edge - edge; a hint of a screen curved on the sides) are still sold, but there is no confusion with them. The only point that requires clarification is the models and. These are devices with shock protection, enclosed in “off-road” housings, as indicated by the word Active (supposedly an active lifestyle). They are not officially supplied to us, so those who wish will have to order these models from the USA. Perhaps it makes sense: the same Galaxy S8 Active is the only “eight” with a flat screen. Meanwhile, the Galaxy S9 Active has not yet been presented, but, most likely, it will be released sooner or later.
Samsung Galaxy S8 Active
Samsung Galaxy A series smartphones
This series includes devices of the middle and upper-middle class. They are weaker than the representatives of the Galaxy S series, but for most consumers the capabilities of the “ASK” are quite enough, which is why the series is popular and long-lived.
Now in Russian retail there are models, and. All of them are interesting to one degree or another, although the 2016 models, of course, cannot be called very relevant today.
One of the most anticipated smartphones from the Korean manufacturer Samsung is the mid-price segment series, namely the A3, A5 and A7 models.
The beginning of the new year will not be marked by the release of the next series of flagship smartphones; we were asked to wait for them until spring. However, very soon we will be able to hold the brand new Samsung A-series smartphones in our hands. Thanks to their excellent price-quality ratio and optimal technical parameters, smartphones in this series have long received a lot of positive reviews. In addition, these smartphones are in no way inferior in appearance to flagships and look no less impressive.
The new Samsung A series smartphones, as before, will be presented in three variants – A3, A5 and A7. They will differ not only in technical parameters, but also in external ones. But, like their last year’s editions, the body of the smartphones will consist of metal and tempered glass. How do the A series smartphone models differ from each other and what improvements have occurred compared to last year’s editions? We will try to reveal these questions further and understand them in detail.
Samsung Galaxy A7 2017
The new A series line in 2017 slightly blurred the lines between the A5 and A7 models. Technically and externally, they became very similar, with only some deviations. Traditionally for the line of smartphones we are considering, the body of the Samsung Galaxy A7 2017 is made of metal and glass, protected using Gorilla Glass 4 technology. The color solutions of the A7 model are no different from the two previous modifications, so the body colors are available in black, gold, pink and blue options.
As we already noted above, the two models A5 and A7 are incredibly similar to each other. They have an identical processor in their system, the same amount of RAM and built-in memory, and also have no differences in the quality of the rear and front cameras. In the Samsung Galaxy A7 2017, both cameras also have a resolution of 16 megapixels. The differences affect the diagonal of the smartphone display, because in the A7 the diagonal is a full half-inch larger and is 5.7″, and the resolution is the same and corresponds to the Full HD format. And in the A720, the battery capacity is slightly larger and amounts to 3600 mAh, which can make it somewhat more autonomous. Both smartphone models from Samsung A5 and A7 support fast charging technology.
An interesting new feature in the line of Samsung A series smartphones is the use of a USB Type-C charging connector, instead of the traditional MicroUSB. It seems that most manufacturers will soon abandon the latter option in favor of USB Type-C, because its use is more convenient due to its symmetrical shape.
In general, the new edition of the A-series smartphones makes a good impression, because the new models have become many times more productive and have better cameras. The appearance of the smartphones looks quite expensive and presentable, and new color options have made Samsung smartphones more individual. I was also pleased with the introduction of protection against moisture and dust, which was not included in last year’s editions.
Samsung Galaxy A5 2017
The more powerful representative of the Samsung A-series family also lost a white edition in its assortment. Samsung Galaxy A5 2017 Duos SM-A520 will be available in black, gold, pink and blue colors. Also traditional for this series, the Samsung A3 has a hybrid duos, which means you will need to choose between simultaneous use of two SIM cards and the internal memory of the smartphone, or use one SIM card and a memory card, which can expand the volume up to 256 GB . As for the A5 and A7, they support dual SIM cards, and you can easily insert a memory card into a separate slot. All A-series models, including the Samsung A5 2017, will run Android 6.0 Marshmallow, but most likely the new line will receive Android 7.0 in the near future.
In the Samsung Galaxy A5 2017 smartphone, changes and improvements to the front and rear cameras have become more global than in the “junior” edition. Both cameras in the A520 have a resolution of 16 megapixels, which means that the front camera on the model in question is by far the best among all competing smartphones, including flagship models. The front camera of the Samsung Galaxy A5 2017 is capable of taking good selfies even in a dimly lit room; the smartphone screen itself will act as a flash. Video shooting takes place in a resolution of 1920x1080 pixels, which corresponds to the Full HD format.
Samsung Galaxy A5 2017 also received protection against moisture and dust according to the IP68 standard. This type of protection makes it resistant to water, which often damages modern smartphones. The A520 smartphone is protected not only from water and dust, but also from unauthorized access. Personal data protection will be provided by a fingerprint scanner, which will hide all your personal data from unwanted attention.
Compared to the previous and last year's editions of the A series smartphones, the Samsung Galaxy A5 2017 received not only an improved camera, but also more powerful technical parameters. The smartphone has a proprietary eight-core Exynos 7880 processor with a clock frequency of 1.9 GHz. This is a major performance improvement that will make your smartphone run faster and more smoothly. Also, the new edition of the A5 smartphone has received more RAM and from now on its volume will be 3 GB, instead of last year’s 2 GB. The volume of the smartphone’s own memory is 32 GB with the possibility of expanding it.
The Super Amoled screen of the smartphone has a diagonal of 5.2″ with a resolution of 1920x1080 pixels. This resolution allows you to make the image on your smartphone screen as detailed and clear as possible. And Samsung’s proprietary matrix allows the display of the Samsung A5 2017 smartphone to be as bright as possible, which helps to comfortably use the smartphone even in sunny weather. The battery of the A520 smartphone has a capacity of 3000 mAh, but its more powerful parameters and increased screen diagonal are comparable to the A3 model, making the duration of active use no more than a day.
Samsung Galaxy A3 2017
The exact name of this model is Samsung Galaxy A3 2017 Duos SM-A320. This is the base model of the line we're looking at, but even it looks like an incredibly expensive flagship. The frame of the smartphone is made of aluminum, and the screen and back panel of the smartphone are made of glass, which has the most modern and reliable protection class Gorilla Glass 4. The updated line of smartphones has also received new color options. There will no longer be an A3 smartphone in white, only black and gold colors have been preserved, but they have been supplemented with pink and blue.
Improvements in the Samsung Galaxy A3 2017 affected not only the appearance, complemented by new colors. The new smartphone model boasts an improved front camera, designed to support the selfie trend. Its resolution is 8 megapixels. In turn, the resolution of the main camera has not changed; it remains at the same level of 13 megapixels. However, the camera software has been supplemented with many special filters that can improve the quality of non-professional photography. The smartphone camera is also capable of shooting video in Full HD format.
Another highlight of the new Samsung Galaxy A3 2017 smartphone is the IP68 water and dust protection standard. This means that the new smartphone model has become water and dust resistant. This will allow you to safely use your smartphone even in the rain. And having dropped the Samsung A3 2017 into the water, you can get it out of it without unnecessary fears and not worry about additional repair costs, because the A320 model can safely stay under water at a depth of 1.5 meters for about 30 minutes. This is a fairly important addition to the security of the smartphone, because previously moisture and dust resistance of the smartphone was available mainly in flagship models.
Now let's look at the parameters of the new Samsung A3 in more detail. Significant changes have affected the central processor of the device; from now on, the smartphone will have a processor that runs on eight cores with a clock frequency of 1.6 GHz. This modification replaced the four-core edition, which had more modest performance. The manufacturer also decided to add RAM to the new smartphone, because the Samsung Galaxy A3 2017 will have 2 GB of RAM available, which is 512 MB more, comparable to last year’s edition of the smartphone. The built-in memory in the smartphone is, as before, 16 GB, but it can now be expanded up to 256 GB using an appropriate MicroSD memory card.
Samsung Galaxy A3 2017 has a 4.7″ diagonal HD screen with a resolution of 1280x720 pixels. Traditionally, smartphones from Samsung have a Super Amoled screen, and the A320 model is no exception. The new model is equipped with a non-removable battery with a capacity of 2350 mAh. In combination with an economical screen and optimized smartphone software, such a battery will be enough for at least one day of active use.
In addition to the above, the new Samsung Galaxy A3 2017 was supplemented with a fingerprint scanner, which will allow you to more reliably protect your personal data and the smartphone itself from unwanted access by strangers.
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