Samsung a5 in the water. Pros and cons of a smartphone. Battery life

Photos in the interior

Specifications

• Android 6.0.1 with Clean UI, update to Android 7
• 5.2-inch screen, SuperAMOLED, FullHD, 424 ppi, automatic brightness adjustment, automatic brightness adjustment to suit your habits, color profiles, Corning Gorilla Glass 4, AlwaysOn Display
• Exynos 7880 chipset, 8 cores up to 1.9 GHz (Cortex A53), graphics processor 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)
• Li-Ion 3000 mAh battery, fast charging, working 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
• Installation of two nanoSIM cards, as well as a microSD memory card (up to 256 GB)
• Front camera 16 megapixels, f / 1.9, face enhancers (eyes, skin color, face tone)
• Main camera 16 megapixels, f / 1.9, LED flash, autofocus
• Two microphones, noise canceling system
• IP68 water resistant, 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 + 5GHz, NFC, USB 2.0, Bluetooth 4.2
• Sensors - Accelerometer, Barometer, Fingerprint Scanner, Gyroscope, Geomagnetic Sensor, Hall Sensor, Proximity Sensor, Light Sensor
• Samsung Pay
• Colors: Black Sky, Gold Sand, 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

Contents of delivery

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

Positioning

Samsung decided that the A-series should offer models in the middle price segment, and the lineup is built on the basis of 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 form factor of the 5-inch smartphone became the most popular, this device sold significantly better than others.

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

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

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

Model A5 2017 was created for those who want to buy a smartphone from a major manufacturer (read, brand), while getting a good set of characteristics, decent performance and quality materials. To some extent, it is the 2017 A5 that can be considered a universal smartphone that can safely claim the title of a business model. It is balanced in its capabilities, it is not the most expensive, and, accordingly, it is not a flagship. This is a very reasonable choice for those who are used to counting money, buying a smartphone for long term... In my opinion, it is the 2017 A5 that 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, controls

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

I have a black A5 which is classic and looks good. The mirror surface reflects the world around it, plays in the light, the device looks very interesting, and handprints are practically invisible. I will add here the fact that the screen with a splash screen can always work (the AlwaysOn Display function), which none of the competitors has. 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 what color is the best, then I like blue, it is a delicate shade, very unusual, perfect for girls, however, see for yourself.

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

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

The fact that the device has a glass back and front part does not bother it at all, since Corning Gorilla Glass 4 is quite reliable and protected from accidental drops, although here anyone is as lucky. In terms of mechanical protection, this device is completely identical to the Galaxy S6 EDGE, the quality is on par. I once recorded a video about how this phone survives when hitting sharp objects or asphalt, you can watch this video.

The innovation of the 2017 A-series was the protection against water, 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 the speaker have membranes, the level of protection is IP68, which allows the phone to stay 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 and even more so with soap or something similar. But if you drop it in water, then nothing will happen to it. There are practically no models with water protection in this price segment.

Now about the controls. There is a mechanical key under the screen, a fingerprint sensor is inscribed in it, it is simplified compared to S7 / S7 EDGE, it works a little slower, but there are no problems because of this. Nice solution that just works. On the sides of it there are two touch-sensitive keys.

On the left side there are two volume control keys, on the right side there is an on / off button. At the bottom and top end - on the microphone, 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 into your face.

The bottom end also houses a 3.5 mm jack for a headset or headphones and a USB Type C jack for charger... On the upper end and the left side you can see the 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 A3, for example, it is impossible to install two SIM-cards and a memory card, there is a combined slot.

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

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

Compared to Samsung Galaxy A3 2017

Display

The presence of the SuperAMOLED screen has always been an advantage of the A-series, 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.

To my taste, the screen quality is excellent for its class, it has a large margin of brightness in automatic mode, the display is readable in the sun, as well as in the model of the previous year (in the S7 EDGE the screen has a higher brightness, as a result, in the sun it is even better) ...

The screen has an AlwaysOn Display option, that is, you can see application icons, clocks or pictures all the time, the screen does not drain the battery much, for 12 hours it is a couple of percent. Until now, this function has not been massively in the middle price segment, which noticeably distinguishes the 2017 A5 and puts it on a par with Samsung's flagships.

In terms of the totality of 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 an automatic brightness adjustment to suit your preferences, the first two weeks the phone "gets used to" you and adjusts to your taste.

Battery

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

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

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

The operating time of the A5 2017 becomes its strong point, even with a heavy load, it will not be possible to discharge it faster than in a day, on average it is two days. Those who use only calls can safely 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 the operating time is the strong point of this model.

Traditionally, there is a power saving mode, when the backlight of the screen is limited, the frequency of the processor, 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 the maximum power saving mode, everything turns gray on the screen, and the device can provide hours of operation even with a small charge.

Communication capabilities

The work of GPS / GLONASS is realized perfectly well, a cold start takes about ten seconds, navigation works well, 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 the necessary LTE frequencies, here the device also shows itself from its strengths (analogs in this price segment cannot boast of this, as a rule, there are savings on antennas).

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

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

The version is USB 2.0, but a USB Type C (1.0) connector is used, so lovers of modern connectors will be happy, the rest should come to terms with the transition to the new standard.

Memory, RAM, performance

Samsung uses its own chipsets in the 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. Chipset in A5 2017 Exynos 7880, 8 cores up to 1.9 GHz (Cortex A53), GPU Mali-T830MP3.

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

The phone has 32 GB of built-in memory (23.1 GB available), memory cards can be up to 256 GB. RAM 3 GB, which is enough for most consumers for the eyes. And considering the screen resolution, everything is getting quite 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 shots are best taken, it's about half a meter, that is, an outstretched arm. The quality of the front camera is good, but don't expect anything special from it, the main camera is still 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 "uluchshaki".

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 a par with the best Chinese manufacturers or slightly better, that is, it gives good, saturated images during the day and indoors, in the dark it is no longer so good, but this is generally typical for this segment. When recording video, there is no 4K mode, but it is unlikely that the consumers of this device need it so much, since recording a regular FullHD video will completely satisfy them.

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

Software

The model originally came out 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 has appeared in Android 7, as soon this model will receive this version OS.

Describe standard android functions I will not, you can read about them in a detailed review.

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

When using KNOX, you can install any program in duplicate, for example, install two WhatsApp messengers on one device 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, no phone allows you to simultaneously work with two messengers on one 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 Samsung Pay service.

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

Impressions

The vibration alert is average, the ringtone volume is also average - perhaps, I would like to have more headroom, but you can still hear the phone and feel it in your pockets during vibration. Rather, there is no volume reserve, but here who will perceive this moment, the device cannot be called quiet.

I liked the 2017 A5, as well as this whole series, and the previous models. The strengths remain exactly the same - excellent materials and body design, bright and catchy design, to which AlwaysON Display acts as a makeweight, competitors have nothing like this. Choosing between the models of this series, I want to draw your attention to the fact that A3 2017 is focused on those who call more, to a lesser extent sits on the net, watches movies. An excellent compact phone with a long battery life, I'll tell you about it in a separate review.

You can choose the 2017 A7 for the screen size, 5.7 inches versus 5.2 in the A5. However, the rest of these devices are practically similar, everything is the same. On the plate you can see how all A-series devices differ.

The price of the 2017 A5 in Russia is 27,990 rubles, for comparison, the model of the previous year costs 21,990 rubles. In my opinion, the advantage of the 2017 device is obvious, it is IP68 protection, AlwaysOn Display, updated Android and new operating modes, increased battery life, best performance... In short, if you find the money and buy an updated model, it will definitely last longer.

Oddly enough, in lineup Samsung has another competitor for this device, the Galaxy S6, the flagship two years ago, which is now being sold for 30,000 rubles. It does not have memory cards, water resistance, but it does support Gear VR, which is not in the 2017 A5. Usually previous flagships act as stronger models than the current one middle class, but in comparison of these devices everything is not so simple, I would still recommend the 2017 A5.

Apple's lineup includes an old iPhone 6, its 16 GB version costs 28,990 rubles (refurbished device) or more than 35,000 rubles. In my opinion, it has no advantages, it loses out with a screen, memory, and a service life, no protection from water is not even close. In short, here you buy only a brand and a rather old hardware with the worst prospects for updates in the short term. Want an iPhone - look for newer models, but be prepared to pay more.

A good alternative is Huawei Nova, this 5-inch model also has 3 GB of RAM, a fingerprint sensor, a similar battery, comparable cameras. But the IPS screen is something to keep in mind, and 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 is quite justified considering other characteristics. But in terms of execution, the device is not bad and 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, as a result, it will not be able to become a competitor.

With your permission, I will not take into consideration a huge pile of Chinese models, after all, their positioning is completely different, these are C-brands with all the ensuing consequences. Samsung has turned out to be a very interesting, high-quality model that will become a bestseller in the mid-price segment. This device looks good, has a long life and offers a range 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.

Stylish and minimalistic.

Comfortable and ergonomic.

Contemporary colors.

Expanding the boundaries.

Feel like a pro with Galaxy A5 (2017) ...

The device works with Nano-SIM cards of all GSM operators.

Stylish and minimalistic.

Modern, minimalistic 3D glass and metal design and 5.2 '' FHD sAMOLED screen - it's all distinctive features Galaxy A5 (2017).

Comfortable and ergonomic.

Smooth lines of the ...

The device works with Nano-SIM cards of all GSM operators.

Stylish and minimalistic.

A modern, minimalist 3D glass and metal design and a 5.2-inch FHD sAMOLED screen are the hallmarks of the Galaxy A5 (2017).

Comfortable and ergonomic.

The smooth lines of the body, the absence of camera protrusions, the refined and elegant finish allow you to get real pleasure from using your smartphone.

Contemporary colors.

Be trendsetters, don't just follow them. Stylish colors harmonize perfectly with the glass and metal body for a dynamic and cohesive look. Choose from four trendy colors to complement your style perfectly.

Capture memorable moments.

Thanks to high definition 16MP main camera, photos will always be bright and colorful.

Expanding the boundaries.

Feel like a professional photographer with the Galaxy A5 (2017). A wide selection of filters allows you to approach the shooting process more creatively. Now every photo will be special.

Perfect selfies even at night.

Wherever you are - on an evening stroll or in a nightclub - your photos will be perfect. The camera automatically adapts even to low light conditions, and the display acts as a flash. The Smart Button makes taking selfies easy. All you need to do is choose the location of the shutter button on the screen.

Protected from water and dust.

The IP68 water and dust resistance standard allows you to comfortably use the Galaxy A5 (2017) smartphones in any conditions, be it rain or pool.

Capacious battery and fast charging.

Enjoy playing games or watching videos even longer with a larger battery and fast charging technology.

Fully equipped.

All your favorite videos, photos and music are always with you thanks to support for memory cards up to 256 GB, and the presence of a slot for 2 SIM-cards makes it easy to change the operator while traveling.

Always active screen.

With the Always On Display function, all relevant information is always on the screen. View time, calendar events and unread notifications even when your smartphone is in sleep mode.

Protection and safety.

Store confidential information in a secure folder. Thanks to KNOX's secure environment, you can be sure that your personal information doesn't fall into the wrong hands.

Samsung Cloud.

Samsung Cloud is a secure cloud service where you can store contacts, photos, calendar and even your backup home screen and settings. Galaxy A users get 15 GB free.

Simple connection.

The symmetrical connector of the USB Type-C cable is convenient for either side.

Samsung Pay.

Make payments in absolutely all retail outlets, thanks to the support of NFC and MST technologies. You can leave your wallet at home and buy goods simply by paying for them with your smartphone. You can be sure of the security of your payment, as all transactions are protected by your fingerprint.

Do you often go on business trips and do not want to overpay for communication? You do not need to buy a new SIM card with an unknown colleagues and a native number, now you can make / receive calls over Wi-Fi at the price of calls in Russia for both you and the caller.

Introducing samsung model Galaxy A5 (2017) SM-A520F / DS (SM-A520FZKDSER), made in black (Black) with 32GB of internal memory.

The updated A-series from Samsung has received a premium design, similar to the flagship S7, a body on both sides of glass, framed by a metal frame at the ends. For the first time, all smartphones in this series are dust and moisture resistant. Protection standard IP68 (Protection against water when immersed in fresh water to a depth of 1.5 m for up to 30 minutes). What's new in the Samsung Galaxy A5 (2017)?

Samsung Updates Galaxy A5 (2017) SM-A520F / DS

As noted above, the 2017 A5 received a more technological design. At the front, the case forms a panel of 2.5D glass, back panel made of 3D glass, edges are protected by a metal frame. The smartphone is now protected against dust and moisture. The device fits nicely in the hand and is comfortable to use in any conditions, even in the rain. In addition to the design, the gadget received a modern technical stuffing: new more efficient processor, increased RAM, improved main and selfie cameras, changed the parameters of wired and wireless connection, the possibility of expanding the memory has been preserved and the maximum possible size of the memory card has been increased. The device itself has slightly increased in size - 146.1 x 71.4 x 7.9 mm versus 144.8 x 71 x 7.3 mm in the A5 2016, while the battery capacity and power consumption of the device are increased. The manufacturer also promises a lot of software intuitive "chips" that will take the use of the Samsung Galaxy A5 (2017) to a new level.

Display

Perhaps the only thing that hasn't changed in the device is its display. The smartphone screen has retained the size of 5.2 inches. The display does not look bulky thanks to the thin bezels. The screen is made using Super AMOLED technology, which produces a juicy, contrasting picture. Also, do not forget about the deep black color, excellent viewing angles and several preset profiles, with the help of which everyone can customize the image "for themselves". The resolution is 1920 x 1080 pixels (FullHD) with a density of 424 ppi. So, nothing prevents you from enjoying a high-quality picture, under any conditions. And all this is protected by 2.5D Gorilla Glass 4 with an oleophobic coating, which protects the display not only from scratches, but also from dirt and fingerprints. By the way, you will have to touch the smartphone screen less. it has the Always-on Display function, thanks to which all the necessary information is always on the screen.

Cameras

The main and front cameras have a resolution of 16 megapixels. The rear camera is equipped with phase detection autofocus and a Light + sensor, as well as a built-in flash. Both cameras support HDR technology, which allows you to capture high-quality images with vivid colors, even in difficult conditions. There is a possibility of video recording in Full HD (1920 x 1080 pixels) at 30 frames per second and stereo sound. For the most successful shots, you can apply one of the 16 built-in filters or use the "Food" mode. Camera setup is completely simple and intuitive. Selfie lovers will be pleased with the updated 16MP front camera with the ability to install the shutter button anywhere on the display. The display itself acts as a flash.

Processor and memory

IN new version smartphone has an eight-core processor Samsung Exynos 7880 with a core frequency of 1.9 GHz (in the 2016 version there was an Exynos 7580 - 1.6 GHz). RAM device increased from 2 to 3 GB. The built-in memory can be expanded with a memory card with a maximum capacity of 256 GB. A separate memory card slot.

Communication

Samsung Galaxy A5 (2017) SM-A520F / DS has two separate Nano-sim slots that can work simultaneously. The maximum possible speed of the Internet is up to 300 Mbps., Thanks to LTE cat. 6. In the absence of a network, it is possible to connect via Wi-Fi. Smartphone communication with other devices and wearable electronics ( smart watch, headphones, fitness bracelets and more) provides Bluetooth 4.2. The following Bluetooth profiles are supported: A2DP, AVRCP, DI, HFP, HID, HOGP, HSP, MAP, OPP, PAN, PBAP. Built-in GPS and GLONASS modules will help you find a fast and accurate route. The wired connection in the 2017 A series is carried out via USB Type C. The manufacturer took care of users with accessories with a microUSB connector, including a USB Type C - microUSB adapter with the phone.

Food

Samsung Galaxy A5 (2017) has an enlarged 3000 mAh battery in comparison with its predecessor. Compared to the SM-A510F / DS, the Internet browsing time via 3G decreased by 1 hour - up to 13 hours, but at the same time the Internet browsing time via 4G and Wi-Fi increased by 2 hours - up to 16 hours and 18 hours. respectively. Video playback time has grown significantly from 2 pm to 7 pm. Talk time in 3G networks remained at the same level - up to 16 hours, and the time for listening to music did not increase significantly to 78 hours. In this case, the battery has the ability to quickly charge.

New Samsung Galaxy A5 (2017) retained all the charms of its predecessor, while receiving modern technical stuffing, new cameras, protection from water and dust, and became more autonomous when working in 4G networks and when using multimedia. Now it's even easier and more comfortable to communicate, get impressions and share them with friends, enjoy content in any conditions.

Formally, the A5 is in the middle of the mid-budget samsung line, which should not deviate much from the market median. In fact, it turned out to be an interesting model, in which clearly deserving improvements like a fingerprint scanner, quite decent hardware filling and materials worthy of a flagship are intertwined. And of course, for the Samsung Galaxy A5 2017, the review will be incomplete if you keep silent about the almost complete protection against dust or water-related troubles.

The developers of the Samsung Galaxy A5 2017 used the classic shape of the case - almost a rectangle, if not for the rounded corners. The dimensions for the middle class are quite comfortable: 71.4 mm wide, 146.1 mm long and 7.9 mm thick. The model is presented in three colors: black, gold and blue. There is also a pink version, but not available for all markets.

The main part of the front panel (almost 3/4) is occupied by the display, limited from the sides by narrow bezels. Above it is a speaker, camera and sensors, below it - a pair of touch keys and a hardware Home button with a fingerprint scanner between them.

The volume keys are located on the left side of the device. The power button remains in its traditional place on the right. The developers placed the main speaker next to it. The decision turned out to be ambiguous. On the one hand, in the normal position, it will not be possible to accidentally block it. On the other hand, if you take the smartphone horizontally, then your finger can lie just on the speaker. However, you can get used to it.

The location of the trays for SIM-cards is also interesting. The model supports 2 of them (both nano), and you can also install a MicroSD card at the same time. To accommodate all three parts, the trays were divided. The first SIM is inserted on the left, next to the volume buttons. The second and the memory card are on top. USB output, microphone and 3.5 mm headphone jack are located at the bottom.

The back of the smartphone is decorated with a logo. Above it is the flash and the main camera. The latter was optimized and sunk into the body, so that now the optics do not protrude from the body at all. As a result, the smartphone fits organically on any horizontal surface.

Design and ergonomics

The design approach to the A5 can be summed up in one word - minimalism. The decorative elements are kept to a minimum, there are no additional decorations. All parts of the smartphone except the display are designed in the same color scheme. After all, the body itself is beautiful.

The side frame is made of high quality aluminum. But the front and back are glass. And if the front is half 2.5D on the display, then the back is full 3D. As a result, the model looks impressive, quite at the flagship level.

But the desire for elegance played a cruel joke with her. Almost the entire body is smoothed, there are no prominent edges, so it fits comfortably in the hand. But for the same reason, the device can slide noticeably. So it's better to wrap it up in a cover right away.

However, the most important thing in the design is full protection of the IP68 level. In other words, dust has no chance of getting inside, especially since the assembly is really good and there are no gaps. Yes, and water fails: the smartphone can easily endure bathing for up to half an hour at a 1.5-meter depth, not to mention trivial splashes or washing under the tap.

You just need the water to be fresh: after the sea moisture, the USB connector may be covered with a crust of salt, so the charging will stop working. In this case, it is recommended to rinse and dry it.

To achieve this protection, the developers added rubber gaskets to the SIM trays and installed membranes on speakers and microphones. This practically did not affect the weight of the device - only 159 g, an excellent result for a moisture-resistant smartphone.

Display

The real pride of the model is the screen of the Samsung Galaxy A5 2017. It has a 5.2 ”Super AMOLED matrix with exceptionally rich colors. You can even change the color profile in the settings to a more delicate one, otherwise the picture may seem unnatural. Or turn on the filtering of the blue component to protect your eyes from excessive strain.

The physical size of the screen is 132.2 mm diagonally, in pixels - 1920 x 1080, that is, at the FHD level. The density is 424 ppi, so details are displayed perfectly. At the same time, the brightness and contrast are enough for use on the sunniest day: the picture is visible up to extreme tilt angles. Corning Gorilla Glass 4 is used to protect the matrix. The glass is made using 2.5D technology and is rounded to the edges.

At the same time, the display treats the battery quite carefully, despite the Always on Display function that came from the flagships. It allows you to display the calendar and the current time on the lock screen, as well as promptly show notifications. Even if the smartphone is in sleep mode, and the owner was written to the messenger, it will immediately appear on the display.

The intelligent behavior of the screen should be noted separately. First, it takes light data into account to correct the picture. Secondly, the first 2 weeks of use "gets to know" the owner in order to adjust the brightness based on his habits.

Equipment

The smartphone comes with an adapter that connects to USB type-c.

The kit also included a wired headset, instructions for the device and a needle clip, which opens the trays with cards. All other accessories - screen protectors, covers, etc. - should be purchased independently.

Samsung Galaxy A5 2017 specifications

Samsung Galaxy A5 2017 is built on the basis of the company's own development - the Exynos 7 Octa 7880 processor. It has 8 Cortex-A53 cores, capable of operating at frequencies up to 1.9 GHz. The processor is 64-bit and is made according to the 14 nm process technology. Thanks to this solution, it was possible to combine modern requirements for hardware stuffing and moderate power consumption.

Calculation and display of the image on the screen provides graphics module Mali-T830MP3. All this is supplemented by 3 GB of memory, which easily fits an OS with a proprietary shell, and another half of the RAM remains for the needs of applications.

The internal memory is 32 GB. But you won't be able to use all of it: the OS takes a noticeable part. As a result, a little more than 23 GB remains for the needs of the user. Relatively little, but there is also a microSD slot. And you can put a memory card up to 256 GB into it, solving the problem with free space for a long time.

Some of the data can be stored in samsung account Cloud. For the owner of a smartphone in cloud storage issued 15 GB. They can be used for photos, contacts, calendar, as well as for creating backups of settings or the main screen. For private information, you can use the protected KNOX folder, which is created by system tools on the smartphone itself.

The set of sensors, in addition to light and proximity sensors, includes a gyroscope, barometer, accelerometer, as well as a Hall sensor and a module for reading the geomagnetic field.

Performance

Samsung Galaxy A5 2017 cannot be called a record holder for performance. But still samsung specifications The Galaxy A5 2017 is good enough for all basic tasks. The OS runs smoothly, applications launch and switch without severe delays. And it is not surprising - the performance test in AnTuTu shows a rating of 60 thousand.

The aggregate power is sufficient to run almost all games. Only the settings are best kept at an average level, otherwise the FPS drops to indecently low values. The processor can heat up under load, but it does not reach excessively high temperatures, internal overheating protection mechanisms are triggered.

The multimedia capabilities are not bad: the device can cope with playing UHD video in 4K format at 30 fps. Together with support for screencasting via Wi-Fi Direct, this allows you to watch movies on an external display.

Cameras

The model was not without sad moments. This was the camera of the Samsung Galaxy A5 2017 - more precisely, not the camera itself, but the lack of optical stabilization in it. Perhaps she did not have enough space in the new building, or maybe the marketing policy affected. In any case, this immediately lowered expectations for the level of quality.

Other parameters correspond to a solid representative of the middle class: resolution up to 16 MP, f / 1.9, there is a flash on the LED for shooting in the dark and autofocus.

A photo

Typical photo Samsung Galaxy A5 2017, given full lighting (a clear day, the sun is shining), turn out to be quite decent, the camera justifies the installation in a strong average. Colors are reproduced close to the original, details are visible. In addition, there are many filters provided in the software part, so you can freely experiment with frames. For example, take not just a photo, but a shot in a saturated mode. Or install a food filter that softens the environment.

But all this is true only for static composition. Since there is no optical stabilization, shooting with motion is guaranteed to cause blur, focus does not have time to hover. Taking a good picture of the children at play is quite a challenge.

And if you add to this a lack of light (evening time or indoor photography), then noise will also be added, completely destroying small details. HDR saves from overexposure.

For night shooting this may not be enough and you will have to manually adjust the ISO / exposure / white balance. All of these options are available in Pro mode. It is recommended that you take several pictures at once, as some of them will almost certainly be damaged.

Video

When shooting video, you cannot squeeze more than FHD at 30 fps. 2K / 4K formats are not available, as well as increased frame rates to 60. The video in such conditions turns out to be acceptable for the middle class - as much as possible in the absence of stabilization. When shooting, it is advisable not to shake the smartphone once again to minimize blurring.

The time-lapse mode somewhat softens the impression: the camera periodically takes a frame, and then collects an accelerated video from them.

Front-camera

Frontal characteristics samsung cameras Galaxy A5 2017 is almost identical to the parameters of the main module. It also uses a sensor with frame support up to 16 MP at f / 1.9 aperture. In fact, it works like a wide-angle lens: you can take a selfie of several people, while the faces will be quite detailed.

The camera can automatically adjust the parameters for the current conditions. If there is not enough light, the screen will be activated - it will be filled with white to highlight the face. But there is no automatic guidance: only close objects will be in focus.

As a result, the image quality is lower than that of the main camera. However, you can work with the photo using various corrective effects - for example, to improve the appearance of the skin or change the tone.

The shutter button can be installed anywhere on the screen. This makes it easier to shoot with one hand, especially if you need to take an original selfie pose.

Sound and quality of music playback

There are no special complaints about the work of the main speaker. The sound is quite clear, albeit with insufficient bass (which is not surprising for an average smartphone). You can try to correct it using the built-in equalizers or switch to headphones by connecting them to the 3.5 mm jack.

Comparing the Samsung Galaxy A5 2017 with other smartphones reveals a quieter sound. The speaker's sound is influenced by the IP68 certification. To prevent water from getting inside the device, it was necessary to close the hole with a special membrane.

The situation is similar with the spoken speaker. But with the microphones, everything is in order: the additional one is used for noise reduction, while the main one records the voice with high quality. During a call, the interlocutor will hear well.

Communication capabilities

In terms of communication samsung phone Galaxy A5 2017 supports a gentleman's suite of technologies. He can work in networks from 2G to 4G LTE inclusive. In this case, you can use both SIM, which is convenient when traveling abroad. 4G module certification according to cat. 6 provides data exchange at speeds up to 300/50 Mbit / s.

The Wi-Fi module supports dual-channel operation according to the 802.11 a / b / g / n / ac standards. In addition, it can send a picture to an external screen (Wi-Fi Direct) and relay the signal in the access point mode. For peripherals, there is Bluetooth 4.2 with reduced power consumption and ANT +. The smartphone supports wireless payment via NFC and MST.

The navigation module works quickly with Beidou, GPS and GLONASS. Even with a cold start, searching for a satellite takes about 10 seconds.

For communication with a PC or charging, a USB 2.0 output is used. The symmetrical Type-C connector can be inserted either way for half the ease of connection.

operating system

Initially, the Samsung Galaxy A5 2017 was released with the 6th version of the Android OS. After the release of the updated editions, it was first translated to 7, and then to the 8th version, which is supplemented by shell samsung Experience. Thanks to it, you can flexibly customize the phone to the owner's preferences: use different screen modes, operate with one hand, share a picture for multi-screen mode, and so on.

Unlike the most affordable models in the J line, there is full support for S Voice. The voice assistant is able to answer questions, launch the necessary applications, set reminders and make appointments. It can also work in navigator mode.

Another interesting feature is the use of both SIM cards to simultaneously work with two copies of popular instant messengers. Each instance functions independently of the second.

Autonomy

With a battery capacity of 3000 mAh, a single charge is enough for a day or two, depending on the activity of use. Supports fast charging in an hour and a half.

Thanks for the autonomy should be said to a bundle of relatively economical screen and processor. In addition, you can additionally enable the power saving mode. At the basic level, the processor frequency and screen brightness are reduced, which extends the battery life by about 20%. If you go to extreme mode, then at the cost of transferring the display to a gray color gamut and other optimizations, you can keep the smartphone turned on even longer.

In standard mode, one charge will last for 53 hours of sound (or even 78 with the screen off), video can be watched up to 19 hours, talk in a 3G network up to 16. On the Internet, the smartphone will last 13/16/18 hours when connected via 3G / LTE / Wi-Fi respectively.

Pros and cons of a smartphone

Disassembled characteristics and samsung reviews Galaxy A5 2017 allows you to highlight the following advantages of the model:

1. excellent display with support for Always on Display;
2. decent selfie camera
3. compliance with IP68;
4. support for wireless payment Samsung Pay;
5. fast charging;
6. 2 SIM simultaneously with a memory card.

The disadvantages are as follows:

1. camera without stabilization;
2. the fingerprint scanner is small and only works with the correct finger position;
3. limited performance.

Comparison with competitors

In terms of the combination of strengths, the Samsung Galaxy A5 2017 turned out to be quite successful. The Samsung Galaxy A5 2017 rivals may outperform it in some specific areas (like a faster processor or more internal storage for the same money), but none of them have this combination of characteristics.

Final review

Samsung Smartphone Galaxy A5 2017 review of parameters and analysis of their combination puts in the leaders of the middle segment. An impressive autonomy, a beautiful and functional display, performance sufficient even for games, voice assistant and calm design - it is simply not possible to find such a high-quality analogue at such a price.

Samsung has released the updated 2017 smartphones of its mid-range smartphone line. The Samsung Galaxy A5 2017 is a versatile device with a compact size and an interesting camera. In this article, we want to focus on the Samsung Galaxy A5 2017 camera. full overview cameras, as well as provide videos and photos from the camera Samsung Galaxy A5 2017.

The new Galaxy A5 2017 features a 16MP main camera as well as an 11MP front camera with an impressive f / 1.9 aperture.

One of the main features galaxy cameras A5 2017 is optical image stabilization (OIS) Sorry, dear readers, wrong. Samsung made great efforts to reduce the visible noise of the camera to zero. Overall, similar results were achieved on all three 2017 A-series smartphones.

Samsung Galaxy A5 2017 camera review: user interface

Another distinctive feature of the Samsung Galaxy A5 2017 smartphone against the background of devices in 2016, as well as the Galaxy S7 and S7 Edge, is the significantly redesigned camera user interface. It now has more convenient navigation between modes and functions.

The camera app screen consists of standard video and photo buttons, gallery icons, flash controls, and more. However, you can now navigate between video, photo and gallery modes by swiping left and right.

Swipe left and you get eight basic filters and eight beauty filters. They all work in real time. Swiping to the right allows you to switch modes. And, although this is a stripped-down interface compared to flagship smartphones company, you still get Manual mode, HDR mode, Night mode and even a dedicated Food Mode for Instagram fans.

You can also download additional filters and modes from the store Samsung Apps Store.

There is a button on the screen to go to front camerabut more convenient way to turn on the camera for selfies is to swipe down.

Samsung Galaxy A5 2017 photo from camera

As we said, the Samsung Galaxy A5 2017 has a mid-range camera with a 16MP primary sensor. It allows you to capture pleasantly colorful images in all conditions, including low light. Taking photos in high contrast scenarios is one of the biggest galaxy problems A5 2017 as the camera struggles to display detail at the edge of its dynamic range. However, HDR does an excellent job of extracting colors and details that would otherwise be lost.

The Galaxy A5 2017's camera focuses quickly, even when taking close-ups. With this, you get well-exposed images in artificial or poorly lit environments.

The front camera also captures detailed photos. Moreover, 11 beauty modes will make any girl soar to heaven with happiness.

Note: we have added compressed photos from the Samsung Galaxy A5 2017 camera. Follow this link to see the photo in full resolution.

Samsung Galaxy A5 2017 camera video

The new smartphone shoots video in 1080p HD resolution at 30 frames per second from both the front and rear cameras. A 60fps video shooting mode would be very useful, but instead you get 1: 1 recording, presumably for applications like Instagram.

The actual video quality from the camera of the Samsung Galaxy A5 2017 is pleasant for the most part. The camera does an excellent job of handling color and exposure on the fly. However, even with the presence of OIS, we noticed slight jitter in the video. If you shoot video on the spot, then the focus is fast enough, however, while moving, it jumps from one object to another.

Samsung Galaxy A5 2017 Camera Review: Summary

As you can see, Samsung has given a lot of attention to the camera in the new galaxy smartphone A5 2017. The company seems to have added exactly the features that users expect from a mid-range smartphone.

Photos from the Samsung Galaxy A5 2017 camera show that the quality is really very good.

A simplified interface and a large set of functions mean that the user can quickly and easily take high-quality photos. However, the price remains the main disadvantage Galaxy A5 2017. For about the same price, you can buy the Honor 8 with more interesting and varied camera settings, or the OnePlus 3T, which shoots RAW photos, 4K video and offers optical image stabilization.