Tag Archives: Samsung Galaxy A Series (2017)

The 5 Features We REALLY Want In Our Next Smartphone

Every year, we are told that the smartphone market is saturated, and that it’s harder for the next smartphone model to offer consumers any real reason to upgrade. After all, how much more innovation can you pack into a device the size of a notepad?

Yet, the prognosticators of doom are proven wrong every single year. Not only are established brands like Apple and Samsung still churning out new smartphone models year after year, new smartphones brands like Neffos and Infinix are being established all the time.

That does not mean that consumers are just lapping up whatever they produce though. Many smartphones do poorly, selling only at great discounts.

 

What We Want In Our Next Smartphone

Now, we don’t know the secret formula to a successful smartphone, but we can tell you the 5 features we want in our next smartphone. Let’s see if they are also what you want in your next smartphone.

 

Water Resistance

This may seem like a frivolous feature, but water resistance is a must-have for us. If you ever lost a smartphone to water damage, that is a lesson you will never, ever forget.

Our first water-resistant smartphone was the Samsung Galaxy S7 edge, and we never looked back after that. Even our secondary smartphone, the 2017 Samsung Galaxy A7, is IP68-rated.

Water-resistant smartphones also allow for greater creativity and flexibility. You can’t use them underwater, but you can use them near water without fear. Check out this video I took with the 2017 Samsung Galaxy A7 during a recent trip to Krabi.

 

A Better Front Camera

Top-of-the-line smartphones like the HTC 10, the iPhone 6S and the Samsung Galaxy S7 edge boast truly excellent main cameras, but their front cameras have long been neglected. They are only adequate for Instagram and Facebook selfies. They really need a much better front camera that can take higher resolution photos and better videos.

A better front camera is also important if you are using a gimbal like the DJI Osmo Mobile. Such gimbals use the smartphone’s front camera to record selfie videos. So it is important to use a smartphone with a good front camera.

OPPO identified and targeted that unfulfilled need in the market with their Selfie Expert smartphones. Their OPPO F1s smartphone, for example, has 16 MP front and rear cameras. Perhaps their success was the reason why the 2017 Samsung Galaxy A7 also has 16 MP front and rear cameras!

We don’t think you need a 16 MP front camera for videos. Even the 5 MP sensor on the Galaxy S7 edge is already capable of recording 4K videos. But a higher resolution sensor paired with a bright, fast lens would allow for better selfies and selfie videos.

 

Better Audio Recording & Playback

One thing we really liked about the HTC 10 was its Hi-Res Audio recording and playback capability. Audio fidelity is an oft-overlooked feature, which is a shame because it makes a HUGE difference to the videos you record.

Once you have tried recording videos in Hi-Res Audio, you will wonder how you ever made do with the flat audio  recording of other smartphones. The Hi-Res Audio recording and playback capability is definitely something we are looking for in our next smartphone.

 

No Limit Video Recording

Many smartphones are so good at recording videos that they have virtually decimated the consumer camcorder market. The only thing holding them back are the 30-minute recording limit and the 4 GB file size limit.

The 30-minute limit is used to avoid duties imposed on video cameras, while the 4 GB file size limit is due to the use of, or support for, the FAT32 file system.

The 4 GB limit is particularly problematic for smartphones that can record in 4K (like the Samsung Galaxy S7 edge and the HTC 10), because it limits them to just 10-11 minutes of footage.

We record a lot of long videos, and sometimes in 4K. So it is important that our next smartphone removes those limits by supporting the exFAT file system.

 

Longer Battery Life

This seems like a very obvious feature to demand, but it needs some clarification.

Smartphone manufacturers are well-aware that we want smartphones with long battery lives. That’s why some smartphones boast very large capacity batteries.

But a larger battery is not just the only way to achieve a longer battery life. What’s ultimately important to us is battery life, not battery capacity.

If they can deliver a longer battery life using more power-efficient components, even better! What matters to us is battery life, not battery capacity.

 

What Smartphone Are We Looking Forward To?

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As big fans of the Samsung Galaxy S7 edge, we are very psyched up about the upcoming Samsung Galaxy S8 launch on 29 March 2017. Rumours and leaks are rife on the Internet, but as we all know – nothing is true, until the big reveal!

We have no doubt that the Samsung Galaxy S8 will be IP68-rated like the Samsung Galaxy S7 edge and the 2017 Samsung Galaxy A Series.

But will it have a better front camera? Support for Hi-Res Audio? How about the removal of video recording limits? Can Samsung improve its battery life?

We await with bated breath… 😀

 

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My Trip To Krabi With The 2017 Samsung Galaxy A7

During the recent 2017 Samsung Galaxy A7 and Galaxy A5 launch event, I won a holiday to Krabi and a 2017 Samsung Galaxy A7, which I reviewed here. Krabi is famous for its beaches, hot spring waterfall and the Emerald Pool, so I took the opportunity to try out the 2017 Galaxy A7 smartphone, which is IP68 water-resistant. Check out some of the pictures and videos I took on my trip to Krabi!

 

Ao Nang Beach, Krabi

The Ao Nang beach is the main beach and transportation hub in Krabi. This is where the main road meets the coasts, and where all the boats to the other beaches and resorts make port. Naturally, it is packed with tourists, and is hardly the pristine beach seen in tourist brochures. However, you can get some pretty nice photos as the sun sets.

Here are some photos I took at, or near, the Ao Nang beach, using the 2017 Galaxy A7 smartphone. They have been cropped but not edited in any other way.

Next Page > The Krabi Hot Spring Waterfall Pictures & Video

 

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The Krabi Hot Spring Waterfall

The Krabi hot spring waterfall is one of Krabi’s main tourist attractions. Also known as Namtok Ron Khlong Thom, it features a mix of hot springs and cool streams which converge to create a waterfall of warm water.

Due to the craggy nature of the rocks and tree roots in and around the hot springs and waterfall, you are highly advised NOT to carry your smartphone, unless they are water-resistant like the 2017 Samsung Galaxy A Series (IP68) the Samsung Galaxy S7 (IP68) or the Apple iPhone 7 (IP67), or are protected with a waterproof case / bag.

Here is a video I took with the 2017 Samsung Galaxy A7. Because it does not support image stabilisation, a gimbal like the DJI Osmo Mobile is highly recommended. Then again, the gimbal is not water-resistant…

Next Page > The Krabi Emerald Pool Pictures & Videos

 

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The Krabi Emerald Pool

The Krabi Emerald Pool (Sa Morakot) is another must-see tourist attraction. Also known as the Crystal Pool, it is located in the Khao Phra Bang Khram Nature Reserve, which is close by the Krabi hot spring  waterfall.

The pool requires some walking (800 meters or so), but it is worth the calories burned. Just make sure you are prepared to get wet. So make sure you bring a waterproof bag for your smartphone, unless they are water-resistant like the 2017 Samsung Galaxy A Series (IP68) the Samsung Galaxy S7 (IP68) or the Apple iPhone 7 (IP67).

Here are is a video I took of the Krabi Emerald Pool.

The Krabi Emerald Pool has a sandy bottom with rocks all around. However, the rocks are very slippery because they are covered with underwater moss.

This video and photos will show you just how good the front 16 MP camera is on the 2017 Samsung Galaxy A7!

 

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The 2017 Samsung Galaxy A7 (SM-A720F) Review

We covered the 2017 Samsung Galaxy A7 quite extensively after its launch, with a look at its new IP68 capability and the 7 upgrades since the 2016 model. But there is nothing like a full review, and that’s what we are proud to share with you today – our comprehensive review of the 2017 Samsung Galaxy A7 (SM-A720F) smartphone!

 

The 2017 Samsung Galaxy A7 Specifications

Here are the 2017 Samsung Galaxy A7 specifications, compared against the 2016 model.

SpecificationsSamsung Galaxy A7 (2017)Samsung Galaxy A7 (2016)
ProtectionCorning Gorilla Glass 4Corning Gorilla Glass 4
Dust- And Water-ResistanceIP68-rated
- water submersion up to 1.5 m for up to 30 minutes
Not water-resistant
Display5.7" Super AMOLED (1080 x 1920 pixels)
- Always On Display
- Corning Gorilla Glass 4
5.5" Super AMOLED (1080 x 1920 pixels)
- Corning Gorilla Glass 4
System PlatformSamsung Exynos 7880 OctaSamsung Exynos 7580 Octa
Processor8 x ARM Cortex-A53 cores (1.9 GHz)8 x ARM Cortex-A53 cores (1.6 GHz)
Graphics ProcessorARM Mali-T830MP2ARM Mali-T720MP2
Memory3 GB RAM LPDDR3 (1066 MHz)3 GB RAM LPDDR3 (933 MHz)
Storage32 GB internal flash memory
microSD slot (up to 256 GB)
16 GB internal flash memory
microSD slot (up to 128 GB)
Front Camera16 MP fixed focus camera with f/1.9 lens5 MP fixed focus camera with f/1.9 lens
Rear Camera16 MP PDAF sensor with f/1.9 lens13 MP sensor with f/1.9 lens
Connectivity4G : LTE Cat.6
WiFi : 802.11a/b/g/n/ac
Bluetooth 4.2, NFC
4G : LTE Cat.6
WiFi : 802.11a/b/g/n
Bluetooth 4.2, NFC
Fingerprint SensorYesYes
USB PortUSB Type Cmicro USB 2.0
Battery3,600 mAh lithium-ion (non-removable)
- supports Fast Charging
3,300 mAh lithium-ion (non-removable)
Wireless Charging SupportNoNo
Samsung Pay SupportYesYes
Dimensions77.6 mm (wide) x 156.8 mm (tall) x 7.9 mm (thick)74.1 mm (wide) x 151.5 mm (tall) x 7.3 mm (thick)
Weight186 g172 g
Launch PriceRM 1,899 / ~US$ 419RM 1,899 / ~US$ 499
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Unboxing The Samsung Galaxy A7

The 2017 Samsung Galaxy A7 comes in the ubiquitous white Samsung cardboard box. Not as fancy as the Samsung Galaxy S7 edge‘s classy black box, but hey, it’s a completely different segment. Watch us unbox the 2017 Samsung Galaxy A7 in this video, and look at what we found inside!

Inside, you will find the following items :

  • One 2017 Samsung Galaxy A7 smartphone
  • One Samsung 15 W adaptive fast charging travel charger
  • One USB 2.0 to Type C USB cable
  • One pair of Samsung earphones
  • One SIM card tray extractor
  • One set of  Quick Start Guides and Warranty Cards and a Region Lock Guide

Next Page > The 2017 Samsung Galaxy A7 Quick Tour & Key Features

 

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The 2017 Samsung Galaxy A7 Quick Tour

Before we go into the details of the 2017 Samsung Galaxy A7, let’s take a quick 2-minute tour of its key features.

The 2017 Samsung Galaxy A7 has a large 5.7″ display with a resolution of 1920 x 1080. It also uses a Super AMOLED panel, which gives very rich and vivid colours and true black. Perfect for watching full HD videos.

It is also notable as being the first Samsung Galaxy A series smartphone to boast IP68 dust- and water-resistance. That means it is rated to withstand complete immersion in water up to 1.5 m in depth, for up to 30 minutes.

On the left side of the 2017 Samsung Galaxy A7, you will find two Volume buttons and the SIM1 tray. On the right side are a Power button and curiously, the speaker ports.

The microSD card and SIM2 card tray is located at the top of the 2017 Samsung Galaxy A7, together with a microphone port. It supports microSD cards of up to 256 GB in capacity. The second microphone port is located at the bottom, together with the bidirectional Type C USB port and the 3.5 mm earphone port.

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Dual SIM, Dual Standby

The 2017 Samsung Galaxy A7 has dual SIM, dual standby capability, like the Samsung Galaxy S7 edge (Amazon). However, it has two dedicated nano SIM trays, instead of a hybrid SIM tray.

The SIM1 tray is located on the left side, while SIM2 shares the same tray as the microSD card. This is not a hybrid SIM tray so both a microSD card and a second nano SIM card can be used at the same time.

 

Fast Fingerprint Sensor

The 2017 Samsung Galaxy A7 comes with a fingerprint sensor integrated into the Home button. Our tests showed that it requires about 21 finger presses to register a fingerprint.

However, it is very fast in recognising the fingerprint after it’s registered, and it has 360 degree fingerprint recognition.

Next Page > Initial Setup, Ergonomics, Available Memory & Storage, Cameras

 

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Initial Setup

When you power up the 2017 Samsung Galaxy A7 for the first time, it will take only about 24 seconds to boot up. If you set it up as a fresh device, it should take no more than 5 minutes to complete the initial setup. Check out our quick 3-minute video on the initial setup process.

 

Ergonomics

The 2017 Samsung Galaxy A7 is a large smartphone. It is actually larger and a bit thicker than the Samsung Galaxy S7 edge (Amazon), so it is best for those with larger hands. Nevertheless, this is a two-handed device.

Both the front and back are protected by Gorilla Glass 4, with a 2.5D edge cut for the front and a 3D curve for the back. The back glass cover naturally lacks the oleophobic coating of the front, which is great for grip, but makes it an absolute magnet for fingerprint smears.

As usual, the Super AMOLED display is a delight for the eyes. It may not be a QHD display like those on the Samsung Galaxy S7 edge (Amazon), or the HTC 10 (Amazon).

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Available Memory & Storage

The 2017 Samsung Galaxy A7 comes with 3 GB of LPDDR3 memory, of which half is available for use. This is about par with other smartphones with 3 GB of memory (e.g. Xiaomi Redmi Note 4, OPPO F1s), and enough free memory to run several apps at the same time.

The 2017 Samsung Galaxy A7 also comes with 32 GB of internal flash memory. Once you deduct 8.9 GB for the Android 6.0 operating system and apps, you have 23.1 GB of free space to use. This is pretty decent, allowing you to store about 4,000 photos, or record 180 minutes of 1080p video.

Don’t worry about running out of storage space with the Galaxy A7 though. It has a dedicated microSD slot that supports microSD cards of up to 256 GB in capacity.

 

Front & Rear Cameras

The 2017 Samsung Galaxy A7 boasts a 16 MP front camera that uses Samsung’s own S5K3P8SX BSI sensor. It is capable of recording 1080p videos at 30 fps. Thanks to its f/1.9 lens, it has great low-light capability equivalent to that of the Samsung Galaxy A9 Pro (Amazon) and Galaxy S6 edge (Amazon) smartphones. It will come in handy since the front camera does not have flash support, not even screen flash.

The main camera uses the same 16 MP Samsung S5K3P8SX sensor, paired with a single LED flash. It also boasts the same fast f/1.9 lens, which allows for better low-light performance. Let’s take a look at some sample pictures and videos in the next page!

Next Page > Camera & Video Recording Performance

 

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Camera Performance

The 16 MP Samsung S5K3P8SX BSI sensor has great resolution, which is obvious in the close-up shots of the rubber balls, cauliflower and flowers. However, it has a tendency to blow out the highlights (the bright reflections on the glass elevator) and white balance issues in certain scenes (the Dala horse).

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Video Recording Performance

Despite sporting a 16 MP sensor, the 2017 Samsung Galaxy A7‘s rear camera is limited to recording 1080p videos, even though it is capable of recording 4K videos. This is Samsung’s way of differentiating the Galaxy A7 from their premium models like the Samsung Galaxy S7 edge (Amazon).

Also disappointing is the lack of optical or electronic image stabilisation. While this is another product differentiation decision, I wished they would at least enable electronic image stabilisation.

To test the 2017 Samsung Galaxy A7‘s video recording capabilities, we recorded both a lion dance, and a street dance at night. Check them out!

First off, you can tell that there is a complete lack of image stabilisation. The videos were rather jerky, even though they were taken with two hands. Using a gimbal like the Osmo Mobile is highly recommended.

The bright background was completely overblown. But as long as it does not affect the main subjects, it actually acts as a kind of bokeh effect. The audio fidelity was also pretty good.

We were more impressed with the night scene. The 2017 Samsung Galaxy A7 did well in the Gangnam Style street dance, even though it was pretty dim. The subjects were reasonably well-exposed, and the noise level was surprisingly low. The bright areas were overblown, as expected, but because they were in the background, it helped to keep focus on the subjects.

Next Page > Work Performance, Battery Life & Recharging Performance

 

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Work Performance : PCMark

We tested the 2017 Samsung Galaxy A7‘s performance using PCMark, which simulates work applications like web browing, playing video, writing text and editing photos.

Samsung Galaxy A7 (2017) ASUS ZenFone 3 honor 5C OPPO F1s
Work Performance Score
(Average)
4954 6405 5357 3884
Web Browsing 5143 8045 5643 3688
Video Playback 4515 3469 4487 3789
Writing 4948 7316 5944 4141
Photo Editing 5243 8246 5469 3933

The 2017 Samsung Galaxy A7 is not the fastest smartphone in this comparison, particularly in the Web Browsing and Writing tests. However, it came up tops in the Video Playback test. Overall, it was a decent, if unspectacular performer, in this benchmark.

 

Battery Life – PCMark

We then tested the 2017 Samsung Galaxy A7‘s battery performance using PCMark. It basically ran the PCMark work tests until its battery capacity dropped to 20%.

The 2017 Samsung Galaxy A7 lasted an astounding 12 hours on the PCMark stress test on its 3,600 mAh battery. The Samsung Galaxy A9 Pro (Amazon) is the only Samsung smartphone to comes close to its battery life, and that’s because it has a 5,000 mAh battery.

In our real world experience, we had no problem using it for a full day with light loads.

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Battery Recharging Performance

The 2017 Samsung Galaxy A7‘s remarkable battery life is thanks to its 3,600 mAh battery, which is about 9% larger than the 2016 model. But does it take much longer to recharge? Let’s find out!

The 2017 Samsung Galaxy A7 supports quick charging, and even comes with a 15 W fast adaptive charger. Our tests showed that the Galaxy A7 will recharge from 18% to 100% in just 100 minutes (1 hours and 40 minutes). This is very good performance, with an incredible battery life : recharging ratio of 7.2 : 1.

Next Page > Overall & Gaming Performance, Verdict & Award

 

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Overall Performance – AnTuTu Benchmark

AnTuTu is a nice benchmark for testing various performance aspects of Android devices.

Samsung Galaxy A7 (2017) ASUS ZenFone 3 honor 5C OPPO F1s
TOTAL SCORE 56431 62761 53417 41486
3D SCORE 15458 18816 9842 4868
– 3D (Marooned) 10511 10861 5795 3188
– 3D (Garden) 4947 7952 4047 1679
UX SCORE 18496 26794 19297 17640
– UX Data Secure 5295 5077 5577 4885
– UX Data Process 2612 4198 2706 2542
– UX Strategy Games 3671 7503 4109 2829
– UX Image Process 3373 6879 3144 3885
– UX I/O Performance 3545 3137 3761 3499
CPU SCORE 16459 23689 19254 14336
– CPU Mathematics 3132 6950 4198 3142
– CPU Common Use 5199 6311 5947 4805
– CPU Multi-Core 8128 10428 9109 6389
RAM 6018 6797 5024 4643

The 2017 Samsung Galaxy A7 did not do so well in the CPU tests, coming in between the honor 5C (Amazon) and the OPPO F1s (Amazon). However, it did well in the 3D tests, coming in close to the performance of the ASUS ZenFone 3 (Amazon).

 

Gaming Performance – 3DMark

We tested the 2017 Samsung Galaxy A7‘s gaming performance using 3DMark, using the Ice Storm Unlimited test.

Samsung Galaxy A7 (2017) ASUS ZenFone 3 honor 5C OPPO F1s
Gaming Score 13540 13956 11560 7666
Graphics 13548 13484 11067 7511
Physics 13510 15903 13698 8265
Graphics Test 1 81.1 fps 80.5 fps 63.4 fps 49.4 fps
Graphics Test 2 46.2 fps 46.1 fps 38.8 fps 24.4 fps
Physics Test 42.9 fps 50.5 fps 43.5 fps 26.2 fps

The 2017 Samsung Galaxy A7 did well in this 3D gaming test, virtually matching the performance of the ASUS ZenFone 3 (Amazon). It was only slightly slower in the Physics test.

 

Our Verdict & Award

The 2017 Samsung Galaxy A7 is a big upgrade from the 2016 model, offering IP68 dust- and water-resistance, a 20% faster processor, twice as much storage and a new 16 MP front camera. It also boasts the new bidirectional Type C USB port and a bigger fast charging battery.

The dual 16 MP cameras of the 2017 Samsung Galaxy A7 is a unique development. It appears to be Samsung’s first salvo at OPPO and their focus on high-resolution front cameras. In fact, its dual 16 MP cameras appear to be a direct competitor against the OPPO R9s, which was launched at the same time.

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Samsung is also positioning the 2017 Samsung Galaxy A7 as the affordable version of the Samsung Galaxy S7 edge (Amazon). It packs many of the Galaxy S7 edge‘s key features with some tradeoffs. For example, it has higher-resolution 16 MP cameras but they can only record videos at 1080p, instead of 4K. They also lack both optical and electronic image stabilisation.

The Samsung Galaxy S7 edge (Amazon) still boasts the better cameras, a higher resolution QHD display and a wireless charging capability. The 2017 Samsung Galaxy A7, on the other hand, has better battery life, a larger display and separate SIM and microSD slots.

So which Samsung smartphone should you get? Samsung would love for you to buy the Samsung Galaxy S7 edge (Amazon). But if you can’t afford it, that’s where the 2017 Samsung Galaxy A7 comes in.

Despite our misgivings about the lack of image stabilisation of its cameras, and the 1080p restriction on video recordings, we are impressed with major upgrades Samsung packed into the 2017 Samsung Galaxy A7. We think it deserves our Reviewer’s Choice Award. Congratulations, Samsung!

Go Back To > First Page | ReviewsHome

 

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The 7 Upgrades In The 2017 Samsung Galaxy A Smartphones

The Samsung Galaxy A smartphones are very popular because they offer the key features of Samsung’s flagship Galaxy S series smartphones at more affordable price points. The new 2017 Samsung Galaxy A series is no different, borrowing the best features of the award-winning Samsung Galaxy S7 edge smartphone.

So how do the new 2017 Samsung Galaxy A smartphones compare to the 2016 Samsung Galaxy A smartphones? Let’s find out!

 

Upgrade #1 : IP68 Dust & Water-Resistance

The 2017 Samsung Galaxy A smartphones are now dust- and water-resistant, boasting the same IP68 rating as the Samsung Galaxy S7 edge! This means they can withstand complete immersion in up to 1.5 m of water, for up to 30 minutes. Jogging in the rain is nothing to the 2017 Galaxy A smartphones  – take them out for a swim!

 

Upgrade #2 : Faster CPU & GPU

The 2017 Samsung Galaxy A smartphones come with a faster CPU and graphics processor. They are powered by the 1.9 GHz Samsung Exynos 7880, which is about 20% faster than the 1.6 GHz Samsung Exynos 7580 used in the 2016 Galaxy A smartphones. They also boast a faster GPU than the one used in the 2016 Galaxy A series.

 

Upgrade #3 : Double The Storage!

One chief complaint users had with the 2016 Samsung Galaxy A series was their limited internal storage of just 16 GB. Samsung addressed this in the 2017 models by giving them double the storage capacity32 GB! They also doubled the microSD card support from 128 GB to 256 GB!

 

Upgrade #4 : Incredible Selfie Camera

The 2016 Samsung Galaxy A series has a good 5 MP front camera with f/1.9 lens – almost equal to the Samsung Galaxy S7 edge. But the 2017 Samsung Galaxy A smartphones beat them all flat with its 16 MP front camera! Now you can take really high-resolution selfies!

 

Upgrade #5 : Awesome New Main Camera

Even the main camera was greatly improved. Samsung upgraded the 13 MP sensor in the 2016 Galaxy A series to a 16 MP sensor with PDAF (Phase Detection Auto-Focus) technology in the 2017 Samsung Galaxy A series. This upgrade means the 2017 Galaxy A smartphones will not just take higher resolution photos, they will also have much faster and more accurate auto-focus performance.

 

Upgrade #6 : New USB Type C Port

Like the Samsung Galaxy S7 edge, the 2016 Galaxy A smartphones use the old micro USB 2.0 port. The new 2017 Samsung Galaxy A smartphones now boast the new USB Type C port, which is bidirectional. That means you won’t have to worry about plugging in the cable the wrong way!

 

Upgrade #7 : Bigger Fast Charging Battery

The 2017 Samsung Galaxy A smartphones come with bigger batteries than their 2016 predecessors. But what’s more important is that they now support fast charging as well. This means they not only last longer, you can recharge them quicker for more enjoyment on-the-go!

 

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Want An Awesome 2017 Samsung Galaxy A Smartphone?

Samsung currently offers two models – the Samsung Galaxy A5 (2017) and the Samsung Galaxy A7 (2017), with the recommended retail price of RM 1,699 (~US$ 379) and RM 1,899 (~US$ 429) respectively.

You don’t even have to get off your chair. You can buy them online from the Samsung online store in Lazada. Then all you have to do is chill and wait for your 2017 Samsung Galaxy A smartphone to arrive!

 

Disclosure

This article was sponsored by Samsung Malaysia.

 

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7 Reasons The 2017 Galaxy A Series Puts The A In Auspicious!

The much awaited Chinese New Year is just around the corner and everyone who celebrates this festive occasion will be making their way home to be reunited with their beloved families. After all, it is a new opportunity to turn over a new leaf, embark on a new unplanned journey or just look forward to a brand new year of excitement.

 

7 Reasons The 2017 Galaxy A Series Puts The A In Auspicious!

Samsung’s newly launched 2017 Galaxy A Series (Lazada, Amazon) can help brighten your Chinese New Year celebration – here’s how…

 

1. Celebrate Non-stop in Rain or Shine

These days, the weather gets unpredictable. If you are suddenly caught in the rain, you will have a peace of mind knowing that your new Samsung Galaxy A Series (2017) (LazadaAmazon) will remain operational, unscathed even in the rain. How? This is the first Galaxy A Series that is rated IP68, making it resistant to dust and water, for those carefree Chinese New year house visits, rain or shine! That way, you don’t have to worry about the gloomy skies and the sounds of thunder. Celebrate non-stop this Chinese New Year!

 

2. No TV, No Problem

With kids constantly switching to Disney Channel, don’t be sad if you don’t get the chance to hold the TV remote to catch up on your favourite Hong Kong drama. Be the master of your own entertainment and stream your favourite festive contents this Chinese New Year using your new 2017 Galaxy A Series which now sports a Full HD Super AMOLED Display.

The 2017 Galaxy A Series (LazadaAmazon) boasts vivid 5.7-inch (A7) and 5.2-inch (A5) Super AMOLED screen displays for your non-stop entertainment, so you never miss an episode of your favourite TV series wherever you are. Maybe, just maybe, your younger nephews and nieces will start to inch closer to you and join you, mesmerised by the smartphone screen’s vivid display!

 

3. #FestiveSelfies, #OOTD & #CNYHoChiak

Take that family wefie during Reunion Dinner with the whole family gathering around the table. Sneak in a shameless selfie or two with gorgeous #OOTDs, or dive deeper into your inner photographer and start taking pictures of mouth-watering CNY dishes to fill your #CNY2017 photo album. With 16 preloaded filters inside, your Instagram page will be Instafamous in no time!

The Samsung Galaxy A Series (2017) (LazadaAmazon) comes equipped with 16MP front and rear camera with f1.9 lens and Light+ feature that can help you snap all those precious moments even in lowlight conditions. Instantly share these photos on Facebook, and get started on tagging your many family members!

 

4. No Cash, No Worries

Seeing your closest relatives and cousins this Chinese New Year? How about taking your little cousins out to the nearest shopping mall, and buy them a meal when they least expect an unplanned surprise? Now, with Samsung Pay, payments are never the same again! Just swipe up on your Galaxy A device, select your preferred payment card, authenticate with your fingerprint or PIN number, and tap the device on the payment terminal! Make secure and convenient mobile payments anywhere and look cool doing it while the rest of the queue looks on enviously!

 

5. Style You Can Afford

To add a touch of style, the Samsung Galaxy A Series (2017) (LazadaAmazon) with its premium build can definitely add some sparkle to your festive get-up. The Gold Sand model radiates youth and prosperity whilst the Black Sky is a colour option that exudes a mysteriously classy and elegant aura. Measuring at 7.9mm thin, this slim device can fit into any pocket and look dashing on any palm! Now when relatives ask you what’s new, whip out your 2017 Galaxy A Series (LazadaAmazon) and wave it like the fashionista that you are!

 

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6. Powering You Through The Day

Family visits are part of the CNY trend. You’ll continue from one house to the other, and the next thing you know, your power bank is almost drained and you’re scrambling to find a power outlet to recharge your device. Fret not because the Samsung Galaxy A Series (2017) (LazadaAmazon) comes with bigger batteries and supports fast charging! Just plug in your device to a power source and be amazed at how quickly your battery power restores just so that the device can keep you company throughout the day. The Galaxy A7 (2017) comes with 3,600mAh while the Galaxy A5 (2017) comes with 3,000mAh battery capacity.

 

7. More Space, More Memories

With dozens of people to celebrate this Chinese New Year with, naturally you would worry if your smartphone will run out space when it comes to capturing great moments. With the new Samsung Galaxy A Series (2017) (LazadaAmazon), get expandable storage of up to 256GB to fit all your memories (and silly selfies with family and friends) into a single, handy device. That’s right, there’s no need to free up some space. Keep all your favourite memories on the go!

 

Want An Auspicious New Year?

The new 2017 Galaxy A Series (LazadaAmazon) is available at all Samsung brand stores nationwide from 25th January 2017 onwards at a recommended retail price of RM1,899 / ~US$ 419 (Galaxy A7 2017) and RM1,699 / ~US$ 369 (Galaxy A5 2017) inclusive of GST.

What are you waiting for? Join the in-store pre-order and be the first to own the new 2017 Galaxy A Series (LazadaAmazon), even before Chinese New Year! Head to selected Samsung participating outlets from now until 22nd January 2017 to place an order and receive a complimentary Samsung Level U Pro wireless headphones worth RM399. Pre-order collection will start on 25th January 2017.

For online pre-orders, check out Samsung’s online stores on Lazada and 11street.

 

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The 2017 Samsung Galaxy A Series Launch & Pre-Order

Earlier this week, we revealed that Samsung would be extending the IP68 capability to the 2017 Galaxy A Series smartphones. This makes them the most affordable IP68-capable smartphones in the world! This was confirmed at the official launch of the 2017 Samsung Galaxy A Series smartphones yesterday.

The 2017 Samsung Galaxy A Series launch was also the first major product launch of 2017, with almost 200 members of the media and local celebrities attending. More importantly, Malaysia is the first country to offer the 2017 Galaxy A smartphones! Check it out!

Originally published @ 2017-01-06

Updated @ 2017-01-11 : Added a video of the 2017 Samsung Galaxy A Series pre-order promotion.

 

The 2017 Samsung Galaxy A Series Launch

The 2017 Samsung Galaxy A Series launch kicked off with an introduction by Lee Jui Siang (Vice President, IT & Mobile Business Unit, Samsung Malaysia Electronics).

Then, Go Benn Lee (Manager, Product Marketing, Mobile Division, Samsung Malaysia Electronics) shared with us the key features of the 2017 Samsung Galaxy A Series smartphones.

Finally, Lee Jui Siang hosted a short Q&A session with the media on the 2017 Samsung Galaxy A Series smartphones.

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The 2017 Samsung Galaxy A Series Specifications

SpecificationsSamsung Galaxy A7 (2017)Samsung Galaxy A5 (2017)
Design2.5D glass (front) + 3D glass (rear) + metal frame
2.5D glass (front) + 3D glass (rear) + metal frame
ProtectionCorning Gorilla Glass 4Corning Gorilla Glass 4
Dust- And Water-ResistanceIP68-rated
- water submersion up to 1.5 m for up to 30 minutes
IP68-rated
- water submersion up to 1.5 m for up to 30 minutes
Display5.7" Super AMOLED (1080 x 1920 pixels)
- Always On Display
- Corning Gorilla Glass 4
5.2" Super AMOLED (1080 x 1920 pixels)
- Always On Display
- Corning Gorilla Glass 4
System PlatformSamsung Exynos 7880 OctaSamsung Exynos 7880 Octa
Processor8 x ARM Cortex-A53 cores (1.9 GHz)8 x ARM Cortex-A53 cores (1.9 GHz)
Graphics ProcessorARM Mali-T830MP2ARM Mali-T830MP2
Connectivity4G : LTE Cat.6
WiFi : 802.11a/b/g/n/ac
Bluetooth 4.2, NFC
4G : LTE Cat.6
WiFi : 802.11a/b/g/n/ac
Bluetooth 4.2, NFC
GPSGPS + GLONASSGPS + GLONASS
Memory3 GB3 GB
Storage32 GB internal flash memory
microSD slot (up to 256 GB)
32 GB internal flash memory
microSD slot (up to 256 GB)
Front Camera16 MP fixed focus camera with f/1.9 lens16 MP fixed focus camera with f/1.9 lens
Rear Camera16 MP PDAF sensor with f/1.9 lens16 MP PDAF sensor with f/1.9 lens
Fingerprint SensorYesYes
USB PortUSB Type CUSB Type C
Battery3,600 mAh lithium-ion (non-removable)
- supports Fast Charging
3,000 mAh lithium-ion (non-removable)
- supports Fast Charging
Dimensions77.6 mm (wide) x 156.8 mm (tall) x 7.9 mm (thick)71.4 mm (wide) x 146.1 mm (tall) x 7.9 mm (thick)
Weight186 g159 g
Launch PriceRM 1,899 / ~US$ 419RM 1,699 / ~US$ 379

 

Next Page > The 2017 Samsung Galaxy A Series Pre-order Details & Press Release

 

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The 2017 Samsung Galaxy A Series Pre-order Details

The 2017 Galaxy A Series will launch with two models – the Samsung Galaxy A5 (2017) and the Samsung Galaxy A7 (2017), with the recommended retail price of RM 1,699 (~US$ 379) and RM 1,899 (~US$ 429) respectively.

Both models will be opened for pre-orders starting Friday, 6th January 2017, at 10.00 AM until Sunday, 22 January 2017 at selected participating outlets. Yes, Samsung has extended the pre-order by another week!

To celebrate the official arrival, fans will receive a free Samsung Level U Pro wireless headphone, worth RM 399 (~US$ 89), for every unit purchased during this exclusive pre-order sale. This pre-order promotion is limited to a first-come-first-serve basis while allocated stocks last. Pre-order collection will start on 25th January 2017.

Fans can pre-order the new 2017 Galaxy A smartphones at selected Samsung outlets , as well as online in the Samsung online store in Lazada and in 11street.

 

The Official 2017 Samsung Galaxy A Series Press Release

5 January 2017 – Millennials are a style-conscious, tech-loving generation that enjoy surprises, spontaneous plans and unexpected trips. They take on and embrace the joy of life’s offerings as they come with undeterred confidence, unafraid to take risks as there is no day like today, and no better moment than now.

Echoing this outlook on life, Samsung has revamped its mid-range smartphone range, to meet the aspirational desires of the millennials to own the ultimate powerhouse that will enrich their lifestyle further. Ushering in the New Year with the spirit of living life unplanned, Samsung Malaysia Electronics introduces two devices in its latest Galaxy A Series (2017) range, the Galaxy A5 (2017) and Galaxy A7 (2017)!

“The Galaxy A5 (2017) and Galaxy A7 (2017) are the latest additions to the Malaysian market and they complement the needs of connected millennials who crave spontaneity and seek life’s pleasures in the most fulfilling way. The millennial consumers are socially active, fun-seeking individuals who live in the moment, and we at Samsung want to help them get ready for anything that comes their way. So for the first time ever in the Galaxy A Series, we made the 2017 variant to be dust and water resistant – youthful, trendy and cool as the right companion for millennials!” said Mr Lee Jui Siang, Vice President, IT & Mobile Business Unit, Samsung Malaysia Electronics.

The first in Samsung’s mid-range smartphones to carry an IP68 dust and water resistance rating, the Galaxy A Series (2017) promises uncompromised non-stop fun. Its IP68 rated dust and water resistance simply spells out worry-free impromptu days out in the sun and rain, on the beach or by the pool! Say yes to living in the moment and be ready for anything that comes your way!

These powerful devices also come equipped with enhanced 16MP front and rear camera with f1.9 lens and Light+ Camera feature for sharper images and beautiful shots even in lowlight or at night – an incredibly handy feature when you least expect it – whether on a romantic night stroll or that caving trip you and your friends decided to embark on. Also new in the Galaxy A Series (2017) is the Floating Camera Button which can be moved freely to anywhere on the screen for even more convenience with selfies!

Taking its cue from the flagship Galaxy mobile device experience, the Galaxy A Series (2017) boasts vivid Full HD 5.7-inch and 5.2-inch Super AMOLED screen displays – perfect for immersive gaming on the go or even binge-watching cat videos on YouTube! Never miss an episode of your favourite vlogger no matter where you are – just whip out your Galaxy A Series (2017) and enjoy the flagship-like immersive experience and performance!

The Galaxy A Series (2017) also comes Samsung Pay ready, a new alternative when making purchases at places where credit, debit and prepaid cards are accepted[1]. It is an easy-to-use and secure mobile payment service compatible with NFC (Near Field Communication) and MST (Magnetic Secure Transmission) terminals. Samsung Pay is currently performing an open beta test for selected Maybank Visa cardholders, with more banks such as CIMB Mastercard, Citibank Mastercard & Visa, Standard Chartered Mastercard & Visa to be made available soon.

The devices also come preloaded with mySamsung, Samsung’s own mobile app that helps users set up, manage and optimise their Samsung experience and stay updated with the latest Samsung offers and promotions. Another app to look out for is Samsung Milk Music, a downloadable app for Samsung users only that offers access to a wide range of personalised curated stations so users can listen to all their favourite music right from their Galaxy A devices!

Other amazing features of the new Galaxy A Series (2017) include bigger batteries (3,600mAh for A7 and 3,000mAh for A5), Fast-Charging capabilities, expandable storage up to 256GB, Always-On Display, Secure Folder and Samsung Cloud for added convenience.

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Available in Black Sky and Gold Sand colour options, the new Galaxy A Series (2017) will be available at all Samsung brand stores nationwide from 25th January 2017 onwards at a recommended retail price of RM1,899 (Galaxy A7 2017) and RM1,699 (Galaxy A5 2017) inclusive of GST.

Join the in-store pre-order and be the first to own the new Galaxy A Series (2017)! Head on to selected Samsung outlets from 6th to 15th January 2017 to place an order and receive a complimentary Samsung Level U Pro wireless headphones worth RM399. Pre-order collection will start on 25th January 2017.

Fans can pre-order the new 2017 Galaxy A smartphones at selected Samsung outlets , as well as online in the Samsung online store in Lazada and in 11street.

[1] Based on compatibility of Samsung Pay on MST and/or NFC payment terminals, with some supported for use only after software upgrades. Samsung Pay is exclusive to selected Samsung Galaxy smartphones only, and available across participating payment networks, banks and merchants. Availability may vary at launch, please check for updates.

 

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Samsung Extends IP68 Capability To 2017 Galaxy A Series!

If you have been hankering for a water-resistant smartphone like the award-winning Samsung Galaxy S7 edge (Lowest Price), but can’t quite afford one, you will be glad to know that the new 2017 Galaxy A Series smartphones will feature the same IP68 dust- and water-resistance!

This makes them the first smartphones from the Samsung Galaxy A family to ever offer dust- and water-resistance. Best of all, Malaysia is the first country to offer the 2017 Galaxy A smartphones!

Originally published @ 2017-01-03

Updated @ 2017-01-11 : Added a video of the 2017 Samsung Galaxy A Series pre-order promotion.

Updated @ 2017-01-17 : Samsung extended the pre-order by another week!

 

Why Bother With IP68?

One of the most impressive things about the Samsung Galaxy S7 edge (Lowest Price) is its IP68 rating. Far from being a passing fad, it gave the Galaxy S7 edge and its smaller brother, the Galaxy S7, a distinct advantage in survivability and usability.

As we explained in our Samsung Galaxy S7 & S7 edge IP68 rating primer, both the Samsung Galaxy S7 (Lowest Prices) and Galaxy S7 edge (Lowest Prices) smartphones can withstand complete immersion in water up to 1.5 m in depth, for up to 30 minutes.

That’s very impressive, and was one of their key advantages over their main competitors – the iPhone 6s and iPhone 6s Plus. Even the latest iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 Plus are only IP67-certified – they can withstand complete immersion in water up to 1 m in depth, for up to 30 minutes.

These water-resistant smartphones offer not just better survivability (if you drop them into water), they also offer greater usability. You can now use them in environments once considered impossible – the pool, the beach, in the rain, etc. Awesome, no?

 

Samsung Teasers

Samsung first alluded to the possibility with these two teaser images in December 2016. The first stated – “It all begins with A. Hold your breath.” The next teaser image came with the caption – “Hold your breath. A new wave is approaching.

If those captions was not explicit enough, the water splash image left no doubt that the Galaxy A Series (2017) smartphones will definitely boast some kind of water resistance. At that time, we did not know if it will feature the same IP68 rating as the Galaxy S7 edge and Galaxy S7, or the lower IP67 rating of the iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 Plus.

We can now confirm that the 2017 Galaxy A Series smartphones will feature the same IP68 rating as the Galaxy S7 edge and Galaxy S7 smartphones!

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The 2017 Galaxy A Series Pre-order Promotion

The 2017 Galaxy A Series will launch with two models – the Samsung Galaxy A5 (2017) and the Samsung Galaxy A7 (2017), with the recommended retail price of RM 1,699 (~US$ 379) and RM 1,899 (~US$ 429) respectively. You can check out their specifications in our launch coverage!

Both models will be opened for pre-orders starting Friday, 6th January 2017, at 10.00 AM until Sunday, 22 January 2017 at selected participating outlets. Yes, Samsung extended the pre-order by another week!

To celebrate the official arrival, fans will receive a free Samsung Level U Pro wireless headphone, worth RM 399 (~US$ 89), for every unit purchased during this exclusive pre-order sale. This pre-order promotion is limited to a first-come-first-serve basis while allocated stocks last. Pre-order collection will start on 25th January 2017.

Fans can pre-order the new 2017 Galaxy A smartphones at selected Samsung outlets , as well as online in the Samsung online store in Lazada and in 11street.

 

Support Tech ARP!

If you like our work, you can help support our work by visiting our sponsors, participating in the Tech ARP Forums, or even donating to our fund. Any help you can render is greatly appreciated!