Samsung galaxy a5 camera module. Samsung Galaxy A5 (2017) competitors. Works one day like everyone else

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

Model
Dimensions, weight	146.1 * 71.4 * 7.9 mm, 159 grams
Screen	5.2-inch capacitive touch screen Super AMOLED with a resolution of 1920 × 1080 pixels
OS	Android version 6.0.1
Chipset	Exynos 7880, 1.9 GHz, eight cores
GPU	Mali 830MP3
RAM / ROM	3 / 32GB + support for microSD memory cards up to 256 GB (dedicated card slot)
Interfaces	Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 4.1, GPS, LTE, NFC
Cameras	Main: 16 MP, f / 1.9, front: 16 MP, f / 1.9
Battery	Li-ion, 3000 mAh

Design and management

A distinctive feature of the Samsung Galaxy A5 2017 is a three-dimensional glass surface and a solid metal edging. Thanks to these innovations, the smartphone looks much sleeker than the previous revisions of 2015 and 2016. On a surface back cover there are small bends, so the device is very comfortable in the hand. Separately, the device should be praised for that the camera module is no longer protruding from the housing. The phone can be safely placed on the table without the risk of scratching the optics.

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

Samsung Galaxy A5

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

Location of buttons Samsung control The Galaxy A5 is slightly different from last year's models. For example, the speaker has moved to the right end. Whether it is convenient or not, everyone decides for himself. User reviews claim that this is just a matter of habit.

The design of the device has remained faithful to the classic ideas. This is a typical candy bar, made with taste and care. You want to take the phone in hand, and its shape is pleasing to the eye.

Screen features

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

As for the characteristics of the screen, there can be no complaints here. The brightness can be adjusted both automatically and manually. Automatic settings capable of "machine learning", adjusting to the user's habits. The screen can be changed to your liking and discretion: colors, layout of the main controls, customization of themes, and much more. Another positive feature of the Samsung Galaxy A5 phone is excellent screen readability... The display does not fade in the sun, even in direct light.

The smartphone has on board the popular AoD option... Thanks to this "trick" the device always leaves the screen on, practically not wasting energy on its power supply. This happens due to the departure to the display mode, similar in principle to the monochrome reader. Accidental pressing does not activate the screen, for this you need to type the appropriate command or enter pattern key... Basic information displayed: hours, date, messages from some messengers, etc.

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

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

Memory and performance

The characteristics of the Samsung Galaxy A5 2017 are encouraging. The device is built on the company's own processor, Exinos 7880, and the popular Mali T830 video adapter. However, the technical process by which the central chip responsible for performance is made is outdated (14 nm). The maximum frequency of eight cores is 1.9GHz. Many fresh games will launch and can be played in peace. Of course, about maximum settings it's better to forget, but you can count on stable FPS without drawdowns in most team battles.

There is never a lot of RAM - this opinion is shared by both users and manufacturers. This is probably why the engineers equipped the device with 3 GB of RAM. The phone has 32 GB of its own memory. For those who like to store all their photos on their device, this may seem a little. Especially for such users there is expandable memory up to 256 GB inclusive thanks to the card.

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

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

Operating system

Samsung Review Galaxy A5 continues the theme of software: operating system on which he works. It was originally Android 6 version with a slightly modified interface... The developers have worked hard and made some changes to familiar things. However, those who are used to using Samsung's flagship line will probably not feel any difference: a completely identical shell is installed there.

The number of preinstalled software is small, there are no advertising products, most of the non-system applications can be removed. In addition to Google Play, it has its own Samsung application store. The speed of the system commands respect: the smartphone quickly boots from scratch, quickly picks up the network and registers in it.

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

Communication and sound quality

Samsung Galaxy A5 2017 phone supports two sim cards of the nano-sim format... Both SIM cards will be able to function in networks fourth generation... The transmission speed of Internet traffic depends entirely on bandwidth operator cellular... Wi-Fi works great, the speed is fast and stable, the phone can download and play without difficulty streaming video high resolution.

Bluetooth version 4.2 allows you to exchange data much faster. As far as navigation is concerned, everything is not so simple here. Satellites are caught quickly, but communication with them is far from always stable. Contactless payment fans will be delighted the presence of NFC and the option " Samsung Pay».

The spoken microphone and speaker do their job perfectly. The speaker of the phone, though not the loudest, is of very high quality. In addition, the user is unlikely to miss a call if the speaker volume is set to maximum. There are enough equalizer settings in the built-in player to enjoy acceptable sound. It will fall short of a dedicated DAC and a quality headset for the price of an average smartphone, but overall it is very good.

Battery and autonomy

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

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

In general, the autonomy of the device demonstrates a fairly average performance. With a moderate load of Internet / calls / games / instant messengers, the phone lives for one working day. But even despite a small margin of autonomy, the user does not live "from outlet to outlet." The gadget almost always lives up to the evening, when it can be put on charge.

Camera characteristics

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

With the main camera, the images are somewhat clearer thanks to the optical stabilizer. A wide range of settings allow you to customize the photo session to suit your needs.

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

Conclusion

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

• waterproofness;
• beautiful body;
• sturdy glass that protects the screen;
• there is NFC;
• high-quality assembly;
• high performance;
• fast charging.

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

Samsung Galaxy A5

January of this year was marked by an update of the line Galaxy flagships And from the popular South Korean manufacturer Samsung. The developers tried to bring the "stuffing" as close as possible fresh versions A3, 5 and 7 to more advanced and functional colleagues of Samsung Galaxy S. At the same time they managed to keep the title of “reliable middle peasants” of the market for the models.

Key features of the Samsung Galaxy A5 2017

Frame

The developers released this year's version of Samsung Galaxy A5 in three different colors: classic strict black, more elegant gold, and for the most stylish and those who like to stand out, they provided azure blue. The phone measures 146 x 71 mm and is only 8 mm thick. The weight of the phone is 159 g.

Samsung Galaxy A5 - fresh model

Processor and filling

This version of the Samsung Galaxy features an Exynos 7880 Octa octa-core chip with clock frequency 1.9 GHz. Software updated to Android Marshmallow version 6.0.1.

Technical Samsung specifications Galaxy A5

Screen

The display size diagonally equals 5.2 inches, and the resolution is 1080 x 1920. According to the developers, the multitouch is made using Super AMOLED technology, which allows the phone to maintain the brightness of the picture both indoors and on a brightly lit street.

Camera

The flagship camera has a whopping 16 megapixels. The front camera does not lag behind the main lens at all - the same 16 megapixels. In addition, the creators of the model took care of the post-processing of the photos taken. Several standard filters and modes are built into the camera interface, which, presumably, will make your pictures simply incomparable. We did not forget about high-quality selfies in low light conditions: there are flashes on both sides of the smartphone, so that even in the dark you can take beautiful portrait shots.

Original photo

Various built-in filter options

With this camera resolution, of course, it will not be news that the smartphone records video in Full HD quality.

Connection

You can insert two simultaneous SIM cards into your phone. At the same time, the Samsung Galaxy A5 also has a separate microSD slot, which many users considered extremely convenient. Now there is no need to sacrifice one of the calling cards for the sake of extra gigabytes of memory for several hundred photos and music tracks.

Memory

As for the amount of memory, the A5 boasts a very average performance - 32 built-in gigabytes and 3 GB of RAM. This is more than enough for the needs of the average user. Even though the actual memory that is not used by any system files, only 23 GB remains. And yet, for those who prefer not to bother deleting unnecessary information from the phone or just want to feel confident with a margin free space, a separate slot is carefully provided specifically for MicroSD. Maximum size additional storage can be up to 256GB.

Battery

Fresh Samsung version Galaxy A5 is equipped with a Li-Po battery with a capacity of 3000 mAh. The battery consumption of this model is no different from any other Samsung, so we advise you not to wait for space indicators. 320 hours standby time, 12 hours talk time, up to 30 hours of continuous music listening, 8 hours of video. However, the phone supports fast charging mode. As the manufacturer promises, your smartphone will fully recover in an hour. The rest of the characteristics are quite standard for modern smartphones.

The battery of the new smartphone is quite capacious, which means that it will be enough for a longer amount of time.

How Samsung Galaxy A5 2017 beats the 2016 model

• Appearance. The phone hasn't undergone any major changes. The body materials remain the same - metal and glass. White color of the available options, the panel changes to light blue. Externally, the model began to look more stylish and serious, and also acquired some features of its premium counterpart Samsung Galaxy S7. And yet the updated version of the Galaxy A5 2017 has a slightly more interesting "filling" than its predecessor.
• Convenient notifications. Added the Always On Display function, due to which the gadget's screen displays up-to-date information and notifications. Even if your smartphone is in sleep mode.
• Shooting. Improved camera. While maintaining the rest of the characteristics of the built-in lens, the main camera has risen from 13 to 16 megapixels. The front has reached the same level - 16 megapixels - from the ridiculous 5 megapixel model of that year. Unfortunately, the optical stabilization promised at previews and presentations is missing from the updated Galaxy 5. In other words, the thoughtful developers again did not take care that the shaking in their hands did not affect the clarity of photos and videos in any way.
• CPU. At the same time, the manufacturer also updated the processor. The Exynos 7580 with a clock speed of 1.6 GHz and a Mali-T720MP2 graphics processor was replaced by a more modern and improved 64-bit Exynos 7880 Octa with a frequency of 1.9 GHz and graphics core Mali-T830MP3.
• Memory. The new model has 3 GB of RAM instead of 2 GB for the 2016 line. The built-in memory is now 32 GB, not 16. Available microSDs have doubled their volumes - up to 256 GB against last year's 128 GB.

  The latest version of the device will delight you with increased memory reserves

• Software. Of course, the Galaxy A5 2017 has more new android... If the 2016 models could boast only Android Lollipop version 5.1.1, as well as the ability to upgrade to Android 7.0, then the Galaxy A5 2017 shows us Android 6.0.1 Marshmallow. Also not the most advanced version of the software. And the ability to install new software here still does not exceed the range of the previous model: the smartphone will only be able to update to the seventh Android. However, in defense of the fresh Galaxy A5, we can say that the Koreans themselves are more willing to use the sixth Android version than the last, "seven".

  Smartphone software information

• Battery. In addition to the named Samsung Galaxy A5 2017, they placed slightly more powerful batteries. Now their capacity is 3000 mAh instead of 2900 mAh. As they say, a trifle, but nice. It is also impossible not to note the moment that the users themselves are talking about: the process of charging the phone in 2017 has noticeably accelerated.
• Other. The main difference (and concurrently the main "chip") of the updated Samsung is in two things. Firstly, the re-released model was equipped with an extremely convenient two-way USB port. After all, it happened to everyone - you twist the cord this way and that, you try to insert it into the connector, but it magically does not fit. Luckily the folks at Samsung have taken care of your nerves and now the latest Galaxy A5 lineup comes with USB Type-C. Secondly, the body of the brand new A5 is certified according to the IP68 standard, which guarantees reliable protection of the phone from dust and moisture getting inside. As the developers assure, the device can be immersed in water to a depth of 1.5 meters and kept there for up to 30 minutes. So, if you have a fresh model, you can safely drop this wonderful gadget into the bathroom or fountain. The main thing is to get it out before half an hour has passed.

  The new body of the smartphone better protects against external factors

Camera in the new version of the smartphone

In general, the camera copes well with its main tasks. Light sensitivity and white balance during daytime shooting are great. The exposure adjusts itself in a matter of seconds. The absence of optical stabilization... However, once you get used to the camera and start holding the phone more confidently, the slight blur will disappear immediately. A sufficiently high detail of the picture also brightens up this defect a little.

If difficulties with a clear “non-trembling” picture arise even during the day in good natural light, imagine what begins to happen at night or indoors. Although this is a problem for most smartphones, what can we say about the average market representative. Just be mentally prepared for a little "knocked down" exposure, noise and shallow blurring of the edges. As a last resort, console yourself with the thought of a properly working autofocus and white balance.

The selfie camera is a positive counterbalance to the lack of stabilization. In addition to the high resolution of 16 megapixels, it will delight you with sharp and high-quality portraits with excellent detail. Indoors or in dim light, the developers suggest using the phone screen as a "flash", which illuminates faces with white soft radiation and allows you to preserve the quality of photos.

Photos: examples of shooting on the A5

Daytime shots show excellent quality Exposure and white balance adjust instantly and fairly accurately

She promised to start by updating the line of smartphones of the popular A-series. This is a mid-segment line, which this time is represented by three devices, one of which Samsung Galaxy A5 (2017)... The prefix in the name suggests that the gadget has come to replace the 2016 model. Well, let's see what new model able to surprise those who have already used the previous January smartphone Samsung Galaxy A5 (2016).

External features

This is the third generation of the A-series, which means that cardinal changes should be expected. And they are: back in August, Meizu with her Meizu U10 demonstrated how to do affordable smartphone with premium design. Well, it looks like the trend is set. Samsung Galaxy A5 (2017) received 2.5d glass not only on the front panel, but also on the back. The frame of the smartphone is metal. Given the rounded corners, the gadget looks stylish, as befits a new 2017 device. Unusual colors also add color: gloss black, gold, soft blue and pink colors.

Now about the display: it received 5.2 "" and 1080x1920 AMOLED points. Under the display is a hardware button with a fingerprint scanner, which meets modern security standards and allows you to use a proprietary payment application. Interestingly, the developers have added an "always on screen" feature. Well, if we talk about the design in general, the devices began to look more like a stylish flagship brother, this is clearly not the middle segment that it used to be. It is also noteworthy that, just like the flagship, smartphones received protection according to the IP 68 standard, thus, they are not afraid of water, although you cannot tell by their appearance.

Technical capabilities

It was not without reason that payment systems were mentioned in the review of the model: the gadgets support NFC and MST modules. Of the others interesting features- two camera modules with excellent characteristics... The modules received 16 megapixels each, provided by Light + sensors, and high-aperture optics f 1.9. In practice, the manufacturer claims accurate focusing even in low light conditions, which they cannot yet cope with in many mid-segment devices. As for the platform, the smartphone uses a proprietary Exinus 7880 chip with eight cores. The battery received 3000mAh, which should be enough for average comfortable work.

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 improvement moments 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 from 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: the width is 71.4 mm, the length is 146.1 mm and the thickness is 7.9 mm. The model is presented in three colors: black, gold and blue. There is also a pink version, but it is 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 frames. Above it is a speaker, camera and sensors, below - a pair touch keys and a hardware Home button with a fingerprint scanner in between.

The volume keys are located on the left side of the device. The power button remains in its traditional place on the right. Next to it, the developers placed the main speaker. 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 MicroSD cards at the same time. To accommodate all three parts, the trays were split. 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 recessed 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 out, 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. And the water fails: the smartphone can easily endure bathing for up to half an hour at a 1.5-meter depth, not to mention the 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 the 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 screen 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. This results in a density of 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 on the lock screen and current time, 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.

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

Equipment

The smartphone comes with a USB type-c adapter.

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

Specifications Samsung Galaxy A5 2017

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.

The calculation and display of the image on the screen is provided by the graphic 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 is left 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 in 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, a barometer, an 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. Still, the specs of the Samsung Galaxy A5 2017 are good enough for all basic tasks. The OS runs smoothly, applications launch and switch without severe delays. And it is not surprising - the performance check 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 the playback of UHD video in 4K format at 30 fps. Together with support for screen broadcasting via Wi-Fi Direct, this allows you to watch movies on an external display.

Cameras

Not without sad moments in the model. 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.

Photo

Typical photos of the Samsung Galaxy A5 2017, under the condition of 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 movement is guaranteed to cause blur, focus does not have time to hover. Taking a good picture of the children at play is a challenge.

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

For night photography, 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, nor is the frame rate increased to 60. The video in such conditions is obtained at an acceptable level 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 in order to minimize blurring.

The time-lapse mode softens the impression a little: 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 illuminate the face. But there is no automatic guidance: only close objects will be in focus.

As a result, the quality of the images 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.

In this case, the shutter button can be installed anywhere on the screen. This makes it easier to shoot with one hand, especially if you want 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.

Comparison of the Samsung Galaxy A5 2017 with other smartphones reveals more quiet 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.

WITH spoken speaker the situation is similar. But with the microphones, everything is in order: the additional one is used for noise cancellation, 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 SIMs, which is convenient when traveling abroad. 4G module certification according to cat level. 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, he 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 balanced Type-C connector can be plugged in either side for half the ease of wiring.

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 transferred to version 7, and then to version 8, which is supplemented by the Samsung Experience shell. Thanks to it, you can flexibly configure the phone to suit 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 here. The voice assistant knows how to answer questions, run required 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 mA * h, 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 the bundle of a relatively economical screen and processor. In addition, you can additionally enable the power-saving mode. At basic level the processor frequency and screen brightness are reduced, which extends the operating time by about 20%. If you go to extreme mode, then at the cost of transferring the display to gray color range 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

The disassembled characteristics and reviews of the Samsung Galaxy A5 2017 allow us 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 works only when the finger is in the correct position;
3. limited performance.

Comparison with competitors

By the combination of strengths Samsung model The Galaxy A5 2017 turned out to be pretty good. Samsung Galaxy A5 2017 competitors may outperform it in some specific areas (for example, a faster processor or larger capacity internal memory for the same money), but none of them have such a combination of characteristics.

Final review

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

Photos in the interior

Specifications

• Android 6.0.1 with Clean UI, update to Android 7
• Screen 5.2 inches, SuperAMOLED, FullHD, 424 ppi, automatic adjustment brightness, automatic brightness adjustment according to 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 random access memory, 32 GB of internal memory (about 23 GB of memory is available to the user out of the box)
• Battery Li-Ion 3000 mAh, fast charging, 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 cancellation 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 based on the size of the phones: smaller screen- less 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 in terms of filling, 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 on Samsung market directly competes with Apple, to some extent the A-series is a response to the old iPhone models that are still on the market. So, the 2017 A5 is a clear competitor for the iPhone 6 / 6s, which also costs less. Comparing with the eminent Chinese, we will get their lineup with similar positioning as competitors for this device, for example, it can be Huawei Nova.

The 2017 A5 model was created for those who want to buy a smartphone from large manufacturer(read, brand), while getting good set characteristics, decent performance and quality of 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 accustomed to counting money, buying a smartphone for a long time. 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 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 is definitely only for girls.

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

The fact that the device has a glass back and front part does not interfere with it at all, since Corning Gorilla Glass 4 is quite reliable and protected from accidental drops, although here someone 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 pads, the microphones and the speaker have membranes, the level of protection is IP68, which allows the phone to be at a depth of up to 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. Good decision that just works. On the sides of it there are two touch-sensitive keys.

On the left side there are two volume keys, on the right side there is an on / off button. On 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.

At the bottom there is also a 3.5 mm jack for a headset or headphones and a USB Type C jack for charger... On the upper end and on 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, installation of two SIM-cards and a memory card is impossible, there is a combined slot.

The loudspeaker was placed on the right side surface, due to which 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 phone measures 146.1x71.4x7.9 mm and weighs 159 grams. Compact, fits perfectly in the hand due to the small roundness of the body at the back. Not slippery, although many people believe 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 a 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, it is even better in the sun) ...

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 adjustment of brightness to suit your preferences, for 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 that has flagship models, there is no.

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 show a comparable result on 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, the frequency of the processor are limited, in this mode many will not experience problems with the operation of the device, but the operating time will increase by at least 20 percent. In 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 excellently implemented, 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 strong side (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).

USB version 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 the 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 at its level, and the safety margin will last for a couple of years at least.

The built-in memory of the device is 32 GB (23.1 GB is 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 is worth finding the distance from which the pictures are best taken, this is about half a meter, that is, an outstretched arm. Quality front camera good, but don't expect anything special from it, 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. The 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 the consumers of this device are unlikely to need it so much, since recording a regular FullHD video will completely satisfy them.

Look at the 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 of the interface elements are similar to what we see in Android 7 and Clean UI on the S7 / S7 EDGE. I advise you to read about what 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 ring 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 when vibrating. 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 eye-catching design, to which AlwaysON Display acts as a makeweight, competitors have nothing of the kind. Choosing between the models of this series, I want to draw your attention to the fact that the A3 2017 is aimed at those who call more, to a lesser extent sit on the net, watch 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, better performance. In short, it is worth finding the money and buying 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 middle class, but in comparing 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, there is no protection from water even close. In short, here you buy only a brand and 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 screen is IPS, this 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 quite justified, given the other characteristics. But in terms of performance, 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 buy 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, to take into account a huge pile of Chinese models I will not, 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, which will become a bestseller in the middle price segment. This device looks good, has a long life and offers a range of features that will satisfy everyone 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.