Smartphone series Samsung Galaxy A last year was very successful in terms of design. They looked beautiful, although they were inferior in characteristics to numerous Chinese analogues. Yes, Chinese phones are becoming more and more popular, but Samsung is no stranger. Excellent materials, high-quality cameras, functional shell, and the brand also means a lot. I know people who believe in Samsung and they only have phones of this brand. I think you will have such acquaintances too.

Those who surf the Internet are aware of the eternal torment of choice: what to buy, the creation of a famous brand or an almost top Chinese, promising brand? Judging by the successful sales of various Galaxy A last year, fans of this series were not deterred by the price; there were many willing ones. And people still go to stores, try out devices, twirl them in their hands to get an impression of their purchases; not all “Chinese” products can be checked out in person.

Slippery but doesn't get wet

The design surprised me; Samsung abandoned the angular shapes and again returned to the soapy features. Remember the old one Samsung flagship Galaxy S3? The new A5 is very similar in shape, and the back panel looks very modest, I would add a picture or pattern to it for variety, it would look better, but it looks like a budget phone.

Here is a photo of A5 and S7 edge, compare the sizes and evaluate the difference in appearance.

The case is very slippery, you can walk with the phone without a case, but you need to use it carefully, otherwise you will drop it.

Glass front and back, the shiny surface is combined with a durable aluminum side. There is no fault with the assembly, nor with the ergonomics, all the buttons are in their places.

If you can’t handle the phone with one hand, then turn on the special mode, then the menu will shrink in size. The camera can be launched by double-clicking the button under the screen, very convenient.

But IP68 water protection, like the top-end Galaxy S7, is good and practical. The phone is not afraid of swimming in fresh water, withstanding being at a depth of up to 1.5 meters for 30 minutes.

Screen with a twist

The phone, as usual for Samsung, has a bright Super AMOLED, now the Always On Display feature works, when additional data is visible on the screen in standby mode, and the backlight does not work at this time. To some extent, it compensates for the lack of a light indicator, although nothing simpler and more efficient than a flashing diode has yet been invented.

Diagonal 5.2 inches, resolution 1080x1920 - the picture is bright, everything is clearly visible on the street, no traces are left on the display, excellent oleophobic coating. It’s strange that on a phone that costs almost 30 thousand rubles, multi-touch detects only 5 simultaneous touches.

Samsung Pay is not working yet

The phone helps you pay for purchases through Samsung Pay, but I couldn’t link a card to it; during testing, the service didn’t work and I advised me to wait a little longer. Well, OK. I note that the phone has an NFC chip, but it does not work with the Troika card. I tried several applications, but the smartphone does not show travel data through the applications.

The camera is very good during the day

The camera on the back of the case does not protrude at all, it is flush with the surface. Convenient: when you put the phone on the table, it lies and does not wobble.

Resolution main and front camera matches, both are 16 megapixels. Galaxy A5 (2017) shoots great in automatic mode, in the settings, launch manual mode or additional story profiles. Here are a few examples, and you can evaluate the rest in Google Drive. I didn’t find the specifications of the model on the Samsung website, but as I understand from the descriptions in other sources, there are no optical stabilization camera, last year's Galaxy A5 had it.

Take a look at how HDR works (on the left - with it, on the right - the effect is turned off).

The quality of video recording is limited to Full HD; the phone records videos well, but strobes a lot. Here's an example of shooting at a skating rink.

Not the most powerful, but works quickly

If you look at the performance, this is typical middle class. 61 thousand points in AnTuTu, Exynos 7880 processor, 3/32 GB of memory and slot for microSD card. New processor 14nm process technology features reduced power consumption

Samsung's operating system is still gluttonous and consumes large amounts of RAM; out of 3 gigs, 1.3 GB remains for work, and when you also use applications, there are about 500 MB free. You can live, but they don’t want to hear about process optimization at Samsung.

If you play WoT: Blitz at maximum graphics settings, the phone produces 30-35 fps, which is enough performance reserve for modern games. The phone does not overheat and does not turn into a heating pad, which is good.

The phone has 2 SIM cards, and there is a separate compartment for the memory card; you don’t have to sacrifice the second SIM if you put a microSD here, it’s very practical.

Samsung pleased us with the sound quality in the headphones; it plays clearly, although the volume reserve is not very large. The sound through the speaker is clear, but not loud. In the old-fashioned way, you can listen to FM radio if you connect headphones, although now more and more people listen to Google Music or similar services.

Works one day like everyone else

Galaxy A5 has a 3000 mAh battery, it works fast charging, the phone works for a day or a day and a half under my load with the Internet and other activities. In the menu you can find functions to optimize system operation; the device itself determines which applications prevent it from sleeping peacefully and disrupt the operating mode. USB-C is used for charging, it’s good that Samsung has finally begun to transfer equipment to new port. True, finding a cable at the nearest stall is still a problem; USB-C is still not held in high esteem among us, but in vain.

What is the price?

Samsung Galaxy A5 (2017) sells for 27,990 rubles. Considering that by adding 3 thousand rubles, you can buy last year’s flagship Galaxy S6, you might wonder if you should take an older, but more sophisticated phone? Yes, there will be no water protection and a slot for a memory card, but it has better camera, more interesting appearance. Do you want to save money, but buy Samsung? Then look at the Galaxy A5 (2016), it is still relevant, the hardware is simpler, but it costs around 20 thousand.

Of the options from other brands, I can recommend Honor 8 (), it costs the same as A5, it’s more a matter of personal attitude to the brands, they are similar in characteristics, but Honor has a nicer design, for my taste. Another competitor is the glass-metal ASUS Zenfone 3 () in a similar style.

Opinion

Samsung Galaxy A5 (2017) pleased us with a rare feature; there are few phones on sale with water protection. What else can surprise you? In my opinion, the appearance has become worse than that of the old generation; last year's Galaxy A3/A5/A7 line looked more interesting. Although in terms of materials and assembly everything is still decent, and the filling has become even more powerful. I think that when prices drop in a few months, the phone will “go to the people.”

To summarize, I will say that I liked the new Samsung Galaxy A5 (2017) in terms of characteristics, but not in terms of design. Judging by past experience, Samsung is capable of more. Otherwise, the model turned out to be good, and if you look at analogs from Huawei or ASUS, you will see comparable price tags, I can’t say that the overpayment for the brand will be too high, Samsung has an adequate pricing policy.

Did not like

• Slippery body
• Soap design
• No indicator light
• Limited NFC capabilities
• Old Android 6.0

Liked

• Good camera
• Autonomy
• Water protection
• Functional shell
• Bright screen

I would like to thank the friendliest gadget store for providing me with a smartphone for testing. Biggeek. By promotional code Wylsacom valid special discount for buyers.

In the class of smartphones up to 30,000 rubles there is a real “rubilovo” between by different manufacturers. Everyone strives to offer the most functional device at a low price. Samsung, for example, relied on using the appearance of its Galaxy flagship S7 and its basic capabilities. The developer has slightly simplified the hardware, installed a more modest camera, and slightly less memory. The result is the Galaxy A5 2017 smartphone, which looks like a flagship, but costs like an advanced mid-ranger.

Samsung Galaxy A5 2017 (model index SM-A520F) belongs to the middle class of devices. At the same time, the finishing uses the same materials as the flagship Galaxy S7/S7 edge: aircraft-grade aluminum and glass. In terms of hardware, the new product has a good margin of speed and performance. The smartphone received a proprietary chip with an eight-core Exynos 7880 processor, Mali-T830 graphics, 3 GB random access memory. Built-in memory is 32 GB, it can be supplemented with memory cards.

They didn’t skimp on the screen; a SuperAMOLED display with a diagonal of 5.2 inches is used here. The smartphone includes support for all modern communications in the form of LTE Cat.7, dual-band Wi-Fi, NFC, Samsung Pay. The cameras (front and main) received a 16 megapixel sensor. You can use the built-in fingerprint scanner to unlock your smartphone. Currently, the device comes with pre-installed operating system Android 6.0.1 Marshmallow with Clean UI shell.

Technical parameters of Samsung Galaxy A5 (2017) SM-A520F

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Characteristic	Description
Case materials:	Aluminum (6000 series), Corning Gorilla Glass 4
Housing protection:	rated IP68 from water up to 30 minutes at a depth of up to 1.5 meters
Screen:	SuperAMOLED, diagonal 5.2 inches, resolution 1080x1920 pixels (424 ppi), automatic adjustment brightness, light sensor, color profiles, AlwaysOn Display function
CPU:	Exynos 7880 (Cortex A53 8 cores 1.9 GHz) 14 nm
GPU:	Mali-T830MP3
RAM:	3 GB
Flash memory:	32 GB (23.7 GB available to user) + card slot microSD memory(up to 256 GB)
Mobile connection:	2G (850, 900, 1800, 1900 MHz), 3G (850/900/1900/2100 MHz), 4G (including LTE 800, 1800, 2600)
SIM card type:	Two nanoSIM cards
Communications and ports:	Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac (2.4 and 5 GHz), NFC, USB Type C, Bluetooth 4.2, 3.5 mm headset, ANT+, Samsung Pay
Navigation:	GPS, AGPS, GLONASS, BEIDOU
Sensors:	Light sensor, proximity sensor, accelerometer/gyroscope, barometer, digital compass, fingerprint scanner, vibration sensor
Main camera:	16 MP, f/1.9, autofocus, LED flash, FullHD video recording 30 frames per second
Front-camera:	16 megapixels, without autofocus, f/1.9
Battery:	non-removable, 3000 mAh, fast charging
Dimensions, weight:	146.1x71.4x7.9 mm, 159 grams
Case colors:	black (Black Sky), gold (Gold Sand), blue (Blue Mist), pink (Peach Cloud)
Operating system:	Android 6.0.1 Marshmallow with Clean UI, upgradeable to Android 7

Samsung Galaxy A7 (2018) prices

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Delivery package and first impressions

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Samsung Galaxy A5 (SM-A520F) 2017 model series comes in a box made of thick white cardboard. The model name is printed on the front, and the main technical parameters are on the back. There is no image of the gadget.

In the box you can see the device itself, as well as:

Adapter charger with USB connector
Sync cable computer USB- USB Type C

microUSB to USB Type C adapter
Stereo headset with miniJack 3.5 mm
SIM card tray clip
Instructions, warranty card

It is noteworthy that Samsung decided to include an adapter from USB Type C to microUSB in the kit. This fact significantly makes life easier for potential owners of the new Galaxy A5 2017. There are twice as many options for recharging the device: the newfangled USB Type C or standard microUSB.

On sale you can find four body colors: black, gold, pink and blue. All colors are perceived well, different variants look great. It is worth noting that in the sun or light the body begins to shimmer. The color becomes uneven. Looks impressive.

The 2017 Galaxy A5 is convenient in terms of size and ergonomics. Despite the gloss of the case, the device does not tend to slip out of your hands. Although, if you use gloves, you should be careful. A smartphone can easily be dropped. The dimensions of the device are 146.1x71.4x7.9 mm, weight 159 grams.

You cannot reach the edges of the display with one hand. But the problem can be solved. There is a special mode in the settings that reduces the image by 30%, allowing you to reach the corners of the display with your thumb. A useful feature, I recommend activating it.

You can carry the device in the pockets of tight clothes without any problems. There will definitely be no inconveniences.

Design and appearance

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The appearance of the Galaxy A5 (2017) largely copies the flagship Galaxy S7 model. There is also a metal case in which not only the screen, but also the back panel is covered with glass. The glass has a slight rounding at the edges, the so-called 2.5D effect. Corning Gorilla Glass 4 is used here. The manufacturer claims that it is not afraid of cuts and proximity to metal keys and various fittings. However, there is no protection against falls. Just in case, I would recommend that device owners worry about protection in advance and buy a case, bumper or protective cover. It won't be redundant.

The glossy surfaces of the Galaxy A5 have an oleophobic coating that does its job perfectly. For example, fingerprints, dust and dirt are barely visible on the black case. Can be removed quickly and easily. On models in blue, pink and gold, prints are generally difficult to see.

For strength, the frame running along the entire contour of the device is made of metal. The metal had a positive effect on the overall perception of the device. The body is monolithic, looks durable and reliable. The assembly is high quality. The smartphone looks good and is much more expensive than its price.

On the front there is a 5.2-inch screen. Above it there is a speaker, light sensors, a front 16 megapixel camera, as well as the manufacturer’s logo. Below the display there is a mechanical key with a built-in fingerprint scanner. Biometric identification when unlocking or paying with Samsung Pay is fast and accurate. I did not find any problems with the operation of the button. On the sides of the central key there are two touch buttons. One is responsible for returning to one level, and the other for launching the manager of programs running in the background.

On the right side of the Galaxy A5 2017 there is a power and screen lock button. In addition, here you can see speaker slots for playing external sounds. This layout stands out against the background existing models phones. The speaker itself is average in volume, but the sound in it is quite pleasant and spacious. During testing, an interesting pattern emerged. If you put your smartphone with the speaker down in a handbag, the ringtone will not be heard (although it all depends on the contents of the bag! =)). There are no problems with winter clothes.

The volume keys are located on the left side. On the bottom edge there is a 3.5 mm jack for a headset and headphones, as well as USB port Type C for charger and connection to computer. The phone can use two SIM cards at once. At the top end there is a tray for one of the SIM cards and memory cards. The second one settled down. The slots are equivalent and work with both voice communications and 4G.

There is a microphone on the bottom and top ends, there is a noise reduction system, it does its job perfectly. The interlocutor can clearly hear your voice in any conditions, even in noisy transport or during strong winds outside.

On the back side you can see a 16 megapixel camera lens with autofocus and LED flash. The lens does not protrude relative to the plane of the smartphone itself.

The battery is located inside the case. It is not removable.

During the test, I was not able to detect any external defects or poor quality assembly. The impressions are extremely positive. The device looks like a real flagship. The panels play interestingly in the light. The smartphone is assembled at the Samsung plant in Vietnam.

Screen. Graphics capabilities

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The Galaxy A5 2017 uses a very high-quality 5.2-inch SuperAMOLED screen. Resolution 1080x1920 pixels (424 ppi). In its class it is one of best screens. It is bright, contrasty, images and fonts are very smooth, without roughness, the black color is very deep. The viewing angles are maximum; colors do not change when tilted.

The display is covered protective glass Corning Gorilla Glass 4 with 2.5D effect and oleophobic coating. Medium width side frames.

Thanks to the “Adaptive” option, the user can significantly reduce the strain on their eyes. The device analyzes the level of lighting around and, depending on the conditions, sets the contrast and brightness, plus adjusts the colors on the screen. In addition, it is possible to use the color settings “Movie AMOLED”, “Photo AMOLED”, “main”.

The screen looks great in the sun. I did not notice any problems with reading the information. There is no glare or discoloration of the picture.

The sensitivity of the display is 10 points out of 10. All clicks are processed correctly and clearly. Samsung Galaxy A5 2017 supports glove operation.

A nice bonus is the AlwaysOn Display option, which allows you to display individual application icons, date, time or pictures on a locked and inactive screen. You can adjust the time the display is on, and the appearance of notification icons on the screen compensates for the lack of a traditional indicator of missed events. The display is black and white, the operation of this function does not drain the battery much: per day of use the consumption is 4%. Previously, this function worked exclusively in flagship devices; since 2017, it has come to the mid-price segment.

Hardware platform: processor, memory, performance

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The smartphone is powered by an Exynos 7880 chip system, which includes 8 Cortex-A53 cores operating at up to 1.9 GHz and Mali-830 MP3 graphics. The platform is made using a 14 nm process technology, which has a positive effect on power consumption and the absence of heating under load.

RAM 3 GB. The device has 32 GB of internal memory (23.7 GB available to the user), supports microSD removable media up to 256 GB.

The performance of the smartphone is high. The interface is smooth, the browser runs smoothly even when opening heavy pages. All this is confirmed by synthetic tests. The model is up to standard, and the safety margin is enough for at least a couple of years. The processor does not heat up when loaded with productive games.

The advantages include the low power consumption of the Samsung chip. The smartphone lasts longer than its competitors.

To summarize, I can say that the characteristics fully correspond to the positioning. Samsung Galaxy A5 (2017) is a mid-ranger with great multimedia capabilities. Social networks, videos, music, games - all this works without flaws or limitations. For young people who love beautiful gadgets, but are not ready to pay a lot, the device will appeal to their taste. Another category of people who will appreciate this device are rationalists.

Communication capabilities

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The smartphone supports all modern communication networks: 2G/3G and LTE cat. 7 on Russian frequencies, reliably receives the signal and does not lose it for no apparent reason. The quality of signal reception is not satisfactory, the device confidently maintains communication indoors and does not lose the signal in areas of poor reception (tested on MegaFon and MTS networks). Talking on the phone is comfortable. The speaker has a good volume reserve, and the interlocutors during testing poor hearing didn't complain.

Supported Wi-Fi networks 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac (2.4 + 5 GHz), Bluetooth 4.2, FM radio. The presence of NFC and MST allows you to use your smartphone for contactless Samsung Pay payments. Connection to a computer is carried out according to the USB 2.0 standard via a symmetrical Type-C connector.

Among the additional communication tools, it is worth noting GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS (standard cartography is built into the smartphone Google Maps). The navigation error radius during testing was about 3 meters, which is very little. The gadget copes well with the role of a navigator.

Battery. Duration of work

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Samsung Galaxy A5 (2017) has lithium-ion battery capacity 3000 mAh. Under testing conditions, with a number of calls of 35-40 minutes per day, browsing the Internet for about 2 hours via 4G, listening to an mp3 player through a headset for about 2 hours a day, the device worked for two days. When watching videos, the smartphone worked for 19 hours, in navigator mode - about 6 hours.

If we take average data with a mixed mode of use, we get two days battery life. Those who use only calls can easily count on 5 days of work. In terms of autonomy, the device differs for the better from the vast majority of Android smartphones. For me personally, battery life has great importance The Galaxy A5 SM-A520F was a pleasant surprise.

In addition, there is a power saving mode, when the screen backlight and processor frequency are limited. In this scenario, the operating time will increase by at least 20%. There is an extreme (maximum) energy saving mode. In this case, the screen displays only white and gray colors, all applications except telephone communication, SMS, calendar and alarms are disabled.

The phone has a fast charging feature. The battery is fully charged in 1 hour 20 minutes. But the built-in wireless charging there is no.

User Interface and Operating System

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Currently Samsung time Galaxy A5 (2017) comes with Android firmware 6.0.1 s user interface Clean UI. The same shell is used in the Galaxy S7 and S7 edge. Software You can “update over the air”. From March 2017, the model will receive an update to Android 7.

Smartphone owners have access to all branded Samsung programs, including S Health for monitoring physical activity and health, voice assistant S Voice, gesture support, KNOX - for separating data into personal and work, etc. Missing programs can be downloaded from Samsung App Store And Google Play. The model supports the Samsung Pay service.

Unlike the Galaxy S models, there is a built-in FM radio, which is a plus. Also pre-installed and uninstallable Office package and Skype, but Kaspersky can be removed before it begins to eat up already limited system resources and drain the battery.

Camera. Photo and video capabilities

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Galaxy A5 2017 has a 16 megapixel camera with f/1.9, autofocus and LED flash. The equivalent focal length of the lens is 27 mm. The camera takes very decent quality pictures when daylight outdoors and indoors, in the dark it is no longer so good, but this is a problem with all mid-level cameras. In the settings you can find additional shooting modes, including PRO.

The camera interface is made in the traditional Samsung style. You can launch it by double-clicking the central button below the screen. There are many settings and preset modes, including self-portrait, panorama, night, continuous shooting, HDR and GIF creation. Video capabilities are limited to shooting in 1080p 30 frames per second. Compared to the Galaxy A5 (2016), the camera has lost optical stabilization, and the device is also formally inferior to some competitors due to the lack of the ability to shoot 4K video. But who really needs to shoot in 4K quality? No one. For this reason, the function was removed. FullHD is enough.

IN manual mode ISO settings available in 50, 100, 200, 400, 800. The following shooting modes are available: single shot, smile detection, continuous, panorama, vintage, portrait, landscape, night mode, sports, indoors, beach/snow, sunset, dawn, autumn colors, fireworks, text, dusk, against the light.

The front camera has a resolution of 16 megapixels. It is quite photosensitive (f/1.9), but does not have autofocus. When taking a selfie, you can adjust your skin tone, face shape, and eye size. There is also a panoramic selfie function, although the optics are already wide-angle - you can capture a small company without special modes.

Results

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Even if the Samsung Galaxy A5 (2017) is not a perfect mid-range smartphone, it is close to it. At its core, this is the flagship Galaxy S7, but 15,000 rubles cheaper. The undoubted advantages include a fast interface, a complete set of necessary functions, great screen and long battery life. You can easily count on 2 days of work in mixed mode.

I'm glad that the Galaxy A5 2017 received IP68 protection against dust and water. This allows the smartphone to be at a depth of up to 1.5 meters for up to 30 minutes. This, of course, does not mean that the phone can be washed under water and, moreover, water resistance can be tested in washing machine. But if you drop it in water, nothing will happen to it.

In terms of technology, it is worth noting LTE, dual-band Wi-Fi up to 100 Mbit/s, support for two SIM cards, NFC, Samsung Pay. By default, users have access to the S Health application to monitor their physical activity, and KNOXX to create a protected data area. The main camera was also on good level. It shoots well for its class.

Among the disadvantages is the susceptibility of the case to falls on stones, concrete or asphalt. Here it is worth recommending protection in the form of covers, bumpers and stickers.

Advantages

High quality build and stylish appearance

Good screen

Support LTE cat. 7

Water and dust protection

Dual SIM support

Long battery life

Flaws

High risk of glass parts breaking if dropped

Samsung has again released new versions of the A3 and A5 models - this is already becoming an annual event.

With the help of these devices, the company indicates its true intentions - to consolidate its position in the average price segment, presenting users with smartphones with a good range of useful functions.

Just like any other smartphone, these two have a few hidden features that are worthy of your attention. Here are some of the most successful ones, in our opinion:

Add/Disable Game Launcher and Game Tools

Every mobile gamer knows what they are for Game Launcher and Game Tools. These apps allow you to turn off notifications while you're playing, and they can also be used to take a screenshot of the game or even make a video. You can activate or deactivate them in just a couple of clicks.

All you need is to go to settings, find Additional functions and go to the “Games” menu. Here you will find the options you need.

Game Launcher is very easy to enable or disable

Take photos with ease

On most smartphones, you can take photos by pressing the volume keys. Some people prefer a button on the screen. Samsung has tried to take into account everyone's personal preferences.

You can add a virtual key for your camera, this key can be placed anywhere on the screen when the viewfinder is on. Press this button and the photo is ready.

To enable access to this feature, simply go to the Camera app and from there to Settings (the gear in the top right corner of the screen). Scroll down the menu and find the Floating Camera Button feature. Activate it and the button will appear in the Camera app.

We remind you: you can launch the camera by double-clicking the “Camera” button, you do not have to look for the camera icon on the desktop.

The "floating" camera button can be activated in the settings

Change the appearance of the interface

Some people (including myself) find the TouchWiz interface to be extremely ugly, which is not the case with bare Android. So, now you know that the appearance of the interface can be changed using different themes. And although this will not solve all problems, at least, you will feel more comfortable using your phone. You can also download wallpapers and icon packs.

The main disadvantage is the price. Are you ready to spend 120 rubles on a set of icons?

Luckily, some themes/wallpapers/icons are available for free, and some of them look really good. You will find them in the settings under Wallpapers and themes. You can also access this section by tapping on the background of your screen for a few seconds, then tap on the Wallpapers & Themes button that appears in the lower left corner of the display.

Use "protected" files

And while many people loudly claim that they have nothing to hide, what can be found on their phone or anywhere else, a feature that allows you to hide some things is useful.

When you hand your phone to your mom, you might not want her to see your party photos. Or maybe you don't want your girlfriend to see pictures of you dancing with other girls. Even if you haven't done anything wrong, making excuses is always unpleasant.

To avoid such hassles, Samsung has added a file protection option, first introduced on the Note 7. You can put anything you want to keep secret in a specific folder, and you can restrict access to that folder using a password or fingerprint.

The only condition for using this feature is that you have to use a Samsung code. Just go to the Applications menu, then to Samsung apps and open Secure File. The rest is up to you.

Place your sensitive information in a secure folder

Receive notification reminders

Has this ever happened: you receive a message on WhatsApp during an important meeting, and after it ends, half an hour later, you completely forget to read the message?

Samsung has thought through everything carefully and introduced a notification reminder feature: if you forget to read a notification, the phone will remind you about it.

Of course, you can choose the types of notifications, and you can also choose which application can send you reminders.

Go to the Access menu in Settings, and then to the Notification Reminders section. Here you will also find other interesting functions - for example, a “magnifying glass”.

This is very useful feature for the forgetful

Activate "simplified" mode

While power users will definitely appreciate the customizable welcome screen, some of us gravitate toward simpler menus and larger fonts.

You can activate this feature in settings. But be careful - the icons will grow to huge sizes, even the notification menu will be changed!

To activate this mode, go to Settings and then select the Simple Mode feature and activate it.

Simple mode lives up to its name

Some tricks that are already available on other Samsung smartphones can also be used on the 2017 A3/A5 models.

Send an SOS signal

You can send an SOS if you find yourself in trouble: head to Settings>Advanced>SOS, once the option is activated you can add a recipient. Now all you need to do to send an SOS signal is to press the power key three times.

Split screen function

The A5 has a split screen feature. To get to it, tap on the multitasking symbol, but remember that not all apps are compatible with this mode. But applications from Google (Gmail, Play Store etc.) there are no problems with this mode.

Disable Upday

Samsung has decided to equip its devices with its own information system called Upday. New Galaxy The A3 and A5 are no exception to the rule, so all you have to do to access the Upday widget is swipe right.

Don't panic in advance - if you're more used to Google Now or just want to remove an unnecessary widget from your home screen, Upday can be disabled.

To do this, you need to press and hold on the screen for a couple of seconds. At the bottom you will see three keys (Wallpaper, Widgets and Arrangement). Scroll right to access the screen located to the left of the center. You can then turn it off with the click of a button.

Pinning applications

In some cases, it may be convenient to lock the screen in one specific application. Notifications from all other apps will be blocked and you won't be able to open other apps, so your private life won't be exposed to the public.

Then press the multitasking key to see the list running applications. At the top right of the most recent application you will find a “pin”. Click on it and the screen in this application will be locked.

The picture on the left shows how to deactivate Upday; on the right - how to block the application screen from receiving notifications

Have any of our tips helped you get the most (or the least) out of your Galaxy A3 or A5? Have you found any other useful tricks to use these smartphones? Share with us in the comments.

Photos in the interior

Specifications

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

Contents of delivery

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

Positioning

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

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

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

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

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

Design, dimensions, control elements

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Compared to Samsung Galaxy A3 2017

Display

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

For my taste, the quality of the screen is excellent for its class, it has a large reserve of brightness in automatic mode, the display is easy to read in the sun, just like the model of the previous year (in S7 EDGE screen has greater 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 operation does not drain the battery much, in 12 hours it’s a couple of percent. Until now, this function has not been widely available in the mid-price segment, which makes the 2017 A5 stand out and puts it on par with Samsung flagships.

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

Battery

Built-in Li-Ion battery has a capacity of 3000 mAh, supports fast charging (1 hour 20 minutes). Built-in wireless charging, which comes with flagship models, there is no.

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

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

The operating time of the 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, this is two days. Those who use only calls can easily count on 5-6 days of work; of course, it all depends on the operator and the number of these calls. But in general, we can state the fact that operating time is the strong point of this model.

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

Communication capabilities

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

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

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

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

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

Memory, RAM, performance

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

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

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

Camera

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

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

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

Software

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

Describe standard Android features I won’t, you can read about them in a detailed review.

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

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

Of course, this model supports the Samsung Pay service.

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

Impression

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

If you look at models with water protection, then nothing but Sony Xperia X Performance doesn't come to mind. But the price of this device in federal networks is 40 thousand rubles; it belongs to a completely different class of devices, as evidenced by the use of Snapdragon 820. At the same time, other characteristics are very similar to the A5 2017, so they can be compared. It is more profitable to buy A5, since Sony has no special advantages No. The model is already a year old, now it will be replaced updated version, it will be shown in the coming days. But the price will not be lower, and as a result, it will not be able to become a competitor.

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

New smartphones are getting bigger, and their components are getting smaller. Nowadays nano-type SIM cards are used. If you have a new large sim card, released after 2011 - it can be trimmed with a special device. It is better to reissue old cards because they stop working after cutting.

To install a SIM card into the phone, we will use the included pin to pull out the compartment for the SIM card and flash drive. Next, insert the card and push it back into the phone. The compartment on the left side is intended for card No. 1. The upper compartment is for card No. 2. For clarity, I suggest watching the video:

How to take a screenshot on Samsung A5?

You can get a screenshot on the Samsung Galaxy A5 2017 by holding down the power button on the right side and the bottom button on the left side. After about three seconds, you will hear a sound similar to a camera shutter being released. The signal means that the screen has been photographed. The result can be found in the gallery.

How to set a ringtone on Samsung A5 2017?

To set a ringtone, go to the settings tab and from there to the “Sounds and vibration” item. We choose where you want to put a melody or sound - a notification or SMS for a call. A music tab will open, where we select the desired track. If you need a melody for a specific contact, then click “Phone” - “Contacts”. From the list we find the desired subscriber. Go to “Details” - “Edit” - “More”. At the very end of the list of parameters there is a “Ringtone” item. Click “Allow access to media data” (if not already allowed) and at the very bottom, in addition to standard melodies, the “Add from phone” button will appear. Next, select the track you like and you’re done. To place the melody in the general list, use any file manager place it in the sdcard/Notifications folder.

As a last resort, use hard reset, which is described below.

How to reset Samsung A5 to factory settings?

To reset all settings to factory settings, do the following:

1. A fully charged device must be turned off.
2. Press three buttons simultaneously: “Volume+”, “Home”, “Power”
3. When the logo appears, release all buttons.
4. After 5-10 seconds, you will enter the “Recovery menu” and the robot logo will appear. Press “Power” and “Volume+” at the same time. Release both buttons.
5. Go to the item “Wipe data / factory reset”. The cursor moves with “Volume”, you need to confirm with “Power On”.
6. Select "Yes - delete all user data" when prompted and then click "Power" once to reboot.

If there is any misunderstanding, watch the reset video Galaxy settings A5 2017:

How to record a conversation on Samsung A5?

Without considering the legal and legal aspects of the recording telephone conversation, to enable this function, use third party programs from Play Market. For example, “Call recording – Automatic Call Recorder", "C Mobile", "lovekara" "CallX - Recording calls/conversations." The first program that recorded automatically helped me. Its only drawback is the abundance of various advertisements.